Guava Culture
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Jaber Sawaya
Posted on: May 2, 2001

I would like to ask about guava growing:

1. Time of sowing, type of soil....

You can sow guava seed anytime in well-drained, rich, moist garden soil.

2. Is it hardy in the Middle East region (Lebanon)?

Your zone number should be around 9 to 11 and all of the guavas will grow in those zones.

3. How long does it take from seed germination to fruit production?

Most guavas take 4 to 5 years to reach maturity. In northern climates with poor winter sun and indoor wintering it may take a bit longer.

4. What are the differences between the types of guava seeds listed in the Richters catalogue?

The seeds are slightly different in size. The ordinary guava, Psidium guajava is a very variable species with fruits varying greatly in size, with some plants bearing fruit up to 250 grams (half a pound) in weight. Also they may have few or very many seeds and the flesh colour may be white, yellowish or salmon-red. The leaves are matte and about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long. Strawberry guava (Psidium littorale var. longipes) has smaller, shiny leaves, small, tart reddish fruit that measure 2 to 3 centimeters (about one inch)in size. Pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana)has 8 to 10 centimeter (3 inch) leaves that are green above and woolly white on the reverse. The fruit looks similar to strawberry guava, getting not quite as red in colour, but the taste is different - more like pineapple. All have pretty flowers, white for the Psidiums and purplish-red for the Feiloa.

5. Their ease of culture.

All three are easy: just keep moist but not soggy wet and they will thrive. In your climate they may have problems with fruit flies and I would suggest that you put out traps for them as soon as the fruits get close to maturity.

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