Feijoa: indoor and outdoor cultivation, care and beneficial properties

Sometimes summer residents take up the cultivation of unusual plants, completely atypical for the climate of the region of residence. Being engaged in the cultivation of feijoa on the site, the gardener needs to know the subtleties and features of planting. Observing them, there is an opportunity 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 a 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. Why feijoa becomes even more exotic during flowering.

Growth process

The feijoa tree is used for the art of bonsai, growing bonsai indoors. Feijoa responds well to pruning and shaping. It refers to fast-growing plants.

Reproduction

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

1. Seeds. Ineffective, as they germinate poorly.
2. Shanks. Cut from the middle of the crown. The efficiency is high, after rooting they are planted in a permanent place.
3. Root shoots. Fast and highly efficient.

More often, gardeners use the method of propagation by shoots, as the plant is rooted and grows quickly.

Pollination, flowering and fruiting

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

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

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

Berry taste

Love this plant for an unusual combination of taste characteristics of 3 fruits:

• pineapple;
• kiwi;
• strawberries.

Harmonious combination allows you to use feijoa fruit for fresh consumption and preparations for the winter.

Using the fruits and leaves of the tree

Summer residents use the ripe fruits of the culture, and the leaves, which help in the treatment of certain diseases. Proper use of them has a beneficial effect on the human body.

Cooking

Mature fruits are used mainly for making fruit salads. In addition, the berries are great for cooking:

• jam;
• compotes;
• jams;
• juice;
• fillings for pies;
• various desserts and 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 to prepare meat, fish and other dishes.

In cosmetology

The leaves and fruits of the southern plant are used for cosmetic purposes. Fruits that are able to rejuvenate the skin, relieving it of various diseases are in demand.

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 in the treatment or alleviation of the symptoms of certain diseases. A berry is useful for diabetics, as it improves the functioning of the thyroid gland. A decoction of the leaves helps relieve inflammation in the presence of an ulcer.

No more than 2 feijoa for diabetics

Using fruit for food, you can:

• combat stress;
• control blood pressure;
• fight pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases;
• to prevent colds, atherosclerosis;
• increase vitality and immunity.

This is not the whole list of the positive effects of fruit on the body. When eating feijoa berries for food, it is necessary to take into account the medicinal properties and contraindications of the fruit. It is undesirable to apply 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.

Don't mindlessly consume the berry, you should listen to the reaction of the body.

Methods of growing feijoa

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

Seeds

Very long but simple process. Varietal characteristics are not saved. From planting seeds to the appearance of the first fruits, 5 years should pass. 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 January-March. Experienced summer residents advise doing 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 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.

Shanks

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

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

Planting and caring for seedlings in the open field

It is possible to grow feijoa on the site, to obtain the result it is necessary to fulfill the necessary conditions and requirements of agricultural technology

Recommended Growing Areas

Southern plant loves warmth and does not tolerate low temperatures very well, especially harsh winters. Therefore, cultivation in areas with a harsh climate is not possible in the open field. Including in the Moscow region, growing feijoa on its territory, the summer resident risks losing the tree.

Best fit:

• Crimea;
• Georgia;
• Azerbaijan;
• Krasnodar Territory.

In other regions, planting a tree is possible only if it is moved 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 and loamy soil.

Terms and scheme of planting sprouts

Landing in each region is individual, as it directly depends on the climate. Planted plants in spring or autumn. Distance between trees 4 m.

Loosening the soil

After each watering, you need to loosen the ground near the tree, this will help ensure oxygen access to the roots and retain moisture in the soil longer.

Irrigation

When growing feijoa, remember that it always needs moisture. But do not be zealous, as excess liquid is harmful to the plant. Therefore, water 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. Feed the entire growing season.

Seasonal pruning and pinching

In order to limit the growth of feijoa, it must be pinched, just do it carefully. Pinch only seedlings that have reached a height of 30 cm, remove 1/3 of the highest shoot.

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 with defects.

Preparing for winter

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

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

How to grow at home

For growing indoors, you need to select a feijoa variety and soil for planting. Then, by caring, they get a good harvest from a mini-tree.

What you need: soil, 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 undemanding nature of feijoa to the composition of the soil, so it grows in ordinary garden soil or store-bought substrate.

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

Lighting and thermal management

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

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

Irrigation

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

Regular feeding

Use mineral fertilizers and organics, as well as natural fertilizers, nettles, charcoal and other substances. By alternating between them, the gardener helps the plant become stronger and bear fruit.

Crown formation

The peculiarity of feijoa is that it tolerates shaping well. Some of the varieties of this tree are used for the art of bonsai. 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 fantasy tells.

Pests and plant 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 disease resistant. But the timely implementation of preventive treatments against insects and diseases will not hurt.

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

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