What are lychees and where do they come from?
Red or amber in colour, oval in shape and with a warty scale-like skin, lychees (or litchis as they are sometimes known) are a colourful addition to the fruit bowl. They are the fruit of Litchi chinensis, an evergreen tree native to southern China. To the Chinese the lychee is traditionally a symbol of romance.
Where does the fruit lychee come from?
Origin of Lychees. An attractive and rare sub tropical fruit tree that bears a luscious red fruit, the Lychee originated over 2000 years ago first in the north tropical rainforests and mountain forests of Southern China, where it is a dominant tree species.
How to grow lychee tree from seed?
Part 2 Part 2 of 4: Planting the Lychee Seed
- Fill a small pot with slightly acidic soil. Find a container you won’t mind seeing every day and fill it with dirt that will promote healthy growth.
- Bury the seed near the surface. Push the lychee seed carefully into the soil. ...
- Store your newly planted lychee seed in a shaded place. ...
- Water your lychee seed every other day. ...
How to peel and eat lychee?
To know how to eat lychee properly, here are the steps involved in peeling a lychee:
- Hold a lychee in your hand, using your thumbnail, pierce a hole through the rough skin to form a small circle.
- Peel off the skin from the hole like you would peel an orange. ...
- After the skin has come off, cut open the flesh into two halves to expose the seed.
- Take out the poisonous seed. ...
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Can litchis grow in Johannesburg?
Litchis grow well in warm humid subtropical regions of South Africa and are harvested from October to February. Litchis also called lychees (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) are subtropical fruit native to China.
Where is lychee mostly grown?
Lychee is mostly grown in central and southern Taiwan Province of China. The total area under cultivation in 1999 was 11,961 hectares, with 11,580 hectares of bearing trees and 108,668 tonnes of total production (Anon., 2000).
Where can lychee be found?
Production: Lychee are grown commercially in many subtropical areas such as Australia, Brazil, southeast China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mynamar, Pakistan, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the US (Florida, Hawaii, and California).
Does lychee grow in Africa?
Litchis grow well on sandy soils in the cooler subtropical areas of South Africa. A huge network of fine roots has been observed up to a depth of 4 m in such soils. However, the trees also grow and produce on clayey soils, but have a shallower root distribution. The crop is therefore well adapted to various soil types.
Which country has the best lychees?
China is the top producer of lychees followed by other countries in Southeast Asia and South Africa.
Which city is known as land of lychee?
Muzaffarpur is famous for Shahi lychees and is known as the Lychee Kingdom.
What is lychee called in English?
lychee, (Litchi chinensis), also spelled litchi or lichi, evergreen tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), grown for its edible fruit.
Is lychee a fruit or a nut?
Owing in large part to its short season, the litchi, a native of southeastern Asia, is widely regarded as a delicacy. Revered for more than 2,000 years in China, it is referred to by any of several forms of the name, among them lichi, lichee and lychee, leechee and laichee.
How long does a lychee tree take to grow?
As with every fruiting tree, the time must be right. Lychee trees don't begin producing fruit for 3-5 years from planting – when grown from cuttings or grafting. Trees grown from seed, may take up to 10-15 years to fruit.
Does lychee grow in South Africa?
The most important growing region is in the Onderberg area, the hot Lowveld of Mpumalanga, which produces nearly 60% of all South African litchis. The next most important area is Tzaneen, with 22% of total production.
Is lychee South African?
It is a tropical tree native to the Guangdong, Fujian, and Yunnan provinces of Southeast and Southwest China, where cultivation is documented from the 11th century. China is the main producer of lychees, followed by Vietnam, India, other countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Madagascar and South Africa.
How many lychees should I eat a day?
Moderation is the key. 10-12 litchis every day should not harm your body if you are proper with your diet and exercise habits. Weight loss: The main reason for litchis aiding weight loss is due to the fiber and roughage litchis pack in them.
Is lychee Japanese or Chinese?
This fruit is native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces in China. The earliest record cultivation of lychee dates back to the 1059 AD.
Is lychee only in Hawaii?
Many lychee varieties are known in various parts of the world, including 26 major and 40 minor varieties identified in Guangdong, China, 33 varieties in India, and numerous local selections in Australia, Florida, Taiwan, Thailand, and Hawaii.
Can lychees grow in hot climates?
Lychee trees can only grow in warm climates.
Do lychees grow in hot weather?
Dry summer and light winter is most favourable for its fruit growth. Litchi cannot tolerate frost during winter & also dry heat during summer. The temperature should not be more than 40 °c in summer and below freezing point in winter.
How much vitamin C is in lychees?
Lychees are low in calories and are rich in fiber. 100g of fresh lychee fruit provides 86% of the daily recommended vitamin C which is essential for immunity. Eating nine fruits a day would give one the total daily recommended vitamin C dosage.
What is the second dominant fruit in Guangdong?
Lychee is the second dominant fruit after citrus in Guangdong. Cultivation of the plant through the years has led to more than 100 varieties being cultivated in the region. Sum Yee Hong, Chen Zi, Tai So, Souey Tung, Kwai May, No Mai Chee, Wai Chee, Haak Yip and Fay Zee Siu are some of the leading cultivars in the province of Guangdong and Fujian.
How much lychee is grown in Thailand?
Lychee production in Thailand stands at about 10,000 tons a year . Lychee is one of Thailand’s commercial fruit crops, and it ranks as one of the top cultivated crops in the country. The leading lychee producing regions are located between 984 to 1,969 feet above sea level in the northern part of the country between Lamphum, Fang, and Chiang Mai. Cultivars in Thailand were introduced from China in the 1950s though lychee cultivation had been going on earlier.
Where does lychee come from?
Top Lychee Producing Countries in the World. Lychee is a tropical fruit that originated from Guangdong and Fujian provinces in China. Lychee is a tropical fruit that originated from Guangdong and Fujian provinces in China. Cultivation of the tree in the regions dates back to 1059 CE. China is the top producer of lychees followed by other countries ...
When was lychee introduced to Taiwan?
In 1760 and 1860, the lychee varieties of Chong Yun Hong and Haak Yip were introduced from China mainland to northern Taiwan. Large-scale production of the fruit for commercial purpose began towards the end of the 1920's when the fruit was introduced in the southern parts of Taiwan.
Where does the fruit come from?
From China, the fruit was introduced in several other countries across the world. China is the leading producer and exporter of the fruit which can be eaten fresh, dried, or canned. A large percentage of the fruit is consumed fresh meaning the fruit has a short shelf life.
How long does it take for litchi to grow?
Litchi fruit takes between 84 and 112 days to develop, depending on cultivar and production area. The average litchi fruit mass is between 16 and 35 g. Fruit set (retention) can be improved by promoting pollination, providing micronutrients such as zinc and boron, girdling, pest control and optimizing irrigation.
How long do litchi trees flower?
In semi-intensive systems plant width can be 8 x 4 m (312 trees/ha) or up to 6 x 4 m in cooler regions. Litchi trees flower for up to 21 days during the South African spring. The flowers are ideally pollinated by bees as bee pollination promotes fruit set.
What are the major litchi plants in South Africa?
The main litchi cultivars planted in South Africa are Mauritius (90% of commercial production and a mid-season cultivar) and McLean’s Red (less than 7% of commercial production and a late-season cultivar). Minor cultivars grown in the industry are Fay Zee Siu, Wai Chee (latest) and Early Delight (earliest).
How are litchi trees propagated?
Most litchi trees are propagated by air-layering. South African studies indicate that grafted litchi tree plants yielded no better than trees cultivated by air layering. A thorough soil analysis before planting litchis will indicate any nutrient deficiency or excess.
What is the best climate for litchis?
The best climate for litchis are areas that have long hot summers with high rainfall and humidity as this fruit crop has a substantial water requirement. Litchis need short, dry and cool winters (less than 15-20ºC) and cannot tolerate frost.
Where do lychees grow?
Litchis also called lychees ( Litchi chinensis Sonn .) are subtropical fruit native to China. The fruit grows on clusters on large evergreen trees which can take six to eight years to come into full production. Litchi trees need a lot of moisture and well-drained soil.
Do lichis grow well in sandy soil?
This can be adjusted during soil preparation and later during the growing season according to leaf analysis. Litchis grow well in sandy soil in cooler areas but are equally productive in warmer areas on clay soil. They do not grow well in poorly drained soil or soil with impenetrable layers.
Gifted Gourmet
"Avoid buying any lychees from Mexico or other growers outside the United States. Other countries that produce lychees don't subject growers to the same tough agricultural regulations that U.S. growers face.
Gifted Gourmet
I must agree wholeheartedly on that! Apparently, with a hot and moist climate, lychees can be grown in many subtropical climes worldwide ... they grow them in Australia as well ...
KarenS
There are beautiful lychees grown here in Hawaii on the big island. They are in season right now. The same farm also grows amazing rambutan.
anzu
Germany imports them from Madagascar around Christmas time. They are sold at amazingly cheap prices (around 2.90 euros for one kilo). It wasn't until we came to Germany that we ever really ate our fill of lychees.
robyn
Until recently, I assumed that the June-July lychees for sale in New York came from Guangdong province in China, because they are often as good as the lychees I used to eat in Hong Kong. Yesterday, I saw the box the lychees came in.
SuzySushi
There are beautiful lychees grown here in Hawaii on the big island. They are in season right now. The same farm also grows amazing rambutan.
Paradasia
My understanding is that Lychees are actually a sub-tropical fruit, and it seems they do not grow well in countries close to the Equator. It’s therefore not surprising that they would be well suited to areas like Florida and Hawaii.
Overview
Lychee is a monotypic taxon and the sole member in the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae.
It is a tropical tree native to the Guangdong, Fujian, and Yunnan provinces of Southeast and Southwest China, where cultivation is documented from the 11th century. China is the main producer of lychees, followed by Vietnam, India, oth…
Taxonomy
Litchi chinensis is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It was described and named by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in his account "Voyage aux Indes Orientales et à la Chine, fait depuis 1774 jusqu'à 1781" (translation: "Voyage to the East Indies and China, made between 1774 and 1781"), which was published in 1782. There are three subspecies, de…
Description
Litchi chinensis is an evergreen tree that is frequently less than 15 m (49 ft) tall, sometimes reaching 28 m (92 ft).
Its evergreen leaves, 5 to 8 in (12.5–20 cm) long, are pinnate, having 4 to 8 alternate, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, abruptly pointed, leaflets,
The bark is grey-black, the branches a brownish-red. Its evergreen leaves are 12…
History
Cultivation of lychee began in the region of southern China, going back to 1059 AD, Malaysia, and northern Vietnam. Unofficial records in China refer to lychee as far back as 2000 BC. Wild trees still grow in parts of southern China and on Hainan Island. The fruit was used as a delicacy in the Chinese Imperial Court.
In the 1st century during the Han dynasty, fresh lychees were a popular tribute it…
Cultivation and uses
Lychees are extensively grown in southern China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the rest of tropical Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and in tropical regions of many other countries. They require a tropical climate that is frost-free and is not below the temperature of −4 °C (25 °F). Lychees require a climate with high summer heat, rainfall, and humidity, growing optimally on well-drained, slightly acidic so…
Cultivars
There are numerous lychee cultivars, with considerable confusion regarding their naming and identification. The same cultivar grown in different climates can produce very different fruit. Cultivars can also have different synonyms in various parts of the world. Southeast Asian countries, along with Australia, use the original Chinese names for the main cultivars. India grows more than a doz…
Poisoning
In 1962, it was found that lychee seeds contained methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), a homologue of hypoglycin A, which caused hypoglycemia in animal studies. Since the end of the 1990s, unexplained outbreaks of encephalopathy occurred, appearing to affect only children in India (where it is called chamki bukhar), and northern Vietnam (where it was called Ac Mong encephalitis after the Vietnamese word for nightmare) during the lychee harvest season from Ma…
Gallery
• China 3 cultivar of lychee fruit
• Lychee fruits at a market in West Bengal, India
• Peeled lychee fruits