Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
No. Guavas are tropical evergreen trees with little tolerance for cold. They are hardy only to about 30°F (-1°C).
Feeding
Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer every two months to maintain good productivity.
Spacing
Single Plants: 6' 6" (2.00m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 6' 6" (2.00m) with 6' 6" (2.00m) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Set out container-grown trees at any time of year in tropical climates. Young plants need regular water their first year, and become more drought tolerant after they are well rooted. Guavas can grow to 20 feet (6 m) tall, but are at their best when kept pruned to 10 feet (3 m) tall. In containers set one plant per 14-inch (35 cm) wide pot. Guavas can be grown in pots for a year or two, but will not reach their productive potential until after they are planted in the ground.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Native to the Caribbean and Central America, guavas are tropical trees that grow best where the weather stays warm year-round. Temperatures from 73° to 82°F (23°–28°C) are ideal. Guavas start producing three years or so after planting. Keep trees pruned to less than 10 feet (3 m) to keep fruit accessible and to reduce risk of wind damage. Guavas are not recommended for planting in some areas because of their tendency to become invasive.
Harvesting
Most guavas fruit during the winter months. Guavas are ready to harvest when the color of the fruits lightens from green to yellow-green or yellow. Allow fruits to soften at room temperature for a few days, or refrigerate guavas for longer term storage. Guavas benefit from pruning once or twice a year to remove crowded branches and control the size of the trees.
Troubleshooting
Several insects injure guava fruits grown in the Caribbean or South Florida. Covering ripening fruits with mesh bags provides protection from insects and animals. Plants that appear stunted may be infected with soil-borne nematodes.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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