When is the best time to plant longan?

China has abundant fruit resources. In addition to the common apples and bananas, longan, lychee, etc. are also loved by many people. In fact, longan cultivation is particularly particular about the environment. High-quality longan cannot be grown in an unsuitable environment. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant longan?

When is the best time to plant longan?

Longan is suitable for planting in spring or autumn. Spring planting usually takes place between February and early April, while fall planting takes place between August and October. The climatic conditions during these two time periods are more suitable for the growth of longan, which is conducive to the survival and development of seedlings.

Key points for longan planting

1. Planting time

For bare-root seedlings, the best planting time is spring (early March to early April) and autumn (early September to early October), among which the survival rate is higher in spring. If there is sufficient water, seedlings in nutrient bags and seedlings with soil can be planted all year round except in the cold winter. The key is to ensure the integrity of the nutrient bags and nutrient soil.

2. Planting method

Pay attention to the depth when planting. Too deep will lead to poor soil permeability, which is not conducive to the growth of new roots. Too shallow will cause the roots to be exposed, affecting the survival rate. The correct method is to dig a hole in the center of the soil pan, with the bottom of the hole about 10cm lower than the original ground. When placing the seedlings, let the roots spread out naturally, with most of the roots located in the lower layer of the soil tray. Cover the roots with fine soil and compact it. Finally, build up the soil to 3cm to 5cm above the root neck, water thoroughly and cover with grass to maintain moisture.

3. Maintenance after planting

(1) Watering and fertilizing

During droughts, water every 3 to 5 days to keep the soil moist. After the new shoots turn green, apply dilute water fertilizer in combination with watering, 4 to 5 kilograms per plant each time. Gradually increase the amount of fertilizer you apply over time.

(2) Bud thinning and shoot determination

When the new shoots grow to 10 to 15 cm, thin out the buds, select the appropriately located and strong shoots as the main branches, and remove the rest in time.

4. Young tree management

The management focus of young trees (3 to 4 years after planting) is to cultivate 4 to 5 strong branches and shoots to quickly expand the crown and lay the foundation for early fruiting.

(1) Deep digging and hole enlargement

Dig a trench around the tree circle, apply coarse and fine feed, backfill in layers, and compact the soil.

(2) Plastic surgery

When the new shoots grow to 10 to 15 cm, they are pinned. Select the shoots in the growth position and in good condition as branches, and remove the rest. As the tree ages, prune it in the same way to cultivate a reasonable branch distribution and crown shape.

(3) Fertilizer and water management

Apply fertilizer in time according to the size and growth of the tree and keep the soil moist.

(4) Reasonable intercropping

In young orchards , intercrop short-stem crops such as legumes and leafy vegetables , and avoid tall-stem crops that may affect the growth of young trees.

5. Result Tree Management

(1) Fertilizer and water management

Fertilize according to the phenological period, 5 to 6 times a year, including flowering-promoting fertilizer, pre-flowering fertilizer, fruit-stabilizing fertilizer, shoot-promoting fertilizer and post-fruiting fertilizer, to support flower bud differentiation, increase fruit setting rate and restore tree vigor.

(2) Flower thinning

Flower thinning should be carried out when the flower spikes grow to 10 to 15 cm. The need for flower thinning should be determined based on the number of headings per plant to ensure an appropriate number of flower spikes and reduce nutrient consumption.

In short, longan is suitable for planting in spring or autumn. It is a famous fruit variety in subtropical regions and is cultivated in Hainan, Sichuan, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places in China.