Longan
Fruit and berry crops, Longan (lat. Dimocarpus longan) — fruit crop; evergreen tree of the Sapindaceae family. Another name is dragon”s eye.
Longan is grown in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan. The plant received its name in honor of the Vietnamese province of Long An, in which it is widely cultivated.
Characteristics of culture
Longan is an evergreen tree up to 10-12 m high with a spreading crown, the width of which is sometimes equal to the height of the tree itself, and sometimes even exceeds it. The flowers of the crop are collected in small fluffy inflorescences that look like lumps, from which fruits with a diameter of up to 3-4 cm are subsequently formed.
The pulp of the fruit is sweet, juicy and very aromatic. The skin of the fruit is dense, without cracks, and may have a yellow, mustard or even reddish color. The fruit contains only one seed, usually black or burgundy. The closest relative of the culture is the Chinese lychee; the plants are very similar in appearance.
Subtleties of cultivation
Today little is known about the propagation and cultivation of the plant, since the culture is not particularly popular in Russia and other countries, and is most often grown indoors. It is difficult to get longan seeds, and if such an opportunity does present itself, it is worth trying your luck and trying to grow this exotic plant, which after 3-7 years will delight its owner with tasty and juicy fruits.
The seed is planted immediately after it is removed from the fruit. This is one of the prerequisites for successful cultivation, because after just a few hours the seeds lose their viability. The soil for the crop plays an equally important role; the crop prefers light, peaty and well-drained soils. Under optimal conditions, entrances appear on days 7-9.
It is recommended to water the crops regularly, but do not allow them to become over-watered. Even short-term drying out of the soil will have a detrimental effect on the development of plants; as a result, longans can shed their leaves and die. The room temperature should be at least 25-26C. In the future, the crop can be propagated by cuttings.
Care
Longan needs systematic formative pruning, otherwise it will grow and take on a far from ideal crown. Plants also need protection from pests. Very often, the crop is attacked by various types of scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs.
