The common names are guava, amrood, amrud, jamphal, goiaba, guayaba, djamboe, djambu, goavier, etc.
Guava Fruit |
The guava tree, if grown in ground will grow to a height up to 12 feet in tropical regions. The tree will grow to a smaller size in a container. The tree produces white 1 inch size flowers.
The guava fruit has white, pink yellow flesh having seeds at its center. The taste of the fruit varies from sour to sweet, depending on its variety.
First I planted a Hawaiian type guava which produced several guava fruits with pink flesh, but the taste was slightly sour. So I removed that tree and planted an Indian type which is producing very sweet fruits.
The guava fruits are about 5 inches in diameter; either oval, round or pear shaped and the ripe fruit has a rich pungent smell which spreads quickly in the house.
If your guava tree has matured and not flowering then you can encourage the tree to flower as following:
References
how to grow guava tree in Container youtube video
how to grow guava tree from seeds video
how to grow guava tree from cuttings video
how to grow guava tree from seeds in Hindi Video
how to grow guava in Pot in Hindi
First I planted a Hawaiian type guava which produced several guava fruits with pink flesh, but the taste was slightly sour. So I removed that tree and planted an Indian type which is producing very sweet fruits.
Growing Guava in Containers Faster
The guava fruits are about 5 inches in diameter; either oval, round or pear shaped and the ripe fruit has a rich pungent smell which spreads quickly in the house.
The Guava Varieties
There are several varieties of guava. Popular guava varieties and types are:Apple guava tree or white guava tree
Strawberry guava tree
Pineapple guava tree
Red guava tree
Pink guava tree
Mexican guava tree
- The common Apple guava (Psidium guajava) has white fruit that typically ripen as a yellow color. It is the most frequently eaten species.
- The Strawberry guava (Psidium littoral) has a red colored outer skin, and has strawberry-like flavor fruit, generally smaller than the common guava.
- The Pineapple Guava or Feijoa (F. sellowiana) has attractive flowers and larger sized fruits.
Position : Where To Plant Guava Tree
- Guava plant needs full sun to part shade to grow, however, it cannot withstand too much heat.
- The guava plants have very little tolerance for cold. The plant is very frost tender and the matured tree will drop all the leaves in winter, while the young may die. The new leaves start to grow from the beginning of spring.
- In the USA, guava trees can grow in US Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11; in Hawaii, Florida, sheltered areas in California and Texas and the Virgin Islands.
Tips For Growing Guava in Containers
A guava tree can be grown in a container with proper care.- Guavas can be planted in pots and ground as well. If you are planning in a container, then select a big pot, at least 30 cm (12 inch) pot, bigger is better. The potted guava plant can be pruned in early summer to keep the size compact. Transfer the young guava plant every spring into a larger pot. How to grow fruits in pots
- The pot should have good drainage holes at the bottom, which is important to protect the roots.
- The guavas planted in ground grows faster into big tree, up to 30 feet in height because its roots can spread widely. The fruits in these trees become difficult to pluck as they grow to very high branches. So I am growing guava in the container, it is quite easy. The pot bound root system of guava tree growing in containers produce small size of fruits.
Soil For Guava Tree
Plant your guava in a rich free-draining soil having a pH 4.5-7.0. Add lots of compost and manure to the soil and some river sand to make it free draining. This type of soil is best for growing guava tree faster.How To Plant Guava
Guava can be propagated by seed, branch cutting, grafting and air layering. For commercial cultivation, it is best grafted onto a established root-stock. The guava seedlings grow very fast if proper care is taken.Guava Propagation Method
Guava tree can be propagated form seeds, cuttings and layering method.
Guava Tree Care
Watering Guava Plant
- Guavas prefer regular deep root watering, allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering. Provide regular water during the growing season, and reduce watering during the winter. Apply water at the base of the tree, avoiding its foliage getting wet to prevent fungal disease.
- The older branches of the guava tree produce larger size guava fruit. So to promote branch growth, the tree must receive regular water.
Mulch For Guava Tree
Mulch with 2-6 inch (5-15 cm) of wood chips, bark to retain soil moisture. Keep the mulch-10 inch away from trunk. Mulch can also reduce the growth of weeds and can help reduce the risk of certain pests.Guava tree |
Guava Fertilizer Recommendation
The guava tree fertilizer is very important if you wish to grow your guava tree fast.- Guava tree is heavy feeder, so it should be fertilized every 1-2 months when it is young; thereafter 3-4 times a year.
- Guava trees need a fertilizer high in nitrogen, phosphorus, potash and some magnesium for maximum fruit production. Mix 6-6-6-2 fertilizer into soils beginning of the growing season and then 3-4 times during the growth period.
- A fertilizer high in potassium is the best fertilizer for guava trees to increase fruit production. I feed my guava plant with a liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season.
- Guava trees become iron deficient in alkaline and high pH soil. Fertilize 1-2 times with iron sulphate each year.
- Always water your guava plant after fertilizing to minimize the risk of burns.
Guava Tree Flowers and Pollination
The guava tree blooms in early spring, but may bloom all year in mild climates.- Guava tree has perfect flowers with male and female parts in each flower.
- Honeybees pollinate the guava flowers.
- If there are no bees in your area, then you may hand pollinate the flowers. Use a very small paint brush and tickle the inside of flowers.
- Spray your guava tree a 5 % solution of urea mixed with a wetting agent just before flowering. When the urea spray dries, then water the plant. This will increase the duration of fruit production.
The Guava Fruit Harvest
The guava fruit matures in 2-4 months after the flowers bloom. The fruit remain hard and green but changes color and becomes softer when it is ripe. Fruits picked green will ripen when stored at room temperature. (Fruit Ripening with Ethylene)How to Make a Guava Tree Bear Fruit
A new guava tree can start bearing fruits when it is 2 year old. I grew my guava tree from a seed and it produced guavas in the second year.Guava Flower on one year old guava tree |
- Allow the tree to dry out for 2-3 weeks and prune the tips of the branches to stimulate new growth. Guava will flower on the new growth.
- Water restriction causes the tree to begin reproduction defense mechanisms that result in flowering.
Pests and Diseases on Guava Tree
- Young guava are attacked by a number of pests including aphids, guava white fly, mealy bugs, moth, scale and thrips. Treat early. I cover the fruits with a paper bag to prevent fruit fly.
- The guava tree is attacked by a number of diseases like anthrcnose, red alga, and leaf spots. Pruning the tree to increase air circulation will be beneficial. Regular copper spray, pest oil spray or insecticidal soap can control the disease.
- Sometimes, ants crawling on the guavas may be problem. Use Boric Acid Ant Baits to control ants.
How Yo Prune of Guava Tree
Pruning a guava tree is important if you want your tree to produce pleanty of fruits. Prune the new guava plant at 1-2 feet length to produce new lateral branches. Allow such 3-4 branches to grow to 2-3 feet. Then cut the tips of these branches to grow more branches. Remove the weak branches. The tree in this way will become dense with a good canopy.How To Protect Guava Tree From Low Temperatures
To protect guavas from freezing temperatures, cover with a blanket at night or put Christmas lights on it when there is a threat of frost. If the guava tree is growing in a pot, then move the pot in shade or varandah.References
- Guava Fruit Farming Info - Beginners Guide
- Jonathan Crane and Carlos Belerdi, Guava growing in Florida Home Landscape
- Boning, Charles R. (2006). Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. Sarasota, Florida: Pineapple Press, Inc. p. 99.
- California Rare Fruit Growers. Tropical Guava
how to grow guava tree from seeds video
how to grow guava tree from cuttings video
how to grow guava tree from seeds in Hindi Video
how to grow guava in Pot in Hindi
19 Comments
What could possibly be the reason and what should I do about it? thanks