Author Topic: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?  (Read 5194 times)

Samu

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What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« on: February 10, 2017, 04:59:11 PM »
I've just noticed that some of my Mauritius Lychee's young leaves have "spotty rust color" on the leaves. It's been in the ground for 2 years; I've been feeding lightly with Osmocote and occasional Dyna-Grow liquid food.

Comparing with a smaller Brewster nearby, I also see some discouraging sight, the leaves don't look healthy to me...albeit it doesn't show the spotty rust...

I am including some fotos below...

I wonder what's happening on with these 2 Lychee trees, I am afraid this may affect the normal growth of these young trees, or any other adverse effect unknown to me. Got me worried..., lacking some nutrients, water issue...?
Please help, any advice is highly appreciated, thanks!

Mauritius leaves:



Brewster leaves:
Sam

boxturtle

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2017, 05:58:42 PM »
looks like wind damage to me

Guayaba

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2017, 11:09:28 AM »
I think it looks like wind damage too.  I have been told that Lychees are susceptible to strong winds and new foliage in particular can be damaged by them. Your tree looks young enough that you may consider moving it to a spot that receives less wind.  My Mauritius is still young as well, but I have a natural windrow of trees that block most of the wind in the area I planted my lychees.  Giving them some shelter especially when young would be helpful.  I have also been told to try timing growth so it doesn't occur during winter in California, so I stop fertilizing and mulching in October and pick up again in late February/March.  This tends to delay growth/flowering until spring, and prevents new growth during our heavy winter winds. This is a different strategy than in Florida, but they seem to have good luck growing and flowering in winter compared to us.  The new growth buds on my Mauritius are still tight and no new growth is evident, i don't expect it to start growing for another month or so.







Bob

Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2017, 02:20:02 PM »
Hi Boxturtle and Bob,

Now, come to think of it, I think you guys gave me the spot on diagnosis of the problem.

As I noted above, this occurrence didn't happen to all the new leaves clusters; but to "some" (maybe about 1/3); and they are located on the side that exposed the most from the recent storm and wind direction we had in our area; the other 2/3 looks to be ok, since they are closest to a wall nearby that act as a shelter.

I did read the warning people gave about the need to shelter the Lychee trees from the wind, but since my trees never been affected before, I didn't pay too much attention to it, until now...

Isn't our photo forum posting technology nowadays so helpful for everyone?
Instant posting (almost) and instant diagnostic!

Thanks again to both of you of taking the time to answer the question and to render your valuable opinions. Happy growing!

Sam

puglvr1

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2017, 08:57:43 AM »
Lychee trees especially young and or newly planted definitely can benefit from some wind protection...I've posted this several times here but I had wind protection on my Lychee tree for over 2 years, now its mature enough to handle the winds a little better...



Pretty inexpensive...some Conduit or PVC pipes and some tarp, shade cloth or burlap...

Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2017, 03:18:30 PM »
Hi Pug,
I like your wind protection set up for the young Lychee trees; I may rig a couple just like yours. I know that our friends might think that I am rather weird when they'd see the structures...

By the way, only 2 fruits survived to maturity on it's first flowering/fruiting year in 2015 (not complaining), no flowers  in 2016; we'll see soon in 2017...(Same identical story for both my Mauritius and Brewster).

Thanks for sharing your idea Pug!  :)
Sam

Guanabanus

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2017, 09:04:42 PM »
Wind damage or damage from spraying too hard or from too powerful an irrigation sprinkler, when the leaves are at their most tender stage.
Har

Guayaba

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2017, 09:51:59 PM »
Hi Pug,
I like your wind protection set up for the young Lychee trees; I may rig a couple just like yours. I know that our friends might think that I am rather weird when they'd see the structures...

By the way, only 2 fruits survived to maturity on it's first flowering/fruiting year in 2015 (not complaining), no flowers  in 2016; we'll see soon in 2017...(Same identical story for both my Mauritius and Brewster).

Thanks for sharing your idea Pug!  :)

Keep us updated on flowering of your lychees this year.  My Mauritius didn't flower last year either, so I am hoping this year it will happen.
Bob

Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2017, 12:54:46 AM »
Ok Bob, I will post it when that happens (or not)...
Sam

puglvr1

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2017, 08:40:36 AM »
You're welcome Samu! Mine bloomed a little early this year. I don't see a lot of female flowers so I'm not sure how many fruits I'll have this year. I did see some bees/bugs buzzing around yesterday so I have my fingers crossed. I think I'm finally seeing some swelling on my mango trees, I was beginning to think I wasn't getting any blooms this year. Its very late for me this year, probably not going to be a good year?
 
Thanks Har, I can see how spraying water hard on the tender leaves can also cause damage.







 

Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2017, 01:02:25 PM »
Wow Pug, your Lychee tree looks so large and healthy now! Compared to 2015's photos, mine is a little behind in flowering this year, if at all. I took a shot on one cluster tip just now, not sure if this a flower bloom, leaves bud or mix??




Also, thanks to Har for the advice, I now understand why its best to plant Lychee tree in a wind protected area.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2017, 01:18:53 PM by Samu »
Sam

JF

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2017, 01:06:25 PM »
Sam they look find they are just a little beat up from winter. I suspect you had late new growth like mine


Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2017, 03:56:09 PM »
Thanks for your reassurance, Frank!
Sam

puglvr1

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2017, 04:14:38 PM »
Thanks Samu :o)...it has grown nicely, definitely bushier this year. Those are definitely flowers...mine were just like yours (mixed blooms) flowers with new growths on the same branches...

Taken about a month ago, you can see the blooms with the new leaves all in one...
January 16


Samu

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2017, 07:47:14 PM »
That looks like a very healthy tree!
You seem to get the handle on how to grow and properly nurture Lychee tree...Congratulations!

 :D

Sam

gozp

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2017, 10:07:03 PM »
Sam they look find they are just a little beat up from winter. I suspect you had late new growth like mine



Professor, how old is your lychee?

puglvr1

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #16 on: February 16, 2017, 09:04:19 AM »

Thanks Samu, it helps I live in right part of Florida, we get a lot more chilling hours here than South Florida  :)...good for lychees but not so good for Mangoes  ::)

boxturtle

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #17 on: February 16, 2017, 11:12:48 AM »



sweetheart is starting to bloom here in cali

JF

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2017, 12:33:12 PM »
Gonz
The tree has been in the ground for over 2 years. It was about 2-3' when I planted it and I've had to do major pruning cause it's a vigorous variety

gozp

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #19 on: February 16, 2017, 08:44:14 PM »
What var do u have?

JF

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #20 on: February 16, 2017, 09:41:17 PM »
Sweetheart

gozp

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Re: What's wrong with these Lychee leaves?
« Reply #21 on: February 17, 2017, 03:30:21 AM »
Sweetheart

Wow that main trunk tho... has it flowered yet or set fruit?

U got yours from florida?