Strawberry guava (Kettley): growing and care at home, photo of where it grows

Content

1 What it is
2 Description and photo
3 Where does strawberry guava grow?
4 Growing strawberry guava
- 4.1 Growing strawberry guava in the garden
- 4.2 Growing strawberry guava at home
5 Application in landscape design
6 Interesting Facts
7 Conclusion

Exotic lovers dream of growing some unique plant in their garden. Strawberry guava belongs to the category of crops that can rarely be found in Russia. It comes from the tropics and looks luxurious: lush green crown, bright aromatic fruits with an unusual taste. At the same time, this wonderful fruit crop is very unpretentious. Even lovers of exotic plants who do not have significant experience can grow strawberry guava.

Currently, strawberry guava is often grown as a houseplant.

What it is

Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleyanum) is a plant of the myrtle family. In nature, evergreen shrubs and compact trees grow in the tropical and subtropical zones. There are 100 species of guava, many of which produce edible fruit.

Description and photo

Bushes and small trees of strawberry guava are covered with dense, leathery, dark green leaves that resemble laurel leaves in appearance. The young branches of the plant are slightly pubescent.On shoots with brown bark, single flowers with snow-white petals and golden stamens are formed.

Gradually, round red and yellow fruits with thin skin form on trees and bushes. The berries are small in size, their diameter ranges from 2 to 5 cm, weight ranges from 50 g to 200 g. The light fruit pulp is very juicy and sweet. The smell emitted by the fruit is reminiscent of the aroma of strawberries or lemon. Hence the name of the tropical plant.

Warning! Strawberry guava is considered a conditionally poisonous crop because it releases a substance into the soil that is toxic to surrounding plants.

The fruits have juicy translucent pulp with a refreshing sweet taste

Where does strawberry guava grow?

Under natural conditions, strawberry guava is widespread in South America, especially in the coastal regions of Brazil. The culture is well established in California, Florida, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Over time, the fruit plant was settled in India, Malaysia, and African countries. Tropical culture adapted in southern European lands. In Russia, strawberry guava is grown in open areas in subtropical climates: in the North Caucasus, Kuban, and Crimea. There is successful experience in greenhouse cultivation of plants in the Non-Black Earth Region and even in the Middle Zone. But mainly in the temperate zone, strawberry guava is grown in houses and apartments.

Growing strawberry guava

An unpretentious plant adapts well to conditions different from natural ones. In the subtropical climate zone, in which the southwestern part of Russia is located, with effort, an exotic crop can be grown on a personal plot.If conditions differ significantly from natural conditions, then the high decorative qualities of the plant may be lost.

Strawberry guava can survive short periods of drought, but does not respond well to waterlogged soil.

Growing strawberry guava in the garden

The best visual properties of strawberry guava are manifested when choosing the right place for growing. The area where the plant is planned to be planted must meet the following requirements:

sunlight throughout the day;
soil consisting of chernozem, loam and coarse sand;
good drainage, eliminating stagnation of water.

Strawberry guava is propagated by seeds or vegetatively. Planting material can be collected independently by freeing the grains from the pulp of the fruit.

The seed preparation algorithm is as follows:

washing;
drying;
placement in a cool place.

In early spring, seeds are sown in flat boxes or containers. It is best to take sandy-peaty soil. Before sowing, the soil is well moistened. The seeds are planted in small depressions and lightly sprinkled with soil mixture. The box with seedlings is covered with film to prevent the soil from drying out and transferred to a bright place where the air temperature is +21-28 ⁰WITH.

Shoots appear in 10-14 days. After they reach 10-15 cm in height, they need to be pinched. After another week, the young plants are planted in separate containers.

For cuttings, use a knife to separate the lignified shoots into fragments 10-15 cm long. Each of them must have at least four intact leaves. The lower cut of the cutting is placed in a biostimulator for 24 hours.The treated material is rooted in a mixture of peat and perlite, and the shoot should be in a vertical position. Plantings should be covered and placed in a room with a temperature of +19-21 ⁰WITH.

After a few weeks, active formation of the root system in young plants is observed.

The bushes must be ventilated daily to prevent them from rotting. The plants are transferred to a permanent location after about a month. The optimal way to grow strawberry guava is in flowerpots, which are placed on the site during the warm season.

Important! In a warm climate, with good care, the plant blooms and, accordingly, begins to bear fruit in the third year of life. After harvesting, the branches of the tree are pruned without affecting the young shoots.

Strawberry guava, which belongs to the category of cold-resistant varieties, can withstand short-term frosts down to -5 0C

Growing strawberry guava at home

The heat-loving tropical plant is often grown indoors. Strawberry guava, unlike its related crop, which is myrtle, is not capricious. A potted fruit plant feels best in a well-lit room. Optimum temperature in winter +12-15 ⁰C. It is easier to maintain comfortable conditions on a closed veranda or heated loggia.

During flowering, artificial pollination is organized using a soft brush to set fruit. By autumn, the fruits on the indoor plant begin to ripen.

Comment! Strawberry guava seeds, when stored outside the fruit, quickly lose their ability to germinate.

Homemade strawberry guava is resistant to pests and, even under unfavorable conditions, is rarely damaged by insects

Application in landscape design

Strawberry guava is a striking element of landscape design. Gardeners note that an exotic plant can ennoble the surrounding space. The tropical culture is capable of forming dense screens of intertwining shoots. Proper pruning does not interfere with fruiting next year, since the flowers are located on young growths.

Interesting Facts

The exotic plant is becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, many facts about tropical culture are unknown to domestic consumers:

In India, guava fruits can be bought at any market, just like apples in Russia.
Psidium Kettley is extremely prolific and aggressive towards other crops. Root shoots and leaf litter release toxic substances that destroy competing plants.
In nature, strawberry guava fruits are a food source for many species of animals and birds.
Strawberry guava, like other crops of the myrtle family, has a positive effect on indoor air quality.
In Hawaii and the Caribbean islands, the fruit crop is recognized as an invasive species, the spread of which poses a threat to local flora.

For those who are interested in growing indoor crops, it is important that with proper care the plant can bloom several times a year, delighting the owners with a wonderful aroma. In addition, tasty fruits are very beneficial for the human body. Fruits contain many vitamins and valuable minerals.

Important! Due to their rich biochemical composition and low calorie content, exotic fruits are included in the category of dietary products.

Conclusion

Strawberry guava is a tropical crop that grows well at home in temperate regions.With proper care, adult specimens of indoor plants can produce a rich harvest of fruits. Sweet and juicy fruits can add variety to the family table.