Meet feijoa of the myrtle family

Meet feijoa of the myrtle family
Application and

Feijoa Small, green, smooth and soft on the inside - what is it? It is considered by many one of the most delicious fruit in the world. Especially a lot of the supporters of this view in New Zealand - this is where he fell in love and began to grow more than anywhere else. So it will not be wrong to call many varieties of feijoa indigenous New Zealanders.

This plant originally grew from southern Brazil, northern Argentina, as well as the west Paraguay and Uruguay, as a rule, in the highlands. Feijoa prefers areas with cool or cold winters (can endure temperatures down to -15 ° C) and moderately hot summers (25 to 33 degrees Celsius). Best survives where the temperature is not lower than 9 - 10 degrees. In colder climates myrtle blooms bad and very rarely gives fruit. In cooler regions feijoa most fragrant. Although the plant is quite resistant to both high and low temperatures, strong autumn frosts can damage the fruit, and spring - serious damage to the flowers.

Description of plant

Feijoa - slow-growing evergreen shrub can reach six meters in height and as much or more - in width. The bark is light gray. Feijoa not only provides delicious fruits, but also decorates the landscape. Planted near the plants can be beautiful hedges or windbreaks. Wood feijoa dense, but fragile.

Feijoa Leaves evergreen, thick, leathery, oval. The surface is smooth and green, lower side nappy and silver. In the wind so the foliage looks especially beautiful.

The plant monoecious flowers with long bright red stamens and yellow anthers. Feijoa bloom in May or June. The flower of four to six fleshy petals; their upper side white and the lower - red. These petals are edible, have a sweet taste. They can be eaten just like that, or add spring salads. Birds that peck petals, at the same time pollinate flowers. But their main pollinators still bee.

Growing feijoa

Location. To protect against sunburn feijoa How to protect your skin from sunburn? and exposure to extreme temperatures, place the plant where it will be exposed as little as possible of direct and reflected sunlight. Nevertheless, the place should be bright. Feijoa can carry only partial shadow. Feijoa good as in a pot or in the garden.

Soil. Feijoa can grow in different soils, but it is the best crop yields in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. The plant is tolerant of salt, but the salinity of the soil slows growth and reduces yields.

Watering. In California, the feijoa bush without irrigation experienced several very dry years. However, the fruits are usually fell off prematurely. For a good crop of feijoa need to be watered regularly during flowering and fruit ripening, as well as mulch soil around plants to protect roots that are close to the soil surface.

Pruning. Light pruning after the plant has given crop, it stimulates growth and can increase the yield of the following year. If a little to defuse the crown, the harvest will be easier. A hedge of myrtle can be cut the way you like it - becomes thicker foliage, but this will reduce the number of flowers and berries.

Breeding. Feijoa is easy to grow from seed, but such plants may be deviations from the characteristics of the variety. The seeds taken out of the fruit, keeping in water for 4 days, and then dried. Thereafter, during the year they are suitable for planting. Germination occurs in an average of 3 weeks. The first harvest is 3-5 years.

To obtain a specific plant varieties require vegetative propagation methods. Cut young branches will root for two months - in the presence of heat and sufficient humidity.

Feijoa is very resistant to pests and diseases.

Vintage. Feijoa Fruits ripen in 4, 5-7 months, depending on the climate. The color of the fruit maturation varies very slightly. They are considered ripe when they themselves fall from the tree, although the fruits are often harvested directly from the branches. For fruit not believe, under the plants line the straw or large pieces of fabric. Plucked prematurely feijoa have a few days to ripen at room temperature, but their quality can not be compared with the results that have kept themselves naturally fallen from the tree. Ripe fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. Feijoa can be eaten raw, and add a variety of dishes - they give them a wonderful aroma and delicate taste.

The most popular varieties

Apollo

Medium or large oval-shaped fruit. The smooth, thin light green rind. Inside the juicy pulp and seeds. Very pleasant smell. The plant is self-pollinating and can be pollinated varieties Gemini.

Choyseana

The variety bred in Australia. The size of the fruit is small to medium, round or oval shape, ranging in length from 5 to 8 cm. The peel is smooth. Self-pollination is not less than 42% of cases.

Coolidge

Bred in Australia until 1908. The berries are small to medium-sized, 10 cm long and 5 cm in diameter. The shape of the pear-shaped to oblong. The peel is slightly wrinkled. The mild flavor. It brings regular harvests; self-pollinating plant. It is widespread in California.

Gemini

The fruits are small to medium, ovoid. The rind is very smooth, thin, dark green. The flesh has a great flavor and taste. Partially self-pollinated, but for the best harvest is necessary to cross-pollination.

Mammoth

Large, round or oval fruit. The thick and slightly wrinkled rind. Self-pollinating, but cross-pollination brings larger fruits.

Triumph

Bred in New Zealand. The fruits are oval, medium to large. Knobbly rind and hard. Lovely strong flavor. With sufficient pollination yields a good harvest

As there feijoa

Fruits Feijoa can be eaten just like that - together with the skin (after, of course, they need to wash). The peel is astringent and bitter taste, but the contrast with a delicate sweet or sour-sweet taste may appeal to fans of strong sensations of taste.

Usually Feijoa cut in half, and using a teaspoon to eat delicious fragrant flesh. If you do not have a spoon, you can simply cut or bite off the tip and squeeze the pulp of the berries into his mouth.

For the preparation of various dishes feijoa usually peeled, then cut into pieces, crush, squeeze the juice - in general, do what is required by prescription or fantasy that tells the cook.

The solid health benefits

Fresh pineapple guava are rich in vitamin Vitamins for everyone C, low in calories and contain many minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

One berry feijoa:

Calories 14
Fat 0.2 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Carbohydrates 3 g
0.6 g fiber
Sugars 2.7 g
Protein 0.3g
Calcium 4.8 g
Potassium 44 mg

Feijoa can be added to baked goods, ice cream, drinks, salads; it can preserve or cook jam.

It is used in the production of cosmetics: soaps, shampoos, creams, lotions, and more.

In New Zealand Feijoa of making wine, liquor; it insist vodka. This vodka islanders considered the best in the world - and, perhaps, they are not greatly exaggerated.