I've been considering 1-2 container guava trees since last Spring. I might have to wait a little while, but this thought keeps coming back. Does anyone have a few good links, suggestions or recommended varieties? From what I recall reading about 3 months ago, it seemed like the Mexican Guava might be a good choice for me, but I forget the options now.

Do guava trees work well with coconut husk chips (CHCs)? Is "guayava" another name for "guava," or are there important distinctions? I live in USDA zone 9/Sunset zone 23 (SoCal, 14 miles from coast). Many and humble thanks!!

Hi Vince. Try contacting joencolo or Millet. I believe they are both growing them up in Colorado.

Try some of these Vince.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/guava.html

http://www.guavakai.com/kai_guava_guide2.htm

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG045

Vince, the jury is still out about growing Guava's in CHC's, but I don't think it will be a good medium for guava's. Guajava, is a variety name for the common guava that has white flowers and yellow fruits. I have two guavas, a strawberry guava (P. Cattleianum) which has small red fruit about the size of a marble and a large pink fleshed (forgot the variety name) guava I got from Tam. Patty from Wish has the same one. Guava's require a minimum of 55F and a soil compost of two parts fibrous loam, one part of leaf mold and sand freely added. Guavas grow in large tubs, or can be planted in a prepared bed of soil in the greenhouse. There foliage like to be sprayed with water a couple times a day. Guava's are quite seedy. I'll get the name of the large fruiting variety that Patty and I purchased from Tam's trees and send you an E-mail. Take care. - Millet

thank you (all). I'm in awe, so I need shades. Thank you. -v

Hi Millet,

I believe the guava variety you are referring to is a Red Ruby Supreme(mine says Psidium guajava on the card) . I ordered one at the same time as yourself and Patty.

I am having a lot of trouble with mine. I am glad I read this post this morning as I was just about to repot mine into a typical CHC mix for citrus. I will try to get closer to the mix you mentioned (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? For the tub how large is large?

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.

my questions (besides the ones at the top): Can this tree be saved? What is the best soil mix for its current state?

My guava does not seem to be affected by low humidity provided I keep it well irrigated; new growth on the tree wilts otherwise but the mature leaves are unaffected. Temperatures here have gone down to around 10C/50F in the winter with no apparent damage to the tree.