- J H Oosthuizen en A J Joubert
- Navorsingsinstituut vir Sitrus en Subtropiese Vrugte, Privaatsak X11208, Nelspruit 1200
- 1992
Die lietsjieboom het sy oorsprong in die suide van China waar die klimaat subtropies is. Die somertemperature in hierdie gebied is hoog, terwyl wintertemperature bo vriespunt bly.
Aangesien lae temperature, gepaardgaande met ‘n droe periode gedurende die winter, noodsaaklik is om die nodige fisiologiese veranderings vir blomstimulering te laat plaasvind, dra lietsjiebome baie swak in tropiese gebiede. Waar die somer en wintertemperature min verskil, sal die borne baie goed groei, maar selde blom en beperkte hoeveelhede vrugte dra.
Summary:
- The lychee tree originates from southern China, where the climate is subtropical with high summer temperatures and winter temperatures above freezing.
- Lychee trees require low temperatures combined with a dry winter period to trigger physiological changes necessary for flower stimulation.
- In tropical areas where summer and winter temperatures differ little, lychee trees grow well but rarely flower or produce much fruit.
- Successful lychee cultivation occurs in areas with long-term average maximum temperatures between 27°C and 32°C.
- Selected growing areas such as Miami (USA), Canton (China), Port Shepstone (South Africa), and Mauritius meet these temperature and humidity requirements.
- In South Africa lychee production areas, average maximum temperatures should be at least 23°C in October and 24°C in November, along with a relative humidity of 50% or higher.
- The average monthly minimum temperature in lychee growing areas stays above 6°C, fitting a subtropical climate without severe frost but with a cold, dry enough winter for a good dormancy period.
- A dormancy period with minimum temperatures dropping to below 14°C for three to four months, coinciding with a dry period, is required for successful flowering.
- Some lowveld areas like Malelane and Komatipoort do not have cold enough winters for natural dormancy; dormancy can be artificially induced by withholding irrigation during the coldest months but care must be taken to avoid drying out young trees.
- Long-term weather data from meteorological services can help prospective lychee growers determine if their area is suitable for lychee farming.