Matt's 9b field note
“My favorite guava. Very vigorous, huge creamy fruit — had three fruits in its first year in the ground.”
Background
A Mexican/Central American landrace selection of Psidium guajava, not a formally bred cultivar; its exact origin is undocumented. It is closely associated with Calvillo, Aguascalientes, Mexico, the self-styled 'guava capital of the world,' and is considered a top-tier fresh-eating guava among collectors.
Distinguishing traits
Pale yellow skin with an occasional red blush; creamy white flesh with a custard-like texture; very sweet and aromatic. Lemon-sized fruit; heavy producer; self-fertile.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- None needed (tropical evergreen).
- Cold hardiness
- In-ground in zones 9b-11. Established trees take brief dips to about 27-28°F with damage; protect young trees below about 30°F.
- Heat tolerance
- Loves heat. Give afternoon shade and deep mulch the first summers; mature trees handle 110°F+ with deep watering.
- Water
- Regular deep watering in heat; do not let young trees dry out.
- Soil
- Tolerates a range of soils. Watch for iron chlorosis in alkaline AZ soil; use chelated iron or acidify as needed.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun once established.
Where to buy
- Agrownet