Matt's 9b field note
“In a pot — huge fruit, slow grower. Being trialed in a container first.”
Background
'Emperor' is described by US lychee growers as likely a 'mountain variety' of lychee. It has a track record in American collections as an enormous-fruited, slow-growing dwarf type, though it remains a collector's cultivar rather than a commercial one.
Distinguishing traits
Produces the largest lychee fruit of any cultivar — enormous, unusual-looking fruit of superior sweet-tart taste. Very slow-growing dwarf habit (8-10 ft), compact structure, making it the best lychee for containers. Needs less water than most lychees.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- Needs a cool dry winter rest like other lychees (~100-200 hours).
- Cold hardiness
- USDA zones 9-11; hardy to about 25-30°F. Container growing lets Matt move it under cover for freezes.
- Heat tolerance
- Good; reported as quite hardy and less water-demanding than other lychees.
- Water
- Less thirsty than standard lychees, but water regularly in containers — pots dry fast in Phoenix.
- Soil
- Excellent drainage essential; slightly acidic (pH 5.0-5.5). Use a coarse container mix in the pot trial.
- Sun exposure
- Full to partial sun.
Where to buy
- Trees.com
- Utopia Trees
- PlantVine