Lychee 'Fei Zi Siu' at LCG, December 2024 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Lychee 'Fei Zi Siu'
Litchi chinensis
Sapindaceae family
Also known as the 'Imperial Concubine's Laugh', the 'Fei Zi Siu' Lychee has the reputation of being one of the best eating lychees to come out of China. It is tangy, sweet and juicy. A large fruit that is picked with some free mottling on the skin. Fruit is generally ready for harvest in December. Best eaten fresh.
Our tree first fruited in December 2024, producing around 30 fruit. The 'Fei Zi Siu' can be an inconsistent bearer (particularly in the north of Australia) so it will be interesting to discover if our coastal northern NSW climate suits the tree.
It is a Chinese tradition to offer Lychees as a New Year good-luck charm because they are considered a symbol of romance.
Tree Provenance
Legend has it that the 'Fei Zi Siu' Lychee was adored by the favourite Concubine of the Chinese Emperor Tang Ming Huang (Tang Dynasty). The Emperor sent men all the way to Southern China to bring back the fruit coveted by his beloved mistress.
Lychees were introduced into Australia in the 1870’s by Chinese gold seekers.
Tree Maintenance
Litchi chinensis
Sapindaceae family
Also known as the 'Imperial Concubine's Laugh', the 'Fei Zi Siu' Lychee has the reputation of being one of the best eating lychees to come out of China. It is tangy, sweet and juicy. A large fruit that is picked with some free mottling on the skin. Fruit is generally ready for harvest in December. Best eaten fresh.
Our tree first fruited in December 2024, producing around 30 fruit. The 'Fei Zi Siu' can be an inconsistent bearer (particularly in the north of Australia) so it will be interesting to discover if our coastal northern NSW climate suits the tree.
It is a Chinese tradition to offer Lychees as a New Year good-luck charm because they are considered a symbol of romance.
Tree Provenance
Legend has it that the 'Fei Zi Siu' Lychee was adored by the favourite Concubine of the Chinese Emperor Tang Ming Huang (Tang Dynasty). The Emperor sent men all the way to Southern China to bring back the fruit coveted by his beloved mistress.
Lychees were introduced into Australia in the 1870’s by Chinese gold seekers.
Tree Maintenance
- Prune immediately after fruiting to maintain a harvestable height. If pruning is delayed, it will affect the following year's crop.
- Do not apply a fertiliser until completion of the trees first fruiting; fertiliser should then be a gentle slow release option to protect the roots.
- Regular watering is required. Especially when the fruit is setting - dry soil around this time will result in fruit drop. Water can be withheld during the final stage of fruit ripening to help the fruit sugars concentrate.
- Mulch around the base to help to keep the soil moist, but leave a gap of 4-6 inches from the trunk.
- Lychee trees are prone to the 'erinose mite' - microscopic invertebrates that feed on plant tissue, causing distortion and abnormal growth. If distorted leaves with a brown velvety underside are observed: Prune off affected leaves and dispose off-site. Spray three applications of sulphur 10-14 days apart as per instructions on the bottle.
Lychee 'Fei Zi Siu' at LCG January 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Lychee 'Fei Zi Siu' at LCG, August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
