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        • Organic Pesticides
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      • Seedling Care Sheet
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​Mauritius, Hak Ip, and Sweetheart TM  Lychee Tree


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​The finest for consistent production are the Mauritius and Brewster 

Hak Ip varieties. These are excellent trees for backyard growers as well as commercial growers. Lychee trees grow best in sandy slightly acidic soils. Adding organic matter to sandy soils is extremely important for best growth and fruit production. Plant your tree in an area that offers wind protection and full sun. Young trees should be protected by using a wind screen around them. A newly planted tree will also require regular watering for at least the first two years of establishment. 

Lychee trees require a cool dry winter and a wet hot summer for best fruit production. Trees bear fruit from May to July. Mauritius is the leading commercial cultivar in Florida. Lychee trees should be heavily mulched and grow very well using organic methods. Lychee trees are propagated by air layering because seeds will take as long as 8 to 10 years to produce fruit. Seed grown trees will not be identical to the fruiting tree. The one advantage a seedling has is the stronger root system. Today grafting Lychee trees is rare and generally not practical or necessary.

​
Three Popular Lychee Fruits 

In my opinion the Hak ip  and the Sweetheart 
TM are both super sweet and oh so incredibly similar. They are practically twins. 

Many people believe they are actually the same. Well they are not the same. The Hak ip fruit is generally much darker than sweetheart. Hak ip means black leaf in Chinese. This is a good name since the leaves are a deep dark green. 

People often wonder what is the common variety name for Sweetheart TM. Well it is a bit of a mystery. The story is that Sweetheart TM was an import from Australia to Florida that lost it's original cultivar label. This unlabeled Lychee was named and trademarked Sweetheart TM. It's easy to notice the seeds on Hak ip and Sweetheart TM. They are really tiny. They vary a bit from fruit to fruit but usually quite small compared to other lychees. 

One other difference I always seem to find is that Sweetheart TM has the smallest seeds compared to any other Lychee I have eaten so far.


Mauritius is also very good and the flavor a little bit spicy (sort of  like cinnamon) but sweet. The seed is larger and the fruit a bit smaller and not as colorful.

Pepe's Tip:

Keep Your Tree About 8 Foot Tall. Life will be easier for you and growing your tree will be a pleasure. Prune your tree immediately after you harvest that sweet delicious fruit. Spraying, picking and inspecting your tree will be easier and storm damage will be less severe in most cases. When pruning leave the lower branches in place so they shade out weeds. Keep the soil free of  grass around the base of your lychee tree. Grass steals nutrients from the roots of your lychee tree and slows it's development. 

One very important thing to remember is that shade on any part of your tree will slow down the growth. More sun equals more growth and more fruit per branch!

​NOTE: Do not tip prune branches after Aug. Tip pruning stimulates new vegetative growth and reduces flowering in the  spring.


​FAQ
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How do I know my lychee is ripe and ready to eat?
Answer: Ripeness in lychees is determined by looking at the fruits skin and color. Flat bumps indicate the fruits have swollen with juice and fructose but not always a real indicator of sweetness. The dark red to purple color also is a good indicator of mature ready to eat fruit. Mouth watering!


When Should I prune my Lychee Tree?
Answer:  Prune in July after you have harvested your fruit.

Should I plant more than one Lychee Tree?
Answer:  Now that sounds like a good idea! How about mixing it up a bit. We suggest you plant at least two trees. Some good choices are Sweetheart/Hak Ip, Mauritius and even a Brewster. Having more trees makes cross pollination possible which offers higher yields. One other plus is that if one is having an off year the other will most likely be fruiting. 
​

Is mulching a lychee a good idea?
Answer:  Yes, mulch your tree with organic material like composted shredded palm leaves, dry hay and kitchen greens, banana peels etc. 

Can I grow lychee trees organically?

Answer: Of course! Growing them organically is the best way.

Can I grow my Lychee tree in the shade?
Answer: For best fruiting and tree health you should provide full sun.


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Soursop: Grow Soursop-Guanabana Like a Pro!
The Fruit That’s Basically a Tropical Rock Star (Second Edition)

By Jason “Pepe” Tormo
Ever dreamed of growing your own tropical treasure but thought it was too hard? Think again—Pepe’s got your back!
Meet soursop, the Beyoncé of tropical fruits—spiky, elusive, and worth every ounce of effort. In this laugh-out-loud second edition, Cuban-American fruit guru Jason “Pepe” Tormo spills the juicy secrets to growing soursop (aka guanabana) in your own backyard, whether you’re in the Florida Keys or beyond. With his signature Cuban sass, Pepe guides you through every step—from picking the perfect tree to mastering hand-pollination hacks that’ll have your soursop tree pumping out fruit like a tropical slot machine.

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​A Florida Geisha: The Story Of La Esperanza (The Seeds of Rebellion) Kindle Edition
by Jason Tormo (Author)  Format: Kindle Edition


A Florida Geisha: A Short Story (Seeds of Rebellion Book 1)
Dive into the vibrant, rebellious world of A Florida Geisha, the thrilling kickoff to Jason Pepe’s Seeds of Rebellion series. Follow Pablo Alvarez, a gritty Cuban-American farmer, as he risks everything to revive his family’s lost coffee legacy on Florida’s Pine Island. Smuggling rare Geisha seeds with his chaotic family and a shady smuggler, Pablo battles USDA crackdowns, federal red tape, and his own doubts to grow a caffeinated revolution. Packed with Cuban humor, heart, and defiance, this tale of family, grit, and forbidden beans sets the stage for a high-stakes series launching in late 2025. Perfect for readers who love underdog stories with a shot of Miami spice
!

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Your one stop site for all of your mango research and social resources.

​​MARY'S HEIRLOOM SEEDS

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