My guava fruit gets worms. What can I do to prevent this?
Identifying the pest is important in order to get specific control recommendation. But there are some general considerations. Don't underestimate the importance of good soil and water management, and sanitation.
Starting early with preventive control measures is important, it is difficult to control an active infestation.
From my experience growing mangoes and guavas which are both susceptible to fruit fly infestation, the pheromone and vinegar traps are least effective because they only get a percent of adult flies and leave many more to infest the fruit. The bagging method and early harvest if possible is best, along with good growing conditions and sanitation.
This is from Australia, but you may find something similar in SA, or make your own.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20-Fruit-Protection-Bags-Stop-Fruit-Fly-Exclusion-Bag-/391416884513
Organic botanical pest repellents need frequent spraying, every week during peak infestation times and are marginally effective for fruit flies, if that's what it is.
I'm an American arborist, I've been to SA twice but never worked there, so you may want to seek local professional advise for identification and treatment recommendations.
These articles may help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/guava-pest-control.htm
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/treat-fruit-flies-guavas-30550.html
I have not used the biological controls and sterile fly release methods, but that is something to consider.
My guava tree is so high that the best fruit is on top. The guava tree is really high more ten 10 ft. Right now it has a lot of fruit but I want to cut it so it can be 5 ft tree and this way I can moderate it growth and not let it grown so high. Now tell me what to do.
I don't know if this much change in size is viable, but you certainly can prune to improve shape and fruit production.
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/guava-tree-pruning.htm
I have a decently healthy guava plant 1/½ yes old almost 20 ft high. Leaves, branches seems to look healthy once it started growing after initial months of stunted growth. However right from the begining almost 90% of the guava fruits seems to fall of prematurely. Please advice and suggest what step I need to take. It's a Thai variety Guava plant purplish in colour planted in North East region of India - Assam, Guwahati.which is a conducive climate for such a plant considered Tropical region. Look forward to your response for corrective measures if it needs to be undertaken. Haven't used any other fertilisers besides Vermicompost though not that very frequently.
Without photos it would be hard to say. If that is the only thing that the tree has been fed with, then I would suggest that the tree may be lacking in nutrients. There are many fruit tree fertilizers on the market, and most will work just fine.
Please include some photos, and I will be able to help you a little better. In the meantime, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/guava-tree-wont-fruit.htm
This article will give you information on growing guava trees: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/growing-guava-fruit-trees.htm
Sure and thank you for your prompt response. I will try to share and upload few images of the plant ASAP.
Best Regards
Buzz
Dear Dr. Bush, This further to the query I had on premature falling of guava fruits. I have uploaded few images for your reference as suggested. Hope it helps in giving you some insight to the issue. Thanks and best regards Buzz
Your tree is healthy! There should be no worry here at all. Your tree is simply too young to bear fruit properly.
You may have a few remain to ripen this year, but proper pruning will ensure future harvests. This article will help you to do so, properly: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/guava-tree-pruning.htm
Thank you so much for your advice and suggestion.
Best regards
Buzz
I got a guava tree that still small and young 10ft tall and 2 years old. This year produce one delicious fruit in season (summer), the about 5 more past the season (sept) this 5 guava still growing they are about 1.5" long, but I see that have a like dry brown spot along all the fruit. I will like to know the cause and how I can take care that, thanks for you help. Note; this guava plant came from a friend in Homestead Fl. And he told me that is a variety that dosen't develop worms. (Pink in color)
That appears to be a fungal/bacterial issue. I would treat with a fungicide, and only water it when the soil remains dry to long periods.
These articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/growing-guava-fruit-trees.htm
In my residence some fruit (Guava, orange,mango) plants are in pots.I don't know to make soil, what fertilizer to be used, when and what quantity to be used.
These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/mango/mango-trees-in-pots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/growing-guava-in-containers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/oranges/orange-tree-container-care.htm
its old leaves are going dry and new leaves' ends are black. I need to stop it to full dry?
From the photos, with the drying of leaf tips and leaf edges, I suspect water deficit/ drought stress. It needs more watering, deeper and more frequent. And the yellowing of the leaves indicates nutrient deficiency.
Soil fertility and water management are vital for plant health, flowering and fruit development.
Water a wide area not just near the tree trunk, water the entire area of the absorbing root zone which spreads as far as the foliar canopy and more. Water deeply to wet the soil a minimum of six inches, preferably to 10 - 12 inches.
Mulch the soil surface to help retain soil moisture.
Fertilize spring and summer with a slow release complete organic fertilizer.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/guava/growing-guava-fruit-trees.htm