Understanding Feijoa Propagation: A Brief Overview
Feijoas, also known as pineapple guava, are relatively easy to propagate by seedlings or cuttings. Propagating feijoa plants allows gardeners to create new plants from existing ones and expand their gardens. Feijoas can be grown from seed but fruiting typically starts after 3-5 years while cuttings fruit within 1-2 years, making cuttings the more efficient propagation method.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.
Preparing the Feijoa Tree for Propagation
There are a few important steps to ensure your feijoa tree is ready for successful propagation. First and foremost, selecting mature, healthy parent plants is key. Only take cuttings from vigorous, pest-free feijoa trees that are at least 3 to 5 years old. Younger plants may lack the resources to successfully root additional cuttings.
Prune the tree in late winter or early spring before taking cuttings.Remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood that could harbor pathogens. Also prune to open up the canopy and improve air circulation which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Check for common feijoa diseases and insects like:
- Botrytis cinerea – Gray mold fungus causing leaf spots and fruit rot
- Spissistilus festinus – Gray pineapple guava slugs which chew on leaves
- Scale insects
Treat any existing issues before propagation to avoid spreading problems to new plants.
Finally, allow cuttings to callus and heal for a few days before planting. This gives cut ends time to seal themselves against pathogens and reduces transplant shock. Proper preparation of the parent plant and cuttings will dramatically increase your chances of success when propagating feijoas.
Methods of Feijoa Propagation: From Seeds to Cuttings
There are four main ways to propagate feijoa plants:
Seeds – Give the most genetic diversity but take the longest time, 3 to 5 years, to produce fruit. After collecting the seeds from ripe fruit, sow fresh seeds immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months before sowing.
Stem cuttings – The simplest method, cuttings produce clones of the parent plant and fruit within 1 to 2 years. Take 15 to 20 cm cuttings in late spring from the current year’s growth.
Leaf cuttings – Similar to stem cuttings but using a single leaf with the petiole.This method has a lower success rate but keeps the plant density lower.
Air layering – A more complex technique involving girdling and wrapping a shoot to encourage root growth while still attached to the parent plant. Once established, the new plant is then severed from the parent.
While seeds offer the most genetic diversity, stem cuttings are the most efficient propagation method for feijoa, producing cloned plants that fruit within 1 to 2 years. Success with cuttings depends highly on:
- Selecting healthy, actively growing shoots
- Proper rooting hormone treatment
- Maintaining high humidity and moderate temperatures
When performed correctly, feijoa cuttings are a reliable way to rapidly multiply your plants while ensuring mature, early fruiting. Less common methods like leaf cuttings and air layering can be useful for specific situations.
Nurturing Feijoa Cuttings: Essential Care Guidelines
After taking feijoa cuttings, there are several essential steps to ensure they root successfully:
1.Dip the stem ends in an organic rooting hormone powder that contains indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). This stimulates the growth of adventitious roots.
Plant the cuttings in sterile, well-drained soil mix with lots of sand and perlite to promote proper drainage and aeration of roots.The soil should be kept continually moist but not soggy wet.
Place the cuttings in part shade and provide protection from extremes of temperature and drying winds. High temperatures and full sun can dessicate new cuttings before roots are established.
4.Keep humidity levels between 65% to 80% during the rooting phase using a propagator,clear plastic bag or high walls. High humidity around the stems and leaves reduces transpiration rates and water loss.
Only move rooted cuttings into full sun after callousing and developing at least 3 – 4 healthy roots roughly 2-3 inches http://long.At|long.At this stage, they can better tolerate more exposure.
Gradually acclimate cuttings to outside conditions through hardening off – placing them outdoors for increasing periods of time over 1 to 2 weeks. This adjusts new plants to fluctuations in temperature,light and wind speeds before planting in the ground.
Follow these nurturing guidelines closely, especially for the first 4-6 weeks after taking cuttings, to ensure the highest rates of survival and rapid root growth.Proper feijoa cutting care at the beginning yields mature, productive plants for years down the line.
Troubleshooting Common Issues in Feijoa Propagation
Despite following proper care guidelines, feijoa cuttings can still fail to root and grow due to several common issues:
Fungal disease– Look for lesions,spots or mold on leaves and stems.Diseases like grey mold can kill cuttings. Treat with organic sulphur or neem oil sprays and improve airflow/reduce humidity.
Leaf drop – Premature defoliation indicates the cutting is not getting enough water or is exposed to extreme temperatures. Check soil moisture is adequate and provide wind protection.
Root rot – Roots turn dark and decay due to excess moisture and poor drainage. Lift cuttings to check roots and improve soil conditions.
Wilting – Cuttings wilt and fail to recover when allowed to dry out. Check soil moisture frequently and ensure container trays don’t run dry between waterings.
Solutions:
- Inspect cuttings daily for problems
- Improve sanitary conditions and air circulation
- Reduce watering frequency if roots are soggy
- Move cuttings to shade if wilting on hot days
- Treat root rot cuttings with fungicide and re-plant
- Discard cuttings with advanced disease or decay
A combination of factors is often the root cause (no pun intended)! Carefully diagnosing issues will help pinpoint solutions:
- Increase air flow and humidity control
- Monitor soil moisture more closely
- Improve drainage and aeration of rooting media
- Move containers to filtered light if cuttings are stressed
- Consider fungicide dips or powder on stems before planting
With patience and careful observation, most common feijoa propagation problems can be addressed to increase your success rates over time. Many cuttings may fail initially but a few survivors can re-stock your entire garden.
More Helpful Guide
- How Many Calories Are In A Feijoa Fruit
- Can Feijoa Cause Allergic Reactions
- Can You Ferment Feijoa Fruit
- How Do You Make Feijoa Fruit Fly
- What Is The Difference Between Pineapple Guava And Feijoa
- What Kinds Of Feijoa Fruit Are There
- How Do You Propagate Feijoa Trees
- What Diseases Affect Feijoa Plants
- How Do You Prune Feijoa Trees
- What Kind Of Climate Do Feijoa Trees Need
- How Long Does It Take For A Feijoa Tree To Bear Fruit
- What Is The Best Soil For Feijoa Plants
- How Far Apart Should Feijoa Trees Be Planted
- How Do You Grow Feijoa Plants From Seeds
- What Are Feijoa Leaves Used For
- What Does Feijoa Fruit Taste Like
- How Long Do Feijoas Last After Ripening
- How Do You Store Feijoa Fruit
- How Do You Choose A Ripe Feijoa Fruit
- What Are The Health Benefits Of Feijoa Fruit
- What Is Feijoa
- 10 Best Feijoa Companion Plants And 3 Avoid
- Optimizing Soil Conditions For Healthy Feijoa
- Preventing Pests And Diseases In Feijoa
- The Top 5 Fertilizers For Healthy Feijoa
- How To Know If Feijoa Is Healthy? Expert’S Latest Advice
- How Often Do Feijoa Bloom
- The Best Place To Put Feijoa
- What Is The Lifespan Of Feijoa
- Expert’S Latest Complete Guide On Sunlight Feijoa
- How To Water Feijoa
- How To Propagate Feijoa
- How To Propagate Feijoa
- How To Transplante Feijoa
- How To Transplante Feijoa
- How To Grow And Care Feijoa
- How To Care And Grow Feijoa
Frequently Asked Question
Can you juice feijoas?
Yes, you can juice feijoas. Combine with sweeter fruits like pineapple or orange. Strain pulp if desired.
Can feijoa trees be grown as container plants?
Yes, feijoa trees can be grown in containers. Use a large pot, provide good drainage and bring indoors if cold. Limit size with pruning.
What is the proper way to harvest feijoa fruit?
Pick feijoas by hand, twist and pull to separate from fruit stem cleanly. Take care not to bruise the delicate fruit.
How long does it take for a feijoa tree to bear fruit?
It takes roughly 3-5 years for feijoa trees to start bearing fruit significantly. The fruiting season is fall.
How do you plant and grow a feijoa tree?
Plant feijoa trees in well draining, slightly acidic soil. Space them 15-20 feet apart. Fertilize in spring and water regularly for the first 2 years until established.
Can you juice feijoas?
Yes, you can juice feijoas. Combine with sweeter fruits like pineapple or orange. Strain pulp if desired.
What is the proper way to harvest feijoa fruit?
Pick feijoas by hand, twist and pull to separate from fruit stem cleanly. Take care not to bruise the delicate fruit.
Are feijoa trees cold hardy?
Feijoa trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 to 15°F when mature, so they can handle cooler climates.
What is the proper way to harvest feijoa fruit?
Pick feijoas by hand, twist and pull to separate from fruit stem cleanly. Take care not to bruise the delicate fruit.
How long does it take for a feijoa tree to bear fruit?
It takes roughly 3-5 years for feijoa trees to start bearing fruit significantly. The fruiting season is fall.
What does a feijoa taste like?
The flesh of the feijoa is whitish translucent, juicy, and gritty soft. The flavor is sweet and tart with hints of guava and pineapple. The seeds in the center are edible.
Where do feijoa trees originate from?
Feijoa trees originated in regions of South America including southern Brazil, parts of Colombia, Uruguay and northern Argentina. They thrive in areas with cool winters and hot summers.
