The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: FlyingFoxFruits on March 09, 2012, 11:13:34 PM
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Got this Sweetheart (sweetsensation) lychee, from PIN, about 2.5yrs ago, as a 3 gallon plant...for about 20 dollars...now it's time to throw her in the back of my pick up, and head Northward to Lycheeluvas, and drop this off...as random act of kindess ;D ;D ;)
Sorry for joke!
But the reality is this isn't even my tree!
I have a friend that every now and again, I encourage to buy a plant...he buys it, and pays for repotting and upkeep (less than $20 a year)...and I care for it...for him...if he ever wants to take it, he can. Generally I get some fruit, but all of the fruit it produces is rightfully his...but I get some for sure, its just how it goes (kind of like the cook, getting to taste everything).
I have a few plants like this in the garden now...and its enabled me to grow more, fruit more, and share more.
Just thought I'd share the idea with some...maybe you can afford to grow something you thought you couldn't?
Hope so! :)
(http://s15.postimage.org/sk17nua2f/nite_3_8_008.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/sk17nua2f/)
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leaves look a bit withered?
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leaves look a bit withered?
Leaves look perfectly healthy to me. I believe it is the flash from the camera with the picture taken in the dark that gives that look.
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U r type to, "'look a gift lychee in the leaf"...lol
But seriously Good eye, eagle eye.
U r right, the cold was bad and I used this plant as a shield for my cocnuts and custard apples.
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Leaves are a bit withered, but it's blooming now a bit...hope the cold makes it go crazy...last year tons of blooms but No fruit...it rained on the tightly packed panicles causing them to rot..emperor had more airy and spaced out blooms and handled the wet conditions better, making 4 fruits in a 10gal.
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The tree looks pretty good to me. I don't see a major wilt issue. On the blooming but no fruit.......I've been there and done that with my two Sweethearts. This year no bloom at all, so we will not have an issue with blooming yet no fruit set. :(
Harry
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Adam, what is that you have on the little pot?
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French sorrel in front and a passionfruit seed in back.
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That's called smart planting and taking advantage of good space!
French sorrel in front and a passionfruit seed in back.
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All of my large pots have small pots on top!
Its easier to water/fertilize all plants when they are on top of each other, and shade of larger tree can be good for smaller plants underneath.
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sweetheart lychee in 25 gallon decided to grow new branches all over.
I'm used to growth mainly occurring at the tips of branches, but this tree seems to have started out most of it's new growth from older branches.
I figured I'd post some pics.
This tree was very unproductive, and barely flowered at all this year. I've really neglected to water it as much as I should have, but I have been fertilizing it.
I'm thinking it may have grown like this due to being hit with drought, and then hit with a boost of micronutrition and Fe.
I'd love to get a good crop finally! This tree seems to be cold sensitive, more than I remember most lychee's being.
(http://s15.postimage.org/tmbmm0fyv/9_23_2012null_opuntia_014.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/tmbmm0fyv/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/oxvmqtqs7/9_23_2012null_opuntia_015.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/oxvmqtqs7/)
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sweetheart lychee in 25 gallon decided to grow new branches all over.
I'm used to growth mainly occurring at the tips of branches, but this tree seems to have started out most of it's new growth from older branches.
I figured I'd post some pics.
This tree was very unproductive, and barely flowered at all this year. I've really neglected to water it as much as I should have, but I have been fertilizing it.
I'm thinking it may have grown like this due to being hit with drought, and then hit with a boost of micronutrition and Fe.
I'd love to get a good crop finally! This tree seems to be cold sensitive, more than I remember most lychee's being.
(http://s15.postimage.org/tmbmm0fyv/9_23_2012null_opuntia_014.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/tmbmm0fyv/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/oxvmqtqs7/9_23_2012null_opuntia_015.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/oxvmqtqs7/)
I am assuming you have no issues in your area with the dreaded Sri Lankan Weevil? If that were in my area and "untreated", the leaves would be notched and shredded...
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I see them around, but the numbers aren't up there yet.
I'm sure we'll get them in time.
For now we have nice lychee leaves up here.
Thanks for noticing
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I see them around, but the numbers aren't up there yet.
I'm sure we'll get them in time.
For now we have nice lychee leaves up here.
Thanks for noticing
Yeah, the leaves look pristine whereas one of my Hak Ips is struggling (every leaf flush gets chowed to the stems) and the other is so so...my Sweatheart has recently push a full flush and the buggers have mildly attacked it but not as bad as my big Hak Ip. I even went to the extreme of drenching the Hak Ip with Imidacloprid which I have been holding back on doing for months...it was drench it or completely lose the tree.
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Adam, that Sweetheart lychee is absolutely amazing! I love how low and fully branched the canopy is. I wish I can get beautiful leaves on my Sweetheart like yours. Our frequent dry winds do a lot of damage on our lychee trees here in SoCal. The older larger trees seem to do much better. Thanks for sharing the pics, I hope if fruits well for you and your friend this year.
Simon
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thanks for such kind words Simon!
I can't take any special credit for the shape of the tree. it's done this all by itself.
I've actually been somewhat negligent as of earlier in the year, but have since watered the tree and fertilized it thoroughly.
I'm happy to know u enjoyed the pics. I'll keep posting em 4 u!!
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Hi Simon
I've had my Sweetheart for 10 months and it keeps flushing every couple of weeks for the last 2 months. I've moved it to a 10 gallon but I believe it has outgrown that. My question to you is this guy ready to be moved to a 24" box or should I just wait till next spring???
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af304/culov/IMG_3291.jpg)
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Hi Simon
I've had my Sweetheart for 10 months and it keeps flushing every couple of weeks for the last 2 months. I've moved it to a 10 gallon but I believe it has outgrown that. My question to you is this guy ready to be moved to a 24" box or should I just wait till next spring???
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af304/culov/IMG_3291.jpg)
JF - your Sweetheart has a much different look to it than I am used to seeing. Adam's has the classic look I see here in SFla, with mine and others. I wonder if location plays that great a role in the look and growth habit.
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Hi Simon
I've had my Sweetheart for 10 months and it keeps flushing every couple of weeks for the last 2 months. I've moved it to a 10 gallon but I believe it has outgrown that. My question to you is this guy ready to be moved to a 24" box or should I just wait till next spring???
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af304/culov/IMG_3291.jpg)
JF - your Sweetheart has a much different look to it than I am used to seeing. Adam's has the classic look I see here in SFla, with mine and others. I wonder if location plays that great a role in the look and growth habit.
I'm sure climate matters. So should I leave it alone or pot up?
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Hi Simon
I've had my Sweetheart for 10 months and it keeps flushing every couple of weeks for the last 2 months. I've moved it to a 10 gallon but I believe it has outgrown that. My question to you is this guy ready to be moved to a 24" box or should I just wait till next spring???
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af304/culov/IMG_3291.jpg)
JF - your Sweetheart has a much different look to it than I am used to seeing. Adam's has the classic look I see here in SFla, with mine and others. I wonder if location plays that great a role in the look and growth habit.
I'm sure climate matters. So should I leave it alone or pot up?
I would move it up to a 25 gal
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Hi Simon
I've had my Sweetheart for 10 months and it keeps flushing every couple of weeks for the last 2 months. I've moved it to a 10 gallon but I believe it has outgrown that. My question to you is this guy ready to be moved to a 24" box or should I just wait till next spring???
(http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af304/culov/IMG_3291.jpg)
JF - your Sweetheart has a much different look to it than I am used to seeing. Adam's has the classic look I see here in SFla, with mine and others. I wonder if location plays that great a role in the look and growth habit.
I'm sure climate matters. So should I leave it alone or pot up?
I would move it up to a 25 gal
Thanks Rob I'll do that......maybe it will bloom and fruit in that container next year.
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What is the consensus best variety of lychee for south Florida? For heartiness and tastiness? Thanks
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What is the consensus best variety of lychee for south Florida? For heartiness and tastiness? Thanks
the census is that "dirty coconuts" might be the best forum name chosen yet. lolol
but to answer your question, I think Brewster?
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Hahaha thanks mate. I was inspired.
Appriciated the brewsters tip. I have a five year old tree but it has only produced a handful of fruit total. I have just started to learn about them and I am hoping for a little col this year to see what she's got
Great forum here. Happy to have found you all
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What is the consensus best variety of lychee for south Florida? For heartiness and tastiness? Thanks
the census is that "dirty coconuts" might be the best forum name chosen yet. lolol
but to answer your question, I think Brewster?
Hmmmm, i seem to recall Mauritius being rated number one in Florida. But maybe my mind is playing tricks on me? I think there was a poll on this?
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I agree it should be potted up now. My Sweetheart has increased in size dramatically ever since I planted it into the ground but the wind keeps damaging the leaves on the windward side. JF, if you can plant your Lychee into the ground and then put up some wind break, that may help your Lychee grow the fastest and reach full production faster. I have two small Lychees in the front yard that were planted several months ago and I built a small windbreak for them and their new leaves are in great shape.
Simon
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U could be right about mauritius oscar...I don't remember either though...I just know they both should be planted...along with Hak ip.
Hey BTW, about that lychee tree being repotted...if you repot it be warned that you might set it back from fruiting if you jump it up in too large of a pot! It will put too much energy into root growth...and you might have diminished amounts of energy put into flower production...I've seen this happen many a time!
just some advice from the other side of the brain.
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I agree it should be potted up now. My Sweetheart has increased in size dramatically ever since I planted it into the ground but the wind keeps damaging the leaves on the windward side. JF, if you can plant your Lychee into the ground and then put up some wind break, that may help your Lychee grow the fastest and reach full production faster. I have two small Lychees in the front yard that were planted several months ago and I built a small windbreak for them and their new leaves are in great shape.
Simon
Standard operating procedure here in lychee orchards for first year to place the trees inside of hog wire cage that has shade cloth around it.
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U could be right about mauritius oscar...I don't remember either though...I just know they both should be planted...along with Hak ip.
Hey BTW, about that lychee tree being repotted...if you repot it be warned that you might set it back from fruiting if you jump it up in too large of a pot! It will put too much energy into root growth...and you might have diminished amounts of energy put into flower production...I've seen this happen many a time!
just some advice from the other side of the brain.
JF is in Cali, not Florida...their bloom and fruiting season is different than ours. Despite your opinion, lychees hate being pot bound and a pot bound lychee will not fruit either. While nobody can guarantee if the lychee will fruit this upcoming season whether it is potted up or left alone, solely for the health of the tree, potting it up is the best decision.
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What is the consensus best variety of lychee for south Florida? For heartiness and tastiness? Thanks
the census is that "dirty coconuts" might be the best forum name chosen yet. lolol
but to answer your question, I think Brewster?
Hmmmm, i seem to recall Mauritius being rated number one in Florida. But maybe my mind is playing tricks on me? I think there was a poll on this?
Correct you are, Oscar...for production it is Mauritius but for taste it is Hak Ip. For those who question or doubt that Hak Ip/Sweetheart is better, I invite you to go poll the oriental markets...or if the opportunity arises, place both on a table, labeled properly, and see which sells faster...it will be the Hak Ip/Sweetheart (sorry Gerry, truth hurts).
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Thanks for all the info. Hak ip I think is what I'll look for.