Guavas

Guavas are evergreen, shallow-rooted shrubs or small trees, with spreading branches. Guava leaves are opposite, oval or oblong-elliptic, somewhat irregular in outline, 2 - 6 inches long. Guava fruits may be rounding, ovoid or pear-shaped. The flesh may be white, pink, yellow, or red.

Soil: The guava prefers many soil conditions, but will produce better in rich soils high in organic matter. They also prefer a well-drained soil in the pH range of 5 to 8. The trees are also well adapted to both summer and winter rainfall conditions.

The soil must be loosened as deep as possible before planting. The filed for planting is prepared during summer season. The pits of 1m x1m x 1m size are dug and filled with a mixture of farmyard manure and soil. The planting is done during the rainy season.

Pruning: In every growing season, a large number of new shoots emerge on a guava tree and majority of these are lateral. These shoots produce fruits. Pruning is usually recommended after harvesting or in spring. Pruning also takes place during harvesting as the fruit is plucked along with the shoot on which it is borne.

Fertilization: Guavas are fast growers and heavy feeders. Mature trees may require as much as 1/2 pound actual nitrogen per year. Apply fertilizer monthly, just prior to heavy pruning. 600 g nitrogen, 400 g Potassium have been recommended.

For the first 4 years the nitrogen should be divided into 4 equal applications viz. 2 weeks before pruning and then at two-monthly intervals.
–1/3rd weeks before pruning
–1/3rd 4 weeks after pruning
–1/3rd 10 weeks after pruning.

Potassium and phosphate
Half the quantity of potassium and all the phosphate must be applied together with the first nitrogen application. The rest of the potassium must be applied 4 months later.

Zinc and boron
This element must be applied every year. – Zinc oxide at 200 g/100 liter water. Many guava orchards are also low in boron and it is desirable to spray the tree every 2 years with 100 g borax /100 liter water.

Pest: Fruit flies are a major pest in guavas in most production areas. Female flies lay white, oblong eggs in groups just under the skin of mature, ripening fruit. A few days later the maggots hatch and feed on the fruit flesh. The maggots are creamy white, reach a length of about 6 mm and have no legs. Pierced fruit is characterized by small holes in the skin surrounded by a bruise. Such fruit soon becomes soft, and can decay and drop early.
For more info visit
www.guavafruittree.buyfruittree.com