Growing and caring for feijoa in the open field and at home, useful properties

Sometimes summer residents take up the cultivation of unusual plants, completely atypical for the climate of the region of residence. Cultivating feijoa on the site, the gardener needs to know the subtleties and features of planting. Observing them, it is possible to get an excellent harvest.

Botanical description and characteristics of the southern tree

To get to know an exotic plant better, you need to study its biological description. Knowing what a plant is, it is easier to breed and grow it.

External parameters

This is a shrub or tree, depending on the method of formation. The peculiarity of the plant is that it is evergreen. In addition, the spreading crown grows up to 7 m in height.

The shrub loves moisture, for this reason its roots lie close to the surface, have strong branching and compactness.

Due to its unusual appearance and exotic origin, the tree is used as a decorative decoration of the site.

The flower has white petals and many red stamens. This makes the feijoa even more exotic during flowering.

Growth process

The feijoa tree is used for bonsai art, indoor bonsai cultivation. Feijoa responds well to pruning and shaping. It belongs to fast-growing plants.

Reproduction

There are several ways to breed a southern plant, each gardener can choose the most suitable one:

1. Seeds. It is ineffective, as it does not germinate well.
2. Cuttings. Cut from the middle of the crown. Efficiency is high; after rooting, they are planted in a permanent place.
3. Root processes. Fast and highly efficient.

More often, gardeners use the growth reproduction method, since the plant is rooted and grows quickly.

Pollination, flowering and fruiting

Feijoa is self-sterile, so insects are required for pollination. During flowering, insects are attracted by spraying the tree with a sweet solution.

The bloom is abundant and very colorful throughout the month.Therefore, many gardeners grow a tree as a decoration for a garden plot.

When the berry ripens, it depends on the climatic conditions of the growing region. With proper care and fulfillment of all the requirements of agricultural technology, fruiting is annual and abundant.

Taste qualities of the berry

They love this plant for the extraordinary combination of taste characteristics of 3 fruits:

• pineapple;
• kiwi;
• strawberries.

The harmonious combination allows using feijoa fruits for fresh consumption and preparations for the winter.

Application of the fruits and leaves of the tree

Summer residents use mature fruits and leaves, which help in the treatment of certain diseases. Their correct use has a beneficial effect on the human body.

In cooking

Ripe fruits are used mainly for the preparation of fruit salads. In addition, berries are great for cooking:

• jam;
• compotes;
• jams;
• juice;
• fillings in pies;
• various desserts and much more.

Suitable for decorating cakes and other culinary pastries.

Due to its extraordinary taste, feijoa is used for fresh consumption. In addition, the fruits are used for cooking meat, fish and other dishes.

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In cosmetology

For cosmetic purposes, both the leaves and the fruits of the southern plant are used. Fruits are in demand, which can rejuvenate the skin, relieving it of various diseases.

Feijoa is used to prepare masks that have a nourishing, anti-inflammatory, refreshing and softening effect on the treated area (face, décolleté, hands). In addition, blood circulation improves, inflammation is relieved.

In folk medicine

This fruit has been successfully used to treat or alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases. The berry is useful for diabetics, as it improves the functioning of the thyroid gland. A decoction of the leaves helps to relieve inflammation in the presence of an ulcer.

Feijoa consumption rate for diabetics is not more than 2 pcs.

Using the fruit for food, you can:

• fight stress;
• control blood pressure;
• fight pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases;
• to carry out the prevention of colds, atherosclerosis;
• increase vitality and immunity.

This is not the whole list of the positive effects of the fruit on the body. When eating feijoa berries, it is necessary to take into account the medicinal properties and contraindications of the fruit. It is undesirable to use in the following cases:

• if the fruit is immature, it causes poisoning;
• do not mix with dairy products;
• use with caution in diabetes;
• do not give to children under 1 year old.

You do not need to mindlessly consume the berry, you should listen to the body's reaction.

Feijoa cultivation methods

There are several ways to grow a southern tree. Every summer resident has the right to choose a suitable one for himself. The most common breeding methods for feijoa are cuttings and planting of seeds.

Seeds

A very long but simple process. Variety characteristics are not preserved. It should take 5 years from planting seeds to the appearance of the first fruits. Feijoa planting material is used fresh or old, but not older than 2 years. The fruit from which the seeds are taken must be fully ripe.

Planting dates are January-March. Experienced summer residents are advised to do this in February. The seeds are small, so they are scattered in a small pot and sprinkled with earth a little. Then tighten with polyethylene and leave until germination, maintaining moisture. The optimum temperature for germination is + 18… + 25 ⁰С. Approximate time to germination is 1 month.

After the appearance of the second leaf, the seedlings dive and leave for a year in containers. Only next year they are transplanted to a permanent place.

Cuttings

This method is more laborious, but all the properties of the mother plant are preserved.A favorable period for breeding in this way is November – December. A branch with a length of 15 cm is cut from the shrub, it should have at least 3 leaves. One is removed before planting, leaving only the top 2.

To accelerate rooting, use "Kornevin" or another agent that stimulates the growth of the root system. After that, the twig is buried in the ground by 2/3 parts. Then cover with a glass container, periodically airing.

Planting and caring for seedlings in the open field

It is possible to grow on a feijoa plot; in order to obtain a result, it is necessary to fulfill the necessary conditions and requirements of agricultural technology

Recommended growing areas

The southern plant loves warmth and does not tolerate low temperatures, especially severe winters. Therefore, cultivation in areas with a harsh climate is not possible outdoors. Including in the suburbs, growing feijoa on its territory, the summer resident risks losing the tree.

Most suitable:

• Crimea;
• Georgia;
• Azerbaijan;
• Krasnodar region.

In other regions, planting a tree is possible only if it will be transferred to a warm place for the winter.

Required soil composition

The peculiarity of the plant is that it is undemanding to the soil composition. But feijoa prefers sandy loam and loamy soil.

Timing and scheme of planting sprouts

Landing in each region is individual, as it directly depends on the characteristics of the climate. Plants are planted in spring or autumn. Distance between trees 4 m.

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Loosening the soil

After each watering, it is required to loosen the soil near the tree, this will help ensure oxygen access to the roots and keep moisture in the soil longer.

Watering

When growing feijoa, remember that it always needs moisture. But do not be zealous, as excess liquid harms the plant. Therefore, watered after the top layer dries.

Fertilizer

To increase the volume of fruits, you need to regularly feed the southern tree, alternating organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Feeding is carried out during the entire growing season.

Seasonal pruning and pinching

In order to limit the growth of feijoa, you need to pinch it, just do it carefully. Only seedlings that have reached a height of 30 cm are pinched, 1/3 of the highest shoot is removed.

The annual spring-autumn pruning of the plant is carried out regularly, excess branches are removed, and a crown is formed, where the main branches grow and do not interfere with the growth of neighboring branches.

Do not forget about sanitary pruning, remove all dry branches and those that have defects.

Preparing for winter

In harsh winters, the plant should be protected by wrapping it up for the winter. The frost resistance of the tree is average, it can withstand temperatures down to -11 ⁰С. In more severe frosts, the entire plant will die. Further growth is possible only from the root.

It is best to plant homemade varieties of exotic fruit in such regions.

How to grow at home

For indoor cultivation, you need to select a feijoa variety and soil for planting. Then, taking care of, they get a good harvest from the mini-tree.

What you need: earth, drainage and a pot

The soil composition is as follows, the following components are taken in equal parts:

• humus;
• turf;
• sand.

Gardeners talk about the undemandingness of feijoa to the composition of the soil, so it grows in ordinary garden soil or a substrate purchased from a store..

The capacity is initially taken small, within 3 years the plant must be transplanted, each time using a larger pot.

Lighting and thermal conditions

The plant is southern, therefore it loves light very much. But not direct sunlight, which can cause burns. With a lack of lighting, homemade feijoa should be supplemented.

During flowering, the temperature should be about + 21 ... + 23 ⁰С, in winter the plant rests, so it is enough to maintain + 15 ⁰С.

Irrigation

Water in the same way as in the open field, as the top layer dries. In addition, the tree is sprayed with water, the more often the better, because it loves moisture.

Regular feeding

They use mineral fertilizers and organic matter, as well as natural fertilizers, nettle, charcoal and other substances. By alternating them with each other, the gardener helps the plant become stronger and bear fruit.

Crown formation

The peculiarity of feijoa is that it tolerates formation well. Some of the varieties of this tree are used for bonsai art. Thus, at home, using garden shears, the tree is given any shape. Formation begins from the moment when the tree reaches a size of 30 cm. First of all, the growth point is removed. And then as the fantasy tells.

Plant pests and diseases. Ways to fight

This tree, like other fruit trees, needs the help of a gardener in the fight against pests and diseases. Feijoa is resistant to disease. But the timely implementation of preventive treatments against insects and diseases will not hurt.

Feijoa is exotic that has long ceased to be a novelty. Therefore, growing a tree is within the power of any gardener who has the desire and ability.