Grow your own organic tropical Guava Fruits that are often hailed as a superfood in your backyard or in your home. The guava is highly adaptable to tropical and subtropical environments and can be grown outdoors as far North as the San Francisco Bay Area in California, as well as most areas of Florida and gulf coast states. Protect from temperatures below 30F, which can cause defoliation. Harder freezes will kill the plant. In cool winter areas, guava may partially defoliate but should begin new growth flushes in spring and summer. It is easily pollinated by insects; in culture, mainly by the common honey bee, Apis mellifera.Count: ~25
Family: Myrtaceae Common name: Psidium guajava Growing Environment Label Psidium guajava Family Myrtaceae Genus Psidium Species Psidium guajava Cultivar No Therapeutic uses No Germination Owing to its hardy nature, guava is grown successfully in tropical and subtropical regions up to 1,500 m above mean sea level. Best quality guavas are obtained where low night temperatures (10 °C) 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. Annual rainfall of about 100 centimeters (39 in) is sufficient during the rainy season (July- September). The rains during the 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. The maximum concentration of its feeding roots is available up to 25 cm soil depth. Thus the topsoil should be quite rich to provide enough nutrients for accelerating new growth which bears fruits. Scarification / Stratification NoGuavas grow well in full sun, except in hot regions, where partial shade is beneficial. If trying to grow in a marginal climate, plant near a building or provide some sort of protection from damaging cold winds and rain. Generally, guavas are fairly adaptable and will flourish with little care. Flowers will self-pollinate and fruit develops in a few months. There may be multiple fruiting and flowering seasons throughout the year, depending on local climate conditions. Guavas are shallow-rooted and prefer lots of moisture throughout the year (except if cold), although they will withstand periods of drought, as well as dry seasonal changes. Keep the soil especially moist during flower and fruit sets. The guava will tolerate poor soils but grows much better when fertilized monthly, or when grown in soil that is high in organic material. They are not tolerant of salty soils.Propagation Often by seeds, which remain viable for up to a year. Sprouting can take 3-8 weeks. Better varieties are propagated by grafting, air-layering, and root cuttings. Warm soil temperature (70-85F) is important in germination.Germination Info Guava seeds are of moderate difficulty germinating. 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.Sowing These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, covered thinly with sand or grit, and kept moist. Keep at between 20-25 degrees C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 to 6 weeks although some may take very much longer so please be patient. Plant out in the open ground in warmer countries or in a large container elsewhere.Uses Guava's can be eaten fresh but are often used for flavor drinks, desserts, sauces, preserves, and many other food products.Native Range Native to southern Mexico and Central America. Was long ago spread throughout the American tropics, Asia, Africa, and Pacific Islands. The guava is an invasive pest species in some parts of the world, particularly on the Pacific Islands.Attractive, frilly flowers mature into guava fruits, which may be round, ovoid, or pear-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long, and are commonly used in jams and juices. A series of tests on Indian fruits, including Himalayan apples and pomegranates, bananas from the south, and grapes from Maharashtra, found the guava, (exotic in Europe but a poor man's fruit in India), to be the ultimate superfood with the highest concentration of antioxidants which protects against the cell damage that often ages skin! From seed, common guavas may bloom and set fruit in as little as 2 years. They are evergreen, faintly fragrant, and growth, in California for example, is rarely over 10 - 12 feet. The bark is smooth, mottled green or reddish-brown, and peels off in thin flakes to reveal the attractive "bony" aspect of its trunk. Guavas can bloom throughout the year in mild-winter areas, but the heaviest bloom occurs with the onset of warm weather in the spring. And if the tops of the trees are frozen, they usually sprout from the ground and are back in production in 2-3 years!From seed, common guavas may bloom and set fruit in as few as 2 years, or as many as 8. 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.Benefits: Guava has more potassium than bananas, which is essential for keeping your blood pressure healthy. Additionally, the fibrous nature of the guava makes it the perfect, natural aid when you are constipated. Whether you choose to chew these seeds whole or grind them up in a smoothie, you can reap the many benefits this fruit offers.The small, round, hard seeds of guava should be eaten with the fruit because of their several health benefits. These include aiding in lowering blood pressure and alleviating constipation. Guava seeds are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and potassium.
Family: Myrtaceae Common name: Psidium guajava Growing Environment Label Psidium guajava Family Myrtaceae Genus Psidium Species Psidium guajava Cultivar No Therapeutic uses No Germination Owing to its hardy nature, guava is grown successfully in tropical and subtropical regions up to 1,500 m above mean sea level. Best quality guavas are obtained where low night temperatures (10 °C) 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. Annual rainfall of about 100 centimeters (39 in) is sufficient during the rainy season (July- September). The rains during the 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. The maximum concentration of its feeding roots is available up to 25 cm soil depth. Thus the topsoil should be quite rich to provide enough nutrients for accelerating new growth which bears fruits. Scarification / Stratification NoGuavas grow well in full sun, except in hot regions, where partial shade is beneficial. If trying to grow in a marginal climate, plant near a building or provide some sort of protection from damaging cold winds and rain. Generally, guavas are fairly adaptable and will flourish with little care. Flowers will self-pollinate and fruit develops in a few months. There may be multiple fruiting and flowering seasons throughout the year, depending on local climate conditions. Guavas are shallow-rooted and prefer lots of moisture throughout the year (except if cold), although they will withstand periods of drought, as well as dry seasonal changes. Keep the soil especially moist during flower and fruit sets. The guava will tolerate poor soils but grows much better when fertilized monthly, or when grown in soil that is high in organic material. They are not tolerant of salty soils.Propagation Often by seeds, which remain viable for up to a year. Sprouting can take 3-8 weeks. Better varieties are propagated by grafting, air-layering, and root cuttings. Warm soil temperature (70-85F) is important in germination.Germination Info Guava seeds are of moderate difficulty germinating. 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.Sowing These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, covered thinly with sand or grit, and kept moist. Keep at between 20-25 degrees C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 to 6 weeks although some may take very much longer so please be patient. Plant out in the open ground in warmer countries or in a large container elsewhere.Uses Guava's can be eaten fresh but are often used for flavor drinks, desserts, sauces, preserves, and many other food products.Native Range Native to southern Mexico and Central America. Was long ago spread throughout the American tropics, Asia, Africa, and Pacific Islands. The guava is an invasive pest species in some parts of the world, particularly on the Pacific Islands.Attractive, frilly flowers mature into guava fruits, which may be round, ovoid, or pear-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long, and are commonly used in jams and juices. A series of tests on Indian fruits, including Himalayan apples and pomegranates, bananas from the south, and grapes from Maharashtra, found the guava, (exotic in Europe but a poor man's fruit in India), to be the ultimate superfood with the highest concentration of antioxidants which protects against the cell damage that often ages skin! From seed, common guavas may bloom and set fruit in as little as 2 years. They are evergreen, faintly fragrant, and growth, in California for example, is rarely over 10 - 12 feet. The bark is smooth, mottled green or reddish-brown, and peels off in thin flakes to reveal the attractive "bony" aspect of its trunk. Guavas can bloom throughout the year in mild-winter areas, but the heaviest bloom occurs with the onset of warm weather in the spring. And if the tops of the trees are frozen, they usually sprout from the ground and are back in production in 2-3 years!From seed, common guavas may bloom and set fruit in as few as 2 years, or as many as 8. 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.Benefits: Guava has more potassium than bananas, which is essential for keeping your blood pressure healthy. Additionally, the fibrous nature of the guava makes it the perfect, natural aid when you are constipated. Whether you choose to chew these seeds whole or grind them up in a smoothie, you can reap the many benefits this fruit offers.The small, round, hard seeds of guava should be eaten with the fruit because of their several health benefits. These include aiding in lowering blood pressure and alleviating constipation. Guava seeds are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and potassium.