Lychee tree (forum)

VVinSydney starts with ...
Hi, I have a small but sunny garden and am looking for a dwarf or compact lychee tree, say around 3m, with small seeds. I know they need protection from the wind and need to be pruned to maintain the best size.
What is the best possible variety for me in Sydney? Is there a place an hour out from from where I can pick up a large-ish plant ? How big should a 3 year plant be? How can I make sure it produces fruit and how long does this take? Thanks so much for any advice in advance!

Time: 5th November 2013 1:40pm

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About the Author VVinSydney
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David says...
Spotted today Sah Keng Lychee cultivar, $55.46 at Cannon Hill Bunnings

Time: 5th November 2013 8:06pm

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VVinSydney says...
Thanks David, but I'm looking for something in Sydney. Is the variety a compact one though, and with small seeds?


Time: 5th November 2013 10:17pm

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About the Author VVinSydney
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David says...
Hi vv , By all accounts looks like this cultivar is roughly 30 to 35 grms in weight with high percentage of chicken tongue, so yes small seeds.

Time: 5th November 2013 10:40pm

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VVinSydney says...
Thanks again David, will keep my eyes peeled in Sydney for it !

Time: 6th November 2013 7:44am

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Brain says...
Wai Chee and Salathiel (and variances of their spelling) are known as smaller plants but all lychees are pretty slow growing so even if you got a type that has big size potential, it may take many many years before they get too big and you can always prune.

I got a Bosworth 3 (kai mak pink) that is like 50 cm tall and it took like 3 years to get 1m. It flowered but didn't really get a full size fruit until year 5 at 1.25m tall and 1m wide. I think the bigger the plant you can buy - probably the sooner to fruit.

As there are plenty of varieties out there, the question is finding them. Given in Qld at least, we have some good selections, so it might be worth considring buying and shipping from Qld for your favourite cultivar.

Time: 7th November 2013 3:59pm

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About the Author Brain
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ivepeters says...
What would be the best one for taste for Qld ?

Time: 7th November 2013 4:46pm

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Anonymous says...
I know BJ is growing a couple of varieties in brisbane, should ask him next time he turns up.

Time: 7th November 2013 5:38pm

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BJ says...
Salathiel is my favorite locally grown. Never had FZS grown locally to compare. I'm hoping to ch ange that in two years. Salathiel is super slow growing and as the DPI experts once said, will never not be dwarf in your lifetime. Down side is generally it fruits biennially. B3 is usually pretty robust. I've also eaten B3 green after an accident where I knocked a branch off. Not bad.

Time: 7th November 2013 7:07pm

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Anonymous says...
BJ do you think the B3 is of a quality that it would earn a spot in the 'prime real estate' of a garden patch? My best spot has room for maybe two more trees.

Time: 7th November 2013 7:30pm

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Mike Tr says...
My opinion is that FZS and tai so are the 2 best eating common lychees.B3 is a bit small and the flavour is less intense with a different sugar/acid balance. Lychees are just beginning in the markets in Cairns and longans have been around for a while.

Time: 7th November 2013 7:36pm

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BJ says...
Anon, it depends on what you are looking for in a tree. B3s virtue is in production and general toughness, although some here have found it not to be. For me it's like the KP of lychees. Something you can eat and there will always be tonnes around, but there are better quality fruit out there. I'd prefer to grow the types you can't really get cheaply and easily at the market in season, so Salathiel, FZS or No Mai Tze, but all of these are lower producers or are pretty well unknown in that regard and are a bit of a gamble. The other consideration is the bats. A smaller tree is easier to net...

Time: 7th November 2013 11:24pm

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Anonymous says...
Yeah, I think I will move it to a prime spot. Fruit has to be nicer than what comes out of a can, anyway. Any idea where I might pick up an FZS? My local bunnings doesn't have any, neither do daleys or forbidden fruits.

s

Time: 8th November 2013 3:25pm

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BJ says...
Fitzroy in Rocky have them. They will ship but minimum orders of $100 apply. Otherwise I picked one up from TFW a few months back, but theirs are kept in heavy shade and have a tough time adjusting to the sun. An eBay seller often sells them too.

Time: 8th November 2013 8:13pm

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Anonymous says...
100 bucks...do they have any air layered ones, or advanced trees do you know? I'll give them a ring monday anyways. Thanks again BJ, a wellspring of sources as always :D

s

Time: 8th November 2013 8:21pm

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BJ says...
They usually have air layered. They are the primary suppliers for most nurseries around. Don't know what's in stock, but I know they do FSZ along with the more common types as listed on their website. Another to check out is Emperor or Chakapat, which is a dwarf with massive fruit. I haven't heard much about the seedless A2 lychee that Birdwood has, since we had a fruit club meeting up there last year, but I assume it will be a big hit once it is released, but I have a suspicion that it will be an industry only release for a few years......

Time: 8th November 2013 8:29pm

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ivepeters says...
Was intrigued so contacted Birdwood

Birdwood Nursery - The variety we have available are Sah Keng Lychee at present. We do not have any new varieties soon to be released that I am aware of.

Time: 13th November 2013 12:15am

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David says...
Sah Keng does sound interesting though

Time: 13th November 2013 6:56am

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BJ says...
Yes, it does. Supposed to be the same as the Sweetheart variety that is very popular in the USA. Does anyone know who is stocking sah keng the moment?

Medium tree, dome shape, fruits 30-35g (most are around 20g), 75% flesh recovery.



Time: 13th November 2013 1:04pm

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Anonymous says...
BJ,

Tomarata Lychee orchard is worth contacting. Spoke to a guy just now and says he has some which are almost ready, but I think they may actually be ready. Sorry if that is confusing. QLD based too. Anyway call this no. (07)4193 9552

cheers
s

Time: 13th November 2013 1:48pm

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Original Post was last edited: 13th November 2013 1:51pm

About the Author sternus1
 
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David says...
bunnings everywhere has Sah Keng BJ

Time: 13th November 2013 5:41pm

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Brain says...
can anyone shed some lights on Sah Keng's growing characteristics?

Time: 15th November 2013 11:13am

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VVinSydney says...
Thank you

Time: 19th November 2013 4:21pm

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BJ says...
The two local bunnings I've visited have Birdwood lychees but no variety indicated. I would never shell out the $55 asking price for an unnamed lychee!

Here is the sah keng info



Time: 14th December 2013 3:56pm

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sternus1 says...
yeah, I wouldn't be too eager to hand over that kind of money for a bunnings tree either. Sometimes I'll pick something up from the 'bargain bin' section and try to bring it back the brink of of death, but generally I only ever leave with potting mix and pearlite.

Time: 14th December 2013 4:50pm

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David says...
Brink of death ,yeah been there once or twice,paid off handsomely every time.

Time: 14th December 2013 10:39pm

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VF says...
Lychee cvs Kaimana, Souey Tung and B3 available today at TFW nursery for $40, much more reasonable price.

Time: 15th December 2013 12:37am

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About the Author VF
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BJ says...
Has anyone spotted any Salathiel lychee trees around Brisbane nurseries lately?

Time: 19th December 2013 10:46am

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David says...
BJ they seem conspicuous by there absence. Not seen any for ages. Mine in the back yard is flushing madly right now.

Time: 19th December 2013 11:50am

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sternus1 says...
I'm going to masters and bunnings tonight (carseldine and caboolture). I was going to ask if you wanted me to grab one for you while at either (if they have any) but I'm not sure you'd want a tree from either place, especially not at the prices they charge. I'm happy to do that if you want me to, though.

Time: 19th December 2013 11:54am

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About the Author sternus1
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Michael D says...
My bosworth 3 lychee finally having a decent crop to take pictures off.It only took 7 years but the wait is worth it.Standing only 2 metres tall Im counting about 100 fruits which is 10% of what it originally had at the beginning.If you have the patience a lychee tree is so rewarding to grow.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2

Time: 3rd February 2018 4:21pm

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