How to encourage fruit from gauva and lime trees?

Sugar

Hi guys,

GAUVA: We had been eating Gauva from this plant for last 3 years. Not very tall plant but it really gives plenty number of gauva and big in size. we used to share with friends and family also. Really sweet and delicious. The last season, it had plenty of production but all were rotten inside. They were looing looking good green from outside but fruit flight maggot inside. We did not enjoy much in last season. The tree looks good. Last time around this time of the year, we had plenty of gauva, but not this year. Anything I can do, any fertilizer or anything i can use ?

LIME Tree:

We have this lime tree same time as we have gauva. I remember we only got one chance to try only one lime from this plant :D. Any chemicals or fertilizer I can use around this Lime tree also. I just do not want to cut and throw it. I am sure I am doing something wrong here.

Thanks a lot.

EricL

Hello @Sugar

Your guava actually looks quite healthy overall. It has a nice amount of foliage and plenty of vigorous new growth, so I don't think the tree is in poor health. The biggest issue from what you've described isn't the tree itself, but the fruit fly damage.

Unfortunately, once fruit fly gets established, they can ruin almost every fruit. The female lays eggs in the young fruit, the maggots develop inside, and by the time you cut it open it's already too late. Fertiliser won't solve that problem.

For next season, I'd focus on protecting the fruit. As soon as the guavas are about golf ball size, either cover them with fruit protection bags or use fine insect netting over the tree if it's manageable. Setting up fruit fly traps around the tree before the fruit starts developing will also help reduce numbers. Make sure you pick up and dispose of any fallen fruit as well, because that's where the next generation develops.

As for this year's smaller crop, guavas can naturally have lighter and heavier seasons. A tree that carried a massive crop last year often takes a bit of a breather the following year. Giving it a balanced fruit tree fertiliser https://www.bunnings.com.au/yates-7kg-dynamic-lifter-plant-food-pellets-fruit-citrus_p0624181 in early spring, followed by another light application after flowering, will help support flowering and fruit development. Adding some compost and a layer of mulch around the base (keeping it away from the trunk) will also improve soil health and moisture retention.

Your lime tree is a different story. From the photos, it looks healthy enough to grow leaves, but the yellowing foliage and lack of fruit suggest it's probably hungry, especially for citrus nutrients. Citrus trees are much heavier feeders than most people realise.

I'd give it a good-quality citrus fertiliser https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-osmocote-500g-citrus-and-fruit-controlled-release-fertiliser-500g_p2961295 several times during the growing season, following the label rates. If the leaves continue to yellow while the veins stay greener, a dose of trace elements or magnesium (Epsom salts) may also help. Keep it watered consistently during flowering and fruit set, as dry spells can cause flowers and tiny fruit to drop.

One other thing I'd check is how much direct sun the lime receives. Citrus really perform best with at least 6-8 hours of full sun each day. If it's getting shaded for much of the day, that alone can explain why it's growing but hardly producing fruit.

The good news is that I definitely wouldn't be thinking about removing either tree. Your guava looks capable of producing another bumper crop once the fruit fly issue is brought under control, and your lime still looks very much worth saving. With a proper citrus feeding program and plenty of sunshine, there's every chance you'll finally get more than that one memorable lime!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric