Lychee Tree Kwai May Pink - Litchi chinensis

Litchi chinensis ‘Kwai May Pink’, or pink lychee, is an exceptional variety in more ways than one, notably because it is better suited to our climates than the usual lychee varieties. The plant produces delicious, bright pink fruits of excellent flavour from a young age. They ripen by late summer. This small fruit tree adapts equally well to open ground in Mediterranean climates or to pots, greenhouses, or conservatories. The plant requires some winter chill to flower well and can survive brief temperatures as low as -4°C.

Litchi chinensis 'Kwai May Pink' belongs to the Sapindaceae family. This variety is sometimes sold under the name Bosworth 3, though there are differences with this Australian cultivar, whose origin is debated. 'Kwai Mai Pink' is believed to have been imported from southern China in the 1930s. Regardless, 'Kwai May Pink' boasts remarkable flavour and adapts to slightly cooler climates than other lychee varieties. The botanical species Litchi chinensis originates from southern China and is now cultivated in subtropical regions worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia, India, Australia, South Africa, and certain Mediterranean zones.

Litchi 'Kwai May Pink' stands out for its compact, dense habit, making it better suited to pot cultivation than standard varieties. In open ground, it reaches up to 5 m in height, while in containers, it remains more modest, growing between 2 and 3 m, depending on pot size and pruning management. Its growth is moderate but steady under good growing conditions. Its evergreen, abundant foliage, finer than other varieties, consists of compound, pinnate leaves, measuring between 11 and 15 cm long. They feature 4 to 8 elongated, elliptical to lanceolate leaflets with a deep green and slightly glossy appearance. This dense foliage gives it year-round ornamental appeal. The trunk's bark is reddish-brown, smooth in young plants, becoming slightly fissured with age.

This self-fertile bush begins fruiting after 3-4 years of cultivation and bears fruit annually. Flowering occurs from late winter to early spring, depending on climate and growing conditions. The tree produces 10 to 40 cm floral panicles composed of small yellow or cream, lightly fragrant, nectar-rich flowers, highly attractive to bees, which ensure pollination. In greenhouse or conservatory cultivation, pollination must be done manually using a fine brush or by gently shaking the branches.

The fruits grow in clusters at the branch tips. The fruit of Litchi 'Kwai May Pink' is small, weighing between 15 and 20 grams. However, it compensates for its size with exceptional flavour. Its skin is rough, turning bright pink when ripe, a distinctive feature setting it apart from more brownish-pink varieties. Its translucent white flesh is extremely juicy and sweet, with a delicate, floral aroma reminiscent of muscat. Another advantage of this variety is its small stone, increasing the proportion of edible flesh. This lychee also stands out for its late harvest, typically occurring in September in temperate climates.

In terms of hardiness, Litchi 'Kwai May Pink' is relatively robust for a lychee and can withstand brief dips to -4°C. However, in prolonged frost, it is advisable to protect it in winter or move it to shelter. In pots, it will thrive in full sun with regular but moderate watering, avoiding excess moisture.

With its hardiness, generous yield, and exceptional taste, Litchi chinensis 'Kwai May Pink' is an ideal choice for exotic fruit enthusiasts looking to grow their own lychee in temperate climates.