Complete Guide to Longan Fertilization Timing and Methods
Longan, also known as guiyuan, has many benefits such as nourishing the heart and spleen, enriching the blood and calming the nerves, and is deeply favored by food lovers. When growing longan, fertilizer plays a very important role in its quality and yield. Below is a detailed introduction to longan fertilization methods and timing.
1. Young trees
Generally, young trees should be fertilized in small amounts and frequently, with light, diluted fertilizer. Newly planted longan seedlings can be fertilized once the second new flush has matured, preferably with dilute human manure and urine, or a dilute urea solution. Apply 2 to 3 times per month, gradually increasing the concentration and amount as the plant grows, and time it before each flush. Before the spring flush emerges, apply an organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer; before the autumn flush emerges, appropriately increase nitrogen fertilizer; after the autumn flush matures, it is best to increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and reduce the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer. In the first few years of young tree development, nitrogen fertilizer should be the main focus, and in later years, appropriately increase the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
2. Mature trees
The purpose of fertilizing mature longan trees is to increase yield, restore tree vigor, and extend the peak fruiting period. The general principle is to apply more and frequent fertilizer to weak trees, while for vigorous trees, fertilize according to their growth condition, especially based on the results of nutrient diagnosis, with targeted fertilization. During the growth and development of longan, fertilizer is generally applied at least three times according to three periods: the autumn shoot growth and development period, the flower bud differentiation induction period, and the fruit growth and development period. However, in production practice, fertilizer can also be applied five times a year according to the peak fertilizer demand periods. These five applications are pre-flowering fertilizer, flower-preserving fertilizer, fruit-preserving fertilizer, fruit-swelling fertilizer, and post-harvest fertilizer.
If you want longan to grow large and sweet, fertilization is key. You can manage it according to these fertilization methods.