Can longan be grown in northern regions?

Longan can be grown in pots in the north, but it cannot be planted in the open ground. This is because longan is a tropical and subtropical evergreen tree that prefers a warm, humid climate, and the freezing cold of the north is not conducive to its survival. So how do you grow longan in a pot? Let's find out below.

How do you grow longan in a pot?

1. Seed selection and soaking

Choose some longans with plump fruit and fresh stems, remove the seeds, and then wash the flesh off them thoroughly. If any flesh remains, it can easily cause rot or trigger a fungal infection, affecting the growth of the potted plant. Then soak the seeds in clean water for 5 days, changing the water every day, and sow them afterward; this makes it easier for them to sprout and take root.

2. Sowing

For the soil, choose a loose, airy, well-draining sandy soil or humus soil if possible; ordinary garden soil also works, but you should add some river sand to prevent water from accumulating in the soil. Place the sprouted longan seeds in the soil with the sprouting eye facing up, and space them evenly; this way the seedlings will come up neatly and the potted plant will look better. After planting the seeds, cover them with a little soil, but do not cover them too thickly, then water so the soil is completely moist. You can also sprinkle a layer of vermiculite or granular soil on the surface to improve its ornamental value.

3. Fertilizer and water

Keep the temperature between 20-25 degrees, keep the soil slightly moist, and mist appropriately to maintain a certain air humidity. It can be placed on a windowsill with suitable indirect light. In spring and autumn each year, apply a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a month, and water once every 5-7 days; in summer, water once every 1-3 days; in winter, water about once every half month.

In addition, it is best to change the soil of a potted longan once a year, and with proper care it can live for 5-7 years.