How to Care for Longan Plants
Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a species of fruit-bearing tree native to southern Asia and the surrounding islands. It is widely cultivated in tropical areas for its round, 1-inch long fruit that are valued for their sweet, juicy flesh and light-orange color. Longans are easy to care for in warm, frost-free, areas such as Florida and Southern California. Many gardeners add the trees to their landscape for their ornamental value and fruit-bearing potential. The trees do not set fruit unless provided with regular feeding and irrigation during the growing season, which is often time consuming. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Water longan trees once a week to a depth of 3 inches for their first 2 years of growth. Increase the water to 3 inches twice a week once they begin bearing fruit. Irrigate the trees from April until September. Cease watering in September so the tree enters dormancy.
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Feed longan trees for six to eight weeks during their first year of growth. Apply 1/4 pound of 6-6-6 formula fertilizer at each feeding. Increases feeding to 1/2 pound every six to eight weeks once the trees begin bearing fruit. Feed longans from April until September.
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Weeding around the base of longan trees as often as possible eliminates competition from weeds. Keep surrounding garden vegetation at least 15 feet away from longan trees that are grown for fruit production.
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Spreading a 3-inch thick layer of neutral compost mulch in a 6-foot radius around the longan trees’ base regulates the soil’s temperature and moisture content. Replace the compost mulch each year after the first feeding in early spring.
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Watch for signs of insect infestations, such as droopy, yellow or prematurely dropped leaves. Contact a certified arborist to diagnose and treat the infestations since home treatment is seldom successful.
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Tips & Warnings
Longan trees are hardy to USDA hardiness zone 9a.
Longan trees are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9a.
