On Christmas day my Brother-in-law was eating fresh lychees and I asked him to save the seeds from them for me. He told me that I wouldn't be able to grow them until I told him about DG and that 'you lot' can grow just about anything. So was wondering if anyone has actually tried growing them from seed?
Terri
Has anyone ever grown Lychees?
Not from seed, but planted a small tree in our garden that (although supposed to be hardy) died from frost. Love lychees and am looking forward to the replies
Terri... Here a good article that covers the Lychee pretty good. Best cultivars and such and prop methods.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lychee.html
Here the main problem from the article with seed.
Lychees do not reproduce faithfully from seed, and the choicest have abortive, not viable, seed. Furthermore, lychee seeds remain viable only 4 to 5 days, and seedling trees will not bear until they are 5 to 12, or even 25, years old. For these reasons, seeds are planted mostly for selection and breeding purposes or for rootstock.
Seems the best way to propagte them is by air-layering. Maybe somebody on the plant tradign forum has a tree and would consider making you a rotted cutting. Other wise you may need to purchase one, but I would read the above article since they are fussy about their enviroment and soil.
If you really want one you may be able to find a spot for it to protect it.
Thank you Biscombe and Starlight!!
Well I suppose that puts paid to my brilliant idea of growing Lychees, ROFL
Starlight, that's so interesting about the seeds only being viable for such a short time. They're a good hefty sized seed too, so that was quite a surprise.
BIL was telling me that he loved to pick them to eat straight from the trees/bushes when he was stationed in Asia.
Oh well, I'll stick to growing irises, LOL
Thanks for replying to my question both of you :o)
Terri