Lychee 'Brewster' (Litchi chinensis)
Regular price $109.95Brewster Lychee is a tropical/subtropical fruit tree with a reliable nature to fruit and flower, making it great for a home or commercial landscape.The Brewster Lychee fruit has one of the best flavors, with the small trade-off of a slightly larger inner seed. Like other Lychee varieties, Brewster Lychee fruit has a unique purple-red outer shell and translucent flesh and texture of a grape and a sweet slightly tangy flavor.
The cultivation of Lychee in China dates so far back that historians have yet to track down a truly wild species of it. Brewster Lychee is the second-most cultivated Litchi tree in the United States, perfectly adapted to the long Floridian growing season. It was introduced by an American missionary to China, Rev. William N. Brewster, hence the name, but the Chen Purple Lychee is the parent tree.
| Sweetheart Lychee | Mauritius Lychee | Brewster Lychee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Litchi chinensis 'Sweetheart' | Litchi chinensis 'Mauritius' | Litchi chinensis 'Brewster' |
| Common Names | Sweetheart Lychee | Mauritius Lychee | Brewster Lychee |
| Family | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (cultivar developed in FL) | Southeast Asia (popularized in Florida) | Southeast Asia (introduced to U.S. early) |
| Plant Type | Tropical Fruiting Tree | Tropical Fruiting Tree | Tropical Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer |
| Mature Size | 15–25 ft (prune to maintain) | 20–30 ft (prune to maintain) | 20–30 ft (prune to maintain) |
| Light | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate; protect from standing water | Moderate; prefers consistent moisture | Moderate; protect from flooding |
| Harvest Season | Early to Mid Summer | Late Spring to Early Summer | Mid to Late Summer |
| Time to Fruit | 0-2 years (air-layered) | 0-2 years (air-layered) | 0-2 years (air-layered) |
| Self-Fertile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) |
| Florida Native | No | No | No |
| Propagation | Air-layered | Air-layered | Air-layered |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen; small seed, reddish new growth | Evergreen; early ripening, bronze new growth | Evergreen; cold-hardy, broad upright canop |
NOTES:
Mature Size:
Very easy and fun to prune and maintain at smaller sizes and are well-suited for container growing.
Soil & Moisture:
Good drainage, rich soil, and irrigation are essential for the early success of this tree. Well-draining soil is essential for Lychee tree growth and they do very well planted on mounds to promote drainage. Requires regular watering until well-established. Increase watering during flowering and fruiting season. Does not like standing water or too much salinity.
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