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Those in a bit cooler climates can grow it in large containers and bring indoors to a protected location during winter. Each drupe contains one shiny, dark brown seed. Available in a range of sizes and conveniently potted for transportation - as well as placement in limited backyard environments - Lychee trees from California Tropical are of the highest quality and abundance in the region. Their dense canopy can be caught up by the wind, causing the trees to topple over. There are so many that are unfamiliar, but that’s the fun of it. Lychee California Tropical is ideally located in the climate of Vista, California, where numerous Lychee varieties have been proven to grow quite well. They can be grown for a short period in a large container. Lychee fruit is a rarity in the United States, probably because it isn’t commercially grown on the mainland with the exception of small farms in Florida. Sign up for our newsletter. Step: 2. However, we are happy to make suggestions on which trees will grow and produce a lifetime of fruit. How do you grow lychee? It can be eaten fresh, dried, or canned. Lychee California Tropical is ideally located in the climate of Vista, California, where numerous Lychee varieties have been proven to grow quite well. The fruit is round to oval and 1-1.5 inches (25-38 mm.) While it isn’t commonly found here, lychee has been prized for centuries by the Chinese who passed it along to Burma in the late 17th century, who in turn brought it to India. Be careful not to damage the seed. While the trees will tolerate slightly water logged soil and light flooding for short periods, continual standing water is a no-no. Other than minor maintenance, lychee tree care is fairly minimal and it will reward you with years of beauty and succulent fruit. Recommended cultivars for fruit production include: Lychee trees begin producing fruit in 3-5 years. Their dense canopy can be caught up by the wind, causing the trees to topple over.The tree can … A beautiful specimen tree with its shiny leaves and attractive fruit, lychee thrives in deep, fertile, well-draining soil. Fruit taken when it’s green will not ripen any further. The most notable of the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, lychee trees bloom in the late winter to early spring. Lush, dark green foliage adds great contrast to the Lychee fruits that hang in bunches like giant, rose colored grapes. Since the tree is subtropical, it can be grown in USDA zones 10-11 only. Growing Lychee in a Container. across and a bumpy textured pink to red in color. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Cultivation spread over the years through neighboring areas of southeastern Asia and offshore islands. Potted lychee trees are not something you see often, but for many gardeners this is the only way to grow the tropical fruit tree. Where I live in the Pacific Northwest we are privy to a plethora of Asian markets and there’s nothing more fun than tooling around investigating every package, fruit and vegetable. The tree is … Origin:The lychee is native to low elevations of the provinces of Kwangtung and Fukien in Southern China. The resulting fruits are actually drupes, which are borne in clusters of from 3-50 fruits. The tree can reach 30-40 feet (9-12 m.) in height. There are trees in San Diego, California that are over 90 years old with no sign of decline in sight. However, those living in the warmest regions of zone 9b can grow a lychee tree provided the tree gets protection during an unexpected freeze. In mid-fall, the garden shows promise for winter broccoli, cabbage, and lettuce, while the summer’s strawberry plants (left foreground) and lingering tomatoes (trellised, in the background) grow on. Take lychee fruit, for instance. Because of this, it isn’t any wonder you’re asking what is lychee fruit. Proper pruning will also mitigate wind damage. In the United States, lychee trees grow well in USDA zones 10a through 11b. Distant Affinity: Akee (Blighia sapida), Longan (Dimocarpus longan), Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), Pulasan (N. mutabile), Fijian longan (Pometia pinnata). Step: 1. Read on to answer those questions, and learn about growing lychee trees and harvesting lychee fruit. I'd direct you specifically to the part that states: There are only a few scattered trees in the West Indies and Central America apart from some groves in Cuba, Honduras and Guatemala. Growing lychee indoors isn’t easy and takes a lot of special care, warmth, and sunlight. The tree itself, Litchi chinensis, is a large, long-living subtropical evergreen that bears fruit from May through August in Hawaii. To harvest the fruit, allow them to turn red. DESCRIPTION Growth Habit: The lychee tree is handsome, dense, round-topped and slow-growing with smooth, gray, brittle trunk and limbs. Common Names:Lychee, Litchi, Leechee, Lichee, Lichi. Itreached Hawaii in 1873, and Florida in 1883, and was conveyed from Florida toCalifornia in 1897 Adaptation:Lychees require seasonal temper… Origin:The lychee is native to low elevations of the provinces ofKwangtung and Fukien in Southern China. As mentioned, lychee trees need to be protected from wind. Start by removing the outer shell to expose the fruit flesh. It first fruited in Santa Barbara in 1914. But the Lychee fruit tastes so good you'll want to keep it within an arm's reach. Give the tree regular watering and fertilize twice a year with an organic fertilizer. Distant Affinity: Akee (Blighia sapida), Longan (Dimocarpus longan),Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), Pulasan (N. mutabile), Fijian longan (Pometiapinnata). In the author’s northern California garden, drip irrigation keeps the warm-season vegetables growing through the hot dry fall. When growing lychee trees, be sure to plant them in a protected area. When growing lychee trees, be sure to plant them in a protected area. Step: 3. Peel the off the outer layer of the seed using your nails. It's a slow grower that can achieve heights of more than 40 feet. Remove the fruit from the tree by cutting it from the branch just above the panicle bearing the fruit. Once peeled, the interior of fruit is whitish, semi-transparent, and juicy. Now eat or remove the white fruit flesh to get to the seed. Once harvested, the fruit can be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks. This is a 8 step guide that will show you how to grow your own lychee tree from seed. What’s lychee fruit, you ask? In California, the lychee will grow and fruit only in protected locations and the climate is generally too dry for it. They prefer an acidic soil of pH 5.0-5.5. Cultivation spread over the yearsthrough neighboring areas of southeastern Asia and offshore islands. The following list of trees do not grow successfully in Southern California, thus we will not sell them to you. It reached Hawaii in 1873, and Florida in 1883, and was conveyed from Florida to Calif…