Chinese Longan fruit at LCG February 2026 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Chinese Longan
Dimocarpus longan
Double grafted seedling (2 rootstocks, 1 top)
This tree is unique at Lennox Community Gardens in that it has two different rootstocks (if you look at the base closely) feeding the one top. This is somewhat experimental, the hope is that with the two rootstocks feeding the one tree it will reach fruit-bearing maturity sooner than a single seedling tree. It flowered for the first time in Summer 2024, but did not set fruit, and it set fruit for the first time at the end of 2025.
The Longan is closely related to the Lychee. Fruit grows in grape-like clusters on the tree. The thin shell is easy to crack open to access the pulp. It can be eaten fresh, used in desserts and sweet-and-sour foods, either fresh or dried; with ginger and a little brown sugar makes a nice warm beverage in winter. Don’t pick under-ripe fruit as it will not ripen after picking.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
Dimocarpus longan
Double grafted seedling (2 rootstocks, 1 top)
This tree is unique at Lennox Community Gardens in that it has two different rootstocks (if you look at the base closely) feeding the one top. This is somewhat experimental, the hope is that with the two rootstocks feeding the one tree it will reach fruit-bearing maturity sooner than a single seedling tree. It flowered for the first time in Summer 2024, but did not set fruit, and it set fruit for the first time at the end of 2025.
The Longan is closely related to the Lychee. Fruit grows in grape-like clusters on the tree. The thin shell is easy to crack open to access the pulp. It can be eaten fresh, used in desserts and sweet-and-sour foods, either fresh or dried; with ginger and a little brown sugar makes a nice warm beverage in winter. Don’t pick under-ripe fruit as it will not ripen after picking.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
- Prune immediately after harvest.
- Thinning of flowers and fruit clusters may increase the size and quality of the fruit.
- Spring (early): liquid seaweed, compost around drip line.
- Autumn (late): liquid seaweed, sulphate of potash, rock mineral (crusher dust).
- Fruit fly netting (bags or tree net) after fruit set.
Chinese Longan at LCG May 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Chinese Longan at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Chinese Longan at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
