The fruit of the guava tree filled with vitamin C is valued for its delicious taste. These tropical wonders actually produce almost four times the vitamin C of oranges! The leaves are used medicinally and are aromatic when crushed. The tree bark is also fascinating.
Common guava, sometimes called yellow guava, may require a search to find it on the market. But why go out there and look for it when you can grow it yourself? This evergreen tree is surprisingly easy to grow and produces plenty of sweet, lush fruits.
Let us discuss everything about the guava tree today to give you the best possible insight into the care of your own beautiful trees!
This post is sponsored by Fast growing trees, a source of quality for guava trees and many other species.
Get a guava tree
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Brief instructions on care
When you grow a guava tree, you get lots of fruits loaded with vitamin C. Source: Aouniat
| Common Name (s) | Common guava, lemon guava, yellow guava |
| Scientific name | Psidium guajava |
| Days to harvest | 90-120 |
| light | Full sun |
| Water: | Depending on age, see section irrigation |
| ground | Well permeable, rich in organic |
| fertilizer | 6-6-6 balanced fertilizer according to below |
| Pests | Fruit flies, guava moths, thrips, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, root knot nematodes |
| Diseases | Algae stain, anthracnose, fungal root rot |
Over the guava tree
Guava leaves grow in opposite pairs and have very distinctive veins. Source: Subash BGK
Whether single or multi-stemmed, the guava tree is an easy-care tree. It can be treated as a large shrub or as a small tree with a lifespan of 30-40 years. It can reach heights of up to 30 feet in its home region from southern Mexico to Central America.
Like many tropical plants, it has fleshy leaves that are evergreen in the right climate. When crushed, they are aromatic and form in pairs on the stem opposite. These beautiful leaves can be the inspiration for a child's drawing of a leaf with a very distinctive vein pattern. Typically, the leaves are between 2.75 and 6 inches long.
The bark of the tree is also unmistakable. It peels off thinly and smoothly, revealing a pale green underneath the copper-brown outside. Young twigs feel a little fluffy until their bark has completely dried out and looks almost as if they have a light fluff on their surface.
Depending on the climate, five-petaled flowers can appear up to twice a year. In cooler climates they occur in late spring, but in tropical regions they can reappear in autumn. These white-leaved flowers have up to 250 stamens in the middle. While they quickly shed their lightly scented petals, the fruit often has remnants of the stamen at its base when they form.
But where does the guava grow? Psidium guajava is widespread in temperate regions and occurs in Asia, the southern United States (especially Florida) and Australia, as well as Mexico and Central America.
It is known as ordinary guava, but can also be called lemon guava or yellow guava tree. Since the size of the fruit is comparable to that of an apple, it can also be called an apple-guava tree. But the scientific name of the guava is Psidium guajava. Different languages around the world also have their own names, with Spanish calling it Guayavo, Portuguese Goiaba, etc.
The fruits can be yellow to light green. It can be round, pear-shaped or oval. Depending on the variety, the flesh can be white, pink or red. Most seeds are difficult to chew, although some rare strains can have softer seeds. The taste is described as a combination of mango, strawberry and pear.
Plant guava trees
Immature guavas are stronger than ripe and darker green in color. Source: Starr
How do you get a guava to the right start? Let's talk about the best ways to size your guava plant.
When to plant
Guavas can be planted in tropical areas almost any time of year, but best in the warmer months. Early spring, when it is just beginning to warm up, is a good time as the tree has time to expand its roots underground before hot weather sets in.
If you grow your guava tree in a container and take it home for the winter, you can start anytime, provided the conditions are relatively warm. Aim for temperatures above 45 degrees, and preferably above 50 degrees.
Where to plant
While you need to make sure your tree has full sun and another tree for pollination purposes, you also need to keep them separate. Guavas should be at least 10 meters apart if possible, but can be up to 5 meters apart if necessary.
Place your trees in sunny, well-lit locations as they need full sun. Provide a place that is at least slightly protected from the wind if possible, be it through fences or another windbreak. Your small guava tree needs this protection to develop, and older trees can also be sensitive to cold winds.
Guavas can be planted as trellises on cordons. However, do not place other plants under them as exudates from their root system tend to kill weeds or other plants at the base of the tree.
How to plant
When you plant a young tree, you want to dig a hole that is at least twice the width of the root ball, wider if possible. This way you can break up any hard soil that could slow down early root development. Use the blade of your spade or shovel to also loosen the sides of the planting hole. If you want, you can work the soil with compost. However, avoid large amounts of fertilizer as this can burn young and tender root systems.
Make sure your soil is well drained by filling the hole with water and waiting for how long it will take to drain. If it takes longer than a few minutes, dig a few feet further and add perlite or other soil loosener to speed up drainage.
Place your tree at the depth at which it was originally planted. Do not plant it deeper, as this can pose a potential danger to the trunk. Fill the original soil with compost, if desired. Mulch to a depth of 3 to 4 inches around the tree, making sure there is at least 4 to 6 inches of clearance around the trunk.
Guava care
Guava flowers have only five petals, but many stamens burst from their center. Source: Rusty Clark
Let's talk about how you can best grow and produce your guava tree!
Light & temperature
Your guava tree is tropical. It takes a lot of sun and warm conditions to really thrive and produce. If you plant it in your garden, you should be in growth zones 9b-11 to ensure safety in the winter months. People who grow them in containers have to bring them into the house after the weather plunges into the 1940s, but still have to provide a lot of light.
Guava trees need at least 6 hours of sun a day, but prefer 8-10 hours of sun. They tolerate heat, but work best at temperatures between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 30 degrees, the plant is at risk of serious damage.
Irrigation & humidity
While your guava is somewhat drought tolerant once it's established, this doesn't apply when it's young. Young trees should be watered every other day during the first year of growth, except for the winter months, when the temperatures are cooler and the tree is at rest.
Most of the moisture in your guava comes from the upper layers of the soil. Because the top part dries out faster than deeper soils, providing mulch can help prevent moisture from evaporating as quickly. If you put a water hose under the mulch, you can water slowly without damaging the root system.
Older trees may also need to slightly improve the irrigation program during fruit production. Check the soil under the mulch to see if it is damp before watering it. Usually, once or twice a week is good for established, old trees.
ground
Rich soil with high levels of organic matter is preferred by your guava, but it can grow in a variety of soil types. If possible, avoid heavy clay soils, as these are not conducive to good root development. Good drainage is key because this tree does not tolerate standing water well.
A pH range of 5 to 7 is best suited for these plants.
Fertilize
During the first year of growth during the growing season, fertilize with a balanced, complete fertilizer. Skip the fertilization from November to January as the tree is at rest. These trees like extra magnesium and iron in their food. So check your fertilizer label to make sure there is something there. A 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 slow release fertilizer is optimal.
To promote good fruit development after pollination, you can slightly increase the potassium level if you want. However, this is not necessary if you agree with the application.
Once your guava tree is established and past its first year, give more fertilizer per feed, but cut back to every other month. A slow release mixture is still preferred, and granular types are ideal. Sprinkle it evenly over the root area over the ground. If you want, you can work it into the surface of the floor.
clipping
The shape and formation of guava branches is easy to see in this photo. Source: Malicious Bits
If you grow your guava in a shrub-like shape, you don't need to cut off the bottom suction cups. However, most prefer to keep them in tree form so they don't get out of control.
When removing suction cups, remove them as close to the base of the tree as possible. Slightly trimming the canopy exposes it to more sunlight and airflow. Guava fruits develop on new shoots from mature wood. So be careful not to remove all new growth.
If you keep a tree at a certain height, prune it heavily every two years in late winter to keep it at the desired height range. Try to leave some older wood in place. Make sure that you cross all visible budding points where possible, as future growth will develop there.
A one-stemmed tree with at least three or four side branches forms a beautiful, appealing canopy shape.
Pruning guava trees should also be done to remove damaged or diseased branches as needed. Use pruning shears or pruning shears to prevent the disease from spreading.
Propagation
Guava seeds can remain viable for a long time. Soak your seeds in warm water for at least 24 hours before planting, although you can leave them in the water for up to a week if necessary. The seeds should be planted in moist, warm soil and kept moist during germination. This is the most reliable method of propagation if you only have one type of guava. If you grow several varieties, cuttings are best.
Root cuttings are the next option for propagation. Cut a root section that is at least 5 inches long at least 2 to 3 feet from the tree. Put it in warm, damp earth and keep it moist. New shoots should appear within 3-4 weeks.
Semi-hard cuttings made from branches can also be rooted. Remove a bark ring at the base of the cut and apply root hormone before planting. These should also be kept moist and warm.
Harvest and store guavas
Ripe guavas are yellow to yellow-green, slightly soft and aromatic. Source: Hafiz Issadeen
When is the guava ripe? Guava fruit ripens in the 2nd-4th Year. You should pick your guava fruit when it is full size and has become slightly soft and aromatic. However, it can be harvested before it is fully ripe, as it continues to ripen after the harvest.
If you harvest fruit early, be sure to choose good sized fruit so that small fruit can develop. Most guava fruits become lighter as they approach maturity. Therefore, early harvests should have a light green hue with somewhat firmer skin. Place your harvested guavas in a paper bag with an apple or banana, as the ethylene that the banana or apple releases will make your fruit ripen faster.
When picking, try not to pull on the tree to avoid damaging the branches. Instead, use sterilized pruning shears to cut through the wood over the fruit. This protects both your products and your tree.
storage
Ripe guava fruits can be chilled for 5-7 days. Green fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, but should be checked regularly to remove fully ripened fruits from the green fruits.
To keep your fruit longer, scoop out the soft inner pulp and compost the peel. The meat can then be frozen or canned as jelly or jam. The preparation of a guava syrup is also optional. It can be dehydrated and stored as pulp on a dry leaf.
Troubleshooting
What problems can you encounter growing your Psidium Guajava? Let's talk about it.
Growing problems
Keep lawns away from the root region of your guava trees. While grass is one of the few things that somehow manage to grow under your guava, there are none Damage from lawnmowers or weed killers it can pose a disease risk to the trunk.
If your lawn is even close to the root system, Be careful when fertilizing. Lawn fertilizer often has a high nitrogen content, which can cause your tree to produce a lot of leaves and little fruit. Since the roots often extend beyond the tree tops, you should limit the lawn fertilization near the tree.
Over watering can cause many problems, including root rot. Make sure your floor is well drained.
For home builders, Keep your trees 10 inches or shorter if possible. The weight of the fruit combined with strong wind can make it unstable and you don't want it to fall over.
The burning or tanning of the leaf tips has been documented in areas of saline soilslike those near coasts. This is usually not serious enough to cause permanent damage. However, keep this in mind.
Pests
Fruit flies are a common pest. In Florida and other parts of the Southeastern United States, this will be the Caribbean fruit fly. in the southwestern United States it is the Mexican fruit fly. To prevent this, harvest before the fruits are fully ripe. Pick up fallen fruit and use fruit fly traps as needed to reduce their number.
The Guava moth (Argyresthia eugeniella) lays eggs on the leaves of your tree. The larvae tunnel into fruits and chew holes in the leaves. These can be treated with a Bacillus Thurigiensis (BT) spray. This moth is typical in the southeastern United States, especially in Florida.
Red striped thrips leads to browning of the fruit peel and defoliation of your tree. Neem oil and sticky traps can keep them at bay.
The Guava whitefly (Metaleurodicus cardini) also feeds on guava leaves. If the tree is sprayed with horticultural oil three times a year, the number will decrease.
A number of types of Scale insects, including some Mealybugs, love guava wood and leaves. Neem oil or horticultural oil can reduce their spread. Small infections can be treated by hand with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to remove the pests.
Finally, Root node nematodes can be particularly harmful to your guava. Reduce their number by applying useful nematodes on the soil around the trunk and over the root area.
Diseases
Red algae, also called Algae stain or Algae leaf stainis caused by the fungi Cephaleuros virescens. This condition creates purple-brown spots on the leaves and, if severe, can lead to defoliation and reduced fruit production. Treat with a copper-based fungicide.
Another common fungal problem is Anthracnose. This can also be controlled and treated with fungicidal copper sprays. Most of the other leaf spots that also appear are also treated with copper.
Finally, Mushroom root rots can develop in too wet conditions. Make sure the floor drains easily to prevent this.
frequently asked Questions
Q: How big are guava trees?
A: In tropical regions, guava trees can grow up to 20 or 30 feet. Most home builders keep theirs at 10 feet or less to facilitate harvesting.
Q: How fast do guava trees grow?
A: All in all, surprisingly fast. When planting from seeds, start harvesting fruit from your trees within 2-3 years, with the maximum harvest of fruit occurring between 4 and 15 years after planting. This is significantly shorter than with many other fruit plants!
The green thumbs behind this article:
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
