Plant family: Myrtaceae
Plant origin: Tropical America.
Fruit description: The Thai White Guava fruit has a thick white skin, and white flesh. It has a slightly textured edible skin which is slightly soft when ripe. It is about 125mm in diameter and round shaped. Guava is rich in vitamins C and A, dietary fibre, folic acid and minerals.
Ripe fruits have a granular sweet aromatic flesh under the skin. The centre of the fruit is firm and contains many small edible seeds.
Flowers: Guavas flower when the weather warms up in Spring. The guava flowers are white, about 25 mm in diameter and occur singly or in small clusters. They have a slight perfume. The petals fall soon after the flower opens, leaving a fluffy brush behind which develops into a fruit.
Growing conditions: Guavas are easy to grow in subtropical and tropical areas. They are a small evergreen tree, growing to about 3 metres in height, with a spreading canopy. They are very useful for shade or as an ornamental tree. The trunk has distinctive flaky bark. The leaves are aromatic, longish and leathery. They like a sheltered position in rich, well-drained soil and plenty of water. They grow well in a pot. They can tolerate mild frost. You can prune the tree to shape as a screen or hedge or to make picking easier. Fruit occurs on new growth so pruning won't reduce your crop.
Uses: Eat Thai White Guavas fresh crisp like an apple, or sliced into fruit salad, as a dessert, or with chilli or spice as a savoury (Thai style). Guava is good stewed or poached. The flesh can be frozen.
Medicinal uses: Guava plant parts have many traditional medicinal uses such as treating gastric upsets and diarrhoea. The crushed leaves can be used to relieve pain of infections of skin, throat, gums and aching joints.
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating
Harvest time Thai White Guava fruits mature in Autumn and Winter. Pick these guavas when they are firm or ripe.
Plant relatives There are many other Guava species, including Hawaiian Guava, Indian Guava, Feijoa, Red Cherry Guava, Yellow Cherry Guava, and Guisaro.
Special features: The leaves and bark contain a large amount of tannin hence are useful for tanning hides. Guavas make good bonsai specimens.
Grown by method: Seed Grown Pot size: 140mm
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2 metres high by 1.5 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 3 metres high by 2.5 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 140mm
