Guava Farming – All you need to know

Guava is a green color fruit that is grown on a very small tree. The tree is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Guava trees are originated from the Mexico or Central American region. After that, the fruit was distributed to other parts of the world. Earlier the crop was cultivated for its serving purposes, but now it is developed into the commercial farming system. Like every other fruit, it is taken as a high-density farming technique for more productivity and quality of fruits. Guava Farming

Guava Farming

Nutritional Value of Guava

Guava is considered to have a broad, but the low- calorie profile of nutrients. The fruit is very rich in fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. Vitamin C present in guava is 4 times what it is in orange. Guava Farming

In India, this is a very common fruit available in the market the whole year at very moderate prices. The states which are major producers of fruit are Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Guava Farming

This crop requires very little care and guarantees easy returns. If we see the order of importance, guava is ranked 4^th after mango, banana, and citrus. If compared to other fruit-bearing trees, guava trees are better than every other tree as it is productive, hardy and adaptable. Guava Farming

Guava leaves contain carotenoids and polyphenols which are responsible for skin and flesh color. So that is why the fruit which has more red-orange color has more of these chemicals. Guava Farming

The oil extracted from guava seed is a source of carotene, vitamin A & C, copper, zinc, selenium, etc. That seed oil consists of some fatty oils like lauric acid, Myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Saturated fats in guava seeds oil are 14% and unsaturated fat constitutes around 86%. Guava Farming

Guava Farming

Benefits of guava

It helps to boost your immunity.
The risk of cancer is reduced.
Diabetic patients can also consume fruit.
Guava is rich in dietary fibers so that is why it helps in the problem of constipation.
Eating fruit helps in improving eyesight as vitamin A is present in the fruit.
Guava can treat anti-aging problems and can also make your skin complexion fair.
Magnesium present in the fruit helps in the relaxation of nerves and muscles.
Also cold and cough can be prevented because of vitamin c present in the fruit.
Vitamin B is also present which makes it a good food for brain health.
Also, a mix of all the nutrients and fiber makes it a good substitute for weight loss.

Vertical farming And Its Types

Best Guava varieties

Over the world, there are more than 100 varieties of guava that can be grown. All are different from each other by taste or appearance. Most of them can be grown in containers but some of the best ones are mentioned below:

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

Methods to grow guava tree

From cutting
From seeds

Growing guava from cuttings

This particular method is suitable for warm climates. Because of the reason that cutting requires specific humidity and temperature.

Growing guava from seeds

The seeds of guava are germinated easily with a very high germination rate. The only condition is that the seeds must be fresh and must be obtained from a quality source. You can collect the fresh seeds from the fruit but it is still always better to buy the seeds from a store or online. Guava Farming

If you want to use the seeds from the fruit, rinse them thoroughly with soft and not-so-cold water. Then wrap the seeds in a cloth and let it be for a couple of hours to dry them. After that soak, the seeds in warm water for 3- 4 hours, and in meantime prepare a pot filled with seed starting mix. After 3-4 hours, sprinkle the seeds on it. Now put that pot in a very warm place where there is a good amount of sunlight. If you want to speed up the germination, cover the top of your plant with a plastic sheet or polythene. Guava Farming

From the above two methods, cutting is preferable as it takes less time to grow whereas the seed method can take 3 or more than 3 years to grow from seeds and produce mature fruit. Guava Farming

Planting guava tree

Choosing a pot

Guava trees are large and can grow around 30 feet. It can be reduced by 2-3 m. So choose a pot that is at least 3 gallons i.e. 10 inches to provide the plant a sufficient space to grow roots. Make sure to choose a pot with drainage holes in it and a clay pot is also recommended. Guava Farming

Requirements for growing Guava tree in a pot

Location

To grow a guava tree well, the location should be sunny and warm. Guava is a tropical plant but very much adaptable to low temperatures like moderate winter if grown on the ground. Guava Farming

You should place your guava tree on a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sun daily. And for cold temperature places, place a pot on the spot which receives full sun for healthy growth and more fruiting. Guava Farming

Soil

If you want to grow guava on a pot, make your soil mix using equal parts of compost, sand, and soil.

Temperature range

The preferable temperature for germination of guavas, the range of temperature should be between 68 to 82 F (20-28 degrees C). If we talk about winters, the temperature should not fall below 27 F (-3 C) for young guava trees. Guava Farming

Also, remember that guavas are not frosted tolerant. So if you have young plants out in the open during wintertime, keep them inside your home in a warm spot until the temperature rises. Guava Farming

Watering

During the starting period of growth, like when the plant is young or when they are forming flowers, water the plant on regular basis to keep the soil slightly moist. If the soil is evenly moist, more juicy and sweet fruits are produced. Guava Farming

But during the wintertime, reduce the watering. An interesting fact about guava trees is that they are drought tolerant and can survive just on rainfall after growing for a very long time. But still, it’s better to keep the soil moist. Guava Farming

Harvesting

Generally, guava tree varieties are self-pollinating and fruit usually ripens around the year in the tropics. Usually, guava fruits mature in 3 to 4 months after flowering.

FAQ

What is guava and what are its types?

A. Guava is a tropical fruit that is native to Central America and Mexico. It is a sweet and juicy fruit that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from round to pear-shaped. Some common types of guava include apple guava, strawberry guava, and lemon guava.

2. What are the growing conditions for guava trees?

A. Guava trees prefer warm and humid climates and can be grown in a range of soils, as long as they are well-drained. Guava trees require plenty of sunlight and should be planted in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.

3. What is the best time to plant guava trees?

A. The best time to plant guava trees is in the spring or early summer when the soil is warm and the weather is mild.

4. How do you care for guava trees?

A. Guava trees require regular watering and should be fertilized at least once a month with a balanced fertilizer. The trees also benefit from regular pruning to maintain their shape and encourage new growth.

5. When will guava trees bear fruit?

A. Guava trees can begin bearing fruit as soon as 2-3 years after planting and typically produce fruit once or twice a year. The fruit takes around 3 to 4 months to mature and is ready to harvest when it is firm and slightly soft to the touch.

6. What pests and diseases affect guava trees?

A. Common pests and diseases that affect guava trees include fruit flies, scale insects, and fungal diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew.

7. How do you harvest guava fruit?

A. Guava fruit is ready to be harvested when it is firm and slightly soft to the touch. The fruit can be picked by gently twisting it from the stem, or cutting it with a sharp knife. Once harvested, the fruit can be stored in a cool and dry place for several days before it needs to be consumed or processed.

Guava Farming: All You Need to Know