What is Feijoa and what makes it so special?
The feijoa (acca sellowiana), also known as the Brazilian guava or mountain guava, is an evergreen shrub native to the mountainous regions of southern Brazil, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and parts of Paraguay. Within the family myrtaceae, shares kinship with fruits such as guava and myrtle, but stands out for its spectacular ornamental value and the quality of its fruits.
The feijoa fruit is oval, deep green, with a juicy, fragrant, and sweet-tart pulp, which many describe as a combination of pineapple, strawberry, and mint. These fruits are appreciated both for their flavor and for their outstanding properties. nutritional properties and health benefits.
Botanical and ornamental characteristics of feijoa
- Plant type: evergreen shrub or small tree that reaches between 2 and 5 meters in height, although in optimal conditions it can exceed this figure.
- Sheets: oval, leathery, 3-6 cm long, with a bright green upper surface and a whitish, velvety underside.
- Flowers: Large, very showy, with four whitish or pinkish petals and numerous red stamens. They are edible and very attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
- Bark and branching: Rough, grayish trunk with dense branching. It can be pruned into a tree or left as a shrub.
Due to its aesthetic appeal and distinctive flowers, feijoa is grown both in orchards for its fruit and in gardens and medians for hedges or single specimens. Its roots are shallow and it is advisable to pad them to protect them.
Nutritional properties and benefits of feijoa
Feijoa is a highly nutritious fruit, with notable contributions in vitamins A, C and E, as well as B vitamins (especially folic acid). In addition, it is an excellent source of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc and iron. Stands out for:
- Be rich in vitamin C: More than half of the recommended daily amount in 100 grams, which contributes to immune strengthening and tissue formation.
- Provide dietary fiber: It helps regulate intestinal transit, control cholesterol and maintain satiety, which facilitates weight control.
- Have a low glycemic index and low calorie content: ideal for diabetics and low-calorie diets.
- Contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds: thanks to polyphenols, flavonoids, caffeic acid and vitamin E, which contribute to cellular health and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
- Being a notable source of potassium and magnesium: essential for nerve and muscle function.
The consumption of feijoa has also been shown to have effects anti-inflammatory and antimicrobials and can help reduce joint pain and prevent chronic diseases.
Feijoa in food and health
Its fruits can be consumed Fresh, simply split in half to enjoy the flesh, although the skin is also edible (though rough for many). They are popular in jams, juices, desserts, and fermented products like wines and ciders. In South America and Oceania, it's common to find feijoa-based sweets, compotes, and even liqueurs.
It stands out as functional fruit for his contribution to:
- Antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E): that help combat cellular aging.
- Folic acid: essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and maintain liver health.
- Antimicrobial properties: Recent studies demonstrate some effectiveness against bacteria and fungi.
- Anti-inflammatory Potential: thanks to caffeic acid and polyphenols.
Approximate nutritional values of feijoa per 100 grams:
- Calories: 38 Kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Sugars: 4 g
- Proteins: 0,6 g
- Fat: 0,4 g
- Vitamin C: 28 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
Thanks to these properties, feijoa is especially useful in diets for weight control and general well-being.
Cultivation and adaptation areas
Feijoa is grown in subtropical and temperate regions of South America, with Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay being its main areas of origin. However, its adaptability allows it to successfully expand to other countries with similar conditions, such as Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Valencian Community, Andalusia, Canary Islands), New Zealand, Georgia, Ukraine and parts of the United States and Turkey.
In the domestic sphere, feijoa can be planted both in gardens and orchards as in large pots, making it suitable for small areas and varied climates as long as its basic needs are respected.
Agroecological requirements for feijoa cultivation
- Optimal climate: It prefers temperatures between 10 and 30°C, although it can tolerate temperatures as low as -12°C once established. Severe frost can affect flowers and developing fruit.
- Light: Exposure to full sun or, failing that, partial shade. A minimum of 6 hours of direct light favors flowering and fruit quality.
- Ground: Slightly acidic or neutral (pH 5,5-7,0), well-drained, and rich in organic matter. It tolerates sandy, clayey, and moderately saline soils, but does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Precipitation: Between 700 and 2000 mm per year, although it requires additional irrigation in the dry months.
- Wind: It is wind resistant, but strong winds can damage branches and flowers.
How to plant and multiply feijoa
Reproduction by seeds:
- Extract seeds from ripe fruits and clean them well of pulp.
- Sow in early spring in moist substrate, 1 cm deep.
- Keep in a warm place until germination (3-4 weeks).
- Transplant seedlings when they are 10 cm tall, ensuring a spacing of at least 2 meters between specimens in permanent plantations.
Vegetative reproduction (cuttings or layering):
- Take apical cuttings and root in moist substrate in spring.
- Layering is also effective and allows the characteristics of the mother plant to be preserved.
Reproduction by cuttings produces fruit faster than reproduction by seeds, since the plant can begin to bear fruit as early as the second or third year.
Essential cultural care for success with feijoa
- Irrigation: Moderate but regular watering, avoiding waterlogging. Organic mulch helps retain moisture in the roots.
- Fertilization: It is recommended to enrich the soil with compost or organic fertilizer every spring and fall. During growth and fruiting, use balanced NPK fertilizers and provide additional nutrients based on soil analysis.
- Pruning: Perform formative pruning starting in the third year to guide the shrub's architecture, preferably in late winter. Keep the canopy aerated to prevent disease and improve fruit ripening. Remove dead branches, suckers, and those that block light.
- Phytosanitary protection and control: Although it is hardy, it can be affected by mealybugs, scale insects, and occasionally fungi if humidity is high. Potassium soap is suitable as a natural preventative. Monitor during flowering, the most vulnerable period.
Flowering, pollination and fruiting
Feijoa blooms between spring and summer, depending on the climate. Its flowers are hermaphrodites, but many varieties are not completely self-fertile. It's advisable to plant several varieties to promote cross-pollination and obtain greater fruit quantity and quality.
- Pollination: Carried out by bees, birds and, to a lesser extent, by the wind.
- Fruiting age: From 3-4 years if started from seed, earlier if cuttings or layering are used.
- Production duration: It can remain in full production for decades, reaching 30 years or more with proper care.
Harvesting takes place between late autumn and winter. The fruit is ripe when it yields slightly to pressure and releases its characteristic aroma.
Production, yield and agronomic recommendations
- Yield per adult plant: between 30 and 40 kg of fruit per year under optimal conditions.
- Production per hectare: It can exceed 20 tons depending on density, handling and altitude.
- Factors that improve production: Effective cross-pollination, regular pruning, irrigation control, fertilization tailored to soil needs, and removal of lower-quality fruit to strengthen the growth of the best ones.
Common problems and frequently asked questions
- Yellow sheets: They indicate excess water, compacted soil, or nutrient deficiency. Check irrigation and fertilization.
- Little or no fruiting: It is usually related to lack of cross-pollination, poor pruning, lack of light or adverse weather conditions.
- Small or deformed fruits: Excessive fruit per plant or nutritional deficiencies. Thinning fruit after flowering and adjusting fertilizer is recommended.
- Appearance of pests: Treat preventively with organic products and keep the base of the plant clean.
Contraindications and precautions when consuming feijoa
Feijoa is safe for most people., although some considerations should be taken into account:
- People with guava allergy should avoid feijoa due to possible cross-reactions.
- Excessive consumption can cause diarrhea or digestive discomfort, as occurs with other fiber-rich fruits.
- In sensitive people, nausea or occasional skin reactions may occur.
These reactions are usually rare and generally associated with large amounts consumed at once.
Feijoa in the landscape, gastronomy and sustainable agriculture
- Ornamental value: Ideal for hedges, natural barriers and garden areas due to its lush flowering and evergreen foliage.
- Promotion of biodiversity: Its flowers attract pollinators and birds, thus contributing to local sustainability.
- Gastronomic use: In addition to being eaten fresh, feijoa is a staple in jams, jellies, yogurts, ice creams, desserts, syrups, and cocktails.
- Organic production: Its hardiness and resistance make it suitable for organic farming, with low requirements for chemicals or intensive treatments.
- Adaptation to small gardens and pots: It is an excellent choice even in small spaces, as long as sufficient light and drainage are ensured in the substrate.
Growing feijoa means choosing a nutritious, decorative, and easy-to-manage plant if its basic requirements are met. Its fruit is valued not only for its unique flavor but also for its nutritional value and culinary potential. With proper care, whether in the garden, or in an orchard, or in a pot, feijoa will offer years of spectacular flowers, generous harvests, and an exotic touch to any space.
