Description

Lychee Fruit Seedlings

Embark on a lucrative venture with Organic Farm’s certified lychee seedlings (Litchi chinensis), featuring premium varieties like Mauritius and Brewster. These exotic, sweet, and floral fruits, rich in vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, are a rare delicacy in Kenya, where imports dominate the market. Organically propagated in Muranga, Kenya, our KEPHIS-certified seedlings are produced via air layering for faster fruiting and genetic consistency, ideal for farmers aiming to diversify into high-value crops with strong local and export potential.

Benefits of Lychee Farming

• Nutritional Value: A handful (9 fruits) meets an adult’s daily vitamin C needs, with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus supporting immunity, bone health, and digestion.

• Versatile Uses: Enjoy fresh, dried, or in juices, jams, wines, and desserts; seeds and skins are used in traditional medicine and beverages like nespolino rum.

• High Profitability: Yields 2–5 tonnes per acre, fetching KSh 200–329/kg in Kenyan supermarkets and KSh 500–1,000/kg for exports, generating KSh 400,000–5 million per acre annually. Limited local production creates a strong market gap.

• Long-Term Investment: Trees produce for 50–100 years, thriving in agroforestry systems intercropped with vegetables or pulses before maturity.

Favorable Climates for Lychees in Kenya

Lychees thrive in warm, humid subtropical to tropical climates with temperatures of 20–30°C and rainfall of 1,000–2,000mm, requiring 100+ chill hours (0–12°C) for flowering. They grow at altitudes up to 800m.

Suitable Regions in Kenya

• Coastal Kenya: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale

• Central Kenya: Murang’a, Thika, Kirinyaga

• Rift Valley: Nakuru, Baringo (lower altitudes)

• Eastern Kenya: Machakos, Makueni

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Deep, well-drained loamy soils rich in organic matter; avoid waterlogged or saline soils.

• Soil pH: 5.5–6.5 (slightly acidic); amend with lime if needed.

• Nutrients: High organic content; incorporate compost or manure.

• Drainage: Plant on mounds in flood-prone areas.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Lychees

Site Preparation

• Choose a sunny site with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight, sheltered from strong winds to prevent leaf tattering; install windbreaks if necessary.

• Clear weeds, rocks, and debris; plow to enhance soil aeration and mix in well-decomposed manure.

• Test soil pH and enrich with organic matter.

Hole Preparation

• Dig holes 60cm x 60cm x 60cm (2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft), spaced 8–10m apart (40–70 trees per acre) to ensure airflow and reduce fungal risks.

• Mix topsoil with 20kg well-decomposed manure and 125g double superphosphate fertilizer.

Planting Seedlings

• Use KEPHIS-certified air-layered seedlings from trusted nurseries like Organic Farm for faster fruiting (3–5 years vs. 7–20 years for seed-grown).

• Plant in early rainy seasons (March–May or October–November), placing the root ball at soil level; backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.

• Soak roots in water for 2–3 hours before planting to reduce transplant shock.

Mulching

• Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., straw, wood chips) to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, keeping mulch 5cm from the trunk.

Caring for Lychee Trees

• Irrigation: Water young trees every 2–3 days (20–30 liters weekly) during dry periods; maintain high humidity (70%+) with drip irrigation or water bowls. Water sparingly in spring to promote flowering, then heavily post-flowering to prevent fruit drop. Avoid waterlogging.

• Fertilization: Apply liquid fertilizer (e.g., NPK 10:10:10) every 10–14 days from April to September; reduce nitrogen pre-harvest to prioritize fruiting. Use micronutrients like zinc and manganese.

• Pruning: Train young trees to form 3–4 branches 60–75cm from the ground; prune annually post-harvest to remove crisscrossing branches and maintain a 3–6m height for easy harvesting.

• Pest and Disease Control: Monitor for lychee erinose mite (80% yield loss), fruit borers, and diseases like anthracnose and phytophthora root rot; use insecticidal soap, pheromone traps, or fungicides like RANSOM 600WP. Ensure good airflow and orchard hygiene.

Plant Population and Spacing

• Spacing: 8–10m (26–33 ft) to allow canopy growth and airflow.

• Population: 40–70 trees per acre, depending on variety and intercropping.

Expected Production

• Per Tree: 80–150 kg of fruit from 14–16-year-old trees, with air-layered trees yielding 20–50 kg by year 3–5.

• Per Acre: 2–5 tonnes, yielding KSh 400,000–5 million at KSh 200–1,000/kg, with peak production at 10–16 years.

• Fruiting Timeline: Begins 3–5 years for air-layered seedlings, with harvests from June–July when fruits turn bright red or pink. Harvest every 3–4 days to ensure ripeness.

Why Choose Organic Farm’s Lychee Seedlings?

Organic Farm is a trusted leader in sustainable agriculture in Kenya, empowering farmers with quality inputs. Our lychee seedlings offer:

• KEPHIS-Certified Quality: Air-layered from premium varieties (Mauritius, Brewster) for early fruiting, high yields, and disease resistance, certified by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

• Superior Varieties:

  • Mauritius (Tai So): High-yielding, fleshy fruit with one large seed, ideal for fresh and export markets.

  • Brewster: Vigorous, moisture-tolerant, suited for coastal regions.

• Expert Support: Agronomic guidance on planting, irrigation, pest control, and market linkages for local and export markets (Europe, Middle East, Asia).

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Organic propagation supports soil health and biodiversity, aligned with good agricultural practices (GAP).

• Nationwide Delivery: Reliable shipping across Kenya (e.g., Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru) and East Africa.

Capitalize on Kenya’s underserved lychee market, where imports from Mauritius and Asia dominate, with Organic Farm’s certified seedlings. Order now to establish a thriving orchard that delivers exotic, profitable harvests for decades! Note: Unripe lychees contain toxins (hypoglycin A, methylene cyclopropyl-glycine) linked to hypoglycemia in children; ensure fruits are fully ripe before consumption.

Contact: oxfarmorganic@gmail.com