Feijoa trees grow well in subtropical regions, enjoying cool winters and moderate summers. They grow in a wide range of soils as long as there is good drainage and will flower and fruit best if planted in full sun.

You can plant feijoas all year round although autumn is the ideal time as it gives the tree roots a chance to establish over winter to be ready for growth in spring.

To plant, first prepare your soil by digging through with a garden fork, adding plenty of peat, compost or any well-rotted organics to top up the soil with nutrients.

Then follow these steps:

1. Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the rootball of the tree.
2. Half fill the hole and gently put the tree in place.
3. Fill the hole to the top and compact in place.
4. Water well and apply a layer of mulch.

Once established, feijoa trees are drought-tolerant, but for quality fruit, you will need to water heavily on a regular basis during flowering and fruiting.

Feijoa trees have a shallow root system, so avoid cultivating (digging) around the roots.

Feijoa trees are gross-feeders (plants that need extra fertiliser), but as they are relatively slow growing they only need a light dose of general garden fertiliser or citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer.

Mulching around the tree in autumn will help retain soil moisture. Remember to leave a gap around the tree trunk as if mulch touches the tree it could cause it to rot.

Pruning is not essential maintenance for a feijoa tree, but it will encourage new growth. As fruit forms on the current season’s growth, pruning will help to keep the tree productive. If you have planted a feijoa hedge, they do respond to trimming.

Always uses sharp shears to prune as this will ensure the cut is clean and reduce the chance of disease.

Pollination and Fruiting

Feijoa trees will produce a red pohutukawa-like flower in November/December. Birds pollinate the flowers as they eat the petals. Bees may also be pollinators. Unless the tree is self fertile, two or more trees should be planted together for cross-pollination. Feijoa fruit mature in late autumn/early winter.

• Inadequate pollination is the most common cause of poor fruiting.
• Heavy pruning will reduce flowering and fruiting.
• Root damage from cultivating (digging) around the roots will affect the tree.
• Cutting grown varieties produce less uniform fruit and have a lower yield.
• Although Feijoa trees are drought tolerant, you still need to water them deeply on a regular basis (especially during flowering and fruiting) to get the best results.