Red Cherry Guava - 60-80cm

Red cherry guava fruit bush description and fruit and hd imagines to upload to my description

Red Cherry Guava (also known as Cherry Guava, Strawberry Guava) Botanical name: Psidium cattleianum (sometimes spelled cattleyanum), var. cattleianum or littorale.

Habit: An evergreen shrub or small tree, typically reaching 2-5 m tall in favourable conditions, though in the wild can grow up to ~6-8 m.

Leaves: Glossy dark green, opposite in arrangement, smooth margins, the upper surface dark and shiny, lower paler.

Flowers: White and “powder-puff” in appearance (many stamens) appearing on new growth, often in late spring/early summer in subtropical regions.

Bark & growth habit: The bark on mature stems can peel, showing mottled layers underneath; new growth may show a reddish bronze tint.

Uses/ornamental value: Because of its bushy habit, attractive fruit and foliage, it can be used as a hedge, screen or container plant in suitable climates.

Fruit Description & Eating Qualities

Shape & size: The fruits are round to slightly oblong, typically 2–4 cm in diameter (about the size of a cherry or slightly larger).

Skin & colour: The skin turns a deep red (or burgundy) when fully ripe.

Flesh & seeds: The pulp is juicy, aromatic, sweet-tangy in flavour, often described as a mix of strawberry + guava. The flesh may be pinkish or pale. There are usually many small edible seeds.

Harvest & ripening: In subtropical climates it may fruit from late summer to autumn; for example one source shows harvest around April–June in certain regions.

Culinary uses: Great eaten fresh off the bush, or used for jams, jellies, juices & desserts due to its aromatic flavour.

Growing Tips & Considerations (for Brisbane/sub-tropical region)

Sun & soil: Prefers full sun for best fruiting, though it will tolerate some light shade. Well-draining soil is preferred.

Size control: With regular pruning you can maintain a compact bush or small tree form (say 2-4 m tall), suitable for gardens or large containers. One supplier notes comfortable height ~2-4 m.

Maintenance: Moderate — once established it is fairly hardy, though in very cool or frost-prone areas protection will help.

Pollination: Self-fertile (you don’t necessarily need a second tree), but good pollinator activity helps.

Potential issues: Important- In some regions (including parts of Queensland/NSW) this species is considered an environmental weed (especially when escaped into bushland) due to its vigour and ability to form dense thickets

Pruning & shaping: Useful to prune after fruiting or in early spring to maintain shape, remove dead wood, open canopy for light and airflow.

Great to grow in QLD