Young fruit falls from my Lychee. (forum)

Thommo starts with ...
I have an old, mature Lychee which flowers every year but the immature fruit start dropping soon after setting 'till they are all gone before maturity.

It is on poorly drained clay but the tree grows well enough. I see no reason to suspect pests and as this has happened EVERY year for >20 years it is either a varietal problem or nutritional, such as trace elements.

The tree is not overwatered. It can be months between waterings but when I remember, I give it a big drink.

I have only just found your forum while researching this, so thank you for the opportunity to ask this question.

Thommo

Time: 2nd August 2010 12:59pm

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About the Author Thommo
Townsville
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Wayne says...
Hello Thommo
Your problem sounds very much like a fungus problem such as anthracnose which can be treated with a copper based spray. I'm thinking your tree would be starting to flower now so this will limit the sprays.
Mancozeb will be OK during flowering then add Copperoxichloride only after the fruit has set.
Mix 30grms of each to 5L of water and make sure you use a wetting agent, that is very important as the spray will not work without it.
Having said that and knowing Townsville's dry climate perhaps it could be a nutritional problem
Gypsum will help break down your clay soil as will Dolomite, use Terrafoska TE fertiliser or another complete fertiliser

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Cheers

Time: 2nd August 2010 6:27pm

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Brock says...
I have a Lychee tree that has been in the ground since December 2007. I have got great fruit off it 2008 and 2009 but have lots of grubs in most of them. I sprayed last year with Rogor but did nothing. I have tried to look at pictures on the net to find out what it is but am a little confused. I think it may be the macadamia nut borer but it says that if the grub does not enter ear the panicle (I think that is where the stem attaches), then the grub will drown in the juices of the fruit. Well the grubs I have seem to be just fine under the skin. They are white with black heads and there is a hole in the fruit where they enter which looks like sawdust on the outside. I have twin 2year olds an a neighbour (and his 3year old) that love the fruit. Will Carbaryl work and how long do I need to wait after spraying? Also is another insect? I would really appreciate the help.

Time: 4th August 2010 4:03pm

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About the Author Brock
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Wayne says...
G'Day Brock, those two sprays would be swear words to some players around here. I know the critter you speak off and I have had success with Pyrethrum, not quiet such a shock spray.

I'm thinking your tree is about to flower where you are and now is the time to act. A good fertiliser for starters and as the blooms open start with the spray.

Perhaps a garlic spray might work, boil a couple of cloves of garlic in 1L of water, strain, spray with 1 part brew with 2 parts water.

A good idea to talk to your local nursery as well

Cheers



Time: 4th August 2010 6:34pm

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Margaret says...
I have the same problem with my lychee dropping the fruit. I have been told that they like lots of water once the fruit is set. What is wetting agent that must be used?

Time: 31st August 2010 6:32pm

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John Mc says...
Hey Margaret,
when I make up white oil for scale, I use dishwashing detergent as a wetting agent.

Time: 31st August 2010 8:10pm

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