THE LYCHEE. |
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Fresh Lychees straight from the tree in midsummer is one of the true delights in life. Brought to North Queensland by Chinese gold diggers late last century they have remained unknown to most Australians until very recently. It is only now that they are being grown commercially and starting to find their way into the better fruit shops in season, that some Australians are being privileged with a taste of these irresistible little delights. Many people have tasted canned lychees as served with icecream in Chinese restaurants, but rest assured the canned ones just cannot be compared to the real thing. The lychee tree is very attractive, Evergreen, medium size with a rounded crown and dark glossy foliage. Variety Bengal has bright pink new growth. HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO BEAR ? Some varieties take several years, but the variety Bengal will bear in three years. Of course this crop is only small but the Lychee is a long lived tree and each year the crop will get bigger. For example, at six years, the average yield in NSW is 10 Kg , at 10 years, 42 Kg and so on. WHERE CAN I GROW A LYCHEE TREE ? Lychees will grow in a very wide range of soils from sand to clay base. They prefer a sheltered (from wind) but sunny spot and need a clear space of at least 4 metres (all around) the trunk. DO THEY TAKE FROST ? Lychees will not stand heavy frost especially when young. If well sheltered with a guard for the first two winters or until the tree is 1.5 M (five ft) high, it will then stand light frosts to -1 degrees. DO THEY NEED SPRAYING ? Lychees are relatively free of pests especially in the home garden or mixed orchard situation. The main thing to watch for in young trees is scale insects. If you only see a few scales don't worry because they are probably being controlled by insect predators. If you have a heavy infestation it is best to spray with a recommended chemical for scale but be careful because Lychee trees are sensitive to some chemicals. If the scale is being spread ("farmed") by the common little black ant, then you may solve the problem by drenching the soil around the trees with something recommended for killing ants. DO THEY NEED PRUNING ? Occasionally the branches need thinning or selecting for good open crotch angles but this only needs to be done every two or three years. WHEN DO I PLANT A LYCHEE TREE ? Best to plant Lychees in early to mid summer - that is, about November to February, so that they are settled in before winter. Do not expect much growth in the first twelve months as they are slow starters. ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ? Yes. Lychees have no drought tolerance whatsoever. They must be kept moist at all times. Whereas most trees will wilt when dry, then recover sometime after watering, the Lychee will not recover from a dry-out, but will drop its leaves and eventually die. HOW DO I PLANT MY LYCHEE TREE ?
AFTERCARE.
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This page prepared for GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS by Internet Gardencentre ™, and last updated October 01, 2006