Longan 'Kohala'
Intro: Longan is a close cousin of the lychee, with grape-sized fruit that has translucent, juicy flesh and a musky sweetness. Kohala is one of the best-known varieties in Florida, valued for its dependable bearing and large, flavorful fruit.
Quick facts
- Botanical name: Dimocarpus longan
- Origin: Southeast Asia; Kohala is a Hawaii-selected variety
- Mature size: 25-35 ft if unpruned; easily kept to 12-15 ft
- Fruit: large, thick-skinned, sweet, with a smaller seed
- Typical harvest: roughly July to September
- Cold tolerance: mature trees tolerate brief dips near the upper 20s °F; protect young trees
Growing notes
- Full sun, well-drained soil. In Homestead's rocky oolitic limestone, plant on a mound or in an opened hole with added organic matter.
- Keep soil moist during flowering and fruit set (late winter to spring), but never waterlogged.
- Longan responds to a cool, dry spell before flowering, so avoid overfeeding with nitrogen in fall.
- Prune after harvest to control height and open the canopy for light and air.
- Wrap or cover young trees on cold nights.
Common problems: poor flowering after warm winters, bird and squirrel damage, lychee webbing mite, scale.
FAQ
- How long until it fruits? Grafted trees often fruit in 3-5 years.
- Does it need a pollinator? No, one tree will set fruit.
- Longan or lychee? Longan is hardier and easier; lychee is more demanding but more fragrant.