I posted this on GW and under the other Guave topic in this forum, but I figured I should start a new topic. Sorry for the cross-posting.

A little background on my guava: I have it by a south window and i keep a humidifier and ceiling fan running in the room. The temps stay around 60-65F, humidity at 70% without humidifier, 80% with. I now spray the leaves and bark about 2 times a day. The soil it was shipped in has good drainage and is moist but not soggy. A week ago before I started the spraying and humidifier, the leaves started to dry up. I guess I let it get too dry and wasn't aware how sensitive they are. Most of the leaves fell off and the ones remaining are beginning to dry at the edges, but are not drying as fast as they were before the spraying, etc.. There are only 7 leaves left (the tree is 5ft tall) so it is in dire straits.

I was just about to repot mine into a typical CHC mix for citrus. I will try to get closer to the mix Millet mentioned(fibrous loam,sand,etc as well as the other topic on growing mediums). What is fibrous loam? Can I add leaves from my yard that have been partially composted? What size container should I use for a 4-5ft tree? I haven't fed it yet, but was going to use Miracid as a fert. Is there a better alternatitive?

Can this tree be saved?

Can the tree be saved = YES. Composted leaf mold is very good for guavas. I just received a new guava from Citrus Joe, and planted it in a test growing medium of equal parts of CHC 1/4" size/peatmoss with dried cow mannure added. I have a nice size grava growing in two parts fiberous loam (Good garden soil) one part leaf mold, 1/2 part dried cow manure, with sand freely added.

Watering a Guava: After potting, the "soil" is watered when it becomes moderately dry (NOT DRY) and then it is THOROUGHLY saturated, this method of watering is continued until the plants are established, after which the medium is kept moist until the end of the summer. Plants which are bearing fruits should receive an application of liquid fertilizer twice a week, while the fruits are swelling. After the plants are potted or planted in raised beds, the atmosphere MUST be kept moist by frequently damping the floor and benches, and the foliage is syringed twice a day. NOTE: Chops your 5-foot guava would already be an established plant, and your humidifier would probably be equal to spraying down the floor and benches. Keep syringing down of the plant at least twice a day and give the plant a good complete fertilizer with trace minerals and you will soon be seeing new leaves. Please don't forget us, let us know how your guava is coming along. If I can be of any further assistance, just ask. Take care. It is nice seeing you posting on this forum. - Millet

I've only seen guava thrive at higher temps. although it can tolerate lower it ideally will do better above 80, maybe 70's. I've seen them loose all their leaves, look dead but hit up with moisture and high temps and it bounces back.

Thank you all for your advice. I have been misting the guava regularly and keeping temps, soil moisture and humidity at said levels.

The tree is sprouting new leaves! I am very happy. The little buds seem to be poking out of everywhere. Some where the previous leaves were and some in new points along the branches. I've been watching them closely since I first noticed them about 5 days ago and each day they get a little bigger. There's hope for my greenish thumb yet!

Hi Chops,
So glad your tree is doing better. Ida felt bad if it didn't. I too am misting 2 - 4 times a day now since Millet suggested it, & my tree is doing real good now too. It wasn't 'dying' but some leaves did dry up & fall off.

Thanks Patty, each day I watch those little buds turn into bigger and bigger leaves. That baby isn't going down for the count. If i figure it out I will try to post some pics.

Millet
My four Fiejoa Pineapple Guavas will arrive next week from Banting's Nursery in New Orleans and I was wondering how your test CHC mixture was working out for you.
I see that you used more peat than you would normally use for citrus and from what I have read, guava has a wider range of PH levels that will work but tend to do better on the acidic side. Drought tolerant in the description tells me that they are like citrus in that they do not like wet feet.
I have about 20 gallons of the premixed CHC/ peat ( your formula) for citrus that I could add another 30% peat if your test formula has done well for you.
Honestly, I do not have a clue as to the taste of Guava (can’t find in the supermarkets) but the LSU Agcenter states that they will grow here and it’s something that I want to try. I am not going to regret growing guava am I?

Karl, you won't be dissappointed with the taste. I tasted some pineapple guava at the expo & they were like banana - strawberry -pinapple kiwi! When they fall off bush, they are ripe, so you don't have to guesse at when to pick. They are only about 2 inches oblong & green when ripe.
Mine are still very young, but I have a Ruby red (like Chops has) that had 4 fruits on, but they fell off (too young) couple months ago ...grrrr.
Millet, is it really good to fert when a plant is losing leaves? When they are stressed? Also, will mine stop growing when root temps get to 55* like citrus? Will it go dormant when temps get colder like citrus?
I have leaf drop, but the 2 branches that get more lite didn't lose any.

Karpes, that Guava did fine, it was a Ruby Red Guava that I received free of charge from Tamara (Tam's Trees). It grew to about 5 or 6 feet tall and produced a lot of fruit. The aroma when the fruit became ripe, was nice. However, I did not like the taste of that variety, and the fruit was very seedy, so I tossed the tree into the compost pile. At present I am growing a Lemon Guava, and a Pineapple Guava, and a Strawberry "Guava." All are planted in the typical Citrus CHC medium, which is 4 parts CHC 1 part Peat Moss, with STEM, Osmacoate 17-7-12, and dolomite. All are doing well. Guavas like excellent draining soil, but they like lots of water and full sun. I have mine planted in 5-gallon containers. If you let the container become dry, they react immediately by dropping their leaves. I water mine two or three times a week. I also spray the leaves with the hose as I pass by. All of my Guavas are now fruiting.. - Millet

Thanks
I think that I will plant two and pot the other two.
Karl