Chilean Guava (Ugni Molinae)

RaspberryKiller

Evenin' Folks

As a Birthday gift, I was given a Chilean Guava plant. Never tried a Chilean Guava, so very much looking forward to trying these out next summer.



One thing I've noticed is that, in all the pictures I've seen, it grows mostly upright. This almost looks and grows like an Ivy. Unless, that is, they packaged and labelled the wrong plant 

Not sure how I would ever get this to grow upright... Hmm.

Anyone have any experience with these?

RaspberryKiller

So, it seems it should grow like thus...



Having had a closer look, it appears that the main stem has been cut back, so this is what remains. There is nothing 'central' for the plant to grow from, apart from what is essentially a stump. Not sure what to make of it 

Borderline

You need to prune them if you want to keep them more 'shrubby'. Plus your plant may have been grown in over-protected surroundings. That tends to make them very lush and stems are unable to grow more harder. They are lovely shrubs for all year round appeal. I grow the 'Flambeau' which looks like your one. Should have lovely pink to red new stems when young. In the early summer, lovely white slightly tinged pink bell flowers fill the shrub which then go on to form the fruit which are slowly ripening now.

When not in flower, the reddish stems against the small leaves keeps the shrub interesting throughout the year, but more so in the winter months. Keep it against a warm sunny wall, and they will grow fast.

RaspberryKiller

It's not so obvious in the picture, but the newer leaves and stems are indeed pink - this is also the Flambeau variety.

I was thinking of giving it a good trim, but will leave it for the time being.

What are the fruits like? Have you got much off yours so far?

Borderline

I only started growing them late autumn last year and the plant was just like yours, quite small. But in almost a year, they have grown more than double that size so the fruits are just starting to swell up now. Many are still green but I suspect, in another month or so, they may be ready to eat. Fingers cross!

RaspberryKiller

You must share some pics!

Borderline

Had a quick look earlier and they are only small 5mm in size. The problem with these shrubs are they flower on wood that has to be over a year old which means most of the flowers and then fruit are buried inside the shrub.

I had some bad close ups of the flowers taken in early summer. Hopefully, will get some photos of the fruits soon. They are not interesting to look at right now. Just small 5mm size green balls.

RaspberryKiller

It certainly seems to be thriving