Guava Competes With Persimmon as Fall Fruit

Other than various citrus varieties, there are not many trees that bear fruit in the fall in Southern California. Certainly the persimmon, with its beautiful orange fruit and striking fall foliage, comes to mind.

Although the persimmon is a great fall fruit tree for the Southland, according to Chuan Aranyawat, a fruit tree and tropical plant expert, Southlanders are missing a bet if they don’t grow a guava plant.

Aranyawat says the tropical guava will do well in many Southern California regions. It is fast-growing and produces luscious tropical fruit in the fall. And the trees (actually shrubs usually grown as small trees) will rival the persimmon in terms of beauty.

At Tomlinson’s Nursery in Whittier, Aranyawat sells both persimmon trees and guava plants. And while sales of persimmon trees have soared in recent years, guava plants are not nearly as well-known because people associate them with tropical climates.

Yet, according to Aranyawat, guava plants will grow and fruit in much of Southern California. He has sold trees to people who have experienced success with them in such diverse climatic zones as Hollywood and San Bernardino. Unlike mangoes, guavas will survive some rather severe weather conditions. And although the plants will experience damage in cold weather like last December’s hard frost, when the frost damage is pruned away, the plants will come back with gusto.

Note here we are talking about tropical guava plants, not the strawberry or lemon guavas. While the former produces large, delectable fruit, the latter are usually used as ornamentals although their fruit is sometimes used in jellies and jams. Aranyawat says tropical guava plants will tolerate temperatures down to 28 degrees Fahrenheit and will survive winters in most Southland areas without much damage.

Aranyawat says you will have a hard time finding a shrub prettier than a guava. It is evergreen (except after heavy frosts) with large decorative foliage. The big white blossoms, which are borne throughout much of the year, are most attractive. The fruit ripens in the fall from October through early December. The fruit is yellow when ripe and the variety Aranyawat grows and sells usually weighs a pound and sometimes reaches three pounds.

Once established, guava plants are easy to care for, says Aranyawat. They require an area of the yard that receives full sun and a soil that drains well. The area should be sheltered from wind and cold temperatures. The south side of a building is usually a prime location for guavas. In addition, guavas do well in large containers (at least 25-gallon soil capacity) located on a sunny patio or deck.

Guavas appreciate moisture and the soil around the shrubs should be kept moist, but never soggy. Guavas are heavy feeders and should be fed with a citrus food in spring, summer and fall.

Guava plants are almost pest-free and require no spraying. Aranyawat says that the only pruning necessary is to shape the plant and remove any frost-damaged portions. While the shrubs will grow to 20 feet or more in height, pruning will keep them to a manageable 8 to 10 feet.

Aranyawat recommends allowing the fruit to ripen on the tree before harvest. The harvested fruit does not keep well and should be eaten fresh or used for juice or jellies soon after harvest. Although guava plants are generally heavy producers of fruit, Aranyawat says that, because of our extremely cold spring and summer this year, fruit production is way below normal this fall.

There are several guava varieties that do well in the Southland. Aranyawat grows and sells a variety imported from Thailand that he considers to be the best variety.

Although guavas are usually planted in the spring, Aranyawat says they may be planted almost year-round in most Southern California regions. Give young plants frost protection when planting in the cooler months.

Aranyawat says sales of persimmon trees, his other favorite fall fruit, have surged the past few years. He attributes this to two factors; people are discovering that the trees are a wonderful addition to a landscape, and that the increase in the Southland’s Asian-American population has led to increased sales of the trees because persimmons are a favored fruit in many Asian countries.

The persimmon tree, like the guava, is a beautiful plant. In autumn, the dark green foliage turns to a marvelous collage of yellow, orange and red hues. And in the late fall, when the leaves have all fallen, the beautiful orange fruit hanging on the bare tree makes a striking sight.

The persimmon grows well in most Southern California climatic zones, except for the desert and beach areas, where it will grow but seldom bear fruit.

The two most popular persimmon varieties are Hachiya and Fuyu. Both are usually available in nurseries in cans most of the year-round, or as bare-root trees during the winter.

Hachiya produces very large cone-shaped fruit that have a pointed tip. The fruit of Hachiya are quite astringent until they are fully ripe (when they turn soft). Then the fruit have a rich, sweet flavor and a smooth texture.

Fuyu produces fruit that are of a flattened-round shape. Unlike the Hachiya, the fruit of the Fuyu is never astringent and has a good sweet flavor.

In addition, Aranyawat sells a variety called Chocolate. It is somewhat similar to Hachiya, except the flesh has an unusual chocolate color. Like Hachiya, the fruit must be fully ripe or they are astringent.

The persimmon tree will take colder temperatures; to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. It is an organic gardener’s dream as it is seldom bothered by pests or diseases. Like all fruit trees, it requires a sunny planting site and a soil that provides adequate drainage.

Persimmon trees require very little fertilizing. A light application of nitrogen in the early spring should suffice. Although persimmons are more drought-resistant than most fruit trees, regular irrigation will enhance foliage and fruit production.

Both guava plants and persimmon trees are self-fruitful and do not require another tree for pollination.

Tropical guava plants are difficult to locate in Southland nurseries. Aranyawat specializes in them and has a large supply at his nursery. Persimmon trees are easy to find in local nurseries, especially during bare-root season.

Aranyawat owns and operates Tomlinson’s Nursery, where in addition to guavas, his specialties include rare tropical and subtropical fruit trees, tropical and Asian ornamentals including an impressive selection of fragrant jasmines, Oriental vegetables and a nice collection of general nursery stock. He propagates many of the plants himself. Tomlinson’s Nursery is at 11758 E. Whittier Blvd. (on the southwest corner of Whittier Boulevard and Sorensen Street); phone (213) 698-5778.