Same question about the Lychees. :) They do like lots of water.

The moss should be harmless. Depending on your soil (are you in Dade County?) the trees may be in desperate need of chelated micronutrients, especially if those are 'Emperor' lychees.

Jeff

Jeff,

We are in Palm Beach County. Not sure if they are Emperor, we haven't had any fruit from them.

Any rec'd on where I can get bulk chelated micronutrients?

And yes, it's been a VERY DRY spring so I'm sure that doesn't help.

Thanks!

Chris

That lychee tree in the picture looks like it could be an emperor judging by the leaves. They have a reputation for being a bit harder to grow. If you're in west palm, you likely have sand which would likely mean that you could just use granular micronutrients. At any rate, you'd do well to ask some of the other growers in the area. I believe there is a prosource one in your area that would likely have iron chelate, micronutrient mixes, etc.

Jeff

Winfield Solutions is a great supplier for EVERYTHING, they used to be called ProSource One in Boynton Beach off 441, south of Lantana Rd.. They are about half the cost of the home improvement and nurseries, and you can buy BULK!

Patrick

Jeff and Patrick,

Thank you, I figured they were deficient and good to know about the emperor. Will get it some nutrients asap!

I will try that Winfield / Prosource shop.....

Organic Monty:

That mossy looking stuff on your lychees is a type of lichen. While it does not harm the tree, it has a symbiotic relationship with it, it does indicate that the tree is no longer significantly growing on those limbs or branches upon which it is growing. So seeing this on the tree indicates to me a less than robust growing tree or one that is in decline. But that has nothing to do with and is not caused by the lichen.

Harry

I realy need you guys hel...my sweetheart and emperor I just got from pine island nursery have droped all of their leaves and I dont know what to do they are in 3 gal. pots...and have not grown anything since i got them...please please help me i dont want to lose them and they where 120 dollars... please rescue me

Lack of water is almost always the issue with leaf drop. It has been very, very dry here and potted plants kept in the sun dry very very quickly. If it were me, I'd keep them very moist. No complete drying out of soil.

Harry

Emperorlychee, did you fertilize your lychee trees recently? Newly acquired lychees should not be fertilized. They should be well watered and kept in partial shade until it is aclimated to it's new home. Not enough water like Harry said, too much fertilizer, or too much strong direct sunlight may cause leaf drop. A picture will help with the diagnosis. Too much water can also cause leaf drop.

well, i water them every day... they are living in my deck so they only get direct light until 2 oclock. So should i bring it inside and water less. any suggestions

thankyou for your help
patrcio

Just a guess but "if" your potting mix is mostly Peat? and you water it every day the bottom of the pot may not be draining properly. Potted Fruit trees do much better in good potting mix that drain well (porous). Lychees need lots of water especially this time of year...but if your mix doesn't drain properly root rot can set in...just a thought.

Can you carefully pull the root ball out and check the bottom of the roots to see if the soil is "soggy"... check to see if the roots are starting to rot?

If it were mine I wouldn't put it inside...shade or mostly shade might be good since it has NO leaves.What zone are you in? What are your daytime temps? Your profile doesn't say.

Good luck!

I'm in zone 8... my mixture of soil is half WELL draining compost, and the rest is peat... our daytime temps. are about 95 f, the bottom of te pot is not soggy ...it is more on the moist side.
thanks for the help
patricio

Regarding the lichen, I have two Jaboticabas in my yard (both very healthy and not too old). I have noticed that this lichen (the type that you have too) really likes my Jaboticabas and if allowed to cover the limbs these limbs die. So starting two years ago I sprayed both trees with a lime/copper fungicide since lichen is 1/2 fungus it knocks it back pretty good. I have to spray the trees once a year. I bought the fungicide at Lowes.
Good luck!

Forgot to add; HarryM is right...old/diseased limbs do succumb to this and it usually is not a good sign to have larger trees covered in it. But unlike citrus (which have a relatively short lifespan), lychee trees grow longer, so you might be able to salvage them. I agree with a good fertilization regimen as well as a lime/copper fungicide drench. You might also give them a big drink if you can.

If it were me. I would probably just rip those trees out. It looks like you still have plenty of good looking trees and tearing them up would free up space for something different.