What do lychee seedlings look like

Litchi seedlings usually have oval or lanceolate leaves, with tender green with reddish brown color, light brown stems with fine hairs on the surface, and light yellow fibrous roots as the root system. The morphological characteristics of seedlings mainly include leaf characteristics, stem characteristics, root characteristics, growth habits, and environmental adaptability.

I. Leaf Characteristics

The leaves of lychee seedlings are ovate to lanceolate, with a length of about 5 to 10 centimeters and a width of about 2 to 4 centimeters. Newly formed leaves often have a reddish brown or purplish red hue, gradually turning into dark green as they mature. The leaf edge is wavy or entire, with clear feather like distribution of leaf veins. The leaf surface is smooth with a waxy layer, and the color of the back of the leaf is lighter with visible raised lateral veins.

II. Stem Characteristics

The stem diameter of seedlings is about 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters, and the epidermis is light brown or gray brown, covered with fine white hairs on the surface. The young stem has a flexible texture, low degree of lignification, few branches, and mostly grows upwards at a 45 degree angle. The distance between stem nodes is relatively short, about 1 to 2 centimeters, with slightly enlarged nodes and visible light colored pores.

III. Root Characteristics

Litchi seedlings have a well-developed fibrous root system, with indistinct main roots and radial distribution of lateral roots. The newly formed roots are milky white or light yellow in color, with a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.3 centimeters, and have root hair areas on the surface. Mature roots gradually turn yellow brown, and the root system is mostly concentrated within 20 centimeters of the soil surface, with strong tendency towards fertilization.

4. Growth Habits

The growth rate during the seedling stage is moderate, with an annual growth height of about 30 to 50 centimeters. The advantage of apical bud growth is obvious, and new shoots often sprout from the top leaf axils. Under suitable conditions, shoots can be pruned 3 to 4 times a year, and the growth rate significantly accelerates during the rainy season. Seedlings have a high demand for light, but in summer, they need to be shaded appropriately to avoid sunburn.

V. Environmental Adaptability

Litchi seedlings are suitable for growing in loose soil with a pH value of 5.5 to 6.5, and the optimal temperature is 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Weak cold resistance, leaves are susceptible to freezing damage when the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius. Prefers moist environments but is not tolerant to waterlogging, and requires good soil drainage. The requirement for air humidity is high, and a relative humidity of 60% to 80% is most conducive to growth.

When planting lychee seedlings, it is necessary to choose slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Before planting, decomposed organic fertilizer can be applied to improve the soil quality. During the growth period, keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging, and provide appropriate shade during high temperatures in summer. Regularly inspect the back of the leaves to prevent pests such as red spider mites, and promptly use biological control if any pests or diseases are found. Insulation measures should be taken in areas with lower winter temperatures, such as covering the rhizosphere with straw or building simple cold shelters. During the early stage of seedling growth, diluted nitrogen phosphorus potassium compound fertilizer can be applied monthly to promote root development and branch and leaf growth.