longan
Dimocarpus longan
Overview
Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is an amazing plant species. The longan tree is native to Southern Asia, and is part of the same family as the lychee. This vibrant tree bears delicious, sweet and juicy fruit, which can be eaten fresh, dried, or in a range of culinary dishes. Its glossy, dark green leaves add to its majestic beauty, while its fragrant white blossoms and dark brown fruits make it an ideal ornamental tree. Longan fruits are filled with nutrients and are particularly rich in iron and Vitamin C, making them extremely beneficial to human health. All in all, the longan tree is a stunning and nutritious addition to any garden.
Care Guide
Watering
The longan plant should be watered regularly throughout the year to keep it healthy and growing. During the active growing season (May to October) the plant should be watered on a weekly basis, ensuring the soil is moist but not overly saturated. During the winter months (November to April) water the plant less frequently, allowing the soil to almost dry out between waterings. It is important to not let the soil dry out completely as this can cause the plant to suffer. To prevent overwatering, or creating water-logged soil, it is best to check the top inch of soil every few days to determine whether or not it is time to water. A great way of gauging when to give your longan plant a drink is to lift the pot to see if it feels surprisingly light, or if the area near the roots is dry.
Light
Longan plants need direct sunlight in order to properly grow and produce fruit. Ideally, the longan plant should receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day during the growing season. This should be increased to 8–10 hours of direct sunlight a day during the fruiting period in order to ensure quality fruit production. If the plant does not receive enough direct sunlight, this will stunt its growth and flower and fruit setting may be reduced.
Temperature
Hardiness zone 10-12.
Pruning
Longan trees should be pruned every year, in December or January, to remove branches that are crossed, growing straight up, or dead in order to promote new growth and maintain a healthy tree. Longan trees should have a light pruning each year where no more than 1/3 of the total branches are removed. Heavy pruning should only be done every 3 years in order to prevent shock to the tree.
Propagation
Air Layering Propagation, Grafting Propagation, Cutting, Seed Propagation
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