![]() ![]() ![]() The lychee is a finicky tree to grow in Southern California though many gardeners do it with ease. In San Diego, plan for about 20′ tall with a rounded canopy. The tree itself is gorgeous and evergreen with a grey trunk and pretty leaves though it can reach up to 40′ in the wild. Cut it away to eat the sweet, delicate flesh which has a pleasant floral aroma (this disappears somewhat during canning) but beware of the large seed inside. The pretty red rind is totally inedible so don’t even try it. The lychee originates from China and is a small fruit about 1.5″ in size. This Asian fruit is growing in popularity and most frequently enjoyed canned in the United States though now can be bought fresh at a number of Asian markets. Do some research based on your growing location. The tree is deciduous from February through April and experts suggest that irrigation cease during February and March, resuming in April. ![]() Cherimoya grow in a variety of soil types though well-draining and moderately fertilized is best. Skip container planting as they don’t do well in pots and make sure they are protected from Santa Ana winds. Trees do well in coastal California though best at a slightly higher elevation around 3-15 miles from the ocean. The cherimoya comes from sub-tropical, mild climates and can’t handle extreme heat. The flavor is an interesting mix of other tropical fruits like coconut, pineapple and mango. Mark Twain even referred to cherimoya as one of the most delicious fruits known to man. Its nickname is the custard apple which makes sense after you experience the sensation of sticking a spoon into its soft flesh. This fruit is thought to be native to the Andes in Peru. Seeds from Mexico were planted in California around 1871 and cherimoya has been growing well here ever since. Many homeowners use them as shade trees over patios or as container plants. Extreme heat or cold will stunt fruit production. Though they are drought-tolerant, deep watering on a regular basis will yield more fruit. Loquat trees do well in wind, full sun in coastal climates and a number of soil types but they do need good drainage to survive. ![]() Some liken the taste to a cross between a guava fruit and a passion fruit. The flesh inside is sweet and surrounds three or so large seeds. The 1-2″ oval fruit grows in clusters and has a tangy-flavored skin typically yellow or orange in color. The loquat is an ornamental flowering shrub that’s native to southern China (though cultivated mostly in Japan) and can grow up to 30′ high though the average height is usually around 10′. Some San Diego farmers are replacing expensive water-guzzling citrus and avocado crops with dragon fruit as a more profitable alternative. Because dragon fruit is a low water plant, it’s perfect for xeriscaping. The plant will thrive in full sun near the coast but will require some shade inland to prevent burning. Because the stems can reach up to 20 feet in length, dragon fruit needs to be staked. However, more than 100 varieties of dragon fruit grow in California alone.ĭragon fruit actually grows on a large cactus-like trees. The latter dragon fruit contains considerably more nutrients, which is why Pitaya bowls across San Diego and beyond are tinted dark pink. The type of dragon fruit found in Asia has a white center ( Hylocereus undatus) while the Central American version is magenta inside ( Hylocereus costaricensis) with a slightly richer strawberry-like flavor. The consistency is similar to kiwi, except the small, edible seeds are scattered throughout the flesh. Pitaya is another name for dragon fruit which was first discovered in Central America, but is extremely popular in Asia. Health food fanatics have probably seen marketing on overdrive lately to promote Pitaya as the ultimate superfood. Dragon Fruit ( Hylocereus undatus or Hylocereus costaricensis) But, if you’re considering one of these unique trees, here are some general growing guidelines. Before purchasing a tree, do ask them for growing instructions specific to your home. Luckily, exotic fruit trees can be sourced locally from the nurseries listed below. A number of exotic fruit trees grow well in San Diego but since they aren’t native to our region, they do require a bit more care. Homeowners with enough space for fruit trees can think beyond apple, orange, lemon and lime. ![]()
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