The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: vnomonee on August 29, 2022, 07:53:14 PM
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Bought a guava labeled as "Mexican" two fruit set in spring, today one fruit dropped while still green, more of a light green.
It was soft and juicy, but 0 sweetness. Tasted like tomato, I thought these are supposed to turn yellow?
(https://i.postimg.cc/H80cFgLy/20220829-195434.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H80cFgLy)
Here is the other fruit, hasn't dropped yet
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Do you keep it inside the house? How many hours of sun does it get in a day? My guava won't turn yellow/sweet when it does not get enough sun.
The more sun it gets, the sweeter the fruit tastes.
Also usually most fruit trees do not produce good tasting fruits during the first few years, as the tree gets older the quality of the fruit will improve.
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It's too young to support fruit to maturity. Many different kinds of fruit trees will self-regulate. Citrus and avocados are famous for it.
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From my experience and understanding, Mexican Guavas are not the same as Mexican Cream Guavas.
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Hmm so the "Mexican guavas" I've seen at the grocery store are small and round, these two fruits are pear shaped. Could be mislabeled or a different "Mexican" variety? The inside was white when I bit into the fruit, and seeds were fully developed.
I have the plant in full sun, it appears to be an air layer as I don't see a graft. The fruits are lowest on the branch which probably did not get full sun due to being shaded by the leaves. Maybe the tree did abort the fruit too soon and the heat softened it up?
Here are some pics, it's in a 3 gallon
(https://i.postimg.cc/G4XfJG9K/20220830-083902.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4XfJG9K)
(https://i.postimg.cc/1VKBR1qB/20220830-083927.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1VKBR1qB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/21tsNnm6/20220830-084000-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21tsNnm6)
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Hmm so the "Mexican guavas" I've seen at the grocery store are small and round, these two fruits are pear shaped. Could be mislabeled or a different "Mexican" variety? The inside was white when I bit into the fruit, and seeds were fully developed.
I have the plant in full sun, it appears to be an air layer as I don't see a graft. The fruits are lowest on the branch which probably did not get full sun due to being shaded by the leaves. Maybe the tree did abort the fruit too soon and the heat softened it up?
Here are some pics, it's in a 3 gallon
(https://i.postimg.cc/G4XfJG9K/20220830-083902.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G4XfJG9K)
(https://i.postimg.cc/1VKBR1qB/20220830-083927.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1VKBR1qB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/21tsNnm6/20220830-084000-HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21tsNnm6)
That plant is way too small to hold fruit. Guavas are vigorous growers so its not too big of a deal, but thats probably the reason the fruit wasn't good. My guava is already 5 feet tall and I had to prune it thrice so it wouldn't get too big. It's finally holding it's first two fruits now. Fruits should taste better with good ferts and once the tree becomes more mature.
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Ah ok that seems to be the general consensus. Hopefully the fruit will be worthwhile when it finally produces one to full maturity.
How are you pruning yours, I'm assuming you have it in container as well? This one seems to want to grow in every direction, and the wind keeps causing the whole plant to lean over in the pot.
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I might consider topping that central stalk to the first node and let it branch out so that it isn't so tall and lanky. Typically, I prune fruit trees in the winter or early spring. I trim off any branches that are crossing, low sucker branches especially ones below a graft line and if there are Y shaped branches, trim off the inner portion of the Y so that it's always growing upwards and outwards. This will open up the fruit tree in the center and allow more air exchange and sunlight to penetrate the center of the tree. Try to prune branches off as flush with the trunks as you can. Also remove any dried out dead branches and old leaves.
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Ah ok that seems to be the general consensus. Hopefully the fruit will be worthwhile when it finally produces one to full maturity.
How are you pruning yours, I'm assuming you have it in container as well? This one seems to want to grow in every direction, and the wind keeps causing the whole plant to lean over in the pot.
We are in ground! I prune mine so it stays in its place. Just simple pruning basics. Nothing special.