Ruqayyah Snyder
Lychees are a round-shaped berry with a thin, red, bumpy skin that is easily peeled to reveal a juicy, translucent, white fruit with a brown seed. They are native to southern China and were introduced to Australia over 100 years ago by Chinese goldminers and settlers. Today, there are over 40 varieties of lychee grown in Australia, with farms stretching over 2500 kilometres down the east coast from Far North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. The main growing areas in Queensland are the Atherton Tableland, Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton and Bundaberg, and south to Nambour and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lychee Origin | Southern China |
| How they were brought to Australia | By Chinese goldminers and settlers in the 1870s |
| Lychee farms in Australia | Extend down the east coast of Australia for over 2500 kilometres from Cooktown in Far North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in NSW |
| Number of Lychee varieties in Australia | More than 40 |
| Common Lychee Varieties in Australia | Kwai May Pink, Tai So, Fay Zee Siu, Souey Tung, Kaimana, Salathiel, and Wai Chee |
| Number of Lychee Orchards in Australia | 250 |
| Main growing areas in Queensland | Atherton Tableland and Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton & Bundaberg, south to Nambour and the Sunshine Coast hinterland |
| Soil type | Well-drained clay loam soils of medium to high fertility, with a minimum of one metre of well-drained topsoil |
| Temperature requirements | Tropical trees that prefer growing in frost-free climates with cool nights to promote correct flowering and fruiting |
| Water requirements | Keep the soil moist as the tree establishes. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions |
| Fertilizer requirements | Feed Lychee trees every 8 weeks from spring to autumn with a specialised fruit fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Pellets |
| Pruning requirements | Pruning can be done each year immediately after harvesting to help keep trees at a manageable size |
| Harvesting technique | Cut off clusters of fruit using secateurs |
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What You'll Learn
Lychee growing conditions in Australia
Lychees were introduced to Australia over 150 years ago when Chinese immigrants brought the first lychee trees to northern Australia in the 1870s. The oldest lychee orchard in Australia is near Cairns in tropical Queensland. Today, the Australian lychee industry is largely based on the following lychee varieties: Kwai May Pink, Tai So, Fay Zee Siu, Souey Tung, Kaimana, Salathiel, and Wai Chee.
Lychees can be grown in a large pot, although more compact varieties, such as Kiamana, Kwai Mai Pink, Tai So, and Wai Chee, are best. When growing lychees, it is important to position them in full sun, protecting them from strong winds, and ensuring they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Additionally, they require moist, well-drained soil, and regular watering. To promote healthy growth and fruiting, it is recommended to feed lychee trees every 8 weeks from spring to autumn with a specialised fertiliser.
Lychees can be planted year-round, but spring and early autumn are the best seasons for new plants to establish themselves. It takes around four years for lychees grown from cuttings to start fruiting, while seed-grown trees can take much longer (if they fruit at all). The peak harvest season for lychees is during the summer when the skin is completely red. It is important to note that lychees do not continue to ripen once picked, so taste testing is a good indicator of ripeness.
Lychee farms are found along the eastern coastline of Australia, extending over 2500 kilometres from Cooktown in Far North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. The main growing areas in Queensland include the Atherton Tableland, Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton and Bundaberg, and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Queensland's warm climate provides ideal conditions for lychee trees, which require a period of cool weather (15° to 20°C) for successful flower initiation but can be killed by frost.
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History of the Australian lychee industry
Lychees were introduced to Australia over 150 years ago, with the first lychee trees being brought to northern Australia in the 1870s by Chinese immigrants. The oldest lychee orchard in Australia is located near Cairns in tropical Queensland and is run by the direct descendants of these first Chinese settlers.
The Australian lychee industry has developed from a "small exotic fruit" industry into a progressive and robust industry. There are approximately 250 lychee orchards spread throughout the growing regions, ranging from large, medium, and small establishments. The main growing areas in Queensland are the Atherton Tableland and Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton and Bundaberg, south to Nambour, and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. New South Wales has a small number of growers, with suitable growing regions extending south to Coffs Harbour.
The Australian Lychee Growers' Association (ALGA), the peak industry body representing the Australian lychee industry, was formed in the late 1980s following the First National Conference on the Sunshine Coast in 1986. ALGA has developed a strategic plan to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry and works closely with government, industry, non-government organisations, and consumers to advance the interests of the Australian lychee industry.
The Australian lychee industry has many advantages in growing and marketing lychees. Production and post-harvest technology is reasonably advanced, and growers often have a business background, bringing new skills, innovation, and off-farm income. The production season is long, stretching from October in northern districts to March in southern areas. The main cultivar, Kwai May Pink, is well respected in domestic and export markets. Additionally, Australian lychees are not chemically treated with post-harvest sprays or dips, giving them a competitive advantage over fruit from other Southern Hemisphere competitors.
The industry has set goals for expansion and improvement, including developing new cultivars to reduce dependence on a single cultivar, which could be vulnerable to pests or diseases. While the Australian industry currently lacks the resources for a comprehensive breeding program, conventional breeding and biotechnology may play a role in the future.
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Varieties of lychee grown in Australia
Lychees were introduced to Australia over 150 years ago by Chinese settlers, and the country now has the longest lychee production season in the world, producing fruit from October to March. The industry is largely based on the following lychee varieties: Kwai May Pink, Tai So, Fay Zee Siu, Souey Tung, Kaimana, Salathiel, and Wai Chee. In addition, there are newer varieties that are now reaching marketable production size, including Baitaying, Chompogo, Erdon Lee, Red Ball, and Linsansue.
The main growing areas in Queensland are the Atherton Tableland and Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton and Bundaberg, south to Nambour, and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. There are also some growers in northern New South Wales, with suitable growing regions extending south to Coffs Harbour.
Lychees require a period of cool weather (15° to 20°C) for successful flower initiation, but they may be killed by frost. They are susceptible to a broad range of pests, and harvesting and packing are very labour-intensive and costly. The fruit is also susceptible to browning and rotting, which results in a short shelf life.
Lychee trees can grow up to 15 metres tall in their ideal environment, but they can be kept at a more manageable height through regular pruning. They can take up to 10 years to produce fruit, although this can be faster if the trees are grown from cuttings rather than seeds.
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Australian lychee orchards and farms
Lychee farms can be found across the east coast of Australia, from Far North Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. The industry is largely based in Queensland, with a few growers in northern New South Wales. The farms are scattered along the coastline, with varying climates, soil types, pest pressures, labour costs, and market distances.
The Australian lychee industry has developed from a "small exotic fruit" industry into a progressive and robust industry. There are around 250 lychee orchards spread throughout the growing regions, ranging from large, medium, and small establishments. The main growing areas in Queensland are the Atherton Tableland and Mareeba, coastal areas down to Rockhampton and Bundaberg, and south to Nambour and the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Lychees were introduced to Australia over 150 years ago when Chinese immigrants brought the first lychee trees to northern Australia in the 1870s. The oldest lychee orchard in Australia is located near Cairns in tropical Queensland and is run by the descendants of these first Chinese settlers. Over the years, the industry has faced challenges due to unpredictable weather events, pests, and the labour-intensive nature of harvesting and packing. However, advancements in production and post-harvest technology, along with a strong commitment to exporting, have given Australia a competitive edge in the global lychee market.
One notable lychee farm in Australia is the Tomarata Orchard, a family-run business located in Queensland at Tiaro. With 3000 lychee trees consisting of 5 different varieties, Tomarata Orchard is one of the largest growers of lychees in Australia. Another example is Rocky Creek Orchards, a family-owned business with farms in Far North Queensland. They grow three main varieties of lychee: Baitaying, Erdon Lee, and Chom Pogo, supplying domestic and international customers with premium horticultural produce.
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How to grow a lychee tree in Australia
Lychees were introduced to Australia over a century ago by Chinese gold miners and have since become a progressive and robust industry. The fruit is grown in several regions across the country, with Queensland being the major producer. The ideal climate for lychees is frost-free, warm, and subtropical. They can also be grown in temperate zones as long as they are frost-free. The trees require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and should be planted in moist, well-drained soil.
Lychee trees can be grown from seeds or cuttings. If growing from seeds, soak the seed in water for 3-4 days until it starts to split. Then, plant the seed in a small pot with a premium seed-raising mix. Ensure the pot is placed in a warm, sunny position and keep the soil moist but not wet. The seed will germinate and grow in 4-6 weeks, after which it can be transplanted into a larger pot.
For those growing lychees in their garden, it is important to find a position protected from strong winds and frost. When planting, dig a hole and position the lychee plant in it, then backfill with soil, gently firming it down. Form a raised ring of soil around the plant to create a well for water. Keep the soil moist as the tree establishes, and water deeply once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
Lychee trees can also be grown in pots, with compact varieties such as Kiamana, Kwai Mai Pink, Tai So, and Wai Chee being the best options. Choose a pot that is at least 400mm wide and deep and use a quality potting mix. Protect the tree from strong winds and full sun for the first few years, gradually introducing it to full sunlight.
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Frequently asked questions
Lychees are grown in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Lychees are tropical trees and prefer growing in frost-free climates. They require a period of cool weather (15° to 20°C) for successful flower initiation but may be killed by frost. They also need regular watering and fertilising to promote healthy growth and fruiting.
Lychees are susceptible to a broad range of pests, including mites and birds such as lorikeets and fruit bats. They also have a relatively short shelf life due to their susceptibility to browning and rotting.
Lychee trees can take up to 10 years to produce fruit, but this can be shortened to 3-4 years if the trees are grown from cuttings rather than seeds.
There are more than 40 varieties of lychees grown in Australia, including Kwai May Pink, Tai So, Fay Zee Siu, Souey Tung, and Baitaying.
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