How to Grow Guava From Cuttings
Guavas are plants in the Psidium genus, although this common name typically refers specifically to Psidium guajava, commonly known as the apple guava. This tree originates from Central America, although they are also in commercial cultivation in other tropical regions of the world. The guava tree produces an sweet fruit that can can exceed 4 inches long. Home gardeners frequently propagate guava trees from cuttings.
Select a planting area in full sun that does not encounter freezing temperatures during the year. The guava tree is sensitive to frost and only grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and up.
Fill the planting bed with rich gardening soil that provides good drainage for the best growth, although guava trees can tolerate poor soil. These trees prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5 and 7, and do not tolerate salt.
- Guavas are plants in the Psidium genus, although this common name typically refers specifically to Psidium guajava, commonly known as the apple guava.
- Fill the planting bed with rich gardening soil that provides good drainage for the best growth, although guava trees can tolerate poor soil.
Cut a root from a mature guava tree with pruning shears. Slice the root into sections 5 to 10 inches in length with a clean, sharp knife.
Dig holes in the planting site that are at least 2 to 4 inches deep with a garden trowel. Place a root cutting from the guava tree in each hole and fill the hole with soil.
Water the soil thoroughly with 2 inches of water to ensure the cutting becomes completely wet. Water the cutting whenever the top few inches of soil becomes dry. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. Mature guava trees are highly tolerant of drought.
- Cut a root from a mature guava tree with pruning shears.
- Place a root cutting from the guava tree in each hole and fill the hole with soil.
Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the mature guava tree each month beginning in the second year of growth. The total amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer should be 2/3 oz. per application.
Planting & Growing A Pineapple Guava Tree From Cuttings
The easiest to root pineapple guava tree cutting is one taken from the bottom of the tree, according to horticulturist Michael Dirr. These cuttings rooted 87 percent of the time, while those from the middle and the top rooted 63 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Cuttings should be one-fifth inch in diameter, contain at least three nodes, or areas on the cutting where the leaves join it, and have two leaves at the tip. The ideal time to take the cutting is in November. The powder should be applied to the bottom 1 inch of the cutting after wounding it with a razor blade or scalpel. In hotter inland areas, plant the tree in a spot that receives sun in the morning and light shade in the afternoon. The pineapple guava is a drought-tolerant tree and requires no irrigation if it’s being grown as an ornamental.
- Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the mature guava tree each month beginning in the second year of growth.
- The easiest to root pineapple guava tree cutting is one taken from the bottom of the tree, according to horticulturist Michael Dirr.
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References
- Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plant Products: Guava; Julia Morton; 1997
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation; Michael A. Dirr
- California Rare Fruit Growers: Feijoa
Writer Bio
James Marshall began writing professionally in 2006. He specializes in health articles for content providers such as eHow. Marshall has a Bachelor of Science in biology and mathematics, with minors in chemistry and computer science, from Stephen F. Austin University.
