A Detailed Guide to the Latest Longan Seedling Prices and Planting Methods

Longan is one of the famous fruit trees of southern and southeastern China, most abundant in Guangdong, followed by Fujian, with wild or semi-wild plants also found in sparse forests in Yunnan and southern Guangxi, and it is also commonly cultivated in southern and southeastern Asia. Among the varieties well regarded in China are Guangdong's Shixia longan, Fujian's Puming'an, Wulongling and Youtanben, and so on. Let's take a look together at longan seedling prices and planting methods!

Market Prices of Longan Seedlings

The market price of longan seedlings is about 3 to 10 yuan per plant, but prices vary greatly depending on variety, size, place of origin and so on. Longan is a subtropical fruit tree that prefers high temperatures and high humidity; temperature is the main factor affecting its growth and fruiting. Generally, places with an annual average temperature above 20 degrees C allow it to grow and develop well. Longan is also drought-tolerant, acid-tolerant and poor-soil-tolerant, but dislikes waterlogging, and it grows well on red-soil hilly land and dry flat land, is easy to cultivate, has a long lifespan, high yield and large economic returns.

What Varieties of Longan Trees Are There?

1. Shixia longan: Shixia longan is a famous fresh-eating variety with a long cultivation history. The original stock came from Pingzhou, Nanhai, Guangdong, and it has spread widely to Guangdong, Guangxi and other places. It has 3 strains: Huangke Shixia, Qingke Shixia and Gongfenke Shixia. It matures in early to mid-August and is an early-maturing variety.

2. Puming'an: The Puming'an tree has a semicircular to round-headed canopy, moderate vigor and a relatively upright posture. The fruit is nearly flat-round and uniform in size. It matures from late August to early September, is high and stable yielding, has relatively large fruit and top-grade quality, but its thin skin makes it unsuitable for drying.

3. Wulongling: The Wulongling tree has a round-headed canopy, vigorous growth and a semi-spreading posture. The fruit is relatively large and uniform in size, with high sugar content and a high drying rate; the shell does not sink in, making it the best variety for drying, and it is also suitable for fresh eating, but it drops fruit easily and tends to bear fruit in alternate years quite noticeably.

4. Youtanben: Youtanben is high and stable yielding, matures relatively late, has relatively large fruit and above-average quality, and has high sugar content. After drying, the shell does not cave in and is not easy to crack, making it a good variety for dried fruit in the Putian area, and it is also suitable for fresh eating. However, it is prone to “witches' broom” disease, has a large stone and a relatively low edible rate.

Grafting Methods for Longan Trees

1. Scion selection: For longan trees undergoing low-position grafting, the tree age can be long or short, but from the standpoint of ease of operation, young to middle-aged trees under 10 years old are best.

2. Rootstock selection: For young to middle-aged longan trees under 10 years old, grade 1 or grade 2 slanting main branches can be chosen as grafting rootstocks, with branch diameters of about 3 to 10 cm. Usually 2 to 3 rootstocks can be chosen for 3- to 5-year-old trees, 3 to 5 for 6- to 9-year-old trees, and 3 to 10 for mature trees.

3. Grafting methods

(1) Grafting cuts: Use a grafting knife to make one cut on each of the upper and lower sides of the rootstock saw cut, each 1.5 to 2 cm and parallel to the rootstock, reaching deep into the xylem. Twist the blade slightly toward the xylem, then quickly release the grafting knife; this is the grafting interface.

(2) Prepare the scion: The scion should preferably be 5 to 6 cm long, with 1 to 2 plump axillary buds at the upper end. Cut the lower end at an angle of about 45 degrees to the scion, and on the exact back side of the lower cut, pare a long cut surface similar in length to the rootstock cut, reaching deep into the xylem. Both the cut end and the pared surface must be smooth.

(3) Insert into the interface: Point the lower cut end of the scion toward the rootstock, align it with the interface, and gently insert it along the interface so that its long pared surface fits tightly against the bark, while pressing firmly with your hand.

(4) Tie the interface tightly: Use special grafting plastic film to first tie the interface tightly, then wrap the rootstock and scion. The axillary bud portion of the scion needs to be wrapped with a single layer of film.

(5) Apply pesticide to prevent insects: Sprinkle insecticidal powder on the interface and the rootstock saw cut to prevent insects and ants from biting through the film.

Planting Methods for Longan Trees

1. Site selection: The longan planting site should have loose soil, a deep soil layer, good aeration and strong water- and fertilizer-holding capacity. A plot close to a water source should be chosen for the orchard; if water can be diverted and a pond built to ensure spraying and irrigation during drought, sloping land can also be planted.

2. Variety selection: The choice of longan tree cultivar mainly depends on market demand, the adaptability of the variety in the cultivation area and the level of cultivation technology, such as Shixia longan, Puming'an, Wulongling, Youtanben and so on.

3. Seedling selection: Choosing seedlings for longan cultivation is an important technical step. The variety must be pure, the plant must grow vigorously, the leaves must be dark green, the fibrous roots must be well developed, and there must be no pests or diseases. Grafted seedlings should have more than two mature flushes above the graft union.

4. Digging the planting hole: The size of the longan planting hole mainly determines how much organic fertilizer is used for soil improvement. The base fertilizer filling the hole mainly includes topsoil, weeds, pond mud, garbage and pig and cattle pen manure, and chicken manure. These can be backfilled into the hole in layers or mixed, and after backfilling, it should be left to compost for 1 to 2 months before planting.

5. Planting time: Longan trees can be planted in any season except winter. Generally, planting in spring (before the spring flush emerges and grows) is best, but planting should not be too dense; 30 to 50 plants per mu is suitable.

6. Planting method: For longan planting, it is suitable to plant after the loose soil in the planting hole has settled, with the root crown level with the ground or 3 to 5 cm below the ground, and to water thoroughly to set the roots. After planting, water to keep the soil moist, and take care to avoid planting seedlings on rainy days.