Cattley Guava
Uses
Guavas are best fresh, but they can be processed into jams, jellies, juices, pastries, chutney, pie, ice cream, etc. They are high in pectin and fiber which keeps things moving along in the digestive system. They also contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, lycopene and other antioxidants.
Care
Guavas can grow like large, spreading shrubs or can be trained into single trunk trees. They have an attractive, patchy red and brown bark, their large leaves may turn red during the winter. They can develop leaf damage at 29 deg, but they can freeze down to the ground and regrow from the roots, mulch will help protect the roots form cold damage. Guavas are lo maintenance, they can grow in a variety of soils and and can handle drought, and soils usually considered too wet for fruit trees. Fruit will usually ripen between late summer and late fall, and can be picked when mostly colored and let ripen indoors at room temperature until slightly yellow, soft and highly fragrant.