How to Grow Guava Lucknow-49
Guava Lucknow-49
Psidium guajava L. 'Lucknow-49'
fruitLucknow-49 is a superior guava cultivar originating from India, renowned for producing large, sweet fruits with white flesh and excellent flavor. This semi-dwarf tree is highly productive and reliable, making it one of the most commercially preferred guava varieties worldwide. The variety is self-fertile and bears fruit consistently with minimal pest and disease pressure.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; prefers tropical and subtropical climates
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Growth Stages
Nursery/Establishment
6-12 monthsYoung seedlings or grafted trees developing root systems and initial leaf growth
Keep in partial shade initially, maintain consistent moisture, protect from strong winds. Use stakes for support if needed. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly.
Vegetative Growth
12-24 monthsTree develops branching structure with increasing foliage; no flowers yet
Prune to shape the tree and encourage bushiness. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer to promote leaf growth. Remove any flowering buds to redirect energy to growth.
Flowering & Fruit Set
2-4 monthsSmall white flowers appear in leaf axils; flowers develop into immature green fruits
Reduce nitrogen; apply phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer. Thin excessive fruits (leave one fruit per 15-20 cm of branch). Ensure consistent watering.
Fruit Development
60-100 daysFruits enlarge, skin color transitions from green to pale yellow-green, flesh sweetens
Maintain consistent moisture and nutrition. Monitor for pests and diseases. Provide wind protection to prevent fruit drop. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer.
Harvest
Variable; 2-3 harvest cycles annually possibleFruits reach full size (200-350g), skin fully yellow-green, slight softness when gently pressed
Harvest fruits when mature but still firm; allow brief post-harvest ripening if desired. Prune lightly after harvest to encourage new growth and continued productivity.
Common Pests
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Use bagging of developing fruits, pheromone traps, remove fallen fruits promptly, sanitation
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Remove infested fruits, use netting, apply insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators
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Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil, release natural parasitoids, prune affected branches
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Prune heavily infested branches, apply horticultural oil spray during dormancy
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Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap spray, reflective mulches
Uses
Fresh Consumption & Desserts
CulinaryLucknow-49 guavas are prized for eating fresh due to their large size, sweet white flesh, and exceptional flavor. They are ideal for desserts, jams, pastes, and traditional Indian sweets. [source]
Vitamin C & Immune Support
MedicinalGuavas contain exceptionally high levels of vitamin C (more than citrus), supporting immune function and wound healing. Traditional medicine uses guava leaves for digestion and as an antidiarrheal remedy. [source]
Blood Sugar Management
MedicinalGuava fruits and leaves have been studied for their potential to help regulate blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in traditional and modern medicine. [source]
Juice & Beverage Production
HouseholdFresh guava juice is a popular tropical beverage rich in nutrients. The fruits are also processed into nectar, concentrates, and blended drinks. [source]
Guava Cheese & Preserves
HouseholdThe high pectin content makes Lucknow-49 ideal for making traditional guava cheese (paste), jams, and preserves that store well. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits reach 150-200g minimum size and skin color changes to pale yellow-green (typically 90-120 days after flowering). Fruits may be picked slightly firm and left to ripen at room temperature for 1-2 days for softer texture. Lucknow-49 typically produces 2-3 crops per year in tropical regions. Use pruning to stagger flowering for continuous harvest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lucknow-49 was developed at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow, India, and is now the most widely planted guava variety in commercial orchards across India, Mexico, and other tropical regions.
- 🌱 A single mature Lucknow-49 tree can produce 80-150 kg of fruit per year, making it exceptionally prolific compared to other guava varieties.
- 🌱 Guava is sometimes called the 'poor man's apple' in tropical regions due to its nutritional density, hardiness, and productivity compared to many other fruit crops.
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