How to Grow a Guava Tree
From Seed
Guava trees are ideal for the home landscape as they offer continuous fruit production and are tolerant of a range of soil conditions. This tropical fruit is recognized by its yellow or green rind and sweet, juicy, pink-colored flesh, which is used to make jellies and other sweets. Guava trees are often propagated from cuttings or grafting. Seed propagation results in unique trees that are not true to their parent, so it may not be used for commercial cultivation. Guava trees reach no more than 20 to 30 feet in height, and you can prune them to control their size.
· Place
seeds in a bowl of water and let soak for two weeks prior to plant.
Alternatively, as a quick method of starting seeds, boil them for five minutes
in a pot of water. These steps will boost germination speed.
· Prepare
a germinating medium consisting of sand or equal parts sand and topsoil and place
in pots or directly in a soil bed. Plant seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart and
1/4-inch deep. Provide plenty of water to keep soil moist.
· Transplant
seedlings into larger pots when they develop their first set of true leaves.
Carefully remove them, along with their root system, and place in individual
pots containing clay loam soil and compost.
· Prepare
a final growing location for the guava trees that contains rich, well-drained
and deep soil and is located in full sun exposure. Place trees at least 33 feet
apart for full production, but you can plant them as close as 16 feet, although
they will produce less fruit. The trees thrive in a temperature range of 73 to
82 F.
· Harvest
fruit when it sets, about two to four years after planting seeds, although it
sometimes takes as long as eight years. Providing plenty of moisture during the
fruiting season will ensure high-quality fruit.
Guava
Widely
cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, guava fruits
can range in size from as small as an apricot to as large as a grapefruit.
Various cultivars have white, pink, or red flesh, and a few also feature red
(instead of green or yellow) skin.
When
cultivated from seed, guavas are notable for an extremely slow growth rate for
several months, before a very rapid acceleration in growth rate takes over.
From seed, common guavas may bloom and set fruit in as few as two years or as
many as eight. Cuttings and grafting are more commonly used as a propagation
method in commercial groves. Highly adaptable, guavas can be easily grown as
container plants in temperate regions, though their ability to bloom and set
fruit is somewhat less predictable. In some tropical locales, guavas can become
invasive. It has become a major problem in the Galápagos Islands..
The plant is
used in many different shampoo products for its scent. It is also becoming a
popular bonsai species and is currently quite popular in India and Eastern
Asia.
Climate and
soil
Owing to its
hardy nature, guava is grown successfully in tropical and subtropical regions
up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above mean sea-level. Best quality guavas
are obtained where low night temperatures, 10 °C (50 °F), prevail
during winter. It tolerates high temperatures and drought conditions in North
India during summers but it is susceptible to severe frost as it can kill the
young plants. An annual rainfall of about 100 cm (39 in) is
sufficient during the rainy season (July-September). The rains during harvesting
period, however, deteriorate the quality of fruits.
Guava is
cultivated on varied types of soils- heavy clay to very light sandy soils.
Nevertheless, very good quality guavas are produced in river-basins. It
tolerates a soil pH of 4.5-8.2. Maximum concentration of its feeding roots is
available up to 25 cm (9.8 in) soil depth. Thus the top soil should
be quite rich to provide enough nutrients for accelerating new growth which
bears fruits.
Varieties
The
varietals characteristics in guava are not as distinct as found in most other
fruits. Its propagation through seeds reduces the distinctive characteristics
of a variety in commercial cultivation. Important guava varieties are
:Lucknow 49
Also known
as Sardar, its fruits are large, roundish ovate in shape, skin primrose yellow
and pulp white, very sweet and tasty. The total soluble solids (TSS) and
vitamin C contents are high. The trees are vigorous.
Allahabad
Safeda
The most
famous variety of Allahabad, it has acquired large variations due to seed
propagation. The fruits are large in size, round in shape, skin smooth and
yellowish white. The flesh is white, firm, soft having pleasant flavour, high
TSS and vitamin C content. The seeds are numerous, bold and hard. The trees are
tall with profuse branching and broad crown. It can withstand drought
conditions.
Chittidar
The variety
is very popular in western Uttar Pradesh. The fruits are characterized by
numerous red dots on the skin, high sweetness, and small and soft seeds. It is
otherwise similar to Allahabad safeda fruits in size, shape and pulp. It has
higher TSS content than Allahabad Safeda and Lucknow 49 but lower vitamin C
content. The tree characters resemble to those of Allahabad Safeda.
Harijha
.
Hafshi
It
is a tasty, red- fleshed guava. It is mainly grown in Bihar. The fruit is
moderately large and spherical in shape, with thin skin. Trees are of medium
vigor but productive
Apple guava
Its
fruits are medium-sized and pink colored. They are sweet in taste with good
keeping quality. They require low temperature for the development of good pink
color. The trees are of medium vigor but their leaves are greener than others.
However, it is a moderate yielder
Fruits of sebia
(looking
like apple) variety low temperature for the development of good pink color. The
trees are of medium vigour but their leaves are greener than others. However,
it is a moderate yielder
Seedless
All the
seedless varieties viz. Saharanpur Seedless, Nagpur seedless and others, are
the same. Two types of fruits, completely seedless and partly seeded, are borne
on a plant of seedless variety. The completely seedless fruits develop on the
shoots rising from the stem and these are bigger in size and irregular in
shape. The partly seeded fruits are born on normal shoots at the periphery and
are small in size and round in shape. Seedless variety is unfit for commercial
cultivation because it gives very low yield. The plants are very vigorous.
Arka Mridula
This is a
seedling selection of variety Allahabad Safeda. Its medium-sized fruits are of
excellent quality with high TSS. The white pulp has only few soft seeds. The
plants are of medium vigor but high yielding.
Allahabadi
Surkha
This
is an outstanding variety of large, uniform pink fruits with deep pink flesh.
The plants produce up to 120 kg (260 lb) fruits in its sixth year of
fruiting. The fruit is sweet, strongly flavored with few seeds and is slightly
depressed at both ends. The plants are vigorous, dome shaped and compact
INTRODUCTION
Guava (Psidium
guajava) is one of the most common fruits in India. It is quite hardy and
prolific bearer. Guava is a commercially significant , highly remunerative crop
even without much care. It is a rich source of vitamin C and pectin. It is also
a good source of calcium and phosphorus.
Certain
important strategies have been identified for enhancing horticulture
development in India in order to be competitive in the world market. They
involve adoption of modern, innovative and hitech methods. One such strategy is
the high density plantation (HDP). This includes adoption of appropriate plant
density, canopy management, quality planting material, support and management
system with appropriate inputs. HDP generally refers to planting at a closer
spacing than the normal recommended spacing. It has been attempted in different
crops such as guava, apple ,banana ,mango, pineapple, peach, etc. Many guava
farmers have been adopting this technology successfully in different parts of
the country. HDP technology results in maximisation of unit area yield and
availability of the fruits in the market early which fetch better price.
INTRODUCTION
Guava (Psidium
guajava) is one of the most common fruits in India. It is quite hardy and
prolific bearer. Guava is a commercially significant , highly remunerative crop
even without much care. It is a rich source of vitamin C and pectin. It is also
a good source of calcium and phosphorus.
Certain
important strategies have been identified for enhancing horticulture
development in India in order to be competitive in the world market. They
involve adoption of modern, innovative and hitech methods. One such strategy is
the high density plantation (HDP). This includes adoption of appropriate plant
density, canopy management, quality planting material, support and management
system with appropriate inputs. HDP generally refers to planting at a closer
spacing than the normal recommended spacing. It has been attempted in different
crops such as guava, apple ,banana ,mango, pineapple, peach, etc. Many guava
farmers have been adopting this technology successfully in different parts of
the country. HDP technology results in maximisation of unit area yield and
availability of the fruits in the market early which fetch better price.
SUITABLE
AREA
Guava is
successfully grown all over India. The total area and production of guava in
the country are 1.90 lakh hectare and 1.68 million tonnes. Major guava
producing states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra , Karnataka , Orissa,
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. However, Uttar Pradesh, is by far
the most important guava producing state of the country and Allahabad has the
reputation of growing the best guava in the country as well as in the world.
SOIL
Guava is
very hardy. It can thrive on all types of soil from alluvial to lateric.
However, it is sensitive to waterlogging. It can be grown on heavier but well
drained soil. Deep friable and well-drained soils are the best. The top soil
should be rich for better stand. Soil pH range of 4.5 to 8.2 is congenial for
guava but saline or alkaline soils are unsuitable.
CLIMATE
Guava is
successfully grown under both tropical and subtropical climates. It can grow
from sea level to an attitude of about 1500 m (5000'). An annual rainfall of
below 1000 mm (40') between June and September is the best for the growth of
guava plants. Young plants are susceptible to drought and cold conditions.
Yield and quality improve in areas with a distinct winter season.
CULTIVARS
The most
popular guava cultivars are Lucknow 49 , Allahabad Safeda and Harijha. Other
varieties preferred by the farmers are Apple, Baruipur Local, Benarasi ,etc.
From the view
PROPAGATION
Guava is
propagated from seeds and also by vegetative methods. Seedling trees produce
fruits of variable size and quality although such trees are generally
long-lived. Vegetative methods like cutting, air layering, grafting and budding
are used for propagation of guava. Air-layering has been observed to be the
most successful commercial method practised for guava. The cheapest method of
rapid multiplication is stooling, i.e.mound layering in nursery beds.
CULTIVATION
TECHNOLOGY
Planting
The field should be deeply ploughed, cross ploughed , harrowed and levelled before digging pits. The pits of about 0.6 m x 0.6m x0.6 m dimension should be dug before the monsoon. After 15-20 days, each pit should be filled with soil mixed with 20 kg of organic manure and 500 g of super phosphate. In very poor soils, the pit size may be bigger, about 1m x 1m x 1m ,and more of organic manures may be necessary. Onset of monsoon is the time to start planting.
The field should be deeply ploughed, cross ploughed , harrowed and levelled before digging pits. The pits of about 0.6 m x 0.6m x0.6 m dimension should be dug before the monsoon. After 15-20 days, each pit should be filled with soil mixed with 20 kg of organic manure and 500 g of super phosphate. In very poor soils, the pit size may be bigger, about 1m x 1m x 1m ,and more of organic manures may be necessary. Onset of monsoon is the time to start planting.
Planting
density
Standard spacing for guava is , 6m x 6m, accommodating 112 plants /acre. However, it is commonly planted at a distance of 3.6 m to 5.4m (12' to 18'). Traditional planting spaces in some parts of country range even upto 5.4 to 7.0m (18' to 23'). By increasing the plant density, productivity can be increased. Although there would be reduction in size of fruits, the number of fruits per plant remains more or less similar. In the model scheme, a distance of 4.5m x 4.5m (15'x15') with a population of 195 per acre is considered, which was observed to be common in areas covered during a field study.
Standard spacing for guava is , 6m x 6m, accommodating 112 plants /acre. However, it is commonly planted at a distance of 3.6 m to 5.4m (12' to 18'). Traditional planting spaces in some parts of country range even upto 5.4 to 7.0m (18' to 23'). By increasing the plant density, productivity can be increased. Although there would be reduction in size of fruits, the number of fruits per plant remains more or less similar. In the model scheme, a distance of 4.5m x 4.5m (15'x15') with a population of 195 per acre is considered, which was observed to be common in areas covered during a field study.
Irrigation
Normally irrigation is not required in guava plantation. However, in the early stage, young guava plants require 8 to 10 irrigations a year. Life saving hand watering is necessary in summer season in dry areas and on light soils. Full grown bearing trees require watering during May-July at weekly intervals. Irrigations during winter reduce fruit drop and improve fruit size of winter crop. In order to conserve soil moisture from pre-monsoon showers, V shaped or half moon shaped bunds or saucer shaped basins may be made. Drip irrigation has been proved to be very beneficial for guava. Besides saving 60 % of water, it results in substantial increase in size and number of fruits.
Normally irrigation is not required in guava plantation. However, in the early stage, young guava plants require 8 to 10 irrigations a year. Life saving hand watering is necessary in summer season in dry areas and on light soils. Full grown bearing trees require watering during May-July at weekly intervals. Irrigations during winter reduce fruit drop and improve fruit size of winter crop. In order to conserve soil moisture from pre-monsoon showers, V shaped or half moon shaped bunds or saucer shaped basins may be made. Drip irrigation has been proved to be very beneficial for guava. Besides saving 60 % of water, it results in substantial increase in size and number of fruits.
d. Manuring
and fertilisation
Guava is
very responsive to the application of inorganic fertilisers along with organic
manures. Soil type , nutrient status and leaf analysis can give better
indication for requirement of nutrients. A thumb rule recommendation is
considered in this model. NPK may be applied @100, 40 and 40 g per plant year
of age, with stabilisation in the 6th year. They may be applied in two equally
split doses in January and August.
Spraying the
trees with 0.45 kg zinc sulphate and 0.34 kg slaked lime dissolved in 72.74 l
(16 gallons) of water cures Zn deficiency. The number of sprays depend on the
severity and extent of the deficiency. Pre-flowering sprays with 0.4% Boric
Acid and 0.3% Zinc Sulphate increase the yield and fruit size. Spraying of
copper sulphate at 0.2 to 0.4% also increases the growth and yield of guava.
e. Inter
culture
The main
practices of inter culture followed are weeding and spading. Manual weeding is
preferable; spraying weedicides such as gramoxone is also effective. in order
to manage the orchard soil, ploughing two times a year, once in October and the
other in January , is necessary. Mulching the basins at least twice a year also
is important to conserve moisture and discourage weed growth.
f.
Intercropping
The
interspace can be economically utilised by growing suitable intercrops in the
early stages till the bearing. A crop combination of several plantation crops,
vegetables and leguminous crops like papaya, pineapple, beans,cucumber,
cabbage, cauliflower, peas, cowpea, etc., are considered safe intercrops.
g. Training
and pruning
Training of
guava trees improves yield and fruit quality. The main objective of training
guava plants is to provide strong framework and scaffold of branches suitable
for bearing a heavy remunerative crop without damaging the branches . For this,
shoots coming out close to the ground level should be cut off upto at least 30
cm from the soil. The center should be kept open, while four scaffold limbs may
be allowed to grow. A light annual pruning is necessary in guava as it bears on
current season's growth. Experimental evidences support pruning off 75% of
current season's growth in May for harvesting good winter crop.
PEST
MANAGEMENT
Fruit fly,
mealy bug, scale insects, etc. are the major pests in guava. The following
measures are adopted to control the damage done by these pests:
Fruit fly :
(a) Spraying of chemicals like malathion 2 ml, phosphamidon 0.5 ml per l of
water .
(b) Destruction of infected fruits and clean cultivation .
Mealybug:
(a) Soil treatment with aldrin, malathion, thimet, ete
(b) Banding the base of the plant with polythene film to prevent the nymph from
climbing up from
the soil.
(c) Spraying of methyl parathion , monocrotophos or dimethoate.
the soil.
(c) Spraying of methyl parathion , monocrotophos or dimethoate.
Scale insect
: Spraying of fish oil rosin soap with water or crude oil
emulsion,dimetholate, methyl demiton, etc.
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT
The most
damaging diseases in guava are wilt and anthracnose. Cancker, cercospora leaf
spot, seedling blight. etc., are some other important diseases. Control
measures of the major diseases are briefed below:
Wilt
disease: Wilt is the most serious fungal disease . Bearing trees , once
affected, slowly die away. Drenching the soil at trunk bases with brasicol and
spraying the plant with bavistin at early stage of infection minimise the
damage. Injecting 8-Quinolonol sulphate is also effective.
Anthracnose: Spraying
of Cu-oxychloride, cuprous oxide, difolatan, dithane Z- 78, etc., control this
disease.
FLOWERING
AND FRUIT SET
Two
important seasons of blooming are observed, one in April-May (Monsoon Crop) and
the other in September - October (Winter Crop). Growth regulators like NAA,
NAD, and 2,4-D are very effective in thinning of flowers and manipulating the
cropping season.
Fruit drop
in guava is as severe as 45-65% due to different physiological and
environmental factors. Spraying of GA is highly effective in reducing the drop.
HARVESTING
Grafted,
budded or layered guava trees start bearing at the age of 2 to 3 years.
Seedling trees require 4 to 5 years to bear. The guava fruit can not be retained
on the tree in ripe stage. So, it should be picked immediately when it is
mature. Guava is ready for harvest as soon as the deep green colour turns light
and a yellowish green patch appears. Individual hand picking at regular
intervals will avoid all possible damage.
YIELD
The yield
varies in different cultivars and with care and management of the orchard, age
of plant and season of cropping.
The yield
per tree may be as high as 350 kg from grafted plants and 90 kg from the
seedling tree. A three year old grafted Lucknow - 49 guava tree may yield 55-60
kg under suitable conditions. Yield starts with 4 to 5 kg in the second year .
Although the farmers experience a yield of more than 75 kg per tree in HDP of
guava, a very modest yield of only 40 kg/tree has been considered for this
model.
CROP
REGULATION
Compared to
monsoon crop, winter crop is much superior in quality and fetch premium price.
Therefore, farmers often reduce monsoon crop by deblossoming to get a higher
price. This is done by spraying plant regulators like Maleic Hydrazide (100000
ppm) on spring flush of flowers. NAA 100 ppm , NAD 50ppm, or 2,4-D 30 ppm are
also reported to be effective in thinning flowers. Root exposure and root
pruning are done to bring flowers at a desired time. Sometimes bending of twigs
is done to force new sprouts which come up with flowers. Hand thinning of
flowers is also very effective. Defoliation is also recommended sometimes for
forcing new growth with flowers.
GUAVA
Psidium
guajava
Highly
fragrant fruit usually with green or yellow skin, about the size of a baseball,
with pink or white flesh. The guava is one of the most common fruits in the
world and its sweet pulp is used in a wide assortment of drinks, desserts, and
other food products.
Germination
Info
Guava seeds
are of moderate difficulty to germinate. The most common stumbling block is not
allowing enough time to pass for germination as guava seeds routinely need a
minimum of 4-6 weeks before any possible germination. Plant seeds 1/4-1/2"
deep in moist, sterile soil. Keep soil temperature
consistent at 70-85F. Cool soils will significantly delay seed germination time
and soil temperatures below 60-63F will inhibit germination altogether.
Estimated germination time under optimal conditions: 4-12 weeks, though occasionally longer. Seeds often show staggered germination.
Estimated germination time under optimal conditions: 4-12 weeks, though occasionally longer. Seeds often show staggered germination.
Guava seed
germination
Hello. First
time posting here. I recently decided to plant some guavas where I live, but
could only find a couple of white guavas(pear) and that was not what I was
looking for.
Through this site I found out about Lowes, Exotica(great selection and service from Steve), Ben Porier(sic) etc, and have found what I wanted.
In the meantime, however, I purchased many varities of seeds and have now decided to go ahead and germinate them. Some I put in hot water(about 2 mins after turning off the boiling water.. probably too hot) but none have sprouted after 7 weeks, and this includes a heat pad.
Some I put in flats (with a lid) near a window on the west side of my place (about 2 hrs sun a day) and a few sprouts are are already an inch high after two weeks.
However, I also put some between wet paper towels, put those in some ziplock FREEZER bags with just enough space for fresh air, put em' by that same window, and EVERYTHING is sprouting. I'm talking about almost petrified seeds, some that I purchased three-four months ago, whatever, it's sprouting within 1-3 weeks.
This is with about 10 varieties from different sellers, and ALL are sprouting. I'd place em' on the south side but for tree shade(summertime life saver here).
Anyway, I know these things can be hard to germinate, so I wanted to let everyone know about the success I have had with this method. Just make sure to keep the towels wet. This should not be hard with the freezer bags (retain moisture, regulate temp). For me, I had to add a couple drops to each bag once in two weeks.
Some seeds will germinate before others, make sure you plant those within 3-4 days, so root does not get burned by sun. In doing this you'll need to peel apart the wet towel, so make sure the towel ends are not flush or you'll have a real time/mess of it.
Also, after a few days, the towel will get a little space around the seed as the moisture evaporates. just slide you hand across the top of the bag to rejoin the towel around the seed and make it easier for you to see when it sprouts.
Through this site I found out about Lowes, Exotica(great selection and service from Steve), Ben Porier(sic) etc, and have found what I wanted.
In the meantime, however, I purchased many varities of seeds and have now decided to go ahead and germinate them. Some I put in hot water(about 2 mins after turning off the boiling water.. probably too hot) but none have sprouted after 7 weeks, and this includes a heat pad.
Some I put in flats (with a lid) near a window on the west side of my place (about 2 hrs sun a day) and a few sprouts are are already an inch high after two weeks.
However, I also put some between wet paper towels, put those in some ziplock FREEZER bags with just enough space for fresh air, put em' by that same window, and EVERYTHING is sprouting. I'm talking about almost petrified seeds, some that I purchased three-four months ago, whatever, it's sprouting within 1-3 weeks.
This is with about 10 varieties from different sellers, and ALL are sprouting. I'd place em' on the south side but for tree shade(summertime life saver here).
Anyway, I know these things can be hard to germinate, so I wanted to let everyone know about the success I have had with this method. Just make sure to keep the towels wet. This should not be hard with the freezer bags (retain moisture, regulate temp). For me, I had to add a couple drops to each bag once in two weeks.
Some seeds will germinate before others, make sure you plant those within 3-4 days, so root does not get burned by sun. In doing this you'll need to peel apart the wet towel, so make sure the towel ends are not flush or you'll have a real time/mess of it.
Also, after a few days, the towel will get a little space around the seed as the moisture evaporates. just slide you hand across the top of the bag to rejoin the towel around the seed and make it easier for you to see when it sprouts.
Good luck,
and enjoy!
Caring for a Guava Tree If you are lucky enough
to live in a region where guava plants grow outside, the tree should be
planted in well-drained soil where its roots have room to spread. Fertilize
growing guavas every one to two months while young and then three to
four times per year as the tree matures. Guava trees need a high amount of
nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, along with some magnesium for maximum
fruit production. An example is a formula of 6-6-6-2, worked into soils just
prior to the onset of the growing season and then evenly spaced out three times
during the growth period. Water frequently after planting and then keep mature
trees moderately moist during the blooming and fruiting seasons. Once
established, caring for a guava fruit tree is similar to any fruiting tree
care. Growing Guava from Seed Growing guava from seed may not produce a
fruiting tree for up to eight years and the plants are not true to the parent.
Therefore, cuttings and layering are more often used as propagation methods for
guava fruit trees. Growing guava seeds, however, is a fun project and produces
an interesting plant. You need to harvest seed from a fresh guava and soak off
the flesh. The seeds can remain usable for months, but germination can take up
to eight weeks. Boil the seeds for five minutes prior to planting to soften the
tough outside and encourage germinatio
Growing
Guava Indoors
Growing
Conditions:
Light: Full sun. Move your sprouted guava to a
very sunny place as soon as possible. During summer, move outside to a sunny
patio. In the winter, move inside to the brightest location possible.
Water: Provide regular water during the growing season, and reduce watering during the winter.
Soil: A rich typical potting mix will do fine. Good drainage is important to protect the roots.
Fertilizer: Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season
Water: Provide regular water during the growing season, and reduce watering during the winter.
Soil: A rich typical potting mix will do fine. Good drainage is important to protect the roots.
Fertilizer: Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season
.
Guava can be
propagated a number of ways, including by seed, grafting, and air layering. In
commercial cultivation, most guava are grafted onto established rootstock,
which helps the plant thrive and flower. If you're growing guava from seed, the
plant might not produce fruit true to the parent. To increase the changes of
germination (and reduce the time), let the seeds sit in a little water for two
weeks, or boil them for five minutes, then plant. Germination will take between
2 and 8 weeks.
Repotting:
Guava trees
naturally grow to approximately 30 feet in height, but much smaller
plants will flower and fruit. In the right conditions, a young tree
will begin to flower and fruit at about 4 or 5 years of age (although this can
vary). Repot your young guava every spring into a larger pot. You can keep the
plant smaller with careful pruning in
the early summer, thus increasing the chances of getting fruit.
Varieties:
The typical
guava is the Psidium guajava. This plant has been in cultivation
so long, it's not exactly known where it originated, and in the intervening
centuries, dozens of named cultivars have been introduced. Named cultivars
include 'Redland,' named for a growing region in South Florida, 'Supreme,' with
white flesh, and 'Ruby,' with light pink flesh. Unless you're growing from
grafted rootstock, it's unlikely your homegrown guava will reproduce true to
seed.
Grower's
Tips:
The guava
tree is a highly attractive little tree, with bronze bark that peels away to
let greenish patches peek through. Over time, very old trees take on a gnarled
and twisted appearance, making them look much older than they are. The leaves
and flowers are both mildly fragrant and attractive, making this a prized
ornamental tropical fruit plant. The key with guava is to provide the right
temperature window. They have very little tolerance for cold, but also cannot
withstand harsh, desert-like heat. Young guava are vulnerable to pests
including aphids, mealy bugs,
scale, and white fly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as
possible and treat with the leave toxic option.
Acca
sellowiana
Etymology.
Feijoa
sellowiana Berg is from the genus which the German botanist, Ernst Berger,
named after João da Silva Feijó, a Portuguese naturalist,
and the specific name honors Friedrich
Sellow, a German who first collected specimens of feijoa in southern
Brazil.. It
has been nicknamed "pineapple guava", "Brazilian guava",
"fig guava" or "guavasteen" among different countries..
Fruit.
The fruit,
maturing in autumn, is green, ellipsoid,
and about the size of a chicken egg. It has a sweet, aromatic flavor,
which tastes like pineapple, apple and mint.
The flesh is juicy and is divided into a clear, gelatinous seed pulp and a
firmer, slightly granular,opaque flesh
nearer the skin.. The
fruit falls to the ground when ripe and at its fullest flavor, but it may be
picked from the tree prior to falling to prevent bruising.
The fruit
pulp resembles the closely related guava, having a
gritty texture. The feijoa pulp is used in some natural cosmetic products as an exfoliant.
Feijoa fruit has a distinctive, potent smell that resembles that of a fine
perfume. The aroma is due to the ester methyl
benzoate and related compounds that exist in the fruit..
Growing
conditions.
Feijoa
orchard with fallen ripe fruit.
It is a
warm-temperate to subtropical plant that also
will grow in the tropics, but requires at least 50 hours of winter chilling to
fruit, and is frost-tolerant. When grown from seed, feijoas are noted for slow
growth during their first year or two, and young plants, though cold tolerant,
can be sensitive to high wind.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this species has been
cultivated as far north as westernScotland, but
under such conditions it does not fruit every year, as winter temperatures
below approximately −9 °C (16 °F) kill the flower buds. Summer
temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C) may also have an adverse effect upon
fruit set. Feijoas are somewhat tolerant of drought and salt in soils, though
fruit production can be adversely affected. Tolerant to partial shade, regular
watering is essential while fruit is maturing.
Seasonality.
Quantities
of the fruit are grown in New Zealand, where it is a popular garden tree and
the fruit commonly is available in season; the season runs from March to June.. Feijoas
are occasionally to be found as landscape plants in the far Southern United
States, in regions from Texas to Florida, and
southern California, though fruit set can be unreliable in those locations.
They are also grown in parts of northern California for their fruit. Fruits are
an extremely rare sight away from cultivation areas, and when they can be
found, they are often expensive because they are scarce and in high demand even
in places where the fruit is not well known.
Consumption.
The crisp, spicy-sweet
tasting petals of Feijoa flowers are edible.
Nutrition.
100 grams of
raw feijoa provides 55 Calories and is 13% carbohydrates,
8% sugars, and 1% each of fat and protein. The raw fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C,
providing 40% of the Daily Value, but supplies no other nutrients in
significant amount.
Food uses.
Although the
skin is edible, the fruit usually is eaten by cutting it in half, then scooping
out the pulp with a spoon. The fruit has a juicy, sweet seed pulp and slightly
gritty flesh nearer the skin. Feijoa may be torn or bitten in half and the
contents squeezed out and consumed. An alternative method is to bite the end
off and then tear the fruit in half length ways, exposing a larger surface with
less curvature and using one's teeth to scrape the pulp out closer to the skin.
A feijoa may
be used as an interesting addition to a fruit smoothie, and
may be used to make wine or cider and feijoa-infused
vodka. The flavour is aromatic, strong and complex, inviting comparison
with guava, strawberry, pineapple,
and often containing a faintwintergreen-like aftertaste. It also is possible to buy
feijoa yogurt,
fruit drinks, jam, ice cream, and such in New Zealand. It also may be cooked
and used in dishes where one would use stewed fruit. It is a popular ingredient
in chutney.
The very strong, complex flavour can make using feijoas, in combination with
other fruits or vegetables, a creative and complex undertaking.
Fruit
maturity is not always apparent visually, as the fruits remain the same shade
of green until they are overripe or rotting. One usually may sense ripeness,
however, by giving the fruit a soft squeeze; a ripe feijoa yields to pressure
somewhat like a just-ripebanana. Generally, the fruit is at its optimum ripeness the
day it drops from the tree. While still hanging, it may well prove bitter; once
fallen, however, the fruit very quickly becomes overripe, so daily collection
of fallen fruit is advisable during the season.
When the
fruit are immature, the seed pulp is white and opaque. It becomes clear and
gelatinous when ripe. Fruits are at their optimum maturity when the seed pulp
has turned into a clear jelly with no hint of browning. Once the seed pulp and
surrounding flesh start to brown, the fruit is overripe, but still may be
eaten, or used to make a delicious juice, jam, or compote..
The flower
petals are edible,. with
a slightly sweet flavor with hints of cinnamon. The most common use is as an
addition to salads. They regularly are consumed by birds..
Cultivation
Young feijoa
seedling
Some grafted cultivars
of feijoa are self-fertile. Most are not, and require a pollinator.
Seedlings may or may not be of usable quality, and may or may not be
self-fertile. Feijoas will mature into a sprawly shrub, but can be kept
successfully as a large container plant, though accommodations will need to be
made for the width of the plants, and the need to encourage new growth for
fruit production. They can succeed in greenhouses in temperate parts of the
United States, and have been grown in-ground as fruiting trees on the United
States east coast in coastal Georgia and South
Carolina as well as in California. Other regions of the United States:
the Pacific Northwest, the southernmost Appalachian Mountains, and the immediate
coastal region from North Carolina to Delaware all
would warrant further investigation.
In the South
Caucasus, feijoa has been cultivated in the southern coastal region of Azerbaijan since
1928; cultivation in neighboringGeorgia has
gradually increased to about 988 hectares in 1986.
In New
Zealand, the pollinators of this plant are bees, bumblebees, and
medium-sized birds. The silvereye is a pollinator in the cooler parts of the
South Island; the blackbird and the Indian
myna, which feeds on the sweet, fleshy flower petals, are pollinators
further north.
In some
areas where the species has been introduced, however, the trees have been
unproductive due to lack of pollinators. The shrub has very few insect pests,
although guava moth is a problem in northern New Zealand..
Varieties.
Numerous
cultivars of feijoa have been developed.
Anatoki
Apollo
Bambina
Barton
Choiceana
Coolidge
Edenvale
Improved Coolidge
Edenvale
Late
Edenvale
Supreme
Gemini
Kaiteri
Kakariki (a
cultivar developed by Waimea Nurseries, New Zealand, large flavor-filled fruit,
named for the Maori word for green)
Mammoth –
named for its relatively massive fruits
Moore
Nazemetz
Opal Star
Pineapple
Gem
Smilax –
mid-sized, spherical fruits with smooth texture
Trask
Triumph
Unique (NZ
cultivar, particularly tolerant of clay soils)
Vista Long –
noted for the long shape of its fruits, developed in Vista, CA
Wiki Tu
Pineapple
guavas (Feijoa sellowiana or Acca sellowiana) are unsung heroes as far as I'm
concerned. For the life of me I haven't been able to figure out why this plant
is so underutilized -- especially for edible landscaping.
I've become
its number one fan; especially because our house sits smack dab in the eye of
some major deer country. All luscious plants eventually fall victim to these
otherwise-lovely-eating-machines. Okay, that's dramatic. Maybe not allplants
are devoured; just the ones that I truly want in my yard and garden.
With the
exception of all but the toughest plants, most have to be protected behind
fences that are 6' or taller. My brave Pineapple guavas are one of the
exceptions. They stand proud and challenging right in the face of a bazillion
mule deer.
And they're
promptly ignored. Blessed are the Pineapple guava.
Let it be
known that they're anything but a one-trick-pony. Aside from the fact that
deer ignore them, let me give you other great reasons to plant some of your
own:
1.
Interesting and Attractive Foliage.
Pineapple
guava is a handsome shrub with thick, oval, silvery-green foliage. I should
have mentioned right up front that these bad boys are evergreen. This is
extremely important to someone who likes some texture and color year round
(namely, me). There's nothing wimpy going on here. It's a substantial plant
that can be pruned into tree form or double as a boundary hedge.
2. Beautiful
(and Interesting) Flowers.
In the
spring the flowers arrive and put on a pretty fabulous show. The
passion-floweresque blossoms are some of the most interesting I've seen. Sugary
pink petals are pulled back and down over the stem allowing rose red stamens
with gold tips to fan out. I'm not alone on this one this; bees, butterflies,
and birds appreciate them as much as I do.
3. Edible
Fruit (and Flowers!).
Yes, those
fabulous flowers are completely edible. You can eat them right off the plant,
toss them into a salad (imagine that presentation), add them to iced
tea, or make jelly. They have a fruity-sweet-with-a-little-tang flavor. The
fruit will show up in the fall and is ripe when they drop off of the shrub.
It's a
simple task to cut the little fruits in half and scoop put the fleshy insides
with a spoon. I think they have their own flavor, but I've heard it described
as pineapple-ish, minty-ish, or...like a guava.
4. Carefree.
This is one
unfussy plant. Still, they have their preferences. Pineapple guava does well in
zones 8-11. They enjoy full sun but if you're in an area that has extremely hot
summers, afternoon shade is necessary.
Once
established, they're quite drought-tolerant, but you'll have better fruit if
they get a deep watering weekly. They're self-fruitful, but fruit tends to set
better if there's another plant nearby. For the most part, pests seem to ignore
them as much as the deer. (Can this get any better?)
5. Container
friendly.
That's
right, these guys have no problem living in containers, so a small-space garden
is a non-issue. In fact, even if you have plenty of gardening space to plant in
the ground, if you live in a cold zone (where they won't winter over), you may
opt to plant yours in a container so it can be brought indoors during the cold
months.
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