Indoor Guava Trees

Choosing a Container

• Choosing the proper container for growing your guava tree helps it grow properly. In most cases, nursery stocked guava trees are grown in a three gallon container, according to Jonathan H. Crane and Carlos F. Balerdi of the University of Florida. Avoid using any container smaller than 3 gallons, as a guava may become root bound, causing poor growth and fruit production. An ideal container should be about three times as deep as the root ball of a newly purchased tree. Ensure the container contains several drainage holes in the bottom, preventing root rot.

Planting the Guava

• In the bottom of the container, place screen mesh pieces to help prevent soil, fertilizer and nutrients from washing out of the drainage holes, suggest Julian W. Sauls and Larry K. Jackson of the California Rare Fruit Growers. Add one to two inches of gravel to the bottom of the bucket. Place the guava tree in the bucket and back fill with commercial potting soil or a homemade mixture. For fruit crops, Sauls and Jackson recommend equal parts sand, peat and bark.

Watering

• Guava trees require twice-weekly waterings when first planted, to help stimulate the roots. Water frequently for the first two months. After this time period, avoid overwatering the trees, which commonly causes problems for container-grown plants. Allow the top layer of soil to become dry to the touch before watering the plants. Water slow and deep, allowing the soil to soak up the water evenly.

Fertilizing

• For container-grown guava trees, the University of Florida IFAS extension recommends using a water-soluble fertilizer. Choose a water-soluble type appropriate for fruit plants with balanced, equal amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Apply four to six times per year, according to the directions on the product's label. Keep an eye out for an accumulation of salt-like crystals on the soil and container, which may indicate over-fertilization. Carefully flush the soil with running water for five minutes.

Care Tips

• Guava crops grown indoors often require less pruning, watering and fertilizing than those grown outdoors. Keep guava trees in an area where the plants receive six to eight hours of sunlight per day, or supplement with a growth light. When temperatures remain above freezing, trees may be taken outdoors. Check roots for signs of becoming root-bound. Should the roots appear to take over the entire container, trim the larger roots back. Prune back any leggy branches as necessary. When the tree flowers, dust the flowers with a small paintbrush to help improve pollination.