Wanna know how to grow lychee fruit? We've got the answer for you! The lychee tree provides for a very ornamental tree, but their fruit is the star of the show! The white, fleshy inside is sweet and tart, and can be used in a number of desserts, drinks, or all on their own. The white, fleshy part covers a big seed which can be used for planting lychee trees. Today we'll show you how to grow lychee fruits from seed so you can enjoy your own lychee fruits right at home!
Lychee, litchi chinensis, is a part of the Soapberry family and is a tropical tree native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China. The tree itself is an evergreen that can grow over 40 feet in height, and sometimes reaching as high as 90 feet. They require a tropical climate that never goes below -4C, so they are best grown in tropical or subtropical climates.
Alternatively, you can also try growing lychee fruit in pots or containers provided they are given enough sun and warmth. If you live in a cooler climate, you'll need to grow the trees in a greenhouse.
How to Grow Lychees From Seed
Planting Lychees:
- Purchase yourself some lychee fruit, eat them, and save a few of the large seeds. Wash the seeds of any remaining pulp and dry them.
- Soak the seeds in water for 3 days, making sure to replace the water every single day.
- During this time at some point, the seed will start to split. This means that the seed is ready to germinate.
- Fill seedling trays, small paper cups, citrus rinds, or even eggshells with potting soil.
- Place one lychee seed in each cup or container about 3-4 inches deep, and cover up with soil.
- Keep the soil moist at all times.
- After 3-4 weeks, the shoot will grow to about 3-4 inches in height and start developing green leaves.
Transplanting:
- After 3-6 weeks, once the lychee seed has germinated, it's time to transplant to a bigger pot.
- Choose a 3-gallon pot or container that has good drainage holes.
- Fill the pot with slightly acidic potting soil and plant your seedlings.
- Water regularly, and keep the soil moist.
- After about a year, replant your lychee tree into a 7-gallon pot.
- The following year, move your tree to a 15-gallon pot.
- The year after that, replant in a 25-gallon pot.
- After that, you may plant the lychee tree directly in the ground.
Care:
- During the lychee tree's first year or two, it needs to protected from the wind and needs to be introduced to the sun slowly.
- Water regularly, making sure the soil is moist.
- Do not fertilize in the tree's first year.
- Once the tree is ready to be planted in the ground, choose a spot that has full sun.
- Only fertilize using organic matter, as lychees are susceptible to root burn.
Harvesting Lychees:
- Your lychee fruits will be ready to produce fruits anywhere from 5-25 years depending on a number of different factors such as tree variety, climate, soil quality, amount of sun, and seed quality.
- Although they are slowing growing, be patient and you will be reward with deliciously sweet exotic fruit!
So now that you know how to grow lychee, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
Happy Planting!
