How to Plant Feijoa
The feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) is a hardy, slow-growing evergreen. The flowers and fruit are edible but have not gained much popularity in the United States. To harvest the fruit, the plant must be trained to grow as a tree. The feijoa, also known as pineapple guava, is much more commonly grown as a hedge plant. The feijoa can stand cold and hot temperatures as well as salty air and soil. It is popular in cool, coastal areas of the United States.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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How to Plant Feijoa
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1
Decide how you are going to train your feijoa. This will determine where you should plant it. While some prefer to train feijoa as a hedge, others like to prune the plants to one trunk and grow them as trees. Feijoa are slow-growing and short, so trees can be grown in containers.
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2
Choose a location that has partial shade. Feijoa like cooler temperatures and prefer some shade during the day. They grow well even in foggy coastal areas.
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3
Test the pH of the soil. Feijoa is a hardy plant, and can thrive even in salty soil, but it prefers soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0. If the number is higher than 7.0, add peat moss. If it is lower than 5.5, add lime to the soil.
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4
Dig a shallow hole. Feijoa have roots that spread close to the surface, so while the hole should be just deep enough for the plant to fit in, make sure it is twice as wide as the root ball. If planting more than one feijoa to make a hedge, plant them about 18 inches apart.
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5
Place the plant in the hole and fill it in, tamping down the surface. Water generously. Feijoa like well-drained soil and can tolerate dry periods, but during very hot weather keep the soil moist.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Feijoa take little care once established. If you are growing it for fruit, keep the lower branches off the ground and harvest once the fruit drops.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/feijoa.htm
