Matt's 9b field note
“About four years in the ground. The standard reliable lychee for the yard.”
Background
'Mauritius' (also sold as 'Tai So') originated as a seedling on the island of Mauritius off Madagascar. It became the dominant commercial lychee of Florida and the continental US because it fruits earlier and more reliably, year after year, than most cultivars.
Distinguishing traits
Mid-size, heart-shaped fruit with pink-red/green skin and a small seed; flavor slightly more tart/spicy than Brewster. Vigorous, spreading growth habit, though the wood is softer and branches split more easily than Brewster's. The most consistent bearer of the Florida commercial cultivars.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- Needs a dry, cool (non-freezing) winter period of roughly 3-5 months / ~100-200 chill hours to flower well; withholding fall/winter irrigation promotes bloom.
- Cold hardiness
- More cold-tolerant than mango but less than sweet orange; mature trees handle brief dips near 27-30°F. Young trees need protection. Phoenix's brief freezes are the main risk.
- Heat tolerance
- Handles hot summers; needs consistent moisture from fruit set through harvest. Afternoon shade and wind protection help young trees.
- Water
- Moderate; irrigate regularly during establishment and fruiting, withhold in fall/winter to encourage flowering.
- Soil
- Best on acid sands with organic matter (pH ~5.0-5.5); tolerates AZ soils if drainage is excellent and fertility adjusted. Plant on a mound, never deep.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun; protect young trees from constant wind (tattered leaves, dieback).
Where to buy
- Lychees Online
- YP Farms