Unusual & Old Fashioned Fruit Trees |
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Feijoa
(or Acca) Sellowiana. The
“Pineapple Guava,” as it is commonly called, is a member of the
Myrtle family and as such is a little tender needing a sheltered, wind
free spot to grow in. This
small tree, or shrub, only grows up to some 7 metres in height and will
tolerate shady and dry conditions although it does need plenty of water
at the time of fruit production like Figs. Coming
from South America, this evergreen is also often grown as a garden plant
in other parts of the World as diverse as New Zealand and Scotland.. One
or two U.K. mail order companies sometimes offer seeds of Feijoa for
sale, although it is said the resulting seedlings grow slowly and will
not all develop into freely fruiting, mature, specimens. Young
plants of Feijoa are particularly tender, but claims are made that
mature plants are hardy in mild winters as they will stand several
degrees of frost, but severe frosts (–10 C or more,) can take the
younger wood at the end of branches that have the fruiting buds, in much
the same way as with outdoor fig varieties. Feijoa Sellowiana has attractive, almost, Fuchsia-like blooms, followed by delicious green fruit. The fruit does not change colour as it ripens, but does become softer and is best picked before fully ripe as it will drop to the floor and quickly spoil. Ripe fruit does not keep well and is not freely available to buy because of its short shelf life and the fact that it is easily damaged. Very much like the “Guava,” in appearance, to which it is closely related, the chickens egg, sized fruit, has a gritty texture and strong smell. |
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