Longan Dimocarpus ‘Diamond River’ Dragon Eye Seedling Live Plant 5-9″ Tall

Overview

Embark on a rewarding gardening journey with the exquisite longan dimocarpus live plant, specifically the highly sought-after ‘Diamond River’ variety. Often referred to as the ‘Dragon Eye’ fruit tree due to its unique appearance once peeled, this tropical gem promises to be a captivating addition to any garden or patio. Our offering is a healthy seedling plant, measuring between 5-9 inches tall (excluding pot height), arriving in a 2.5-inch square pot, ready for you to nurture. The longan is a beautiful, symmetrical evergreen tree known for its dense, dark green foliage, which provides a lush, tropical aesthetic even before it bears its delicious fruit. Originating from Southeast Asia, the ‘Diamond River’ longan is celebrated for its flavorful and sweet pulp that does not adhere to its single, shiny brown seed, making it a delight to eat. This particular variety is renowned for its consistent fruiting and robust growth, making it an excellent choice for both experienced tropical fruit enthusiasts and ambitious beginner gardeners.

Growing your own dragon eye fruit tree allows you to enjoy the freshest, most succulent fruit right from your backyard. These trees typically mature to an impressive size, reaching 30-40 feet in height and width in suitable climates, forming a round or oblong crown with distinctive corky bark. While trees grown from seed may exhibit slight variations from the parent, the ‘Diamond River’ variety is known for its strong genetic characteristics. This longan dimocarpus live plant is organically grown, ensuring you receive a vibrant and healthy specimen ready to thrive in its new home. The journey of growing this tropical fruit tree from a seedling into a mature, fruit-bearing plant is an incredibly fulfilling experience, connecting you directly to nature’s bounty.

Key Benefits

Owning a longan dimocarpus live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from its aesthetic appeal to the delicious fruit it produces. This ‘Diamond River’ variety is particularly prized for its sweet and juicy ‘Dragon Eye’ fruit, which is a culinary delight. Beyond the fruit, the tree itself is a beautiful, evergreen specimen that enhances any landscape.

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy fresh, sweet, and juicy longan fruit, also known as ‘Dragon Eye’, right from your own garden. The ‘Diamond River’ variety is known for its superior flavor and consistent yield.
• Attractive Evergreen Foliage: The tree boasts dense, dark green leaves year-round, providing a lush, tropical ambiance and an attractive focal point in your outdoor space.
• Potential for Large Harvests: Mature trees can produce abundant crops of spherical to ovoid fruit, each measuring ¾ to 1 7/16 inches in diameter, offering a generous supply of tropical goodness.
• Ornamental Value: With its symmetrical form and corky bark, this tropical fruit tree seedling adds significant ornamental value to gardens, patios, or larger containers.
• Unique Flavor Profile: The translucent, whitish pulp of the longan is famously sweet and flavorful, a true exotic treat distinct from other tropical fruits.
• Organically Grown: Our seedlings are grown organically, ensuring you receive a healthy, chemical-free plant ready to grow naturally.
• Long-Term Investment: A well-cared-for longan dimocarpus live plant can be a long-term source of delicious fruit and beauty for many years to come.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your longan dimocarpus live plant requires attention to its specific needs, especially during its seedling stage. These tropical trees thrive in warm, humid environments. For best results, ensure your ‘Diamond River’ longan receives at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily once established. However, young seedlings are quite sensitive. Upon arrival, place your plant in a spot with moderate temperatures (70-80°F) and good light, but absolutely no direct sun for the first two weeks. Direct sunlight can scorch young leaves. Gradually introduce it to more light after this acclimatization period, especially if you plan to move it outdoors. For outdoor planting, ensure temperatures do not consistently fall below 60°F, as cold can damage young plants.

Proper watering is crucial for your dragon eye fruit tree. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root rot; a sandy loam mix with good organic matter is ideal. Fertilize your young longan plant every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for tropical fruit trees. As the plant matures, reduce fertilization frequency. Protect your seedling from strong winds and dry conditions, which can stress the plant. Regular monitoring for pests and diseases will help ensure a healthy and vigorous diamond river longan tree. Remember that young trees are more vulnerable to environmental changes, so consistent care in the early stages will lead to a stronger, more productive mature tree. Understanding longan plant care is key to success.

Size & Details

You are purchasing one robust longan dimocarpus live plant, specifically the ‘Diamond River’ variety, measuring 5-9 inches in height. This measurement excludes the height of the 2.5-inch square nursery pot it arrives in. These seedlings are starter plants, perfect for growing into a mature tropical fruit tree seedling. In optimal conditions, mature longan trees can reach an impressive height of 30-40 feet with a similar spread, forming a dense, rounded canopy. The fruit itself is spherical to ovoid, ranging from ¾ to 1 7/16 inches (22-36 mm) in diameter and weighing 0.21 to 0.67 oz (6-19 g). The ‘Diamond River’ longan typically begins to bear fruit within a few years under ideal growing conditions, maturing slightly later than lychees. Each plant is grown organically, ensuring a healthy start for your future fruit producer.

The seedling’s compact size upon arrival makes it easy to handle and acclimate to its new environment. While the initial growth rate may seem modest, with proper care and increasing root development, these plants will accelerate their growth, eventually becoming magnificent fruit-bearing trees. The fruit’s peel is tan or light brown, thin, leathery, and smoother than that of a lychee, encasing a translucent, whitish pulp that is both flavorful and sweet. This specific offering is designed to provide you with a high-quality starter plant, setting the foundation for a productive and beautiful dragon eye fruit tree in your home garden. Understanding the growth potential and characteristics of this longan dimocarpus live plant is crucial for planning your garden space.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this longan dimocarpus live plant get? A: This seedling is 5-9 inches tall upon arrival. Mature longan trees, like the ‘Diamond River’ variety, can grow to 30-40 feet tall and wide in ideal tropical conditions, forming a large, rounded canopy.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The dragon eye fruit tree seedling is shipped in a 2.5-inch square nursery pot, suitable for its current size and root system. It will need to be repotted into a larger container or planted in the ground as it grows.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The longan is a tropical plant best suited for outdoor planting in USDA zones 9-11. However, young seedlings can be grown indoors in a bright, warm location, especially in cooler climates, and moved outdoors during warmer months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Once established, a diamond river longan tree prefers full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Young seedlings, however, need protection from direct sun for the first two weeks after arrival.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While tropical plants require specific conditions, the ‘Diamond River’ longan is considered moderately easy for those familiar with tropical fruit tree care. Consistent watering, appropriate sunlight, and protection from cold are key aspects of longan plant care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your tropical fruit tree seedling will arrive as a live, healthy plant in its nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safety during transit. It’s normal for plants to show some stress after shipping, but they recover quickly with proper care.
• Q: How long until it bears fruit? A: Longan trees grown from seedlings typically begin to bear fruit within 3-5 years, depending on growing conditions and care. The ‘Diamond River’ variety is known for its good fruiting characteristics.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Longan trees are tropical and are not frost-tolerant. They thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. If you live in a cooler zone, you will need to protect the plant from cold temperatures, either by bringing it indoors or providing adequate winter protection.
• Q: What is the ideal soil type for this longan dimocarpus live plant? A: Longan trees prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Avoid heavy, clay soils that retain too much moisture.
• Q: How often should I water my longan seedling? A: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Adjust watering frequency based on climate, pot size, and soil type.