Which fruit varieties are suitable for growing in the southern climate?

Geographically, southern China refers to the area south of the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. Compared with the north, the south has longer sunshine hours, suitable temperatures and abundant rainfall, making it very suitable for growing fruit. So what fruits are suitable for growing in the south? Let us introduce them to you!

1. Banana

Bananas like hot, humid climates and grow vigorously in deep, loose, well-drained soil. Irrigated cultivation has also succeeded in semi-arid areas similar to southern Jamaica. Wild bananas are grown from seed, while cultivated bananas can be propagated by division using suckers and pseudobulbs. The first harvest takes 10 to 15 months, after which harvesting is almost continuous.

2. Loquat

Loquat, also known as luju, jinwan, luzhi and so on, likes light and tolerates slight shade. It likes a warm climate and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates cold slightly but not severe cold, and grows slowly. In areas with an average temperature above 12 to 15 and winter temperatures not lower than -5°C, and with temperatures during the flowering and young fruit stages not lower than 0°C, it can all grow well. Therefore, the soil and climate of the south are just right for loquat growth.

3. Olive

Olives like warmth. During the growing period they need appropriately high temperatures to grow vigorously and fruit well, so they are suitable for planting in the south. Areas with an annual average temperature above 20°C and no severe frost damage in winter are most suitable for their growth. In winter they can endure short periods of low temperatures of -3°C, but when the temperature drops below 4°C serious frost damage occurs. They can grow normally in areas with rainfall of 1200 to 1400 mm. They are fairly adaptable to soil and can be cultivated along river banks, on hilly land, and in red-yellow soil and gravelly soil. As long as the soil layer is deep and drainage is good, they can grow well.

4. Peach

The peach is a deciduous small tree in the genus Prunus of the rose family. It is planted all over the world. Its flowers can be enjoyed, and its juicy fruit can be eaten fresh or made into preserved peaches, canned peaches and so on. The kernel can also be eaten. Peach flesh can be white or yellow, and there are many varieties. The skin is generally fuzzy, while “nectarine” skin is smooth, “flat peach” fruit is flat and disk-shaped, and “ornamental peach” is a peach tree grown for its flowers, with many forms of petals.

5. Pear

The pear is a perennial deciduous tree fruit in the genus Pyrus of the rose family. It is distributed in North China, Northeast China, Northwest China and the provinces along the Yangtze River basin, and there are extremely many types and varieties. Its adaptability to the external environment is stronger than that of the apple. Pears tolerate cold, drought, waterlogging and saline-alkaline soil. In areas where the lowest winter temperature is above -25 degrees, most varieties can overwinter safely.

6. Jujube

Jujube, also known as zaozi, dazao, cizao, guanzao and so on, is a deciduous small tree or rarely a shrub in the genus Ziziphus of the buckthorn family. It grows in mountainous areas, hills or plains below 1700 m in altitude. It is a temperature-loving fruit tree. In production areas the annual average temperature is about 15°C. During bud break the temperature needs to be 13 to 15°C, during shoot growth and leaf expansion 17°C, during flowering and fruit setting 22 to 25°C, and during fruit ripening 18 to 22°C. Jujube trees are fairly tolerant of drought and waterlogging, but during flowering they require relatively high air humidity, otherwise pollination and fruit setting are unfavorable. In addition, jujube has a strong preference for light and is fairly sensitive to light. It is highly adaptable to soil, tolerates poor soil and saline-alkaline soil, but jujube fears wind, so when establishing an orchard care should be taken to avoid windy gaps.

7. Persimmon

Persimmon is a berry-type fruit of the genus Diospyros in the ebony family. Its ripening season is around October. It is a strongly sun-loving species and is cold-tolerant. Persimmons like moisture and also tolerate drought. They can grow in environments where the air is dry but the soil is relatively moist. They dislike waterlogging. Their root system is strong, with strong water and nutrient absorption, and they also tolerate poor soil. They are highly adaptable and do not like sandy soil. Their dormant buds are long-lived, and their ability to renew and form branches is very strong. Moreover, renewal branches of persimmon bear fruit quickly, set fruit firmly and have a long lifespan. They also have strong pollution resistance.

8. Strawberry

Strawberry is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Fragaria of the rose family. It likes a warm, cool climate. The root growth temperature of strawberry is 5 to 30°C, with the optimum at 15 to 22°C. The optimum temperature for stem and leaf growth is 20 to 30°C. Buds suffer frost damage at -15 to -10°C. During flower bud differentiation the temperature must remain at 5 to 15°C, and during flowering and fruiting it is 4 to 40°C. It likes light but also has fairly strong shade tolerance. Its root system is shallow and transpiration is high, so it has strict water requirements. It is suitable for growing in fertile, loose neutral or slightly acidic loam. Overly heavy clay soil is not suitable for cultivation. In sandy soil, applying plenty of manure and watering frequently also allows strawberries to be grown.

9. Star fruit

Star fruit likes a hot, humid climate and does not tolerate cold. It is best cultivated in deep, loose, fertile loam rich in humus. Star fruit likes high temperatures and humidity, and fears frost damage and drought. Prolonged drought and dry hot winds cause flower and fruit drop. It likes semi-shade and dislikes strong sunlight, especially during the flowering and young fruit stages. It likes gentle breezes and fears typhoons. Its fruit stalks are weak, and typhoons cause heavy flower and fruit drop.

10. Citrus

Citrus is a tree species with fairly strong shade tolerance. It likes a warm, humid climate and does not tolerate cold. When the temperature is below -8°C, frost damage occurs. Citrus has a fairly wide range of soil adaptability and can grow in purple soil, red-yellow soil, sandy beach and coastal mudflat, with a pH of 4.5 to 8. A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is most suitable. Root growth requires a relatively high oxygen content, and soil with loose texture, good structure, organic matter content of 2 to 3%, and good drainage is most suitable.

11. Watermelon

Watermelon likes a warm, dry climate and does not tolerate cold. The optimum temperature for growth and development is 24 to 30 degrees, the optimum temperature for root growth and development is 30 to 32 degrees, and the minimum temperature for root hair formation is 14 degrees. During growth and development it needs a relatively large day-night temperature difference, which can produce high-quality watermelons. It tolerates drought and not moisture, likes light, and is highly adaptable. Sandy soil with loose texture, deep soil layer and good drainage is best.

12. Lychee

Lychee likes high temperatures and high humidity, and likes light and sun. Its heredity requires relatively low temperatures during flower bud differentiation, but when the lowest temperature is -2 to -4°C it will suffer frost damage. During flowering, clear, warm weather that is not dry and hot is most favorable. Too low humidity, continuous overcast rain, dry hot weather, or strong north winds are all unfavorable for flowering and pollination. If adverse disastrous weather is encountered during the flowering and fruiting period, it will cause flower and fruit drop, or even total crop failure.

13. Longan

Longan is a subtropical fruit tree. It likes high temperatures and high humidity. Temperature is the main factor affecting its growth and fruiting. Generally, places with an annual average temperature above 20°C can allow longan to grow and develop well. Longan tolerates drought, acid and poor soil, and dislikes waterlogging. It grows well on red soil hills and dry flat land. It is easy to cultivate, long-lived, high-yielding and economically profitable.

14. Pineapple

Pineapple originated in the hot, arid tropical regions of South America. It likes warmth and can grow within an annual average range of 15 to 40°C. Below 15°C growth is slow, below 10°C growth basically stops, and 5°C is the critical temperature for cold damage. It is highly drought-tolerant, but still needs a certain amount of water for growth and development. It is fairly shade-tolerant. It has a fairly wide adaptability to soil. Because its root system is shallow and aerobic, loose, well-drained sandy loam or mountain red soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 5 to 5.5 is better. Poor, heavy, poorly drained soil and high groundwater levels are all unfavorable for growth.

15. Pomelo

Pomelo, also known as wendan, xiangluan, zhuluan, neizi and so on, is the mature fruit of the rutaceous plant pomelo. It is produced in southern regions of China such as Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Zhejiang and Sichuan. It is fragrant, sweet and sour, cool and moistening, rich in nutrients and highly valued medicinally. It is one of the fruits people enjoy eating, and is also recognized by the medical field as the fruit with the greatest therapeutic food value. Pomelo tea and pomelo peel also have practical value and can be used as medicine.

The above is a short introduction we have summarized for you on what fruits are suitable for growing in the south. We hope it can help you!