Executive Summery

A dragon fruit is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus Hylocereus. It is native to south and central America, belong to perennial epiphytic plant. It is also commercially cultivated in many of the Asian countries including Sri Lanka. The dragon fruit is growing its popularity in Sri Lanka, it can be cultivated in ow country wet zone, intermediate zone as well as dry zone with irrigation facilities.

Dragon fruits can tolerate poor soil conditions and temperature variations. The tropical climate is good for dragon fruit, whilst the optimum temperature is about 20 to 30 C, also, it needs around 500 to 1500 annual rainfall with alternate dry and wet climatic condition. It needs fairly a good sunlight, in times of shading. Effective drainage system is important for better cultivation, 10 to 30% sandy soils with organic matters provide better condition for growth of the plants.

The most common method in cultivation is cutting, however, it can also cultivate by seeds, but seeds take linger time and will not continue with mother plant characteristics, this method is not suitable for commercial cultivation purpose. The plants start bearing fruits in the first year itself, generally, these plants start flowing in May to June and bears the fruits from August to December month. Dragon fruit ready for harvesting after 01 month of flowering.