Guava or Pera trees are trees that grow well in bushes and backyards without much care. Although it's now grown in most parts of the world, it originated in South America and the Caribbean islands. It's a high quality fruit, both in terms of taste and health benefits.
Guava trees usually bear their first fruit within 2 to 3 years of planting. The fruit is ready to harvest when it turns yellow or pink and is slightly soft to the touch. Guavas can be eaten fresh or made into jams, jellies and marmalades.
Growing Guava
Guavas are propagated by seedlings, grafting or grafting.
Guava trees are relatively easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of soils as long as they're well-drained. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade.
They can be grown in a variety of soils, including sandy, clay and loam, but it's important to enrich the soil with organic matter to improve its fertility.
Depending on the variety, guava trees should be planted 6 to 18 feet apart.
Guava trees planted on a homestead don't require regular irrigation. However, irrigation is necessary for optimal production in a commercial plantation. Guavas grown in containers need regular irrigation. The guava should be watered deeply so that the water can reach the roots.
To keep your guava tree healthy, it's important to prune it regularly to remove dead or diseased wood and to bring it up to the desired size.
Guava trees are also heavy growers and need to be fertilised regularly with a balanced fertiliser consisting of micro and macronutrients.
Guava trees are easy to grow and require little care, making them a high-quality fruit in terms of both taste and health benefits.
Health benefits of the guava
The benefits of guava cannot be overstated. From digestive problems to diabetes and cholesterol, guava can even prevent cancer. Guava is rich in vitamins A, C, B2, E and K, as well as fibre, manganese, potassium, iron and phosphorus.
It is said that if you eat an apple a day, you can live without seeing a doctor. This is even more true with guava. Even the leaves and stalks of guava have medicinal value. Consuming one guava a day is enough to improve heart health due to its high levels of Vitamin C and potassium, which help lower blood pressure and prevent the accumulation of fat in the blood.
Vitamin C, which is abundant in guava, boosts the immune system and can alleviate common ailments such as fever, cough, and cold. Guava can be consumed as a salad or juice and has been known to treat prostate, breast, skin, and oral cancer.
Guava is also rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining eyesight, and can be consumed in large quantities to prevent night blindness. Guava juice can also be taken regularly to cure age-related vision loss, enhance intellect, improve skin beauty, and control the thyroid.
Additionally, guava leaves have medicinal value and can be used to relieve toothaches, gum disease, and bad breath. They can also be used to make an inexpensive mouthwash and can stave off dental disease if used regularly.
Drinking water mixed with dried guava leaves can also help control blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.