Tourists who visited the countries of Southeast Asia during their travels, more than once could observe how in local markets, as well as in stores, is massively presented for 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 there is a seed in the form of a shiny bone, covered with white flesh. It is this vitreous layer that 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
- Optimal timing
- Capacity and soil for growing
- Planting seeds
- Conditions and care for crops
- Conditions and care for seedlings
- Picking
- Further care
- When fruiting comes
Requirements for planting material
Grow longan in an apartment is the easiest way out of the stone.Best of all for this purpose 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. 
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.The plant should also 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 a 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, as they think that they have wrongly planted a bone and not a sprout, but a spine seemed above the ground. But such an opinion is wrong. It is enough to wait some more time and leaves are formed on the stem.
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.
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. Excess moisture can not harm him, so do not be afraid to pour the plant.
- The place where the container with the 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.
Picking
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 pick, for example, if several bones were planted in one pot and they all germinated, 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 tanks 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 place 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 extract from the old pot plants. To do this, you can use a special fork for picks, 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 in the hole in the new pot and carefully cover it with soil.
- At the end of all the above manipulations, it is necessary to water the newly planted sprouts once more and put them to take root in a well-lit place. The first few days it is important to protect the future of the tree from direct sunlight.
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 if 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.
In 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. 
From time to time it is possible to carry out the forming pruning of a longan 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 the plant.
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 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 grown by yourself. So try to grow this wonderful fruit on your windowsill is a must, because the results will exceed the effort by several times.
