For those who grow (or want to try to grow) tropical plants on the windowsill, it will certainly be interesting to learn about such an unpretentious tree as "Guayava".
Observing simple rules of content, you can get tasty fruits even in the conditions of an apartment.
What is this houseplant?
“Guayava” is a perennial plant of the myrtle genus. In height reaches 3-4 m, but in natural conditions it can grow up to 10-20.
It is found in mountainous areas at an altitude of up to 1,400 m. Leaves dense, leathery dark green shade.
White fragrant flowers with 4-5 petals are located singly or gathered in inflorescences. Flowering happens 1-2 times a year.
In the southern countries, the fruits grow quite large from 70 to 160 g. Trees produce a bountiful harvest once, two more times smaller.
Originally from Guayava from South and Central America.
Research in Peru proves that this plant was cultivated several thousand years ago.
Now it is commonly found in tropical and sometimes subtropical regions of South and North America, Asia and Africa.
A photo
The photo shows the plant Guayava:
Home care
Actions after purchase
After purchasing a seedling with a height of 5-75 cm transplanted into a large pot (you need a lot of free space). Acquire an adult plant is optional. It is enough just to grow up “Guayava” on your own, following simple rules.
Soil requirements
Guayava loves fertile soil, but in nature it grows in sand, and in clay, and in limestone. For home conditions suitable universal soil mixture. Good drainage will not be superfluous.
Watering
Watering should be abundant, but the plant can not be poured. Humidity of air is better to increase due to the capacity of water placed on the window sill. Spraying should be avoided.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing once a month with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, as well as slurry, will positively affect the condition.
Temperature and lighting
Warm and sunny loggias and window sills are well suited for a pot with “Guayawa”.
Comfortable air temperature + 23 ... + 29C.
In the summer, you can take it out to the air, having the Guayava in places well protected from the wind.
Danger! Frosts are dangerous for Guayawa. At -3C he may die.
For a plant, it is possible to make a wintering in a room with a cool temperature not lower than + 15 ° C, while some of the leaves may fall off.
Pruning
It is necessary to cut off the shoots, it will allow to form a beautiful form of the crown. Also, the fruits are formed only on new shoots.
Growing from seed
Seeds can be obtained from the fruit purchased in the store. Fruit must be ripe, soft enough without damage.
Recommendations for growing:
- Seeds are sown in a wide shallow container;
- It is necessary either to buy ready-made soil mixture and you can add a little vermiculite to it, or make up the soil yourself from humus, soddy earth and sand in equal proportions;
- Seeds should not be deepened: lightly sprinkle with earth (the layer should be no more than a few millimeters) or simply press into the ground;
- Germination conditions: temperature from +23 to + 27 ° C, spraying from a spray bottle when the soil dries out, airing. Shoots appear after 2-4 weeks;
- Transplanting into separate cups is needed after the appearance of the second pair of leaves. There is a very high survival rate;
- After some time, re-transplanting into larger cups is required. After this, active growth of seedlings begins;
- Soil for older plants a little weight.
Breeding
For reproduction, you can use seeds, layering, cuttings. Rooting the cuttings is not easy: you need a significantly increased temperature and humidity.
Flowering and fruiting
Flowering begins at 4-5 year after planting.
May continue year-round. Fruit ripening time from 3 to 5 months. In the conditions of the apartment harvest can be obtained with careful care.
At the same time, fruits will be small in size, in contrast to southern ones, they may not have such good taste.
The plant is self-pollinated, you can increase the yield by transferring pollen with a brush from flower to flower.
Benefit and harm
«Guayava "contains a large number of various chemicals. When choosing a plant for treatment, it is necessary to take into account (for selection of the dosage) that with age the content of these elements in different parts of the plant (fruits, leaves, bark) changes.
Attention! "Guayava" contains many vitamins and nutrients. It has antimicrobial, astringent, laxative properties.
Infusion of leaves taken with diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, fever, with toothache chew sliced leaves. In medicine, the countries of the region of growth "Guayava" is used very widely: for the treatment of inflammation of the urogenital system, respiratory organs, cardiovascular diseases, relief from asthma, epilepsy, during childbirth.
Very tasty desserts (marmalade, jam, jelly), juices are made from the fruits of Guayawa.
Pests
The pests in the conditions of the apartment are few, but among the possible aphids, the worm. Fungal diseases in advanced cases lead to death, so you need to be treated at the first sign of injury.
