Posted by AndrewSEVA-7b on 11/2/2009, 9:24 pm
96.225.171.253

I know this is not a true guava, but I have considered planting this shrub. I understand it is fairly pest resistant and easy to grow. However, considering I only have 1/3 of an acre of property and my palms/woodland natives take precedent, I would need to make room for these shrubs if I want them. So my question is, has anyone tasted the fruit on them? Most sites selling them state that they taste good, however, they are also trying to make $$$. So, just looking for peoples opinions if it is worth trying.

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Posted by Brandt-San Diego on 11/2/2009, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
204.228.189.103

I think the fruit is delicious--definitely worth growing (as long as it'll grow in your climate). It might take several years before the tree produces a sufficient amount of fruit. The fruit has a good scent and taste--hard to describe, though "pineapple" and "guava" sort of come to mind.

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Posted by Zac in Texas on 11/2/2009, 10:11 pm, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
216.183.37.142

Is one way I have heard them described as tasting like. And its very hardy. I know Bob has some in Winston-Salem. Zac Zac in Texas- Lower Rio Grande Valley. South Texas Formerly Zac in NC.

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Posted by Mike - Sacremento z9 on 11/2/2009, 11:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Pineapple guava"
71.140.0.230 | Message modified by user Mike - Sacremento z9 11/3/2009, 12:00 am

I've been really curious about growing this fruit too...Sounds tasty and appears the tree would be nice looking too. I read in a book that this plant does best in areas with moderate summer heat with ample water and humidity. My summers are hot and dry so I'm not sure how it would do in my neck of the woods ? Anyone have an idea? They do sell them at the local garden centers here so I assume they do ok. I'm thinking about growing this but really don't know much more about it. Mike-Sacramento,CA- 9b

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Posted by Joe Saltspring Island BC on 11/3/2009, 1:00 am, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
66.183.64.51

They are nice shrubs. We grow them here and they do flower and fruit, however I believe you have to grow a couple of them for pollination. Southern Gulf Islands, zone 8b/9a Dry Springs & Summers months and mild wet winters.Annual precip. approx. 30" inches, Extreme winter min. temps. usually not below 20 F.

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Posted by Jake z9 Jax Florida on 11/3/2009, 1:13 am, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
65.80.235.141

Hav esome outside as the foundation shrub. I love them, but they grow way to fast and need to be trimmed almost monthly down here in Florida. No fruit though, but the flowers are unique and awesome looking. Jake http://northernfrontier.wordpress.com Lexington Autumn 2009 Lowest: 29 on 11/06 http://www.nefp.wordpress.com

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Posted by Alex-Atlanta on 11/3/2009, 5:43 am, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
72.255.36.86

Their ornamental quality is superb here in Atlanta. They grow quickly and form exceptionally nice looking trees with beautiful bark and "two tone" leaves (light underside, green on top). I haven't eaten the fruit yet, but as soon as mine produce I will. Although Zac's comment about them tasting like sweet tarts means that like all of my other fruiting plants on my lot (other than tomatoes and figs) my kids will beat me to them. My children ate most of the Satsumas in one day (Phil and I got two), both peaches produced by my first peach tree, all of the grapes. They even eat my Thai basil! Sometimes I think I don't have children, but rabbits instead! You'll love Pineapple Guava. The only injury mine has sustained is my gardener's over-aggressive pruning. Alex Woollcott Atlanta, GA (Buckhead area inside city) Low zone 8a (09 winter low - 12 degrees F) Current obsession: citrus, bamboo, eucs Other passions: birding, surfing, kayaking

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Posted by Alex-Atlanta 7b on 11/3/2009, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Pineapple guava"
208.5.44.21

Once they start fruiting, they will do so providing winter temps didn't drop below 10º. We sit and eat the fruit for breakfast sometimes.

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Posted by Lisa VaSC on 11/3/2009, 10:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Pineapple guava"
64.12.116.209

"moderate summer heat" oh no, I hope that's not so Mike. I just bought euh... 19 of them ! If that is true, then I will need to find them a more shady area. I wanted to plant them in full sun. Ample water and humidity I have but NOT moderate summer heat. Anyone in my area Beaufort SC is growing these ? There is some growing along the path to the main entrance at our rental here. They are mostly in the shade and leggy. I thought they were leggy because of too much shade.

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Posted by Tom St Marys GA on 11/4/2009, 3:53 am, in reply to "Mike and southeast board members."
69.131.167.38

Lisa, they probably need "at least" moderate summer heat. They can tolerate anything our summers dish out in the way of heat and humidity, and grow best in full sun.

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Posted by Eric Orlando on 11/4/2009, 9:10 am, in reply to "Re: Mike and southeast board members."
216.176.240.1

They grow well here and are a good low maintanence shrub, very drought and pest resistant. They flower heavily but rarely set fruit. I have read they like cooler climates to fruit heavily. They are commercially grown in New Zealand. Years ago a local grocery used to carry feijoa fruits from NZ. I liked them. They had a sweet but tangy taste. Eric Orlando,FL

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Posted by Alex-Atlanta on 11/5/2009, 12:27 am, in reply to "Re: Pineapple guava - a bumper crop this year"
24.98.254.48

My children usually beat me AND THE SQUIRRELS to any form of edible fruit growing on my lot. They don't like figs fortunately .... and tomatoes. But they eat the raspberries before I ever get any, they eat most of the satsumas and kumquats, and the two peaches that my young tree produced were devoured before I knew it! Those crazy kids even eat my Thai Basil. They say it tastes like licorice. Alex Woollcott Atlanta, GA (Buckhead area inside city) Low zone 8a (09 winter low - 12 degrees F) Current obsession: citrus, bamboo, eucs Other passions: birding, surfing, kayaking

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Posted by Lisa VaSC on 11/5/2009, 4:23 am, in reply to "Re: Mike and southeast board members."
205.188.117.12

Thank you Tom, that's what I thought looking at the ones at the rental here. I think all they get is an hour or two only of spring morning sun.

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Posted by Lisa VaSC on 11/5/2009, 4:32 am, in reply to "Re: Mike and southeast board members."
205.188.117.12

Where are they located at Leu ? I was there recently but didn't see them. Although it wouldn't be hard to miss a plant in your loaded garden ! I had a taste of them myself and liked them when I visited Dr MOTYCA's garden at the Citrus expo in Va Beach in 2006. I was at Leu to look at the palms mainly of course but the Julia's Child roses around the fountain were awesome and I bought me one the day after.

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Posted by Eric Orlando on 11/5/2009, 8:44 am, in reply to "Eric..."
216.176.240.1

Along the entire front of the proerty they are planted as a screen hedge along the front fence. There is also a grouping of them behind the citrus grove and some as a screen along the Tropical Stream Garden. Also some way back in the woods used for screening. Eric Orlando,FL

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Posted by Lisa VaSC on 11/5/2009, 9:42 am, in reply to "Re: Eric..."
64.12.116.209

Now that I think of it, I did see the ones at the front of the property but missed the other ones looking probably at blooms rather than foliage. Thanks Eric.

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