Have you ever wondered what it's like to live in a royal court? According to legends, the Chinese Imperial Court enjoyed a particular delicacy – Lychee fruit. Today we brought you one easy way to feel closer to the past royals. Read on to learn how to grow Lychee from a seed at home.
What Is Lychee?
The Lychee is a tropical evergreen tree that loves humid climates. It has delicious fruit, thick, inedible rind, and sweet pulp.
Lychee is considered one of the slowest fruiting plants. In nature, it takes at least five years to start bearing fruit. Lychee needs a subtropical, tropical, or sub-equatorial climate for successful growth. It will reach 9 to 30 meters outdoors and up to 3 meters indoors.
There are many varieties of Lychee trees in the world. In nature, they differ slightly in size, color, and pattern on the rind. Here we listed the most popular ones for you to choose from.
Green Lychees are native to China. The fruit is primarily green-colored (hence the name), but you can also find some red ones. It's crucial not to confuse these species with unripe Lychees that you shouldn't eat.
Emperor Lychee is a larger representative of its species. Although you can find this variety worldwide, you would have to wait five years for the tree to mature and bear fruit. It takes this tree longer to grow due to its size.
Mauritius Lychee is the most common variety. The fruit is medium-sized, with juicy, tasty flesh and a flowery smell. The rind of this Lychee is pink-colored and easy to peel.
Kaimana Lychee is a luxurious fruit. It is considered a premium-level variety due to the fruit's size. They have unusual bright rind color and oval shape.
How To Grow Lychee From Seed Step-By-Step
Growing tropical fruit is challenging, but the reward is always worth it.
We are here to help you on this journey. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grow a Lychee tree from seed:
- Go to the market and pick the best-looking Lychee fruit.
- Come home and enjoy some fresh fruit.
- Remove the seed from the fruit.
- Place the seed in a glass with water for three days. Change water daily.
- Another option is a paper-towel method. Place your seed in a paper towel, spray it with water, and put the towel in a ziplock bag. Leave it in a warm, dark place for a week.
- Once you have a seedling, you can plant it in a pot.
How To Plant Lychee Seeds
Once you have a sprouted seed on your hands, it's time to plant your Lychee into the soil. First, take care of the environment and create a cozy house for your new green pet!
- Find a warm place with lots of natural indirect sunlight.
- Pick a medium-sized pot. It shouldn't be wider than 8 inches (20 cm).
- Put a drainage layer (for example, from keramzite) at the bottom of the pot.
- Fill the pot with soil and place the seed into the substrate. Slightly push the Lychee into the soil. Cover it with potting medium.
- You will see rapid growth at first. However, Lychee will start growing slowly with time, so don't be scared!
Little tip: Plant more than one seed in the same pot. It will increase the chances of success!
How To Cut Lychee
Lychee is a slow-growing plant, so you don't have to cut it very often. In the first few years, while the tree is not producing fruit, take care of shaping the crown. However, if you notice that your Lychee tree gets a bit wild and you have to prune it, follow these tips:
- The best time for an annual crown-cut is at the time of harvesting fruit;
- When pruning, cut off about 4 inches (10 cm). This way, you are leaving enough for the new fruit-bearing branch to grow in the same place;
- Heavy pruning can only be done for immature trees or old trees with the goal of rejuvenation;
- Cover all the fresh cuts with latex paint to protect the Lychee tree from pests after pruning.
Lychee Tree Care
Even though Lychee trees are not the most demanding plants, they have some preferences regarding care. You will be rewarded with the healthy development of the tree if you follow all of the care recommendations.
Soil For Lychee Tree
Lychee doesn't like alkaline soil. Before planting your tree, run a soil test to check if the ground is suitable for your new green pet. The acidity should be 5-5.5 pH. Of course, in the beginning, you can grow Lychee from seed in a pot filled with premade peat-based soil. We recommend purchasing a mix at the store, as it's guaranteed to be weed and pest-free.
Lychee is a tropical plant and loves humidity. Therefore, you should provide just enough water to fulfill its needs. Be cautious not to overwater. Also, try to keep the water at room temperature, between 66,2 and 77 °F (19-25 °C)
Mulch For Lychee Tree
Organic mulch is the best option. Pick one consisting of decomposed leaves and shredded wood.
Little tip: mix the mulch with soil before planting the tree.
Lychee trees become heavy feeders once they produce fruit. Before that, you don't have to feed it too much. In the second year, apply complex mineral fertilizer solutions a couple of times. Also, don't apply fertilizer for a month after repotting your tree.
How Long Does It Take For Lychee Trees To Grow From Seed?
Lychee seeds germinate quickly, taking only about ten days. However, you will have to wait at least five years before the tree produces fruit.
When Is Lychee Season?
The harvest season begins in May and ends in September. However, it might vary depending on the climate. In Thailand, for example, lychees ripen even earlier.
What Is the Lychee Tree Growing Zone?
Lychee's primary habitat is China, India, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. Therefore, it thrives in the USDA zones 10-11.
Tips For Growing Lychee From Seed
- During the germination period, create warm conditions: 82,4 to 86°F (+28 to +30 °C)
- After planting the germinated Lychee seeds, put the pot in a sunny room. The proper amount of light will prevent the tree from getting leggy.
- Plant Lychee in good organic soil with vermiculite and perlite on the bottom of the pot.
- It's better to water less frequently but more thoroughly.
- Mature tree needs potassium-phosphate fertilizer for good flowering.