How many years does it take for longan to bear fruit?

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of longan , accounting for about 60% of the global market, so it has broad planting prospects. So, how many years does it take for longan to bear fruit? Let’s learn more about it below.

How many years does it take for longan to bear fruit?

After longan is planted, it usually takes 3-4 years for it to start bearing fruit. If the longan tree is propagated by grafting, this time may be shortened to 2-3 years. In addition, this length of time will also be affected by the level of cultivation management, so it should depend on the actual planting conditions.

How to propagate longan by grafting?

1. Rootstock selection

Choose healthy and pest-free longan seedlings as rootstocks, with a diameter of 1-2 cm.

2. Scion selection

Select branches with full development and full buds from excellent mother trees with pure varieties, vigorous growth and no diseases and insect pests as scion. The scion length is generally 10-15cm, with 2-3 buds.

3. Grafting time

The best time to graft longan trees is usually from March to April every spring, when the temperature is stable between 15-25℃, the physiological activities of the plants are relatively weak, the flow of body fluids is reduced, the roots and branches are in a semi-dormant state, and the survival rate of grafting is relatively high.

4. Grafting method

There are many methods for grafting longan trees, including cut grafting, belly grafting, and fusion grafting. Usually the cut grafting method is more commonly used, and its specific operation is: cut the rootstock, and make a vertical cut downward in the center of the section, with a depth of about 1-1.5cm; cut the bottom of the scion into a wedge shape, with a length of about 1-1.5cm, and flatten the two sides; insert the scion into the cut of the rootstock, so that the scion and the cambium of the rootstock are tightly combined; tie the interface between the scion and the rootstock with plastic film to keep the interface tight.

5. Management after grafting

(1) Check survival: Check survival about 20 days after grafting. If the scion is still fresh and callus tissue appears at the interface, it has survived. On the contrary, it is necessary to supplement the grafting in time within the appropriate period of grafting.

(2) Removing the bandage: When the second new shoots of the grafted seedlings mature, all the bandages can be removed.

(3) Pruning and pinching: After grafting, the sprouts below the rootstock should be removed in time. When the grafted seedlings grow to the specified height (such as 50-60 cm), they can be topped to promote thicker growth.

Generally speaking, it usually takes 3-4 years for longan to start bearing fruit, but grafted seedlings only need 2-3 years. Moreover, through scientific grafting and breeding techniques, high-quality longan fruit trees can be cultivated.