Lychee

[sarraceniac]

All the advice is that it is almost impossible in the UK SLG (except possibly under enough glass for several trees?). But I reckon that by my 100th birthday I'll have it cracked. Maybe 110th.

[ragged_diamond]

Hi all - especially Sarraceniac

I have come across this information, which you might find interesting if anyone still wants to grow a Lychee Tree

(from lycheesonline.com) Do I need more than one lychee tree to produce fruit? No, you only need one tree because lychee trees have both male and female flowers on the same tree and can be self pollinated

So, your trees will fruit on their own, no need to loads of plants although it does say it may take between 5 and 20 years to fruit

Hope its useful!

[sarraceniac]

Thanks for that R.D. When I first planted mine some 4 years ago I was loaned a book which said you needed one of each. I have, this morning, looked at loads of sites which say you don't. So I might as well throw away 4 or 5 of my 6 because the green house space in winter is quite valuable. Most of these sites also say that trees grown from seed take 10 years to fruit and then produce poor fruit erratically so, apart from the fact that the foliage is quite nice I guess my experiment is a bit of a waste of time anyway.

[ragged_diamond]

Hi Sarraceniac
Don't throw them away!! I got quite into the research of them yesterday and now i'm going to eat all my fruit and plant the seeds to see if they grow!!
If you decide you don't want to keep your Lychee plants i'll happily take a few off your hands, big brothers to my seedlings (if they shoot... watch this space!)

[coconut_head]

Hi sarraceniac

yes ditto to what ragged diamond said. i have sent you a personal email too *grinz*

by the way, hello to all, i'm knew to this site.....looks very interesting.

whats this 'sprouter, seedling and germinato' thing under ur names?

[coconut_head]

oooooh i have germinator under my name!

[Flummery]

Hi and welcome coconut head.
The sprouter, seedling bit tells other users approximately how many posts you have made (the actual number is under your joining date on the right of your post)
I had a lychee from a pip once. It died...

[coconut_head]

Hi Flummery

thanx for welcome and thanx for sprouter seedling info

[sarraceniac]

To ragged diamond and coconut head.

My 4 year olds have all gone to local friends but I have some one+ year olds that are looking quite healthy. If either (or both) want one of those then PM me your addresses and I will get you one sent (maybe some time). Don't worry about postage, I'll scrounge something off you one day.

[gtrekker2003]

Lychee Seeds....which direction?

Hi.

I have 6 lychee fruit seeds and am wondering which way do I plant them?

Does the smooth bit stay at the bottom or the top? Or does the bit where the stalk came from stay on top or bottom?

This looks like a great site. Quite excited since I've just started growing some veg and herbs .

Please do advise.
Thanks,

gtrekker2003

[spring_spirit]

hi, just like to know, if my lychees are normal. i planted them inside about 3 months ago and they've only got a small green bit that is sprouted from the stone. thanks

[Flummery]

Welcome spring spirit. Where are you? Here in Britain you're lucky to get much more than a straggly vine.

[spring_spirit]

yeh
but i mean they havent grown

[sarraceniac]

Sorry SS. As Flum says they are most unpre-possessing. They want to be warm but really they are not exactly worth growing. I only try because I am drunk most of the time. You can't get fruit from them in the UK and they are unattractive as pot plants.

Increase the warmth and light of yours and keep them moist, if you want proof.

[greasyfire]

I grew some lychees in the bathroom but they always die after 4 leaves.