• Litchi trees need regular watering and therefore it is essential that enough water must be available from the flowering stage until after the February/March flush following the harvest.
• Because the edible portion of the litchi fruit has a water content of 86 %, the availability of water remains important during the development period.
• A water shortage will delay development of the fruit and adversely affect the size, mass and quality of the litchis.
• Irrigation must continue after harvesting to ensure that a normal growth flush occurs during February/March, just before the beginning of the dormant period.
• During dormancy (April to July) irrigation should be reduced, but the tree should not suffer drought.
• Young trees that are not producing yet are irrigated throughout the year.
• Producers normally stop irrigating the trees during the coldest months of the year (June and July) so that they can have a proper dormant period. In areas where it is never very cold, irrigation should stop to force the trees into dormancy.