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Description
A fairly slow-growing shrub or small tree, the cattley guava generally
ranges from 6.5 to 14 ft (2-4 m) tall but the yellow-fruited may
attain 40 ft (12 m). Both have slender, smooth, brown-barked stems
and branches, and alternate, evergreen, obovate, dark, smooth,
glossy, somewhat leathery leaves 1 1/3 to 4 3/4 in (3.4-12 cm)
long and 5/8 to 2 1/3 in (1.6-6 cm) wide. The fragrant flowers,
5/8 to 2 1/3 in (1.5-6 cm) wide are white with prominent stamens
about 3/4 in (2 cm) long, and are borne singly or in 3's in the
leaf axils. The fruit is round or obovoid, 1 to 1 1/2 in (2.5-4
cm) long, tipped with the protruding 4- to 5 -parted calyx; thin-skinned,
dark-red or purple-red or in variety lucidum, lemon-yellow. Red-skinned
fruits have white flesh more or less reddish near the skin. Yellow-skinned
fruits have faintly yellowish flesh.
Origin and Distribution
The cattley guava is believed native to the lowlands of eastern
Brazil, especially near the coast. It is cultivated to a limited
extent in other areas of South America and Central America and
in the West Indies, Bermuda, the Bahamas, southern and central
Florida and southern California. It is grown occasionally in subtropical
Africa, and in highlands of the Philippines at elevations up to
5,000 ft (1,500 m), India, Ceylon and Malaya. It was introduced
into Singapore in 1877 and at various times there-after but failed
to survive at low altitudes. 
Climate
The red cattley guava is hardier than the common guava and can
survive temperatures as low as 22 °F (-5 °C). It can succeed
wherever the orange is grown without artificial heating. The yellow
is tenderer and its climatic requirements are similar to those
of the lemon. Both kinds flourish in full sun, but the red form
is much tastier in winter time.
Soil
The cattley guava does well in limestone and poor soils that would
barely support other fruit trees. It is shallow- rooted but the
red type is fairly drought tolerant. The yellow is able to endure
flooding for short periods.
Propagation
The tree is not easily multiplied by budding or grafting because
of its thin bark. It can be propagated by layering or rooting
of soft tip cuttings or root cuttings, but is usually grown from
seed even though seedlings of the red type vary in habit of growth,
fruit size and seediness, also bearing season. The yellow comes
fairly true from seed.
Culture
Cultural information is scant except that irrigation is necessary
to obtain full-size fruits on poor soil, and the tree benefits
from mulching when grown in limestone. Seedlings are set out 10
ft (3 m) apart in rows 10 ft (3 m) apart.
Cropping and Yield
On good soil and under irrigation, the cattley guava has yielded
30 tons from 5 acres (2 ha). In India, it bears two crops a year,
one in July and August and another in January and February. The
same is true for our plants in the Canary Islands. Near the coast
in California, fruits ripen continuously from August to March;
inland the season is shorter.
Pests and Diseases
The cattley guava is usually reported as disease- and pest-free.
In California, there are occasional infestations of the greenhouse
thrips (Heliothrips hae-morrhoidalis). The fruit flies attacks
the fruits. That´s a problem on the Canary Islands.
Food Value
Analyses of ripe fruits in the Philippines, Hawaii and Florida
have shown the following constituents:
Red:
seeds 6 %
water 82-85 %
ash 0.74-1.5 %
crude fiber 6 %
protein 0.75-1.0 %
fat 0.55 %
total sugar 4.5 %
Yellow:
seeds 10 %
water 84 %
ash 0.6-0.75 %
crude fiber 4 %
protein 0.8 %
fat 0.4 %
total sugar 4-10 %
Red or Yellow:
ascorbic acid 22-50 mg/100 g.
calories per 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
More pictures? A tree full with fruit or detail!
