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The Feijoa Plant: Your Complete Guide and Care Tips
Have you heard of the feijoa plant? If not, you’re in for a treat! This evergreen shrub is not only beautiful, but it also produces delicious fruit.
In this article, we will provide a complete guide on the feijoa plant and share some care tips to help ensure your feijoa thrives.
What is a Feijoa Plant?
The feijoa plant (Acca sellowiana) originates from South America and is also commonly known as pineapple guava due to its sweet and tangy flavor that resembles a combination of pineapple, guava, and strawberry.
It has become increasingly popular over the years for its ornamental value as well as its edible fruit.
Growing Feijoas
Feijoas are relatively easy to grow.
They prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5-7.5.
They also prefer full sun or partial shade in hotter climates.
- Planting: The best time to plant your feijoa is in early spring when the weather starts warming up after winter frost has passed.
- Fertilizing: You can fertilize your feijoa during the growing season with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 4-6 weeks until late summer or early fall.
- Pest control: Mealybugs and scale insects can be problematic for your feijoas so keep an eye out for them when they start flowering in late spring.
Caring For Your Feijoas
To ensure that your feijoas grow healthy and produce abundant fruit every year, here are some care tips:
- Pruning: Feijoas can grow up to 15 feet tall, so pruning is essential to maintain their shape and size.
You can prune them in early spring before new growth starts.
- Irrigation: Water your feijoa deeply once a week during dry periods.
Make sure the soil is evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your feijoa plant to conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Harvesting Feijoas
The most exciting part about growing feijoas is harvesting the fruit! They typically ripen from late summer through fall and are ready when they start falling off the tree or feel soft to the touch.
Here are some things you should know before harvesting your feijoas:
- Picking: Gently twist each fruit until it detaches from the branch or use pruning shears to avoid damaging adjacent fruit or branches.
- Ripening & Storage: You can store ripe fruit in an open container on your countertop for up to 7 days, or you can freeze them for later use.
In Conclusion
The feijoa plant brings beauty and flavor into any garden, making it a great addition for gardeners who want both ornamental value and tasty fruit! With this complete guide on growing, caring for, and harvesting feijoas , we hope you feel equipped with all that you need to know about this amazing plant!
