How to Fertilize Lychee Trees

Fertilize lychee trees for optimal fruit production.

The lychee tree is a popular fruit-bearing subtropical evergreen. These trees are popular in home gardens for both their fruit and ornamentation. As with all plants, especially fruit trees, fertilization plays a pivotal role in the health and proper development of the lychee tree. Proper nourishment is often maintained through the addition of specific chemicals, such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Proper addition of these fertilizing agents increases the health and life of the tree as well as its fruit-bearing capabilities.

Things You'll Need

• 6-6-6-2, 8-3-8-3, or 4-4-8-3 fertilizer
• Nutritional spray
• Iron chelate drench (for high pH soil only)

Instructions

1. Determine the developmental stage of the tree. The two distinct growth stages for the lychee tree are saplings up to 4 years of age and fruit bearing -- 5 years and older.

2. Test the soil to find out the current nutrient and pH values.

3. Fertilize young trees (1 to 4 years old) with 1/4 to 1/2 lb. of a complete fertilizer per tree per application every eight weeks during the first year for a total of 1 1/2 to 3 lbs. Increase the amount of fertilizer to 1/2 to 3/4 lb. per tree per application for the second year for a total of 3 to 6 lbs., 3/4 to 1 lb. per tree per application totaling 6 to 9 lbs. during the third year and 1 to 2 lbs. per tree per application for a total of 9 to 10 lbs. during the fourth year.

4. Fertilize lychee trees during year 5 with 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbs. of fertilizer per tree per application for a total of 10 to 14 lbs. over the course of the year. Increase the amount of fertilizer to 2 1/2 to 3 lbs. per tree per application during year 6 for a total of 14 to 16 lbs. and 3 to 3 1/2 lbs. per application for a total of 16 to 18 lbs. every year thereafter.

5. Spray the foliage of the tree with a nutritional spray six times per year for the first four years from April through September and four times per year for trees 5 years and older. According to the University of Florida, the nutritional spray should contain magnesium, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, boron and may also contain iron.

6. Apply an iron chelate drench formulated for the pH of the soil directly to the soil rather than as a foliar spray. The amount to apply varies depending on the age of the tree from 1/2 to 3/4 oz. per tree during the first year, 3/4 to 1 oz. for the second year, 1 to 1 1/2 oz. for the third year, 1 1/2 to 2 oz. for the fourth year and 2 to 4 oz. for the fifth year and beyond. Apply the iron chelate drench two to four times from June through September. The iron chelate drench is only necessary in soils with pH of 6.0 or higher.

Tips & Warnings

• Spread the fertilizer around the tree starting at least eight inches away from the trunk and extending to the edge of the leaf drip line.

• Stop applying nitrogen containing fertilizer from August through February or March to avoid stimulating new growth, which reduces blooming and fruiting potential. Limit nitrogen application just after fruit set to reduce the potential for damage to the fruit during rainy periods.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Lychee Growing in the Florida Home Landscape; Jonathan H. Crane, et al.; 2008
• University of Hawaii Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Sciences: Lychee