Lychee Wai Chee

• Wai Chee is a premium lychee variety originating from China, renowned for producing large, sweet fruit with excellent flavour. It's considered one of the best commercial varieties worldwide.
• This evergreen fruit tree develops a rounded canopy with glossy compound leaves that provide attractive year-round foliage. The small, fragrant flowers appear in large clusters.
• Gardeners love the Wai Chee for its reliable fruiting habit and superior taste compared to other lychee varieties. The fruit has a distinctive pink-red bumpy skin with sweet, floral-scented flesh.
• Trees are long-lived and can produce fruit for decades once established, making them a valuable addition to any tropical fruit garden.

• Water deeply once or twice weekly during growing season, checking soil moisture at 5cm depth before watering. Reduce frequency in winter months.
• Position in morning sun with afternoon shade protection, avoiding harsh western exposure that can scorch leaves and fruit.
• Plant in well-draining, slightly acidic soil enriched with compost and organic matter. Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feed monthly during spring and summer with balanced fruit tree fertiliser, supplementing with potassium during flowering and fruiting periods.
• Prune lightly after harvest to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning which reduces fruit production.
• Maintain humidity through regular misting and mulching, especially important during flowering and fruit development stages.

• Plant in morning sun with afternoon shade protection, especially in hot inland areas. Lychees prefer bright filtered light rather than harsh direct sunlight.
• Water deeply but infrequently, maintaining consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter months when growth slows.
• Maintain high humidity around the tree through mulching and regular misting during dry periods. This mimics their natural tropical environment.
• Protect from frost and cold winds, as lychees are sensitive to temperatures below 5°C. Consider container growing in cooler climates.
• Feed regularly during growing season with balanced fertiliser plus additional potassium for fruit development.

• Scale insects can attack branches and leaves, causing yellowing and sticky honeydew. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap applications.
• Fruit fly infestations damage developing fruit, creating brown spots and premature drop. Use fruit fly traps and exclusion bags during fruiting season.
• Root rot occurs in poorly draining soils, causing leaf yellowing and tree decline. Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency.
• Sunburn affects young trees and fruit in harsh afternoon sun. Provide shade cloth protection during extreme heat periods.