Litchi, also known as Lychee, is the most prominent subtropical, evergreen fruit tree in the Sapindaceae family. Litchi yield varies as per tree age, agro-climatic conditions, and farm care.
The beautiful lychee tree has been around for thousands of years and originated in southern China. The lychee has become a tropical and subtropical yard and house mainstay due to its tasty fruit and rich, deep green foliage.
The Lychee (Litchi Chinensis) is a tasty, juicy, high-quality fruit. It is popular as a table fruit. Growing plant from a small seed takes time and care, but tree will be healthy and ready to bear fruit before you know it!
Litchi Plant
Litchi (Lychee chinensis) is a delightfully delicious fruit with a distinct flavor. Botanically, it is a member of the Sapindaceae family. In India, the translucent, flavorful aril or edible flesh of the litchi is marketed as a table fruit, but in China and Japan, it is preferred dry or preserved.
The amazing lychee tree was introduced in southern China and has been there for thousands of years. Because of its sweet fruit and lush, wide green leaves, the Litchi has become a mainstay in tropical and subtropical gardens and ecosystems. It is well adapted to the temperate subtropics, cropping best in areas with short, cold, frost-free winters and long, hot summers with significant rainfall and humidity.
Growing plant from a little seed is a time-consuming and painstaking process, but before know it, tree will be successful and ready to provide fruit!
Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Litchi chinensis
- Family: Sapindaceae
- Origin: Southern China and southeastern Asia
- Common Names: Lychee, litchi, lichi
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen fruit tree
- Mature Size: 30 to 100 ft. tall outdoors, 10 ft. indoors
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
- Soil pH: Acidic (5 to 5.5)
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Flower Color: White, yellow, green
- Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11 (USDA)
Stepwise Guide to Growing Litchi From Seed
Lychee Fruit is a delicious, luscious fruit of exceptional quality. Botanically, it is a member of the Sapindaceae family. Litchi is well-known for its appealing red color, high quality attributes, and delectable flavor. Lychees are popular fruits in Asian cuisine. They grow in subtropical to tropical areas of the world and thrive in Mediterranean conditions.
Grafting, air layering, and cuttings are all methods of lychee propagation. You might also grow them from seed, but trees can take up to ten years to yield fruit, and the fruit may not be identical to the parent. Air layering is the quickest and most popular technique used by commercial and home growers, with an 80% success rate.
Several Varieties of Lychee
Suggested cultivars for fruit production comprise:
- Brewser
- Mauritius
- Sweet Cliff
- Kate Sessions
- Kwai Mi Origin
1. The Soil Needs For Growing Lychee Fruit
The Lychee plant is a sub-tropical fruit and increases best under a humid subtropical climate. It favors low elevation and can be developed up to an eminence of 800 m.
Deep, well-drained loamy soil, abundant in organic constituents and having pH levels in the range of 5.0 to 7.0 is excellent for the crop.
Litchi plants cannot endure freeze throughout winter and dry heat in summer.
Lengthened rain can be dangerous, particularly at the time of flowering when it prevents pollination.
2. Sunlight is Required For Growing Litchi
Lychee tree will develop the most beneficial in the complete sun on all surfaces of the tree. If you agree to put Litchi in an expanse with sunlight on only one side, you should turn the tree as frequently as achievable.
Lychee trees in vessels become quite externally, where they can receive full sun throughout the whole tree.
The Lychee plant increases in deep, fertile, well-draining soil, a wonderful individual tree with its sparkling leaves and beautiful fruit. They favor acidic soil of pH 5.0-7.0.
When developing Litchi trees, be convinced to plant them in a preserved territory.
Their dense covering can be plucked up by the wind, producing the trees to topple over, and the tree can spread 30-40 feet in height.
3. Directions For Growing Litchi Fruit
When ready, transfer small Litchi tree to a larger container and implement all the right requirements to maintain its growth well:
Lots of water: Litchi plant requires plenty of water to flourish. Don’t terminate on watering Litchi tree unless. There is no inoperative winter season for Litchi, so continue watering it periodically year-round. The Lychee plant also relishes humid air, so sprits the leaves frequently.
Ample sunlight: Ensure your Litchi tree has a locality where it can receive as adequate sunlight as practicable. Rotate your container developed Litchi to make assured it receives even light too.
Acidic soil: For the most loyal returns, Litchi tree requires acidic soil. A pH level of between 5.0 and 7.0 is sufficient. The soil should also drain properly.
Occasional fertilizer: Your Litchi tree will also benefit from occasional light fertilizing. Utilize a limited liquid fertilizer.
Warmth: Potted Litchi trees require to be deposited in warm. If you have a greenhouse and that is the most desirable spot for it in the colder months. If not, be assured you have a warm place for it in residence.
Lychee is not the perfect plant for an indoor vessel, and discover that tree nevermore produces fruit. For fruiting to happen, it supports allowing the Litchi plant to consume spring and summer outside where decent pollination can happen. Just be convinced to transfer the plant back inside before the coming of cool warmth.
Even if you don’t generate fruit, as long as you deliver it in the appropriate situations and take care of it, developed Litchi will be a pleasant indoor plant.
4. Sowing and Germination of Lychee Seeds
Commonly, Lychee seeds develop well when deposited under suitably warm, humid requirements.
Supply a 6- inch pot with drainage holes with clean, additional potting soil and then add water continuously. The soil is uniformly moistened, and the excess water has flowed out within the drainage holes.
Plant the Litchi seed in the middle of the soil at the bottom of around 1 inch.
Sustain a temperature of between 23 and 32°C and hold the topmost inch of soil somewhat moistened.
Most fresh Litchi seeds will develop in one to four weeks, but some can consider up to 6 weeks.
Once the shining, reddish-bronze plant leaves develop, transfer the pot to a sheltered, gently shadowed position.
5. Water and Fertilizer Need of Litchi
Lychee plants favor extensive and consistent water throughout the year. Litchi does not have a normal winter resting phase, so it will not serve from watering suspension.
We don’t suggest frequently fertilizing your vessel Lychee tree, or tree will immediately discard its container.
Low consistency, organic fertilizers such as kelp and fish emulsion are most helpful. When you do fertilize, ensure you sprinkle lesser parts on the plant leaves.
Scatter liquid phosphorous fertilizer on the leaves when remove Lychee tree into a new vessel periodically in September or October to encourage flowering and fruiting of the Litchi tree.
6. Pruning Procedure of The Lychee
The Pruning and thinning of the Litchi tree are essential for an influential formation and prevent wind destruction.
Young trees must be pruned to control a round shape, trimming trees back around 4 inches periodically.
Diluting Litchi trees to formulate an open center presents sufficient sunlight exposure and air circulation while defending against wind erosion.
Once Litchi trees are mature after they’re around 4 years old, the yearly cutting of fruit from branches implements adequate Pruning.
7. Pests and Diseases of Lychee Plants
Preserve a prospect for mealy bugs, aphids, and mites. Infestation indicates tiny webs on plants, white “powdery” residue clumps, or apparent insects on the Litchi plant.
An outcome like Pyrethrum is performed to manage aphids and pests that congregate in Litchi fruit trees.
Sprinkle it on the Litchi per the outcome regulations, and it should eliminate the pests on contact.
Treat infestations as promptly as feasible to deter them from expanding to the release of the collection.
Conditions of the Litchi tree comprise anthracnose, root rot, and red algae. Most are the result of inappropriate watering and extreme usage of fertilizer.
8. Lychee Fruit Harvesting Procedure
Lychee fruits develop in fruit color, from green to pink, and the smoothness of skin symbolise fruit development.
Fruits are accumulated in a bunch of pieces. While fruit harvesting, relish a small portion of leaves and branches. It maintains a poor shallow life.
For local syndicates, do harvesting at the ripening platform, while harvesting is done when they turn pink for different markets.
Retaining lychee fruit cool is essential to preserving the color and actual taste. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh for a longer period.
You can hold lychee fruit in the icebox for up to 5 weeks. Don’t consume any fruit that seems like it was eaten by bugs or fruit flies.
Know More about To Buy Litichi Plant in India.
Some Interesting Facts about Litchi
- Bihar is the largest producer of litchi in India.
- The amount of sugar in it is 10-15 percent and protein is 11 percent.
- It is also a good source of Vitamin ‘C’.
- Humid climate is best suited for successful litchi gardening.
- Litchi fruits are used to prepare jam, syrup, sukhota, and other products.
- An important industry related to litchi is beekeeping.
- Litchi production can be doubled by planting it with scientific method.
- Litchi is popular all over the world due to its delicious taste.
Hope you enjoyed reading the Planting guide of Litchi. If you think we missed something or have a suggestion, please leave it in the comments section below.
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