Problems With Lychee Trees Common Lychee Pests And Diseases

Diseases of lychee tree include anthracnose, root rot and red algae. Most are the result of improper watering (either too much or too little), or excessive use of fertilizer. Consult experts at your local cooperative extension office for more information.

Why is my lychee tree dying?

Drought stress can cause dried out leaves and defoliation of lychee trees. Lychee growers recommend growing lychee in a full sun site with protection from wind. Though they will require deep watering during periods of drought, they are otherwise infrequently watered to allow them to grow their own deep, vigorous roots.

Why is lychee toxic?

The toxin known as hypoglycin A, which is naturally present in lychees, leads to a reduction in blood sugar levels during the night, causing hypoglycaemia. Typically, the children fell ill the next morning after eating the fruit, with serious symptoms such as high fever, brain function derangement and seizures.

How often should I water my lychee tree?

Lychees should not be in standing water, as it will stunt their growth. Newly planted trees should be watered 2 to 3 times a week during the first weeks of planting, but can be reduced once the tree is established. Prune mature trees to help control the size and shape.

How long do lychee trees live?

The air-layered trees will fruit in 2 to 5 years after planting, Professor Groff said that a lychee tree is not in its prime until it is 20 to 40 years old; will continue bearing a good crop for 100 years or longer.

What is the best fertilizer for lychee tree?

Young trees (less than 4 years old) should be fertilized with 0.25 to 0.50 lbs (0.11 to 0.22 kg) of a complete fertilizer every 8 weeks (Table 3). Fertilizer mixtures containing 6 to 8% nitrogen, 2 to 4% available phosphorus, 6 to 8% potash, and 3 to 4% magnesium are satisfactory.

How do you treat a diseased tree?

You should also:

Rake up and destroy infected leaves.
Apply a fungicide at a professional's advice (typically springtime during leaf emergence)
Choose trees resistant to apple scab (many disease resistant cultivars are available)
Water properly during dry periods.

Are lychees dangerous?

The green looking lychees are usually the unripe fruit that tend to contain toxins like hypoglycin A and methylene cyclopropyl glycine (MCPG). Eating an excessive amount of lychee when it's not matured can induce nausea, vomiting, fever, seizures, and even can cause death among people with a weak immune system.

Can you die from lychee?

The Hypoglycin A - an amino acid found in the unripened litchi caused severe vomiting and the methylene-cyclo-propyl-glycine (MCPG) caused a sudden drop in blood sugar, nausea and a delirious-unconscious and lethargic state... in some cases leading to coma and even death.

Is Lychee bad for health?

When eaten in moderation as a part of a healthy diet, lychees do not have any known adverse health effects. However, lychees have been associated with brain inflammation in South and Southeast Asia.

Do lychee trees bear fruit every year?

Lychee trees grow in recurrent cycles of growth followed by periods of dormancy. Typically, a South Florida lychee tree will experience 4 - 6 annual growth flushes depending on the age and size of a tree.

How many years does it take for a lychee tree to bear fruit?

Harvesting. Lychee trees will take at least five years to mature before bearing any fruit. You must expose the tree to cold temperatures for at least 100 hours in the winter if you want it to bloom and then bear fruit, and the female flowers have to be pollinated.

How can I make my lychee grow faster?

The rule of thumb for fast growth is "once a month" applications of a balanced fertilizer during spring and summer. We have doubled the size of some of our trees in a single growing season through aggressive fertilization.

Can Lychee grow in pots?

Because lychee is a tropical tree, it isn't an option for many gardens. However, although this tree can be quite large outdoors, it is possible to grow lychee in pots.

Are lychee trees self pollinating?

And, while many lychee set fruit without a cross pollinator (the bees do all the work), it has been shown that fruit set and production increases with cross pollination from a different cultivar.

What are the benefits of lychee?

Lychee contains good amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex and phytonutrient flavonoids. It is a rich source of nutrient that is required for the production of blood. It provides manganese, magnesium, copper, iron and folate that are required for the formation of RBC.

Do lychee trees need full sun?

No remember, lychees don't like much wind, so put it in a spot where there's no wind, plenty of sun and it'll do brilliantly.

How do you trim a lychee tree?

While they are still young, lychee trees are pruned regularly to promote a full, rounded shape. Select branches are pruned from the center of young trees to open up the canopy to good air flow and reduce wind damage. When pruning a lychee tree, always use clean, sharp tools to avoid the spread of disease.

What do diseased trees look like?

Discolored leaves could be a sign of disease. If a tree growing uneven, it is lopsided or leaning to far, it may be a sign of damage. When branches grow too close together they may not anchor firmly to the trunk. Bark that grows in between the branches creates a weak, unhealthy bond.

What does tree fungus look like?

Fungus, like most tree diseases, will show itself in one of just a few ways. You may see abnormal growth, discoloration, or wilting in the leaves or needles. You may see discoloration or growth (scabs) in the bark. You may see fungus growing on your tree.

Can a sick tree be saved?

If your tree is sick or only part of it is dying, you may still be able to save it with the help of an arborist. ... Tip: Conducting regular tree care and maintenance such as proper pruning, treating for disease and pests, and fixing structural damage will also help improve your tree's health.