International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 156-162 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 157 1 Environment 1.1Soil Optimum soil environment is basic requirement for achieving higher yields. Dragon fruit can be grown wide range of soil from sandy loam to clay loam. However, well drained sandy soil with good organic matter is best for its cultivation. It can be grown in considerable degree of soil acidity and alkalinity but optimum pH is about 5-7. It cannot be cultivated in waterlogged condition. 1.2 Temperature Dragon fruit is a semi-epiphytic plant that prefers a dry tropical or subtropical climate. Temperature about 25 °C suitable for its growth and when fruits are growing on the plant, its needs a temperature of 30 °C-35 °C but plant can also tolerate maximum temperature of 40 °C and minimum of 7 °C. 1.3 Moisture For obtaining better yield 1,145-2,540 mm/year of rainfall is required. If the area is under irrigation, the about 1 inch of water is required weekly to the plants such that plants does not get completely dry. 1.4Light Light is important factor influencing growth, flowering and stem development. Dragon fruit belongs to photophilic plant species. About 7-10 hours of bright sunlight is highly useful for active growth and ripening. Compact lamps are also used for warming the dragon fruit trees. 2 Propagation and Planting Method The most common propagation method in dragon fruit cultivation is by using cuttings, although it can also be propagated by seeds. However, using seeds is less favorable as it takes longer and does not retain the mother plant's characteristics, making it unsuitable for commercial cultivation. For planting in the field, cuttings of about 20-30 cm in length should be used and treated with a 0.5% solution of Agallol or Aretan. The recommended pit size for planting is 60 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm, with a spacing of 2 meters between plants. This spacing allows for a plant density of 1,700 plants per acre of land. 3 Pitaya Varieties Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is cultivated in various varieties, including Red pitaya, Pitaya Roja, Pitaya Amarilla, Yellow pitahaya, Alice, American beauty, Bloody mary, Cosmic Charlie, Costarican sunset, Dark star, David bowie, Delight, each with unique characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, and cultivation requirements. In Nepal, several varieties have gained popularity among farmers due to their adaptability to the local climate and soil conditions. The primary varieties of dragon fruit grown in Nepal include Red pitaya, American beauty, Costarican sunset, and White pitaya (Rijal, 2019). 3.1 Red Pitaya Red pitaya is characterized by its vibrant red skin and red flesh. This variety is favored for its rich, sweet flavor and high nutritional content, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals (Huang et al., 2021). It is commonly cultivated in regions with a warm climate and well-drained soil. Red pitaya is known for its relatively high yield and robust growth, making it a popular choice among Nepali farmers. 3.2 American beauty The American beauty variety is notable for its large, attractive fruit with red skin and purple-red flesh (Goenaga et al., 2020). It is highly valued for its sweet, mildly tangy flavor and high antioxidant content. This variety is also known for its disease resistance and adaptability to different growing conditions, making it suitable for diverse agricultural regions in Nepal.
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