How to grow feijoas for a bounty of tropical-tasting fruit
In short: Originally from the cool temperate regions of southern Brazil and Argentina, feijoas offer a unique flavor profile. This evergreen shrub can thrive in climates ranging from Tasmania to subtropical zones. If you want a reliable harvest of these pineapple-and-guava-flavored treats, the secret lies in how you plant and prune them.
Feijoas (Acca sellowiana) are versatile plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Depending on your location, they offer different seasonal rewards; in cool climates like Tasmania, they provide an abundance of fruit in autumn. These plants are highly adaptable, capable of being grown as small trees reaching 3 to 5 meters in height and 2 to 3 meters in width, or they can be pruned, hedged, or even grown in pots.
When selecting your plant, you face a choice between seedlings and grafted varieties. Seedlings are a more budget-friendly option, but they come with significant uncertainty. Because they are not a guaranteed cultivar, the resulting fruit's size, flavor, and quantity remain unknown, and it may take up to 10 years before they produce any fruit. In contrast, grafted varieties are more expensive but offer a faster and more reliable crop. To ensure you have a grafted plant, look for a cultivar name on the tag and inspect the tree for the physical scar where it was joined to a different rootstock.
Successful cultivation requires careful initial care. When planting, choose a sunny, open position with well-drained soil, and enrich the hole with aged manure or well-rotted compost. It is vital to water the tree thoroughly immediately after planting. However, patience is required regarding nutrition; avoid heavy fertilizing for the first three years to allow the tree to settle. Once established, the best way to harvest is to wait until the fruit falls to the ground. A ripe fruit should feel soft but not squishy, and if a fallen fruit is still too hard, it can finish ripening in a fruit bowl over a few days.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Feijoas – how to plant and harvest abundant fruit | Growing Fruit and Vegies | Gardening Australia
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