IFAS Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service
The guava Psidium guajava is native to tropical America.
It is probably a fruit many people are familiar with because of the many products
made from this it. Here in Florida there are dozens of varieties grown
in a wide range of soil conditions and mature trees generally average 25
to 30 feet in height with about the same spread.
Trees have large coarse opposite leaves with prominent veins and
young wood often is four-angled or winged. The bark is an attractive reddish
brown and peels off revealing smooth gray bark beneath. Guava trees, unless
injured by cold, produce flowers throughout most of the year, and they are
usually white and about an inch across with many stamens.
Fruits mature also year round, and fruit size is variable- from
round to oblong and even pear-shaped. Guavas typically have very thin skins,
easily bruised, so they have to be handled carefully when being shipped.
Flesh color inside ranges from light to dark pink or white with the pink-fleshed
varieties having less acid than the white-fleshed. All fruits, with a few
exceptions, contain large numbers of seeds which are often swallowed by the
pulp.
Trees can be propagated from seeds, but generally take two years
or more to begin fruit production and this may be different from the parent.
For exact reproduction, use air layering, grafting, or root cuttings. Cuttings
should be rooted under mist for best results.
Guavas are used widely for juice for various beverages, also the
guava pulp is used for jellies, jams, candies and many other products.
Mature trees freeze at about 29°F. Young trees, though, will
be injured at 32°F. Most trees should be protected from extreme salt spray
and they basically are considered rapid growers. Once established, guavas
withstand drought well, but fruit better when watered on a regular schedule.
© 2000 BGCII Page posted March 2004
