Lychee ‘Chom Pogo’ – Litchi chinensis

Summary:
‘Chom Pogo’ is a later-fruiting lychee cultivar, prized for its bright red skin, large fruit size (up to 70 g), and excellent on-tree holding capacity. This self-pollinating evergreen tree produces abundant crops with sweet, aromatic flesh, making it a highly desirable choice for warm-climate gardens and small orchards. Easy to grow in suitable climates, it thrives with water and mulch but should never be fertilised.

Quick Overview:

• Common Name: Lychee ‘Chom Pogo’
• Botanical Name: Litchi chinensis ‘Chom Pogo’
• Origin: Cultivar grown in Australia; species native to southern China and Southeast Asia
• Height & Width: 2–5 m in gardens and pots; up to 10 m+ in the ground under ideal conditions
• Foliage: Dense, glossy, dark-green leaves with a dome-shaped canopy
• Flowers: Small yellow-green panicles in spring, followed by fruit set
• Fruit: Large, bright red fruit to 70 g; juicy white aril with a sweet, perfumed flavour; long shelf-life on the tree
• Wildlife Attraction: Flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators
• Position: Full sun, frost-free site sheltered from strong winds
• Soil: Free-draining soils rich in organic matter; intolerant of waterlogging
• Tolerance: Best suited to subtropical and tropical climates; not frost-hardy
• Maintenance: Moderate; requires regular watering and mulching but no fertiliser
• Etymology: Litchi comes from the Cantonese name for the fruit; chinensis means “from China”; ‘Chom Pogo’ reflects the cultivar’s Thai origin

Detailed Description:

‘Chom Pogo’ produces abundant crops of large, bright red lychees that can hold well on the tree, allowing for an extended harvest window. Its fruit is sweet, juicy, and aromatic, offering premium eating quality fresh from the tree. The tree itself forms a dense, rounded canopy that provides shade and seasonal beauty, with attractive new flushes of growth and fragrant spring flowers.

Unlike many fruit trees, lychees are extremely sensitive to fertiliser. For best results, do not fertilise at any stage. Instead, support the tree with consistent watering, good mulching, and protection from frost and strong winds. With the right care, ‘Chom Pogo’ will reward growers with heavy summer harvests of high-quality fruit.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Watering: Water daily during the first week after planting; then maintain regular deep watering, especially in hot weather or while fruiting
• Fertilising: Do not fertilise – lychee trees are highly sensitive and must not receive fertiliser
• Mulching: Maintain a thick mulch layer to conserve moisture and protect feeder roots; keep clear of the trunk

Pruning:

• Formative: Light shaping in the early years helps create a strong canopy
• After Harvest: Remove crossing or congested branches and dead wood
• Size Control: Can be pruned back to 2–4 m for easier harvesting in backyard settings

Common Uses:

• Home fruit tree in warm-climate gardens
• Small orchards or boutique plantings
• Fresh eating with extended fruit-holding ability
• Shade and ornamental value with lush evergreen foliage

Planting Benefits:

• Premium Fruit: Sweet, juicy lychees with excellent flavour
• Later Fruiting: Extends the lychee season into late summer
• Extended Harvest: Fruit holds well on the tree, reducing wastage
• Low Input: Needs only water and mulch – no fertiliser required