Detailed Explanation of High-Yield Longan Cultivation Techniques, Master the Key Points

Longan, also known as guiyuan, is a tropical fruit with sweet and juicy flesh, mainly distributed in Southeast Asia and the southern regions of our country. The dried fruit of longan after sun-drying is guiyuan, a delicious food ingredient and also a traditional Chinese medicine with high nutritional value. Cultivating longan can yield considerable economic benefits. Below is an introduction to the high-yield cultivation techniques for longan.

I. Seed and Site Selection

There are more than 30 varieties of longan, so before planting, suitable varieties should be selected according to local market and climate conditions. It is best to choose varieties with excellent traits such as Zilu and Zhongqiu.

When selecting soil for planting, it is best to choose humus soil or sandy soil on flat terrain with fertile soil. Before planting, the soil should be deeply plowed and turned to ensure good soil permeability, which is conducive to seed survival. The site should be chosen on a hillside with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation, preferably close to a water source, so that the irrigation problem can be solved.

II. “Two Heavy Fertilizations a Year” Fertilization Technique

“Two heavy fertilizations a year” refers to applying two heavy fertilizers well within a year: the post-harvest fertilizer and the winter fertilizer, and also applying one round of fruit-strengthening fertilizer as a supplementary fertilizer. Among these, the post-harvest fertilizer is the most important and is the focus of fertilization throughout the year, accounting for 70%-80%. The several months of fruiting consume most of the nutrients in the tree body, so immediately after picking, a quick-acting fertilizer based mainly on nitrogen fertilizer should be applied. The role of the post-harvest fertilizer is to quickly replenish the nutrients consumed by the tree body, restore the tree's growth vigor as soon as possible, and promote the growth of autumn shoots. The winter fertilizer is applied in December, when the tree body is in a dormant state and nutrient consumption is low. The winter fertilizer is mainly composed of miscellaneous fertilizer, garbage fertilizer, and organic fertilizer.

III. “Two Controls and Two Promotions” Technique

“Two controls and two promotions” refers to “controlling the extension of winter shoots and promoting winter buds to develop into flower buds” and “controlling the growth of flushing shoots and promoting an increase in the proportion of female flowers.” When winter shoots begin to sprout and grow, nutrients for winter shoot growth should be supplemented in time to promote the emergence of flower buds from winter shoots so that flower bud differentiation proceeds smoothly. After flower buds emerge, nutrient solution should be sprayed in time to provide sufficient nutrients for flower bud sprouting and branching, thereby regulating the relationship between the tree's vegetative growth and the reproductive growth of flower buds, causing the newly grown tender leaves to detach from the tree body, thus achieving the goal of controlling the growth of flushing shoots.

IV. Flower and Fruit Protection Technique

During the longan cultivation process, attention should be paid to timely supplementing the tree's nutrients so that the tree grows luxuriantly. Only then will the tree have surplus nutrients to supply to fruit development and ripening. Sufficient nutrients can also shorten the fruit growth period, accelerate fruit ripening, improve quality, and obtain a higher selling price.

V. Precautions

Longan likes fertilizer, but during the longan cultivation process, be careful not to blindly use chemical fertilizers and hormones. It is best to choose farmyard manure fermented from livestock such as cattle and sheep. Some vitamins and growth hormones can be used in combination, but attention should be paid to the dosage and timing. This method cannot be used for late-maturing cultivated varieties.

The above is a brief introduction to the high-yield cultivation techniques for longan. Farmers who grow longan may wish to try the methods mentioned above, and if there are other good methods and suggestions, they can also be added.