Lychees Hit by Severe Cold Snap Early in the Year, Ripening on Schedule in June

Original headline: Hold off on eating lychees

Maoming lychees won't hit the market in large quantities until June

Lychee market debut delayed (file photo)

Red lychees and singing cicadas mark a season people long for. In previous years at this time, lychees could already be seen for sale on the streets, and residents could enjoy the bright red "king of fruits." But this year, due to unfavorable weather including an exceptionally severe cold snap early in the year, the lychee ripening period nationwide has been pushed back by 10 to 15 days overall. The market debut of lychees in Maoming has been delayed accordingly, and greedy residents this year will have to wait patiently to taste the delicious locally grown Maoming lychees. On the 16th, reporters learned from relevant technical staff about the ripening times of various lychee varieties in Maoming this year.

Early-maturing varieties such as Baitangying and Feizixiao are expected to see a small amount on the market in late this month, with mass ripening in early June. Baila and Heiye are the two varieties with the largest planting area and output in Maoming, and their ripening period is generally one week or even ten days later than Baitangying. On the 16th, reporters saw along the Gaoshui Highway that Baila lychees had already grown to finger size. This year, the mass ripening period for mid-maturing varieties such as Baila and Heiye in Maoming is around mid-June. Guiwei, the best-tasting lychee variety, ripens in large quantities after Baila and Heiye, and its market debut this year is expected in mid-to-late June. (Reporter/Li Wencai, Correspondent/Guo Ruixiang)