Growing Guava Tree

Growing Guava Tree (Psidium guajava) from seed to harvest. Guavas are a group of tropical trees in the Psidium genus that produce delicious fruit. It is a shrub or small tree which grows 2 to 8 m tall. The guava tree is the perfect fruit tree to plant in any sized garden and can also be grown in containers.

Growing Guava Tree from Seed

• Guava Tree Seeds can take up to eight weeks to germinate, so you have to be patient.
• Soak the seeds in warm water prior to planting, to soften the tough outside and encourage germination.
• Fill a 4-inch nursery pot with seed starting mix.
• Press one guava seed into the center of the pot. Use your thumb to gently press the seed under the soil, and cover it with a little bit of the starting mix.
• Soak the pot with water using a gentle misting spray or the soak setting on the hose, to avoid disrupting the seed.
• Place the container in a warm place with temperatures around 18C or above.
• The seeds should germinate in 2-8 weeks depending upon the temperature.
• Fruit production starts after about 3 years.

Maintaining Guava Trees

• Prune the Guava tree back to about 2 to 3m each year in late winter or early spring. The guava tree bears fruits on new growth, so pruning is essential.
• Once a tree is established, fertilizing 3 – 4 times a year is sufficient.
• Although quite drought tolerant once the tree is established, it is best to keep the soil of the guava tree moist during the blooming and fruiting season.

Harvesting Guavas

• Harvest guavas when the skin feels slightly soft under light pressure.
• Guavas are harvested when the peel turns from light green to yellow.
• Allow fruits to ripen further at room temperature for a few days.
• Refrigerate guavas for longer term storage.