Growing Guava in Pots from Seeds and Cuttings

Introduction to growing Guava in pots: Growing guava in containers is very easy. The botanical name of Guava is Psidium guajava, which is a tropical tree, producing sweet fruits that are eaten as a fruit or used as an ingredient in drinks, smoothies, and desserts. The guava tree is a small tropical tree that grows 5 to 6 meters high on average, but if properly pruning it does not exceed the height of 3 meters. Guava fruits are a tropical fruit that is highly priced for their amazing taste. In this article we also discuss below topics;

• Different varieties of Guava
• Guava tree fertilizer requirements
• How to grow guava tree from cutting
• How long does it take for a guava tree to bear fruit
• Grow guava tree from seed
• Guava tree propagation

A step by step guide to growing Guava in pots

You can grow Guava in containers or ground. These plants require well-drained soil, but they also developed in different kinds of soils. Guavas produce delicious fruit that is high in vitamin C and they can be grown as trees or pruned into a fruit-bearing hedge. The guava fruit maybe 4 inches long and 4 to 5 inches in width. The shape of the guava fruit is round, oval or pear size. It is found in different colors like white, pink, red or flash color. Plant leaves and flowers are both lightly fragrant and attractive. The common names are guava, amrood, amrud, jamphal, goiaba, guayaba, djamboe, djambu, and goavier, etc.

Best Guava varieties

Over 100 varieties of guavas are identified in the world, different from each other by their flavor and appearance. Most of them can be grown in containers but we are listing some of the best varieties.

• Guava Ruby Supreme
• Lucknow 49
• Psidium Guajava Nana (Dwarf Guava)
• Tikal Guava
• Red Malaysian (Also grown for ornamental purposes)
• Patricia
• Indonesian Seedless
• Indonesian White
• Safeda

Choosing a pot for growing Guava

Guava tree grows large (around 30 feet) but in pots, it can be reduced to 2 to 3 m. Select a pot that is at least 3 gallons (10 inches) to provide the plant a sufficient space to grow roots.

Soil for growing Guava

For growing guava in pots select a quality potting mix or make your substrate using equal parts compost, sand, and soil. A growing guava tree is possible in a variety of soil types. It is one of the plants that tolerate different soil types simply. It can be grown in heavy clay-rich or very sandy soil with pH level ranging from 4.5 (acidic) to 9.4 (alkaline), but a loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and neutral to slightly acidic in pH level is optimum.

Conditions for growing Guava in pots

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Guava plant does well in a variety of soils but prefers well-draining soil. The pH level of the Guava plant will be 5 and 7. Plant the Guava tree with a combination of potting soil and organic compost. Select a container that is at least 18 to 24 inches across and the same depth. Be sure the pot has adequate drainage holes. These plants are adaptable, making them the perfect fruit tree candidate for guava in containers and select a site for container-grown guava in full sun.

Process of growing Guava tree in a container

• The guava tree is attractive. Guava plant leaves and flowers are both lightly fragrant and attractive. The ground-grown trees grow up to a height of up to 12 feet and if you bring this Guava tree in a container, it will be small.
• The Guava tree grows bigger; therefore, more room needed for the development of roots of the guava tree, and to provide adequate space, select a container of at least 12 inches.
• Before planting, make adequate drainage holes on the surface of the container, and leaving extra water easily. After choosing the pot, fill the container with a quality potting mixture with mixing compost, sand, and soil.
• Select the self-pollination type plant for growing guava in the container.
• Watering the container after planting, because these Guava plants prefer moisture.
• These trees prefer full sun and keep the container in the sunny area. If the guava plant is growing in the tropics, keep the container in shade in the afternoon. Place the plant at least 6 hours in the sun receiving a place.

Growing Guava in pots from cuttings

Guava plant is propagated from cuttings and seeds. Growing guava tree from cuttings require specific temperature and humidity, this method is suitable in warm climates.

Growing Guava in pots from seeds

Guava seeds are propagated easily with a high seed germination rate. The main thing is that they should be fresh and obtained from the quality source. You can use seed fresh seeds collected from the fruit but it is better to buy seeds from a seed store or online. Initially, rinse them in soft water, which is not very cold then wrap the seeds in a cloth and dry them for a couple of hours. Then pour them in a cup of warm water and soak the seeds for 3 to 4 hours. Then, prepare a pot filled with seed starting mix, and sprinkle seeds in it. Now put the pot on a warm, well-lit spot, for example, windowsill. To speed up the germination process, you can install a small plastic or cellophane over the top of a pot. Guava trees grown from seeds take 3 to 4 years to mature and start to form fruits. From cuttings, the plant grows more quickly. Though, our recommendation for you is to buy a grafted guava tree. And, most of the grafted trees start to bear fruit in the same year and remain healthy.

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Guava growing from seed may not produce a fruiting tree for up to 8 years and the guava plants are not true to the parent. So, cuttings and layering are more often used as propagation methods for guava fruit trees. You want to harvest seed from fresh guava and soak off the flesh. The seeds can remain usable for months, but Guava seed germination time can take up to 8 weeks. Then, boil the seeds for 5 minutes before planting to soften the tough outside and encourage germination.

Spraying the tree with a urea spray just before blossoms appear in spring is seen to be useful in augmenting the Guava fruit yield. And a mixture of 25 percent solution of urea is sprayed on all flower and fruit-bearing branches. This is followed by the watering of the Guava tree. This helps the guava tree to produce good fruits. Though, ensure that you allow the spray to dry on the tree before you water the tree.

Guava propagation

Guava seeds will germinate as soon as 2 weeks after planting, but they may take as long as eight weeks. The trees can be grown from root cuttings. Seedlings are fast-growing, and they can be set out in the field after 1 or 2 years. Seedlings grown from root cuttings lack a taproot and are susceptible to being blown over by strong winds in the first 2 or 3 years of growth.

Watering for Guava plant

When the plant is young or forming flowers water it regularly and deeply to maintain the soil slightly moist. The evenly moist soil at the time of fruiting helps in developing juicy and sweet fruits. In winter reduce the watering. One of the most interesting facts about guava trees is that they are drought tolerant and once established they can survive on rainfall and bear long periods of drought.

Guava tree container care

Guavas don’t require frequent deep watering. During warm weather and growing season, water guavas 2 to 3 times per month, deeply. During the winter months, guavas are drought resistant, thus water sparingly. Guava plants have shallow roots that absorb water and nutrients rapidly. Fertilize them with an organic, granular fertilizer once every 3 months. Guavas don’t require much pruning, although they are amenable to shaping. Remove any dead or crossing branches and remove any foliage or branches that sprout below the graft union means where the fruiting plant is grafted onto the lower rootstock.

The application of fertilizer rich in potash or potassium keeps the Guava tree healthy and increases the fruit yield. The Guava tree needs to be fertilized 3 to 4 times a year at equal time intervals. Fertilizing is not advised in cooler climates and late seasons, as the tree’s growth and subsequent fruiting at this stage can damage the plant.

Check Guava tree for diseases

Common Guava tree diseases to look out for are the Guava Wilt Disease, Stylar End Rot, and Anthracnose. Guava wilt disease symptoms contain wilting and yellowing or bronzing of the leaves, noticeable sagging, and the premature shedding of fruits. There is no cure for this, but heavy doses of nitrogen after fruiting and protecting the plant roots from damage can stave it off. Stylar End Rot affects the fruit of the tree, discoloring it to brown or black. Infected Guava fruit cannot be saved, but a fungicidal spray can save the rest of your crop.

Anthracnose causes young shoots to die rapidly while leaving the fruit and plant leaves attached. It causes fruit and leaves to develop dark lesions. Like Stylar End Rot, this is a fungal infection and Guava fruits not affected can be saved with a fungicidal spray.

Prune your guava tree

Prune guava tree to give it a tree shape. You will want to start pruning around 3 to 4 months after the tree has sprouted. If your Guava tree has multiple trunks, find the middlemost one and cut the others away at their base. And trim up the side branches to keep them around 2 feet (0.61 m) to 3 feet (0.91 m) in length. Cut any tree branches that sprout from other branches and any dead or damaged branches you find as well.

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Pick your guava fruit

The guava fruit matures in 2 to 4 months after the flowers bloom. The Guava fruit remains hard and green but changes color and becomes softer when it is ripe. Guava fruits picked green will ripen when stored at room temperature. You’ll know when your Guava fruit is ripe and mature enough to pick by the change of both its color and texture. Fruit color will change from green to yellow, and then the fruit will soften.

Guava fruits picked when they are still green will keep from 2 to 5 weeks if they are stored in a cool location. The ripe fruit is much more perishable; it bruises simply and become overripe and mealy within a few days if stored at room temperature. Wrapping the Guava in plastic or coating it with a wax emulsion, along with keeping it in cold storage, extends its shelf life by at least several days.

Frequently asked questions about growing Guava in pots

Do guava trees lose their leaves?

Guava fruits are high in vitamin C. The Guava trees give good shade because they do not lose their leaves in winter. They give fruit about 2 years after planting if they are given enough water.

How do you ripen guava?

You can buy hard, green guava fruits and allow them to ripen at room temperature. Placing fruits in a paper bag with a banana or apple will allow them to ripen faster. Guavas can be treated with an edible wax to delay the ripening process, so you may want to rinse them off to speed ripening.

How can we increase the guava fruit size?

Pre-flowering sprays with 0.4% boric acid and 0.3% zinc sulfate increase the fruit yield and fruit size. Spraying of copper sulfate at 0.2 to 0.4% increases the growth and yield of guava. The plants start bearing at an early age of 2 to 3 years but they attain full bearing capacity at the age of 8 to 10 years.

Why did my guava turn brown?

If you notice rusty or brown spots that emerge during humid weather, it can be a variety of parasitic algae infecting your guava. While algal leaf spot is relatively harmless to both plant and fruit, severe infections can reduce vigor, decreasing the energy the plant has to put into developing guava fruits.

Why is my guava tree turning yellow?

Most Guava plants will turn yellow as a sign of stress and if the weather is exceptionally hot or cool, or wet or dry, this could be the culprit. There is a chance that the yellowing leaves are a symptom of nematodes. Several nematodes attack guava tree roots.

Is my guava tree dead?

If the Guava tree holds dead leaves, the branch the leaves were on is likely dead or damaged. The branches of a freeze-damaged guava tree can change color, ooze sap or split their bark.

Why guava leaves are turning purple or red?

When guava leaves are turning purple or red, the tree may be lacking the required nutrients. This is particularly true when they are grown in alkaline soil. Be sure that the Guava tree is growing in soil with some organic content and apply an appropriate fertilizer to keep the tree healthy.

Why guava is leaves turning yellow?

Most Guava plants will turn yellow as a sign of stress and if the weather is exceptionally hot or cool, or wet or dry, this could be the culprit. There is a chance that the yellowing leaves are a symptom of nematodes. And there are several nematodes that attack guava tree roots.

Conclusion of grwoing Guava fruit in pots

The above information may be used for growing Guava fruit on terrace, growing Guava on rasied bed, growing Guava in backyard and balcony. If you are planning to grow Guava in polyhouse or greenhouse, this information would be very useful. You may be interested in Earn Money from Sheep Farming.