A Pair of Feijoa Trees

feijoa tree

A Pair of Feijoa Trees

Is it absolutely necessary to have a pair of feijoa trees to produce the best quality and quantity of fruit? Feijoa species: Unique, Location: Christchurch.

There has been considerable conjecture over the years about whether feijoas are self-fertile or what has been described as “partially self-fertile,’ and this largely depends on the variety. There are upwards of 15 different feijoa varieties, so it pays to check first (your local garden centre can guide you). 

Always plant a named variety such as Apollo, Gemini, Marion, Unique etc as this ensures good-sized fruit. These have been grown from cuttings, rather than Feijoa sellowiana which is grown from seed. The reason for this is that seedling feijoas take longer to commence flowering and fruiting than cutting grown feijoas. The fruit from seedlings is also smaller than cutting grown plants.

Your feijoa ‘Unique’ is self-fertile and one of the main commercial crops grown. It produces medium-sized fruit very early in the season and from an early age. You can extend your feijoa fruiting season by also planting a mid-late fruiting variety such as Mammoth or Apollo.

When planting feijoas, always plant with plenty of compost, pop in a Daltons Premium Planter Tab, and add a layer of mulch on top. Apply Daltons Garden Time™ Fruit and Citrus Fertiliser during late summer into early autumn, and again from spring into early summer. Irrigate over dry summer months when the plants are young to encourage strong vigorous growth.

Once they are established, feijoas are very hardy and will handle almost all climatic conditions that they are exposed to.

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