Longan grow and care – tree of the genus Dimocarpus and also known as Dimocarpus longan, Longan perennial evergreen plant, grow for the edible fruits but also used as ornamental plant, can grow as shade tree or dwarf in a container, can grow in tropic, mediterranean or subtropical climate and growing in hardiness zone 9+.
Leaves color green when the leaves young red, the leaves in elliptic shape.
Fruit are cover with think skin color is yellow-brown, that pilled easily the flesh is white with special structure remind little bit onion, some cultivar are easy to take off the seeds, fruits taste remind the Lychee fruits
Slightly acidity soil, rich soil, organic matter, fertilize 2-4 times a year
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction – start by cutting but it’s harder to take care than to start by seeds but then no need to graft, requirements: moist soil, high humidity, peat soil, hormone for root growth.
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? Yes, also possible without but the fruit can be too much seeds endless flesh
Difficulties or problems when growing: Sensitive to salty soil
Planting season: Spring
How to plant: Planting in sunny location,
Pests and diseases: Aphids, ants
Pruning season: Autumn / Winter
How to prune:
Weak branches
Size of the plant? 6-12 m (20-40 feet), grow to the wide can be 8 m (24 feet) and more
Growth speed in optimal condition: Medium growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes
How to grow Longan in container:
Start with small pot 20-30% bigger than the roots ball, every time that switch the container to bigger switch some of the soil to new soil until arrive to the desirable container size, after that every few years better to switch part of the soil and prune some roots also once a year pruning for the tree, no need to take the plant out just from the side of the container, need to water regularly but don’t let the water site in bottom of the pot and verify that there are enough holes, soil can be used potting mix soil or mixture or peat soil and perlite, need to add fertilizer 2-4 times a year and also to hummus and organic matter, grafting or start by air layering is important, it will ensure that the tree will bear fruits in the container
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring / Summer
General information about the flower Small white-yellow flowers
Thinning the bloom: The first years recommend to thinning
Pollination is done by: Bees
Edible Fruit
Fruit harvest season: Summer / Autumn
Fruits pests or diseases: Aphids, birds, ants
What can be done with big quantities of Longan fruits? Eaten raw, jelly, juice
Work requirements on the fruit: Sometime need to cover with net
How long does it take to bear fruit? 2-3 years
Ripening of fruit: Can be taken little before the fruits ready
How to grow Longan from seed
Sowing requirement: Better in peat soil with vermiculite possible in other soils, take care that the soil will be well ventilated (better result)
Saving seeds until sowing: Dry and dark location, keep it room temperature
Sowing season: Spring will be the best for the tree but possible in summer, and in hardiness zone 12+ possible all year
Planting spacing: Better in different pots – because need to graft it after and some won’t establish, better to choose the best to transplant to the real location
Depth of Sowing: 3-5cm, (~1-2inches)
How to plant the seeds: Dig a hole bigger than the seeds cover it lightly better with peat soil or vermiculite
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil, sunny location, water regularly and don’t let it dry
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water
Germination time: 2-4 weeks
Condition of seedling: Sunny location, humidity and moist soil
