Rang Dong’s LED Grow Light Helps Raise Dragon Fruit Yields

Dragon fruit growers are increasingly turning to LED grow lights to enhance productivity, especially during off-season months. Proper lighting application can stimulate flowering, increase fruit set, and optimize plant health. This guide explains how to effectively apply LED grow lights, covering installation, timing and energy-saving tips as well as recommends one of the most suitable light brands. 

Dragon fruit is a tropical crop that thrives under long daylight conditions. However, during winter or off-season months, natural light is often insufficient to trigger flowering, thus affecting the crop’s yield and profitability.  

That’s where LED grow lights come in to provide the right light spectrum and intensity to stimulate photoperiod-dependent flowering of dragon fruit plants. 

Effective LED Grow Light Application 

Lighting timing 

In order to mimic optimal conditions, growers should apply LED lighting during nighttime hours, extending the perceived day length to at least 12–14 hours. This method tricks the plant into thinking it's still the flowering season.  

Growers are recommended to: 

• Turn on the LED grow lights at dusk. 

• Maintain operation for 6–8 hours each night. 

• Use timers for consistency and labor savings. 

This lighting schedule can significantly enhance dragon fruit productivity, especially in regions with short daylight periods. 

Installation and Placement 

Positioning the LED grow lights correctly is essential. There are three methods farmers can apply: 

1. Intersection lights model 

Suitable for early season: August - September (2 regions), February - March (southern Vietnam) and March - May (northern Vietnam). 

• Lamp distance: 3 meters 

• Power density: 10W/pillar 

• Number of lamps: 1000 bulbs/ha 

• Light intensity on leaves: 0.3 - 1.1 µmol/m2/s 

• Lamp time: 10 -12 nights, 8 hours/night 

     2. Two-meter model 

Suitable for mid-season for both regions. 

• Lamp distance: 2 meters 

• Power density 14W/pillar 

• Number of lamps: 1,400 bulbs/ha 

• Average light intensity measured on leaves: 0.6 - 1.3 µmol/m2/ 

• Lamp duration: 12-15 nights, 8 hours/night 

      3. 1.5-meter model 

Suitable for the mid-December - January crop in southern Vietnam. 

• Lamp distance: 1.5 meters 

• Power density 18W/pilla 

• Number of lamps: 1,800 bulbs/ha 

• Average light intensity measured on leaves: 0.9 - 1.7 µmol/m2/s 

• Lamp duration: 16-20 nights, 8 hours/night 

In addition to the lighting models according to weather conditions, growers should also pay attention to the height of the lights.  

For white-fleshed dragon fruit, the height is about 1.0-1.2 meters, while it is 0.7-1.0 meter for red-fleshed type. 

Focus on Energy Efficiency 

Operating LED grow lights at night can raise electricity costs. Therefore, choosing energy-efficient models such as the 9W LED produced by Rang Dong, Vietnam’s leading manufacturer of LED products, helps reduce long-term expenses.  

This particular model saves up to 55 percent of energy consumption compared to traditional HPS or incandescent lamps.  

Applying the right lighting approach as described above, farmers can significantly boost dragon fruit yields, even during the off-season period, while minimizing operational costs. 

Should you have any questions or request a quotation of Rang Dong products, please send us an email to: export@rangdong.com.vn    

Websites: en.rangdong.com.vn and vacuumflask.rangdong.com.vn.