Manila Bulletin, May 26, 1992

Lychee can now be grown in RP

by Magtanggol C. Vilar

     Bernardo O. Dizon, a noted pomologist of the UP Bliss Economic Garden, Barangay San Vicente, University Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, recently revealed the breakthrough in growing lychees using the technology abroad that suits the local condition.

     Besides technology, planting materials no longer pose a problem since Dizon himself has achieved another breakthrough in clonal propagation of lychee varieties from Taiwan, Thailand and Florida, USA, including the seedless variety.

     Dizon said that very soon, it will no longer be a a monopoly of Thailand and Taiwan since the Philippines can be self-sufficient and be an exporter too, if only the government will give full support in developing the fruit industry here and order a ban or regulate fruit importation.

     In planting lychees, Dizon cautioned the prospective grower not to use grown from seeds as they produce 70 percent male (unproductive), or bear fruits after 10 to 15 years in the case of female plants.

     Seedling from seeds should be used only as rootstock for clonal propagation, Dizon said. He added that clone seedling should have two or more rootstocks to make it productive. HE said single rootstock lychees is biennial or seldom bear fruits.

     At the UP Bliss Economic Garden extension and demonstration farm at KM 96.4 Tiaong, Quezon, marcotted single rootstock lychees outgrow the local rambutan and lanzones in terms of vegetative growth which need training and pruning to make them bear fruits.

     Dizon invites the public to attend his seminar at the TLRC, Gil J. Puyat Ext., Makati, MM on June 4 and 5 on high value fruit trees such as rambutan, durian, lanzones, orange, pummelo and grapes. (MCV)