In China, if the longan is raised on the lowlands it is always put on the edges of raised beds. On high ground, the trees are placed in pre-enriched holes on the surface. The trees are fertilized after the fruit harvest and during the blooming season, at which time the proportion of nitrogen is reduced. Fresh, rich soil is added around the base of the trees year after year. The longan needs an adequate supply of water and can even stand brief flooding, but not prolonged drought.
Irrigation is necessary in dry periods.
Later, the fruit clusters are also thinned, in order to increase the size and quality of the fruits. Generally, the trees are planted too close together, seriously inhibiting productivity when they become overcrowded. Larger trees have larger crops but if the trees become too tall harvesting is too difficult, and they should be topped. Harvesters, working manually from ladders, or using pruning poles cut the entire cluster of fruit with leaves attached. Rain is a major nuisance in harvesting and in conveying the fruit to market or to drying sheds or processing plants.