Longan Live Plant – Air Layered, 3 to 4 Feet Tall – Fruit Tree

Overview

Experience the joy of growing your own exotic fruit with this premium longan live plant. This particular specimen is air layered longan, a propagation method that encourages earlier fruiting and ensures the plant is true to type, providing you with delicious, sweet longan fruits sooner. Standing impressively at 3 to 4 feet tall, this young tree boasts a notably bigger trunk, indicating a well-established and vigorous root system ready for planting. The longan, scientifically known as Dimocarpus longan, is a highly prized tropical fruit tree related to the lychee. Its name translates to ‘dragon’s eye’ in Chinese, referring to the translucent white flesh that covers a dark seed when peeled. This resilient and beautiful tree is an excellent addition to any garden or patio where tropical fruits are desired.

Bringing a longan fruit tree into your home or garden means embracing a piece of the tropics. These trees are not only producers of delectable fruit but also offer ornamental value with their lush, green foliage. Our air-layered plants are carefully nurtured to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in their new environment. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding enthusiast, this robust longan plant offers an exciting opportunity to cultivate a unique and rewarding fruit.

Key Benefits

Adding a longan live plant to your collection offers numerous advantages, from fresh fruit to aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect:

• Fresh, Delicious Fruit: Enjoy the unique, sweet, and juicy flavor of fresh longan fruit right from your own tree. Homegrown fruits often taste superior to store-bought varieties.
• Ornamental Value: The longan fruit tree features attractive, dense, dark green foliage, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape, patio, or even as a large container plant.
• Air Layered Advantage: Being an air layered longan plant means it will typically produce fruit faster than trees grown from seed, offering a quicker path to harvest.
• Robust Growth: This tree comes with a bigger trunk, signifying a strong and healthy root system, which contributes to vigorous growth and better establishment in your garden.
• Health Benefits: Longan fruit is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet and offering various wellness benefits.
• Educational Experience: Growing your own tropical fruit provides a rewarding educational experience, teaching about plant care, growth cycles, and sustainable living.
• Unique Garden Addition: Stand out with an exotic fruit tree that is less common in many home gardens, adding diversity and conversation to your outdoor space.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your longan live plant thrives, understanding its specific care requirements is crucial. Longan trees prefer a tropical to subtropical climate, flourishing in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. They are not frost-tolerant, so in cooler climates, they should be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter or provided with adequate protection.

Sunlight requirements: Longan trees need full sun, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, to produce the best fruit. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights. Watering schedule: While established trees are somewhat drought-tolerant, young plants require consistent moisture. Water regularly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during cooler months. Soil type: The best soil for a longan fruit tree is well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), and rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix amended with compost works well for container-grown plants. Fertilization: Fertilize your air layered longan every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Reduce frequency in fall and winter. Yellowing leaves can indicate a nutrient deficiency, often iron, which can be corrected with a chelated iron supplement. Pruning: Prune to shape the tree, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage branching for better fruit production. This also helps manage the size, especially if you’re wondering how to grow longan in a smaller space.

Common problems include nutrient deficiencies and occasional pest issues like aphids or scale. Regularly inspect your plant and address any problems promptly with appropriate organic or chemical treatments. Providing consistent care will help your longan live plant grow strong and produce abundant fruit.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy longan live plant, propagated via air layering, ensuring genetic fidelity and earlier fruit production. The plant stands at an impressive height of 3 to 4 feet tall from the base of the root ball to the top of the foliage, making it a substantial starter tree. It features a noticeably bigger and sturdier trunk, indicating a well-developed plant with a strong foundation. This size is ideal for immediate planting into a larger container or directly into the ground, given the appropriate climate. Typically, longan trees can reach mature heights of 20-40 feet in ideal conditions, but can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning, especially when grown in containers. Expect your longan fruit tree to begin fruiting within 2-4 years under optimal care, a significant advantage of the air-layered method. The plant will be shipped in a nursery pot, with its root ball carefully protected to minimize stress during transit, ensuring it arrives ready to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this longan live plant get? A: This particular longan live plant is 3 to 4 feet tall upon arrival. In optimal outdoor conditions, longan trees can grow 20-40 feet tall, but they can be kept smaller with pruning or by growing them in large containers.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor longan fruit tree? A: Longan trees are tropical and prefer warm climates (USDA Zones 9-11). They can be grown outdoors year-round in these zones. In cooler regions, they should be grown in containers and brought indoors during cold weather, making them versatile for either setting.
• Q: How much sunlight does my air layered longan need? A: Your air layered longan requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and fruit production. If indoors, place it in the brightest possible location.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Longan trees are relatively easy to care for once established, especially if you understand their tropical needs. Consistent watering, adequate sunlight, and proper fertilization are key. They are a good choice for intermediate gardeners.
• Q: What condition will my longan live plant arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive in a nursery pot, carefully packaged to protect the foliage and root system. We strive to ensure it reaches you in healthy, vibrant condition, ready for planting.
• Q: How long until my longan fruit tree produces fruit? A: Since this is an air layered longan, it is more mature than a seedling. You can generally expect your tree to start bearing fruit within 2-4 years of planting, much sooner than seed-grown trees.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this longan live plant can tolerate? A: Longan trees are sensitive to frost. They can tolerate brief dips to around 28-30°F (-1 to -2°C) once mature, but young plants and prolonged cold can cause damage. It’s best to protect them from temperatures below 35°F (2°C).
• Q: How to grow longan successfully in a container? A: To successfully grow longan in a container, choose a large pot (at least 15-20 gallons), use well-draining potting mix, ensure full sun exposure, and fertilize regularly. Pruning is essential to manage its size.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a longan fruit tree? A: A well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) rich in organic matter is ideal for your longan fruit tree. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much water.
• Q: Can I grow Dimocarpus longan in a greenhouse? A: Yes, growing Dimocarpus longan in a greenhouse is an excellent option for those in cooler climates, as it provides a controlled environment that mimics its natural tropical habitat, ensuring optimal growth and fruiting.