Guavas, or amrood is a winter-special fruit that graces the fruit baskets with its natural sweetness. Not only do guavas make a perfect addition to any salad bowl, but their nutritional content also makes them a great pick-me-up fruit after a meal. But apart from its taste and nutritional value, the best part about the fruit is that you can easily grow amrood at home.
The tropical fruit does not need a large backyard for a healthy harvest. Whether you have a small urban space or a large lawn, you can grow guavas and reap a sweet reward. To ensure that you get a healthy harvest, all you need to do is follow some basic tips. From picking the right variety to maintenance, here’s how you can grow guavas in your home garden.
Picking The Right Variety
The very first step that you need to take is to know your climate and measure your space. Since different varieties of guava have different needs, you can analyse, compare, and then pick the best one for your home garden. For example, the usual white guava thrives in cooler climates, while the pink-coloured guava is more suited for regions with a warmer climate.
Soil Preparation
Once you have finalised the variety of guava, you can get its seeds and choose a sunny spot to plant them. Then, you can prepare the soil before sowing the seeds. Maintain the pH of the soil between 5 and 7, use well-drained, loamy soil, and keep adding manure to improve the fertility. You can then sow the seeds, leaving enough space for the trees to grow properly.
Watering And Fertilising
Regular watering and fertilising are non-negotiables that ensure a healthy harvest. Even though mature guava trees are draught-resistant, the growth period requires consistent watering for strong roots. You can add water every 2-3 days and a balanced NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertiliser after 2-3 months.
Regular Pruning
To ensure that your guava tree is healthy, you must prune it regularly. Pruning not only shapes and trees but also boosts the production of the fruit. This becomes all the more important if you have a small garden, as the extra leaves and stems can hinder the growth of the tree and eventually delay the flowering, which can even reduce the yield of the fruit.
Preventing Pests And Diseases
Since most fruits and vegetables are prone to attract pests and diseases, you must keep a stern eye on the tree and take preventive measures. You can install fruit fly traps to protect guavas from insects and also add natural pesticides like spraying neem oil. If you have humid or cold weather, keep checking the leaves and soil for discolouration, which could be a sign of an underlying disease.