Planting Guava: See How To Plant This Crop
Guava (Psidium guajava) is a tropical fruit known for its unique flavour, high vitamin C content, and numerous health benefits.
It’s widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions, making Nigeria suitable for guava farming.
Guava farming in Nigeria is gaining attention due to its potential for profitability, as the demand for the fruit is increasing domestically and internationally.
This article provides a detailed guide on successfully planting guava, covering everything from choosing the right location to harvesting.
Description of a Guava Plant
The guava plant is a small, shallow-rooted tree that, depending on the variety, typically grows between 3 and 10 meters tall.
It belongs to the Myrtaceae family.
The tree has smooth, copper-coloured bark that peels off in flakes, revealing a greenish layer underneath.
Guava leaves are opposite and elliptical in shape, and they emit a pleasant aroma when crushed.
The flowers are white with multiple stamens, giving them a delicate appearance.
Depending on the variety, the fruit is round or oval and has green, yellow, or reddish skin.
The flesh can be white, pink, or red, with tiny, edible seeds scattered throughout.
Guavas are valued for their sweet taste and nutritional content, particularly their high vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
Planting Season for Guava in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the best time to plant guava is during the rainy season, which typically runs from March to July.
Planting during this period ensures that the young plants receive adequate water for proper growth and establishment.
While guava trees are relatively drought-tolerant once they mature, they need consistent moisture during their early growth stages to thrive.
Planting Guava
Step 1: Choose a Location
Selecting the right location is crucial for the success of guava farming.
Guava trees thrive in warm, tropical climates ranging from 23°C to 28°C.
The chosen location should receive full sunlight, as guava trees require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter.
Loamy soils are ideal for guava, though the plant can tolerate various soil types, including sandy and clayey.
Avoid areas with poor drainage, as waterlogged conditions can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Step 2: Land Clearing and Preparation
Once you’ve chosen the location, the next step is to clear the land.
Remove any weeds, shrubs, and other unwanted vegetation from the area.
This ensures that the young guava plants won’t compete for nutrients and water with other plants.
After clearing the land, plough or till the soil to loosen it and improve aeration; if the soil is compacted, break it to a depth of about 30 cm to encourage root penetration and development.
Adding organic matter like compost or well-decomposed manure during land preparation can significantly improve soil fertility.
Step 3: Means of Propagation
There are two primary methods of propagating guava:
- Seed Propagation – This is the simplest method, but it takes longer for the plants to mature and bear fruit.
- Vegetative Propagation – Grafting, budding, and air-layering produce faster fruiting plants and are more reliable in fruit quality.
Vegetative propagation is recommended for commercial farming because it ensures that the new plants inherit the desirable traits of the parent plant.
Step 4: How to Plant Guava from Seed
If you choose to plant guava from seed, follow these steps:
- Seed Collection: Harvest ripe guava fruits and extract the seeds. Wash them thoroughly to remove any pulp and allow them to dry in a shaded area for a day or two.
- Seed Germination: Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to enhance germination. After soaking, plant the seeds in a nursery bed or seed trays filled with well-draining soil.
- Transplanting: Once the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall and have developed a few true leaves (usually after 2-3 months), they are ready for transplanting. Transplant them into the prepared field, ensuring the spacing between plants is about 5-6 meters to allow for proper growth and canopy development.
Step 5: Watering
Young guava plants require regular watering, especially during the first few months after planting.
Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Watering should be done 2-3 times per week during the dry season, while natural rainfall should be sufficient during the rainy season.
Mature guava trees are more drought-tolerant and can survive with less frequent watering.
Step 6: Apply Manure
To promote healthy growth and fruit production, apply organic manure such as compost or well-rotted animal manure during planting and throughout the growing season.
You can also apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10) once the plants are established, following the recommended dosage on the package.
Organic matter improves soil structure, enhances nutrient availability, and helps retain moisture.
Maturity and Harvest
Guava trees typically bear fruit within 2 to 4 years after planting, depending on the propagation method used.
Vegetatively propagated trees (such as those grown from grafting or air-layering) tend to bear fruit earlier than those grown from seeds.
The fruits mature within 4 to 6 months after flowering.
Harvesting should occur when the fruits have developed their characteristic colour and aroma.
The fruit should be picked gently to avoid bruising or damaging the tree.
In Nigeria, guavas can be harvested twice a year, usually during the rainy season and towards the end of the year.
Pests and Diseases
Common pests and diseases affecting guava include:
- Fruit flies: These pests lay their eggs inside the fruit, leading to premature fruit drop and low-quality produce.
- Guava scale: These insects attach to the stems and leaves, sucking sap and weakening the plant.
- Anthracnose: A fungal disease that causes dark lesions on the fruit, stems, and leaves, leading to fruit rot.
- Wilt: This disease causes the plant to wilt and die, usually due to a fungal infection in the roots.
Pest and Disease Control
To control pests and diseases, adopt the following practices:
- Use of pesticides: Apply insecticides to control fruit flies and guava scale. Ensure you follow the recommended guidelines to avoid overuse.
- Proper sanitation: Regularly clean the farm by removing fallen leaves and fruits to prevent the buildup of pests and disease-causing organisms.
- Pruning: Prune the guava trees to improve air circulation, reduce humidity, and minimize the chances of fungal infections.
- Biological control: Introduce natural predators like ladybugs to control pest populations like aphids and scales.
How Many Guava Plants Can I Grow on an Acre of Land, and What Quantity of Guava Can I Harvest?
On one acre of land, you can grow approximately 120 to 150 guava plants, depending on the spacing used.
Spacing between plants of about 5-6 meters is recommended to allow for proper canopy development and air circulation.
Depending on the variety and care given, each guava tree can produce 50 to 80 kg of fruit per year.
With 120 guava trees, you can expect to harvest between 6,000 to 9,600 kg of guava annually, although this number can vary based on management practices and environmental conditions.
I hope this article was helpful.
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