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Guavas thrive in both humid and dry climates, but can survive only a few degrees of frost. The tree will recover from a short exposure to frost but may be completely defoliated. Young trees are particularly sensitive to cold spells. Guavas can take considerable neglect, withstanding temporary waterlogging and very high temperatures. The smaller guava cultivars can make an excellent container specimen.
Guavas are evergreen, shallow-rooted shrubs or small trees to 10ft in the UK. The bark is smooth, mottled green or reddish brown and peels off in thin flakes .
Faintly fragrant, the white flowers, are 1 inch wide, with 4 or 5 white petals. Guavas are self-fertile, although some varieties produce more fruit when cross-pollinated with another variety. Guavas can bloom throughout the year in mild-winter areas, but the heaviest bloom occurs with the late summer.
Guava fruits are round, and have 4 or 5 protruding floral remnants at the tip. Varieties differ in flavour and seediness. The better varieties are soft when ripe, creamy in texture with a rind that softens to be fully edible. The flesh may be white, pink, yellow, or red. The sweet, musky odour is pungent. The seeds are numerous but small and, in good varieties, fully edible, guavas need a frost-free location, but are not too fussy otherwise. They prefer full sun.
The guava will tolerate 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 7. Lack of moisture will delay bloom and cause the fruit to drop.
Shaping the tree and removing water shoots and suckers are usually all that is necessary. Guavas can take heavy pruning.
Guavas are fast growers and heavy feeders, and benefit from regular applications of fertilizer. There is a distinctive change in the colour and aroma of the guava that has ripened. For the best flavour, allow fruit to ripen on the tree.
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