Acca sellowiana

Family of Myrtaceae

 

 

 

 

 

NOMENCLATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE: Feijoa or Goiaba serrana And Guarobí – orginate from the Tupi-Guarani and mean “green fruit” even when green.

 

Origin and Distribution: Araucaria forest, in the states São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

More details in the link in the Portuguese language: http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2012/index?mode=sv&group=Root_.Angiospermas_&family=Root_.Angiospermas_.Myrtaceae_&genus=Acca&species=&author=&common=&occurs=1&region=&state=&phyto=&endemic=&origin=&vegetation=&last_level=subspecies&listopt=1

 

Description: Shrub or small tree of the height from 2 to 5 m, with dense crown of the diameter of 1.5 to 3 m, leaves and young shoots are felty (with small white hairs), leaf underside with white indentum and for the species unique red flowers.

 

Culture infos: Plant takes deep temperatures (to -10°C, is hardy in many parts of the U. K. and Ireland), above the altitudes of 400 m, can also fruit well to the sealevel; the soil should be deep, moist, neutral, with sandy structure or loamy (red soil). For the better fruit formation are 2 or more plants necessary. Flower without fruit formation for 2 to 3 following years. Only from the age of 9 years it does produce good harvest amounts.

 

Propagation: Seeds similar to the of the guava, germinate after 40 to 90 dias, the seedlings reach 35 cm after 9 to 11 months. Grafted are fruiting after 2 or 3 years, because of the genetic diversity is closed in. It is better to plant small seedlings in the months of September and October (on the northern hemisphere in the months of March and April).

 

Planting:  Can be planted in full sun and in the forests with large trees and in the distances of 5 x 5 m. Give into the hole 1 kg of lime and 1 kg of ash. Irrigation every two weeks during the first months, then only if no water supply is given during the flower time.

 

Culture tips: Cut the crown back and remove the shoots which are growing from the base of the trunk. Fertilization with organic compost, can be 6 liters of poultry + 50 g NPK 10-10-10, the double amount every year until the 3rd year.

 

Use: Harvest time from February to May. The fruits are used to eat in-natura, in form of juices, ice cream and sweets.

 

 

 

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