Litchi, Lychee

Where does Litchi grow?

Found in: Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, Zimbabwe

Notes: There is only one Litchi species.

Status: It is an important fruit in Asia and is exported. It has been introduced into Papua New Guinea and trees grow well but fruiting is rare probably because trees should be at mid altitude zones.

Growing Litchi, Lychee

Cultivation: Trees are mostly grown from seed but they do not breed true and are slow to produce. Trees can be propagated by aerial layering, grafting or cuttings. Air layering is best. Seeds do not store well (4-5 days), so fresh seed must be sown. Air layers on mature branches in the warmer season are best. Branches of 2 to 2.5 cm across with 45 cm of shoot are suitable for air layers. A spacing between trees of 10-12 m is suitable. Good soil preparation prior to planting enables good early growth. Organic matter dug in over 1 metre square and 30 cm deep 3 months before planting is good. A stick for support of the young plant and shelter are needed at planting. A pH of 5.5 to 6.0 is required. Because it is shallow rooting, cultivation should be avoided and mulching practised. Small amounts of fertiliser added often is the appropriate method. Lychee trees have a high water consumption. Only limited tree training is required. Often no general pruning is required. Plants need adequate water but not waterlogged soil.

Edible Uses: The fleshy pulp around the seeds is eaten. They are eaten fresh, preserved or dried. They are pickled, canned, used in jams. sauces, fruit salads, ice cream and made into wine. Dried tea leaves are soaked in lychee juice then dried again to impart a lychee flavour.

Production: Seedling trees take 8-12 years to start fruiting. Vegetatively propagated trees bear in 4-6 years. Fruiting is normally seasonal. It takes 140 days from flowering to fruit maturity. Fruit need to be harvested ripe from the tree. The normal harvesting method is to remove the fruit with a few cm of the stem still attached. Early fruit set is affected by vegetative growth at flowering. Insects (bees) are important for fruit set. Wind breaks are essential because wind at flowering can reduce fruit set. A 20 year old tree can produce 5,000 fruit or 100 kg.

Nutrition Info

Litchi, Lychee Photos

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