Psidium cattleianum - Red cherry / strawberry guava

Originated in southern Brazil. Also known as Strawberry or Cattley Guavas after William Cattley, an English horticulturist who encouraged its cultivation in England in the early 1800s.

Landscape Value

Cattley guavas are excellent for landscaping, can be grown in large containers and fruit, can also be grown as an ornamental hedge. Strawberry Guavas are good for home gardens for their ornamental properties, their non-invasive root system and their attractive foliage and flowers.

Nutritional Value

Guavas are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and are good source of niacin, potassium and dietary fibre. They provide 62 kilocalories per 100g/3oz.

How to Eat

Eaten fresh, but can also be used for jellies, jams, ice cream, sauces, cakes, tarts, drinks and chutney.

Generic Fruiting Time

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Growing

Sun

Trees are best grown in full sun can grow with little shade.

Wind

Good salt tolerance, protect when small from wind.

Climate

Can tolerate freezing temperatures down to -5.5c without damage, and even lower for brief periods. Young trees are less cold tolerant and need extra protection. Have a climatic range similar to orange trees. The yellow form is more cold tender than the red fruited form.

Soil

Guavas can grow in poor soil. Drought tolerance is high in the red-fruited species, with the yellow-fruited types being more tolerant to short periods of flooding. Trees produce better-quality fruits if given regular moisture during fruit formation.

Fertiliser

Balanced fertiliser 2-3 times a year when trees are young, with applications still continuing as the tree matures, but of lesser amounts. Add calcium and magnesium, as well as the micronutrients.

Pruning

Prune in late autumn or early spring. Flowers and fruits are produced on the present seasons growth, so do not prune once spring growth has commenced. Guavas can be pruned or trained to form a large bush to allow easier harvesting, or into a small tree with a single trunk.

Pests

This plant has very few problems with pests & diseases. But can get fruit flies going for the fruit. Birds love to feast on these fruit, bird netting may be needed.

Hardiness

Can tolerate harsh conditions, to -5°C

Red cherry / strawberry guava

Red cherry / strawberry guava

Common name   Red cherry / strawberry guava
Botanical name   Psidium cattleianum
Height (m)   6
Edible  
Evergreen  
Fruit / berries  
Perennial  
Shade / Sun   Full sun

 Related

Guava - Cherry Yellow Cherry

Guava - Cherry Yellow Cherry

Botanical name   Psidium cattleyanum
Family   Myrtaceae
Details  

Fruit about 2.5cm round turning golden yellow when fully ripe. April - July. Aromatic, juicy with small edible seeds

Small tree from 2-4 metres. Can be moderately vigorous. Spreading habit. Prune for size or shape late autumn or early spring. Fruits on new seasons growth (reddish-bronze colour) prune before spring growth starts.

Self-fertile, pollinated by insects and birds.

Can tolerate costal conditions and some shade.
Harvest      
Height (m)   2 - 4
Flowers   white
Edible  
Evergreen  
Frost sensitive  
Fruit / berries  
Perennial  
Shade / Sun   Full sun
Soil type   free-draining rich in organic matter
Red cherry guava seeds

Red cherry guava seeds

Common name   Strawberry guava
Botanical name   Psidium cattleianum
Details   Small evergreen tree or shrub slowly growing to 6 meters. Native to Brazil. Red fruit, up to 3cm in diameter, with numerous hard small seeds. Rich in vitamin C
Edible  
Evergreen  
Frost sensitive  
Fruit / berries  
Perennial  
Tags     edible  evergreen  fruit  perennial  red  tender  tree 
Price   $3.90  20 seeds
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