01.03.10 We have a frost warning here in Florida so I brought the plants inside. The longan are not much bigger or thicker, but they have produced a couple more sets of leaves. Actually, I'm surprised they're still alive, I haven't paid much attention to them expecting them to die. We really don't get any sun; I feel so sorry for these guys!  If it weren't for our location and reasonable rent, I'd move to a sunnier location just for them!

09.21.09  The longan are doing pretty well.  I gave one to Tom's grandmother for her birthday.  I wish I got a picture when they were younger.  The leaves start out a deep plum purple then turn green.  Maybe when new leaves appear I'll try to capture it.

09.04.09  The longan are growing.  Every seed sprouted.  I had not touched them since I put them in two weeks ago.  The tap roots are getting long and I don't want them to tangle, so I needed to plant them.  I don't have any pots so I'm using plastic cups until I find a better home for them.  If you would like to plant a tree let me know.


To prepare the cups as planters, I heat a steel mandrel over a candle flame and poke holes into the bottom of the cup for drainage.  It's ghetto but very effective, and when it comes time to transplant, simply tap out the root ball or cut the cup if you don't want to disturb anything.   I only had enough potting soil for 6 seedlings.  I considered doubling up but I want each plant to have the best possible chance.  The rest will have to wait or might get mailed to my mom since she's the only person I can think of that would give the care and attention they need.
 

08.19.09  Tom picked up some longan from the oriental market.  He had never tried them.  I had them in Hong Kong.  These from the market were smaller and not as flavourful, probably because they had to be picked early and shipped to the US before spoiling.  He did not like them that much, mostly because he was spoiled on really good lychee we had this summer, and I think he was expecting the longan to be similar.  The longan have a much milder flavor, almost that meat-taste that cantaloupe has. 
  So I cannot just throw away the seeds, I have to mess with them first.  The seeds are very similar to lychee, and they sprouted the same way, only a little faster. Surprising considering how small the fruit were. It took just a couple days in a sandwich bag with a wet paper towel, left outside in indirect sunlight.

It is a bit late in the season to be sprouting, but the weather here is quite warm, so with luck and care hopefully I can get them to go