Tourists who visited the countries of Southeast Asia during their travels could observe more than once how in local markets as well as in stores, they are massively on sale. longan is a plant of the Sapindov family. The fruits of longan collected in clusters. They are very similar to nuts, have a thin but firm skin that is very easy to clean. Inside the seed is located in the form of a shiny bone, covered with white flesh. This vitreous layer is the reason why fruit is bought in such large quantities. It has a sweet taste with notes of musk. Many gardeners, as well as lovers exotic plants, they wonder whether it is possible to grow longan at home from a pit. The answer will be unequivocal - you can. And later in the article we will learn how to implement it.
Requirements for planting material
Grow longan in an apartment is the easiest way out of the bone. Best of all for this purpose will fit the bone, which was obtained from a ripe fruit. The popularity of Longan is growing every day, in connection with which such fruits can be acquired not only on a journey, but also in large domestic supermarkets.
Optimal timing
After the berries are eaten, you need to carefully remove the remnants of the flesh from the stone, rinse the bone itself under running water and plant in the shortest possible time. If this is not possible, you need to thoroughly wipe the bone with a napkin, and then dry it so that it does not rot. Next, the seed is wrapped in a paper napkin and in this state can be stored for 10-12 days. 
Important! Higher germination in those seeds that were planted immediately after cleansing from the pulp. If the bones are lying for a long time, then they will gradually dry out and shrink. It will be extremely difficult to grow a tree from such a seed.
Capacity and soil for growing
The plant loves wet land and a bright room. Cool windowsill for growing such exotics will not work.
Capacity should be chosen sufficiently deep and wide so that the future tree could dissolve its broad roots. Also, the plant should be provided with drainage using small-sized pebbles or river sand. You can purchase a special mix in the profile shop, which is intended for growing exotic plants, and use it for planting longan.
Since this exotic tree is very bad at carrying drafts, for it you can make a kind of “greenhouse” from a plastic cup or a transparent jar. 
Planting seeds
On the landing bone of the longan there is a small spot of light color. When planting a seed in the soil, you need to make sure that this spot "looked" sideways. If everything is done correctly, then within 5-10 days after planting, the powerful root will begin to germinate unhindered. Sprout above the ground can be seen in about 7-13 days. In rare cases, the sprout can wait about a month. It grows completely straight and naked. Some florists are frustrated by this phenomenon, since they think that they have planted a bone incorrectly and that not a sprout appeared over the ground, but a spine. But such an opinion is wrong. It is enough to wait some more time and leaves are formed on the stem.
Important! To facilitate and accelerate the process of sprouting longan possible using a simple method. It is necessary before rubbing the stone to rub its shell with emery paper or to scratch it carefully with a knife.The subsequent cultivation of this tropical tree is almost no different from the standard care for exotic plants grown from the stone.
Conditions and care for crops
Comfortable conditions for the cultivation of this fruit, which is also called the "dragon eye", are temperature indicators within 22-25 ° C. Do not allow temperature drops below this level. If the apartment is cooler, it is recommended to put a warming mat specially designed for this under a container with a longan.
it tropical plant loves wet soil and good lighting. Therefore, it should be regularly watered and sprayed with a spray bottle of clean water at room temperature. It is also very important to avoid drafts, as longan does not tolerate them. When daylight begins to decline, it will be necessary to provide the plant with additional artificial lighting.
Find out what interesting tropical plants grow modern flower growers: Cordilin, Feijoa, Nepentes, Jacaranda (violet tree), Aglaonema, Clerodendrum, Alokaziya, Aechmea striped, Guzman and Monstera.
Conditions and care for seedlings
Longan is considered unpretentious to care a plant. It does not require any specific knowledge or skills from the owner. But to adhere to the norms of lighting, constant heat, and regular soil moistening is still really necessary:
- Do not allow the soil to dry out. The best outcome of such a careless attitude to the tree will be the fall of its foliage, the worst - the death of the plant. An excess of moisture can not harm him, so do not be afraid to pour the plant.
- The place where the tank with longan is located should still be well lit. If the light is not enough, then no fruit will appear on the branches of the tree.
- Regular feeding will also help grow longan, as this exot very well responds to fertilizers. Both organic and mineral compounds work well.
- The winter season is a dormant period for this plant. It "falls asleep", preparing and gathering strength for three months for fruiting. In this regard, by the end of autumn, the frequency and abundance of irrigation should be reduced. Temperature parameters can also be reduced to 14-16 ° C above zero. At the same time, the lighting should remain abundant.
Did you know? Longanan fruit in fresh form is 83% water. It also contains a lot of carbohydrates, fiber and fiber. Freshly harvested berries have 60 kcal per 100 g, and if the fruits are dried, this figure rises to 286 kcal.
Important! In its natural environment, the tree dies at a temperature below -2 ° C. So in the fall and winter, it is necessary to completely exclude any airing of the room where longan grows.
Picks
The plant will not need a pick, if it is planted in advance in large containers, each bone is separate from the other. If for some reason there is a need for a picking, for example, if several bones were planted in one pot and they all sprouted, then this manipulation can be done as follows:
- First of all, it is necessary to water the soil abundantly so that it softens and it is easier to get the plants.
- While moisture is absorbed, you can do the preparation of new containers for longan. It is necessary to take large pots so that there is enough space for the formation of the root system of a full-fledged tree. In these containers you need to put the prepared land mixed with the purchased mixture for growing exotic plants. The soil should also be watered at room temperature.
- Then very carefully you need to remove the plants from the old pot. To do this, you can use a special fork for picking, if any. It is very important not to damage the tender stem.
- Unnecessarily long roots can be shortened slightly. Due to this, the plant will develop a fibrous root system. After that, you need to lower the plant into the well in a new pot and carefully cover it with soil.
- At the end of all the above-mentioned manipulations, it is necessary to water the newly planted sprouts once more and put it on a well-lit place. The first few days it is important to protect the future of the tree from direct sunlight.
Did you know? In its natural environment, the Longan tree can grow up to 12 m. At the same time, the width can be even greater - about 14 m. Vietnamese use this tree as a material for heating their homes. It is interesting that not the branches are used for such purposes, but the rind and seeds of the tree.
Further care
At first, the plant grows very quickly. But after 2-3 weeks this process is noticeably slow. This situation should not alarm the owner, as longan at home grows slowly. The tree needs a very long light day, preferably a 12-hour one. So when there is a shortage of sunlight, you need to compensate for it with the installation of lamps. The soil should still be watered regularly, and the foliage should be sprayed with water.
Under conditions of indoor growth, longan can be affected by pests. It lends itself to powdery mildew, spider mites, and scutes. So that they do not harm this exotic, you need to regularly inspect the plant, paying particular attention to the leaves. If any harmful individuals are noticed, you will need to apply the appropriate preparations. 
Important! As a preventive measure against pest damage, you should regularly spray the plant with warm water. Frequent repetition of such a procedure will save Longan from the defeat of a spider mite.
From time to time, it is possible to carry out formative pruning of the longan in order to give the tree a well-groomed and beautiful appearance. The plant tolerates such manipulations quite well.
When fruiting comes
The first ovaries can be seen on the longan no earlier than on the 4th year of its growth. Sometimes the ovary can be formed on the 5-7 year of life of the plant.
Read about the caloric content, chemical composition, benefits and harms of longan fruit.
Many flower growers are captivated by the beauty of this exotic, as well as comparative non-capriciousness in care. It is impossible not to recall also the incredibly beneficial properties of the fruits of longan, which are rich in vitamins, contain magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, and riboflavin, which gives the body energy and helps to fight stress.
Fruits that ripen on the room longan, remove weakness and fatigue, will give vitality and increase overall vitality. Besides, it is incredibly pleasant to understand that it was all cultivated by hand. So try to grow this wonderful fruit on your windowsill is a must, because the results will exceed the effort by several times.
