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Pineapple guava, also known as feijoa, is a tropical fruit that can be grown in your own backyard. To grow pineapple guava, start by choosing a sunny location with well-draining soil. Plant the pineapple guava seedlings or cuttings in the spring or fall, and make sure to water them regularly. Prune the plants to maintain their shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer in the spring and summer. With proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy delicious pineapple guavas in your own garden.
Pineapple guava, also known as feijoa, is an evergreen shrub that produces showy and edible flowers as well as delicious fruit. It can serve as an ornamental and add color to the winter landscape. The elliptical leaves are thick and leathery, while the petals and stamens of the flower are edible. Bees are the main pollinators, and cross-pollination is recommended for the best fruit. The fruit has a waxy skin and a fragrant, translucent pulp with a taste similar to pineapples and strawberries. It is safe for humans and pets.
Best Uses for Pineapple Guava
The low-maintenance pineapple guava responds well to pruning and can be trained as an espalier or formed into a dense hedge. It makes a good foundation plant and a showy ornamental for borders or as a feature. It is winter-hardy in USDA hardiness zone 8 and can be part of an edible landscape when planted with fig. It pairs well with mandevilla and the flowering shrubs bottlebrush and nandina. When given enough space, it can grow into a tree with a height of 15 feet and a spread of 6 feet. Planting several side by side to form a hedge is the most efficient use.
The pineapple guava, also known as Acca sellowiana, is a plant that thrives in areas with cool winters and moderate summers. It is primarily a warm-weather plant but can withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. To grow pineapple guava, it is best to plant it in the fall or early spring before hot weather arrives. Pineapple guava grows best in rich, loamy, and well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Signs of a healthy plant include fragrant flowers, aromatic fruit, and thick green leaves. To start pineapple guava from seed, squeeze the pulp into a container and let it ferment for four days. Strain out the seeds and dry them. Plant the seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep in a pot with soil starter mix and keep the soil moist and warm for successful germination. When the seedlings emerge, transfer each to its container and keep them indoors for two to three months before transplanting them outside. To start pineapple guava from a seedling, choose a sunny location and prepare the soil with well-rotted compost. Dig a hole for each plant and set the plant in it, spread out the roots, and backfill with soil. Water the plant to remove air bubbles and fertilize it with a high-phosphorous fertilizer. Pineapple guava grows best in USDA zones 8-10, can tolerate drought, and is an ideal plant for the West and East Coasts and central states as far north as Missouri.
How to Grow Pineapple Guava: Tips for Soil, Sunlight, and Watering
Pineapple guava doesn’t require perfect soil, but it will thrive in sandy loam soil that is rich in nutrients. Although it can grow in clay, it’s important to make sure the soil doesn’t become waterlogged in the winter. Young plants require regular watering, but as they mature they become more drought-tolerant and can survive with only rainwater.
The ideal pH level for soil is between 5.5 and 7.0. If the soil is too alkaline, the plant will struggle to absorb phosphorous and the leaves will turn yellow. Pineapple guava plants need plenty of sunlight, so they should be placed in full sun. While they can tolerate some shade, fruit production may decrease.
Ways to Propagate Pineapple Guava
You can propagate pineapple guava using seeds, cuttings, grafts, or layering. Seeds must be dried before planting or storing and can last up to a year in a dry location. Cuttings should be taken from young wood and can be treated with a rooting hormone. They can then be planted directly in the ground or kept in a greenhouse until roots form, which takes approximately two months.
Harvesting Pineapple Guava: When to Pick and How to Eat
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Pineapple guava is typically caught when it falls from the tree. However, if you can’t wait, you can pick the fruit when it’s soft and let it ripen on your kitchen counter. This is a great option if you plan on making jam or a smoothie. If you prefer to eat the pulp fresh, it’s best to wait until the fruit ripens on the tree for the best flavor.
Commercial growers often use nets to catch the fruit as it falls from the tree, which ripens roughly four-and-a-half to seven months after the flowers appear. The nets protect the fruit from bruising, which can make it less marketable.
Common Problems and Pests for Pineapple Guava
Pineapple guava is not usually bothered by pests. The only insect that is attracted to the plant besides bees is the fruit fly, which tends to swarm around ripe or overripe fruit that has a strong odor. The flies lay their eggs under the skin of the fruit, and the larvae consume the pulp, causing the fruit to rot.
To avoid a fruit fly infestation, it’s best to pick the fruit before it fully ripens and keep the ground clear of any fallen fruit. You can also trap fruit flies by placing a banana in a jar and covering the opening with a paper funnel that points into the jar. The flies will be drawn to the banana but won’t be able to escape the jar.
If a fruit fly infestation occurs, commercial sprays are available to kill the pests.
Common Diseases for Pineapple Guava
Pineapple guava is resistant to diseases, and few consistently affect the plant. However, there are two diseases to watch out for:
Cercospora leaf spot is a type of fungal disease that results in brown spots on the plant’s leaves. The brown spots gradually expand and develop a grey coloration in the middle and brownish edges. This disease does not cause permanent harm to the plant, but if it affects a significant number of leaves and causes them to fall off, it may stunt growth.
The most effective way to prevent this disease is to maintain cleanliness. The fungus thrives in old leaves and other debris around the plant’s base, so it is essential to remove them frequently and remove affected leaves from the plant. If the disease is advanced, you may need to use a fungicide to treat the plant. Because the fungus can attack new leaves as they emerge, you may need to apply the fungicide repeatedly.
Downy mildew, also known as sooty mold, can harm plants in extremely humid conditions. It leaves a greyish deposit on the undersides of the leaves, and in severe cases, the fruit may also be affected. The best way to prevent this pathogen is to water moderately and use mulch to retain soil moisture. If the disease is severe, a fungicide may be necessary.
FAQ
1. What are the ideal conditions for growing pineapple guava?
Pineapple guava, also known as feijoa, thrives in warm climates with mild winters. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The ideal temperature range for pineapple guava is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but it prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. Proper irrigation is also important, as pineapple guava needs regular watering during the growing season.
2. How do I plant pineapple guava?
To plant pineapple guava, start by choosing a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of the plant. Place the pineapple guava plant in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the plant. Water the plant thoroughly after planting and apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture.
3. When and how do I harvest pineapple guava?
Pineapple guava fruit is typically ready for harvest in late autumn or early winter. The fruit should be slightly soft to the touch and have a strong, sweet aroma. To harvest the fruit, twist it gently at the base until it separates from the tree. Avoid pulling or tugging on the fruit, as this can damage the plant. Once harvested, pineapple guava can be stored at room temperature for a few days or refrigerated for up to two weeks. The fruit can be eaten fresh, used in baking, or made into jams and jellies.