The Tropical Fruit Forum

Temperate Fruit & Orchards => Temperate Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: vnomonee on January 08, 2022, 04:34:22 PM

Title: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on January 08, 2022, 04:34:22 PM
Anyone have success in the northeast?

These are all rooted cuttings from 2 plants that were listed as being 7a hardy (taking it with a grain of salt). Unknown variety, sold by 9Greenbox.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhrLkmPq/feijoa-shed.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhrLkmPq)

No damage so far with 20f, 16f, 18f over night, daily temps have been above freezing.

Tuesday will be interesting. Looks to be the coldest day and night combo so far
(https://i.postimg.cc/FkhN9R52/feijoa.png) (https://postimg.cc/FkhN9R52)

Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: forumfool on January 09, 2022, 06:37:36 PM
Why not protect when young? That’s an easy setup to put some row cover over it. I have Feijoa seedlings in ground 7b Georgia on south side of my house. No dieback in three years but mild winters 17 was lowest
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on January 09, 2022, 11:06:25 PM
Good to hear they survive in 7b. Our winters are increasingly mild each year, so those very low temps that would probably kill them are becoming rare.

I can cover them, but I am testing to see if they can survive without any intervention. The two potted plants that I took these cuttings from are a nice size and overwinter in my house so I don't mind losing these by the shed.

 

Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Nick C on January 14, 2022, 07:50:12 PM
I have two in the ground but under poly tunnel. They seem pretty much unfazed by cold weather. I think we have a pretty good chance of survival in 7A without protection.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Nick C on January 14, 2022, 07:51:44 PM
Also definitely agree on the mildness of our winters increasing. I think this week's cold spell will be the ultimate test for some serious zone pushing.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on January 16, 2022, 04:23:01 PM
I have two in the ground but under poly tunnel. They seem pretty much unfazed by cold weather. I think we have a pretty good chance of survival in 7A without protection.


The feijoas look fine after the 8f event, no obvious leaf damage. The mulch around my trees and being up against the shed structure has kept the soil from freezing. Everywhere else the ground is frozen.

However the cold did zap my Yuzu leaves, and the poncirus hybrids (tai-tri and citrumelo) leaves are curled up as well. Those are growing against a brick wall and are mulched so the soil didn't freeze. No obvious freeze damage on trunk or stems yet (like splitting) on the citrus or feijoas.


Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on January 19, 2022, 11:21:39 AM
I am at the border of zone 6- 7 and have 3 feijoa plants but i didnt had the guts to plant them in the ground. Lowest so far was -11 C, i may find a place in the yard for one of them this spring. I have read that they lose their flower buds at temps of around -6C or so, is that true? If so even if the plant survives it may be cropless in climates like mine....
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on January 19, 2022, 03:49:52 PM
I did read that flower buds are killed, but I also read from another account that they make flower buds on new growth in the spring flush

It's been several days and I see no damage after 8f (-13.3C). No leaf drop or noticeable freeze damage on the leaves or trunks

Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on January 19, 2022, 04:01:56 PM
I did read that flower buds are killed, but I also read from another account that they make flower buds on new growth in the spring flush

It's been several days and I see no damage after 8f (-13.3C). No leaf drop or noticeable freeze damage on the leaves or trunks
Great news, they give most of them a hardiness to about -15 C ,i was always sceptical but it may be true. I have one feijoa that is rootbound in a pot and will try to find a place for it in the ground comd spring.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: shiro on January 28, 2022, 08:26:17 PM
In my area, some people cut the feijoa tree into balls every year. This way, if ever there is a cold spell, it is easy to put a transparent winter cover over the trees. This also protects the flower buds. But in my case, this pruning is more for the sake of beauty, because cold temperatures of -15°C are very rare or of very short duration. I'll post you some pictures when I go for a walk.  But don't worry, they're pretty tough, mine can easily withstand -12°C without damage. And even once -20°C but only for a few hours, but on already mature trees. But if it didn't die, there was damage that time.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on January 29, 2022, 02:57:56 AM
In my area, some people cut the feijoa tree into balls every year. This way, if ever there is a cold spell, it is easy to put a transparent winter cover over the trees. This also protects the flower buds. But in my case, this pruning is more for the sake of beauty, because cold temperatures of -15°C are very rare or of very short duration. I'll post you some pictures when I go for a walk.  But don't worry, they're pretty tough, mine can easily withstand -12°C without damage. And even once -20°C but only for a few hours, but on already mature trees. But if it didn't die, there was damage that time.

And what about prolonged freezing weather, this january we had around 10 days of subzero weather 24 hours a day. The lowest i measured was -15 c. Do they survive such low temps only if in the day it is above freezing ??
The variety i'm thinking of planting is Jemini.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on March 02, 2022, 06:13:01 PM
-14c / 7f followed by freezing rain sometime last month burned all of the leaves they are brown and crispy.

Wood and small/thin branches are still green, everywhere I checked.

Should I help the trees defoliate or let the leaves drop on their own when the spring winds come through? I touched a couple here and there and they come off easily, the spot left behind where the leaf was attached is alive


Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: MisterPlantee on March 07, 2022, 01:33:41 PM
Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on March 08, 2022, 02:11:31 PM
Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on March 08, 2022, 02:39:17 PM
defoliated outdoor bush with living buds where leaves dropped


(https://i.postimg.cc/nCcnVG0W/20220308-143227-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nCcnVG0W)


(https://i.postimg.cc/tZyLS9cc/20220308-143245-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tZyLS9cc)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: MisterPlantee on March 09, 2022, 10:06:03 AM
Yes pretty sure your outside ones will start leafing out once spring comes. I did notice that it took quite a while for the buds to come out on the one that lost off its leaves, slow but then by start of summer it was all leafed out and flowering.

I haven't had problems just yanking my Feijoa from the comforts of the greenhouse and directly into below freezing weather outside (About 20F is when I would bring into the garage for the night). The worst I've seen is the newest leaves at the tips might fall off.. That way I am sure to get all the cold chill hours.



Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on March 10, 2022, 01:33:46 AM
Yes pretty sure your outside ones will start leafing out once spring comes. I did notice that it took quite a while for the buds to come out on the one that lost off its leaves, slow but then by start of summer it was all leafed out and flowering.

I haven't had problems just yanking my Feijoa from the comforts of the greenhouse and directly into below freezing weather outside (About 20F is when I would bring into the garage for the night). The worst I've seen is the newest leaves at the tips might fall off.. That way I am sure to get all the cold chill hours.



Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
What is the needed chill hour requirement and at what temperature ? I was thinking to plant one in my gh where this year it went to 4 C at the worst (heated). There are tropicals inside so i should keep it warm and prolly not much colder than that.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on March 10, 2022, 03:16:47 AM
"100-200 chilling hours below 45º F (7º C)."

Mine haven't flowered yet, that is what I read online
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on March 10, 2022, 10:59:28 AM
"100-200 chilling hours below 45º F (7º C)."

Mine haven't flowered yet, that is what I read online
thanks!
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: MisterPlantee on March 11, 2022, 11:43:51 AM
Can you just grow in a pot and move outside to a garage in the spring or just leave outside when it is within the survival temperature range? Feijoas do well in pots.

If your greenhouse goes to 4C at the worst it might not be enough. Chilling hours don't count unless it is continuously below the temperature, a few hours a night doesn't count


Yes pretty sure your outside ones will start leafing out once spring comes. I did notice that it took quite a while for the buds to come out on the one that lost off its leaves, slow but then by start of summer it was all leafed out and flowering.

I haven't had problems just yanking my Feijoa from the comforts of the greenhouse and directly into below freezing weather outside (About 20F is when I would bring into the garage for the night). The worst I've seen is the newest leaves at the tips might fall off.. That way I am sure to get all the cold chill hours.



Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
What is the needed chill hour requirement and at what temperature ? I was thinking to plant one in my gh where this year it went to 4 C at the worst (heated). There are tropicals inside so i should keep it warm and prolly not much colder than that.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on March 11, 2022, 05:16:29 PM
Can you just grow in a pot and move outside to a garage in the spring or just leave outside when it is within the survival temperature range? Feijoas do well in pots.

If your greenhouse goes to 4C at the worst it might not be enough. Chilling hours don't count unless it is continuously below the temperature, a few hours a night doesn't count


Yes pretty sure your outside ones will start leafing out once spring comes. I did notice that it took quite a while for the buds to come out on the one that lost off its leaves, slow but then by start of summer it was all leafed out and flowering.

I haven't had problems just yanking my Feijoa from the comforts of the greenhouse and directly into below freezing weather outside (About 20F is when I would bring into the garage for the night). The worst I've seen is the newest leaves at the tips might fall off.. That way I am sure to get all the cold chill hours.



Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
What is the needed chill hour requirement and at what temperature ? I was thinking to plant one in my gh where this year it went to 4 C at the worst (heated). There are tropicals inside so i should keep it warm and prolly not much colder than that.

Mister Plantee, well i am growing 3 plants in pots, i wanted to unleash one of them in the gh to have a big fruiting plant, but will continue to grow them in pots then, prolly will plant one in the garden if i find a suitable  spot.
The gh will prolly get warmer for next winter since i will be setting a radiator heating system there this summer, will skip the feijoa and fix on the tropicals instead for the gh.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: MisterPlantee on March 11, 2022, 11:16:05 PM
I think you should be good planting it outside and leaving it in the ground since they are said to be good down to -12C. Probably covering them up during the extra cold days is all you need and then soon you will be rewarded with a giant Feijoa tree. Do you grow Olives as well in your climate outside? I think they have similar temperature tolerance, maybe a little lower too

Can you just grow in a pot and move outside to a garage in the spring or just leave outside when it is within the survival temperature range? Feijoas do well in pots.

If your greenhouse goes to 4C at the worst it might not be enough. Chilling hours don't count unless it is continuously below the temperature, a few hours a night doesn't count


Yes pretty sure your outside ones will start leafing out once spring comes. I did notice that it took quite a while for the buds to come out on the one that lost off its leaves, slow but then by start of summer it was all leafed out and flowering.

I haven't had problems just yanking my Feijoa from the comforts of the greenhouse and directly into below freezing weather outside (About 20F is when I would bring into the garage for the night). The worst I've seen is the newest leaves at the tips might fall off.. That way I am sure to get all the cold chill hours.



Slightly different, but I brought my Feijoa out too fast in the spring last year and all the leaves burned brown to a crisp. I let the leaves fall off naturally and it came back bushier and bigger than ever

Good to hear that it can recover from losing all of the leaves. I am slowly acclimating my 2 potted feijoas. I have them under shade when they are outside I only bring them in if there is a freeze. Hoping to get enough chill hours to flower since my indoor temps never go below 60

 Inside right now because the wind is pretty bad

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7/20220308-140537-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDgtmnT7)
What is the needed chill hour requirement and at what temperature ? I was thinking to plant one in my gh where this year it went to 4 C at the worst (heated). There are tropicals inside so i should keep it warm and prolly not much colder than that.

Mister Plantee, well i am growing 3 plants in pots, i wanted to unleash one of them in the gh to have a big fruiting plant, but will continue to grow them in pots then, prolly will plant one in the garden if i find a suitable  spot.
The gh will prolly get warmer for next winter since i will be setting a radiator heating system there this summer, will skip the feijoa and fix on the tropicals instead for the gh.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on March 12, 2022, 01:50:42 AM
Olive is i think is a hard one to grow here outside, from the more mediteranean stuff i have only figs and kiwi. First winter outside for both so have to see how theyve done come spring. 
For the feijoa i will need to plant it close to the house ,under the eeve on the south side, but thats kinda difficult since i have a path going there. But i have one place kinda close to the wall ,so will plant there and def do some kind of a winter orotection....as much as i'm afraid to sacrifice one of my plants, i do need to know does this species have future at my place outside.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Nick C on March 12, 2022, 03:00:51 PM
A little bit of protection has done wonders for these guys. Hoping they'll flower again this year after being dug up and transplanted from my heated greenhouse a couple years back.


(https://i.postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7/IMG-9114.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ/IMG-9112.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on March 12, 2022, 04:36:47 PM
A little bit of protection has done wonders for these guys. Hoping they'll flower again this year after being dug up and transplanted from my heated greenhouse a couple years back.


(https://i.postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7/IMG-9114.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ/IMG-9112.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ)
nice plants, how were they doing in the heated greenhouse for u ?? I suppose they were fruitless since u dug them up ??
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Nick C on March 12, 2022, 07:06:02 PM
A little bit of protection has done wonders for these guys. Hoping they'll flower again this year after being dug up and transplanted from my heated greenhouse a couple years back.


(https://i.postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7/IMG-9114.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpDLhQv7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ/IMG-9112.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Jy5LJgZ)
nice plants, how were they doing in the heated greenhouse for u ?? I suppose they were fruitless since u dug them up ??

They were doing pretty good in there. Just got too big and were taking up valuable space. Also had a scale problem. One of the tress, a "Mammoth" variety, flowered the previous year before I dug it up. I'm thinking it will pick up again this season.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on May 25, 2022, 02:25:43 PM
The inground feijoas are pushing leaves, they started doing so when it warmed up early this month. So def 6-7f does not kill them although they are very slow to come back.

I am noticing what looks like flower buds on both of my potted feijoas that I started leaving out in March, so it has acquired enough chill hours in zone 7a by doing this. I brought them in if temps were going to freeze (worried about the roots in the pots). But otherwise they were outside since then.



(https://i.postimg.cc/G4MjfY00/flower-bud.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4MjfY00)


(https://i.postimg.cc/pmVZkC6Y/flower-bud-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmVZkC6Y)


(https://i.postimg.cc/18zGDt8v/flower-bud-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18zGDt8v)


(https://i.postimg.cc/svmPBSgB/container.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/svmPBSgB)


Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on May 25, 2022, 02:36:38 PM
Hard to believe these were the same plants 2 years ago


(https://i.postimg.cc/v4kds49j/Screenshot-20220525-143408.png) (https://postimg.cc/v4kds49j)

(https://i.postimg.cc/zLhYXqFf/Screenshot-20220525-143419.png) (https://postimg.cc/zLhYXqFf)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: CarolinaZone on May 27, 2022, 07:35:26 PM
I have 5 outside in 7b. They have been in the ground 4 years. They have flowered since year two. Maybe this year they will produce some fruit.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on May 27, 2022, 07:59:11 PM
do you hand pollinate?

I have 5 outside in 7b. They have been in the ground 4 years. They have flowered since year two. Maybe this year they will produce some fruit.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: CarolinaZone on May 27, 2022, 09:21:18 PM
Nope. I figured the bees or the wind would do it. They are planted in a circle 2 feet apart.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on June 15, 2022, 01:12:06 PM
First flowers opened on one plant. Hand pollinated, hope these are self fertile.

(https://i.postimg.cc/VrK31pmp/20220615-100034-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrK31pmp)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on June 29, 2022, 09:52:21 PM
Potted specimens are in full bloom. Not sure if my hand and cross pollination is doing anything. My tropical guava dropped flowers pretty quickly, within days, if they didn't become fruit.

Not noticing any swelling on the first flowers which were self pollinated but the petals have fallen off and the rest is still firmly attached to the stem.

Not pictured, in ground plants are in full leaf but no flower buds anywhere. Since they are all small, can't confirm if they are able to flower after freezing back just yet.


(https://i.postimg.cc/s1N8nDmM/20220629-185038-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s1N8nDmM)


(https://i.postimg.cc/jDV1bgGK/20220629-185109-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDV1bgGK)


(https://i.postimg.cc/WhqyxLYX/20220629-185120-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WhqyxLYX)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: buddy roo on July 06, 2022, 08:55:22 AM
Anyone have success in the northeast?

These are all rooted cuttings from 2 plants that were listed as being 7a hardy (taking it with a grain of salt). Unknown variety, sold by 9Greenbox.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhrLkmPq/feijoa-shed.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhrLkmPq)

No damage so far with 20f, 16f, 18f over night, daily temps have been above freezing.

Tuesday will be interesting. Looks to be the coldest day and night combo so far
(https://i.postimg.cc/FkhN9R52/feijoa.png) (https://postimg.cc/FkhN9R52)
what was your method used to root your cuttings and at what time of year?
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on July 06, 2022, 10:51:37 AM
I made a post about that here

https://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=39016.msg415060#msg415060

Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on July 12, 2022, 06:59:24 PM
Can confirm now hand pollination definitely will set fruit. These were the first cluster of flowers to open and the buds are noticeably swelling. I will update when fruit is mature.

(https://i.postimg.cc/MnZzqXbc/20220712-183549-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MnZzqXbc)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: tedburn on November 01, 2022, 05:32:51 PM
Can confirm now hand pollination definitely will set fruit. These were the first cluster of flowers to open and the buds are noticeably swelling. I will update when fruit is mature.

(https://i.postimg.cc/MnZzqXbc/20220712-183549-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MnZzqXbc)

Did your fruit get ripe in z7 ? I' m also in z7 and have some years a Fejoa, which mastered already - 15° C and four frostdays and also set some fruits, but they didn' t get fully ripe up to now.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 01, 2022, 09:30:16 PM
Not yet, have not been frosted either. Hoping they ripen this coming week there will be warm weather.

A picture of one the fruits last week, its actually gotten a little bigger since then. Between both potted plants I have a total of 15 fruit. If you look up "raregrowsNJ" on youtube I have a video showing how the fruit and the plants look right now.


(https://i.postimg.cc/tZzsr4sY/Screenshot-2022-11-01-212919.png) (https://postimg.cc/tZzsr4sY)

same fruit, swelling up now:

(https://i.postimg.cc/PCVjJZ9X/20221102-140741-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCVjJZ9X)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 11, 2022, 12:10:30 PM
Nothing ripe yet. I carefully planted them in the ground,  they were very root bound despite being up potted in the spring. I have no room for such a big evergreen plant in my grow tent this year. If nothing is ripe by Nov 17th I will have to cover them and heat with incandescent Christmas lights, night temps will start dropping below 30f read somewhere the fruit freezes at 28f and will be damaged. Since this variety is not named I'm not sure if the fruit is just late ripening or if being root bound and water starved slowed the growth of the fruit vs in the ground. 

crappy screenshot of a video I took
(https://i.postimg.cc/LY030FtQ/Screenshot-20221111-120155-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/LY030FtQ)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 14, 2022, 06:13:59 PM
Updated forecast if they are not ripe by Nov 20th I'm picking them off and testing if they will ripen at all inside on the kitchem counter. The fruit actually grew more since the last picture, doesn't help with figuring out what variety it is but I'm assuming bigger fruit takes longer to ripen.

I have them covered with fabric now that still lets light in plus the christmas lights for heat which keeps it above freezing. Nov 20th is hard freeze in the low 20s /-6.6. Fruit freezes at 28f / -2.22. Don't think my lights will keep the trees and fruit above the freezing point, it only adds a few degrees of heating.



(https://i.postimg.cc/233PWLxs/20221114-121318.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/233PWLxs)



(https://i.postimg.cc/G4nN671R/20221114-181041.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4nN671R)
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on November 15, 2022, 12:38:18 AM
Vnomonee, i am curious what happened to your feijoas that were planted next to the house? Any news on those, couldnt find an update on them in your tread.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 15, 2022, 01:18:51 AM
Vnomonee, i am curious what happened to your feijoas that were planted next to the house? Any news on those, couldnt find an update on them in your tread.

The ones by the shed grew back new leaves after dropping everything but didn't flower, those were smaller than my potted plants so still can't say if they will flower after taking that much cold. I'll take a picture tomorrow
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 15, 2022, 02:02:34 PM
this morning Nov 2022:
(https://i.postimg.cc/YvgSnkw7/20221115-134949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvgSnkw7)


last year before losing leaves:
(https://i.postimg.cc/CZgx9tFq/feijoa-shed.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZgx9tFq)

Plants didn't really grow taller. I completey neglected them, did not even water during drought. They are a little wider than last year, the trunks are more covered with foliage.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 15, 2022, 02:12:31 PM
The covered feijoas with fruit did not freeze this morning everything else not covered like the leaves on fig trees are frosted and damaged.


This is just heating from the lights on at 35f/1.66c off at 45f/7.22c:



outside temp:
(https://i.postimg.cc/CzChk7CM/Screenshot-20221115-012713-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/CzChk7CM)

inside temp:
(https://i.postimg.cc/pmGtJ6mv/Screenshot-20221115-012700-2.png) (https://postimg.cc/pmGtJ6mv)

So the fabric does provide a good amount of frost protection with heating. I might be able to leave the fruit past the date I planned. We'll see.
I hope my lazy experimenting is helpful to anyone thinking about zone pushing feijoas esp if the fruit does not ripen sooner like on my trees
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Plantinyum on November 17, 2022, 01:07:05 AM
Thanks for the update!
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 19, 2022, 01:24:19 PM
Update: Fruit is mature.

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJ3WgFVK/20221119-125503.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJ3WgFVK) (https://i.postimg.cc/ZWv2XqhY/20221119-123120.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZWv2XqhY)

I went to check the fruit today Nov 19th, gave each of them a gentle shake and they popped off cleanly! Would have dropped on their own probably in a couple of days. There were a couple even smaller ones that would not come off the tree so those will not mature in time. Because of the upcoming deep freeze I didn't want to risk damaged fruit if the protection was not sufficient.  I cut open one of the mature ones while still hard, there was clear jelly inside and fully developed seeds, flavor was slightly sweet but mostly sour. I ate the skin too and enjoyed it. At this stage it reminded me of an unripe/hard tropical guava (green skin white fleshed variety) but with better flavor.


(https://i.postimg.cc/G8dfBJT9/20221119-124825.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G8dfBJT9)

I believe I have two different varieties based on the texture of the fruit the 2nd row from the other bush shows more pebbled skin. I did cross and self pollinate but forgot to label which ones were crossed I assume bigger ones are crossed.


(https://i.postimg.cc/CRpsLMqx/20221119-125535-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRpsLMqx)

I will leave these on the counter until they get soft and post a picture of the interior.
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: Pokeweed on November 20, 2022, 08:13:13 AM
We have 3 fiejoas in the ground that endured 9°F for close to 4 days with steady 15 or so mph wind most of the time. No damage. They are tough. D
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 23, 2022, 12:01:42 PM
Good to hear that they can take multiple days below freezing in the single digits. Did they flower and fruit after that 9f winter? 

We have 3 fiejoas in the ground that endured 9°F for close to 4 days with steady 15 or so mph wind most of the time. No damage. They are tough. D
Title: Re: Feijoa in NJ zone 7a
Post by: vnomonee on November 23, 2022, 12:08:28 PM
Waitied until fragrant, about 3 days since picked. Opened a softer one this morning, the outside of the fruit smells medicinal and almost like mothballs or some kind of cleaner it's a familiar scent? Tried the inside jelly with the flesh, sweet and floral. Tried the whole fruit with the skin, very nice sour and sweet combo. I don't mind the skin at all atleast on whatever this variety is it's good. So while I did pick them before they dropped off the bushes, they were mature enough that they are able to ripen inside after a few days.

Freshly cut. Are they supposed to be more yellow? It did turn a little yellow after oxidizing. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/nCZcvyLk/Screenshot-20221123-115241.png) (https://postimg.cc/nCZcvyLk)

Gave another ripe one to my father who hasn't had a feijoa in 50 years since leaving Uruguay, he enjoyed it!

Last update:

Another ripe one. My ambient temps in the kitchen are in the 60s so they have lasted pretty long. This one is 8 days from picking and no signs of rot. It was soft and sweet.
More yellow inside:
(https://i.postimg.cc/y3gXR1cc/20221128-215655.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/y3gXR1cc)