What conditions are needed to grow litchi?

The current market demand for fruits is increasing. Lychee has always been a very popular fruit because it is sweet, juicy and nutritious. Whenever lychees are on the market, all varieties in supermarkets sell very well. So what conditions are needed to grow lychees? Let’s take a look below.

1. What conditions are needed to grow litchi?

Litchi is a typical subtropical evergreen fruit tree that prefers high temperature and high humidity, and sunlight. Litchi has strict temperature requirements, requiring high temperature and humidity during its growth and development period. The most suitable growth temperature is 23~29℃, and it grows slowly at 10~12℃. It starts to bloom in spring when the temperature is above 10℃, and blooms most vigorously at 18~24℃. Low temperature and rainy weather during the flowering and young fruit period will cause a large number of flowers and fruits to fall, or even a total crop failure. Appropriate low temperatures are needed in winter to inhibit vegetative growth and promote flower bud differentiation. 0~2℃ will cause low temperature damage, and adult trees can withstand -2.8℃ or even lower temperatures. Litchi needs sufficient water to grow, an annual rainfall of more than 1200mm, and an annual accumulated temperature of >100℃ and >7000℃.

2. Litchi Planting Technology and Management

1. Site selection and preparation

Geographical environment: Litchi grows best in warm and humid climates. Choose sites with moderate altitude, plenty of sunshine and stable climate for planting.

Soil conditions: Litchi prefers loose, fertile and well-drained soil. Choose soil types such as sandy loam or sandy yellow soil for planting, and conduct sufficient soil improvement and fertilization before planting.

Land preparation: Before planting, deep plowing and leveling of the land should be carried out to remove weeds and pests and diseases to ensure a clean and tidy planting environment.

2. Variety selection and breeding methods

Variety selection: Choose suitable lychee varieties for planting according to local climate conditions and market demand. Common varieties include Nuomici, Black Leaf Lychee, Nuomici, etc.

Reproduction method: There are two main ways of propagating litchi: seed propagation and grafting propagation. Seed propagation is suitable for variety screening and seedling cultivation, while grafting propagation can ensure the quality and yield of fruit trees.

3. Planting and management techniques

Planting time: Lychee is suitable for planting in spring or autumn, generally choosing a period with stable temperature and moderate rainfall, avoiding high temperature and severe cold seasons.

Tree spacing and row spacing: The tree spacing and row spacing of litchi are determined according to the size and growth habits of the variety. Generally, the tree spacing is maintained at 4-6 meters, and the row spacing is about 3-4 meters, to facilitate plant growth and ventilation and light transmission.

Fertilization management: Litchi needs sufficient nutrition supply during the growing period. Fertilization can be carried out by combining organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer. Generally, fertilization is carried out 2-3 times a year. Pay attention to controlling the amount of fertilizer to avoid root burns caused by excessive fertilization.

Watering management: Lychee has a high demand for water. The soil should be kept moist during the growth period, but do not overwater to avoid root suffocation and root rot. Generally, water 1-2 times a week and adjust the amount of watering according to weather conditions.

Pruning and trimming: The crown of the litchi tree grows lushly and needs to be pruned and trimmed regularly to keep the crown ventilated and light-permeable, and to promote the development and ripening of the fruit. When pruning, pay attention to retaining the main trunk and main side branches, and moderately thinning and shortening branches to facilitate the growth and fruiting of the plant.

Pest and disease control: Regularly check the crowns and fruits of litchi trees, and take timely prevention and control measures when pests and diseases are found, such as spraying pesticides , pruning diseased branches, etc., to keep the orchard clean and hygienic and reduce the occurrence and spread of pests and diseases.

That’s it