๐ฟ Pejua | The Complete Guide to Growing and Care
๐ Quick summary - everything you need to know at a glance
Full sun/partial shade
At least 6 hours
Low-medium
Water-saving!
easy
Durable and unspoiled wood
April-May
Edible flowers!
October-December
Pineapple-Guava Flavor
Up to minus 10ยฐC
Cold resistant!
๐ฑ Getting to know Pejua
Naming and identification
- Hebrew name: Pejuya, Pejua
- Scientific name: Feijoa sellowiana (Acca sellowiana)
- Common names: Pineapple Guava
- Family: Myrtaceae
Origin and history
Originating in South America - Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. It arrived in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920s) as an ornamental plant.
In the 1970s, Ephraim Salor cultivated the "Salor" variety - an Israeli variety with exceptionally large fruits!
Why Pejua?
- ๐ Delicious fruits: unique pineapple-guava flavor
- ๐ธ Edible flowers: sweet as candy!
- ๐ง Water-efficient: requires very little
- โ๏ธ Cold resistant: up to minus 10 degrees!
- ๐จ Beautiful ornamental tree: silver-green leaves
- ๐ณ Excellent hedge: dense and stable
Characteristics
- Height: 2-5 meters (shrub/small tree)
- Leaves: silvery-green, evergreen
- Flowers: Spectacular white-red
- Growth: Slow
โญ Why is Pejua so special?
Pejua is one of the easiest and most rewarding fruit trees to grow in Israel!
Edible flowers
Sweet as candy!
Water-efficient
Perfect for our climate
Cold resistant
Survives down to -10ยฐC!
Disease resistant
Almost no treatment required
๐จ Popular Pejua Varieties
There are many varieties - here are the most common in Israel and around the world:
๐ฎ๐ฑ Sellor - the Israeli strain!
Extra large fruits, excellent flavor. Cultivated in Israel by Ephraim Salor. The most common variety in the country.
๐ Apollo
Medium-large fruits, high yield. Fruity and tasty. Pollinates Gemini.
๐ฆฃ Mammoth
As its name suggests - huge fruits! Wrinkled skin. Requires a pollinator for good results.
โจ Unique
Self-fertile! Medium-sized, sweet fruits. Starts blooming at a young age. Recommended for balconies.
๐ Bambina
A dwarf variety! Perfect for pots and balconies. Self-fertile, small but tasty fruits.
๐ฟ Coolidge
Completely self-fertile! Reliable and heavy crop. Ideal if there is only room for one tree.
๐ค๏ธ Growing conditions - the key to success
โ๏ธ Light
Light requirement: Pejuia likes full sun but will also do well in partial shade.
Full sun (6+ hours)
Partial shade (reduced flowering)
๐ง Irrigation - water-saving!
Key principle: Pejua is drought-resistant and requires relatively little water!
Watering frequency:
- Mature tree: once a week or two in summer, less in winter
- Young tree: more regular watering in the first year
- In a pot: as needed, when the soil dries out
When to increase watering:
- ๐ธ During flowering and fruit formation
- ๐ During fruit ripening (important for quality!)
- โ๏ธ On particularly hot days
๐ชด Land
The pejuia is not picky! It adapts to most soil types in Israel.
What is suitable:
- โ Well-drained soil (most important!)
- โ Sandy, clayey or rocky soil
- โ pH 5.5-7.0
- โ Soil rich in organic matter (preferable)
- โ Soil with flooding - root rot!
Planting intervals:
- Single tree: 3-5 meters from other trees
- Hedge: 1 meter between trees
- Plantation: 4-5 meters between rows
๐ก๏ธ Temperature - Cold resistant!
A big advantage: Pejua is more resistant to cold than most fruit trees!
- โ๏ธ Cold resistance: up to minus 8-10 degrees!
- โ๏ธ Ideal range: 15-28ยฐC
- ๐ฅถ Winter cold requirement: about 50 hours of cold for good germination
- ๐๏ธ Suitable for all parts of the country - including the Judean and Galilee mountains!
๐ Pollination - the key to the crop!
Most pejuica varieties require cross-pollination from another tree!
What does this mean in practice?
- ๐ณ๐ณ Plant at least 2 trees of different species.
- ๐ Bees and birds transfer pollen
- ๐ธ Birds eat the petals and pollinate!
- โ You can also apply powder manually with a brush.
Self-fertile varieties (for a single tree):
- โ Unique
- โ Coolidge
- โ Bambina (Nancy)
- โ Sellowiana (original)
But! They will also yield more and bigger fruit with a pollinator!
๐ธ Blossom - Edible flowers!
One of the most special things about Pejuia: the flowers are edible and sweet!
๐บ Flower appearance
- White petals on the outside
- Prominent red stamens
- Single flowers on spikes
- They look like little "fireworks"!
๐ How do you eat?
- Eat only the white petals.
- Tastes sweet like candy
- Slight strawberry/pineapple flavor
- Add to salads and desserts
๐ Flowering season
In Israel: April-May (about a month)
๐ Fruits and picking
๐ฅ Fruit description
- Green color (even when cooked!)
- Egg shape
- Size: 4-8 cm (depending on variety)
- Creamy and fragrant inner meat
- Pineapple + Guava + Strawberry flavor
๐ Fruit season
- Start: October
- Peak: November-December
- End: January
- About 2-3 months of picking!
๐ฏ How do you know if the fruit is ripe?
The big secret: Ripe pecans fall from the tree!
- โ Collect fruits that fell to the ground
- โ Check gently - ripe fruit is easily torn off.
- โ The fruit should be slightly soft to the touch.
- โ Don't pick hard fruit - it won't taste good!
๐ก Tip: Keep the grass short under the tree - it's easier to find the fruits!
๐ฅ How do you eat?
- Cut the fruit crosswise.
- "Pull out" the contents with a spoon
- Eat the inner flesh + seeds (edible!)
- Don't eat the peel.
โ๏ธ Pruning and maintenance
Pejuia doesn't require much pruning , but proper pruning will improve the yield!
When to prune?
- ๐ After harvest (winter) - the ideal time
- โ๏ธ Avoid pruning in areas with late frosts
- ๐ฑ Pejua blooms on new growth - pruning encourages flowering!
What to prune?
- โ๏ธ Weak and thin branches
- โ๏ธ Dead or damaged branches
- โ๏ธ Branches that block light and air to the center of the tree
- โ๏ธ Low branches (makes picking easier)
- โ๏ธ Height - can be maintained at 2.5-3.5 meters
Growing as a hedge
Pejuia is excellent for a hedge :
- Dense and full
- Can be trimmed into shapes
- โ ๏ธ Heavy pruning will reduce flowering and fruiting.
๐งช Fertilization
Pejuia is not "hungry" - moderate fertilization is enough!
Fertilization schedule:
Balanced fertilizer before flowering
Additional fertilizer if needed
A break before picking
Recommendations:
- First year: 250 grams of balanced fertilizer
- Add 250 grams each year up to a maximum of 5 kg per mature tree.
- Organic fertilizers: compost, sheep manure, blood and gram
- In a pot: liquid citrus and fruit fertilizer
๐ง Common problems and solutions
Pejua is very durable as a tree! But there are a few things to know:
๐ชฐ Mediterranean fly
The main problem! The fly loves the fruit.
Solutions:
- Pheromone traps
- Nets on the fruit
- Preventive treatment after a rash
- Collecting fallen infected fruit
๐ No fruit / low yield
Possible reasons:
- Lack of pollination - need another tree!
- Too young a tree (3-7 years old)
- Excessive pruning
- Lack of sun
๐ฅ Falling flowers
Possible reasons:
- Dryness (the tree drops flowers)
- Lack of pollination
- Tree too dense (birds don't get in)
๐ Small/unpalatable fruits
Possible reasons:
- The strain itself (seeds vs. compound)
- Lack of water during fruit development
- You picked them too early.
๐ Other pests (rare)
Brown lumps on branches.
Treatment: Winter oil, potassium soap
Leaves rolled up with caterpillars.
Treatment: Manual removal, Bt
๐ชด Growing Pejuia in a Pot
Yes, you can grow pejuica in a pot! Perfect for balconies and rooftops.
At least 50 liters for a mature tree. Start with 25 liters and move to a larger one.
Bambina - a dwarf variety! or Unique - self-fertilizing.
More often than not, check soil moisture regularly.
More assertive pruning to maintain size. After harvesting.
โ Safety and pets
Good news! Pejua is considered pet- safe .
๐ Dogs and cats
- โ The flesh of the fruit - safe in small quantities
- โ ๏ธ Peel and seeds - may cause stomach upset
- โ ๏ธ Fermented fruits (that have fallen and rotted) - avoid!
- ๐ก Be sure to remove the peel and seeds before giving to your dog
Dogs
Safe (meat only)
Cats
Safe (will not eat)
children
Absolutely safe!
๐ฅ Culinary uses
Pejua is a versatile fruit with a unique flavor!
fresh
Half + a teaspoon!
Ice creams
and frozen concoctions
Jams
and chutney
Shakes
and juices
Baking
Cakes and muffins
Flowers
For salads and desserts
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Composite wood: 2-3 years. Seed wood: 5-7 years! Therefore, it is recommended to buy composite wood from a known species.
Highly recommended! Even "self-fertilizing" varieties will yield more with a pollinator. Check if your neighbor has a tree.
Some possible reasons: a variety that produces small fruits (seeds), lack of pollination, or lack of water during fruit growth.
Not necessarily. The flowers are always white with red stamens. If the flower struggles - there will be fruit.
The secret: Ripe pejuica falls from the tree ! Pick up fallen fruit, or gently pull - a ripe fruit will break off easily.
Very! Survives down to minus 10 degrees. Suitable for all regions of the country, including mountains.
๐ Recommended products from Deco Garden
Pejua trees
Zen Salur and others
Citrus and fruit fertilizer
For fruit trees
Fruit fly traps
Fruit protection
Soil for fruit trees
Draining and rich
Scissors and assembly knife
For professional pruning
Large flower pots
For growing on the balcony
๐ Summary table - all information in one place
| category | Details |
|---|---|
| โ๏ธ Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| ๐ง Irrigation | Low-medium, water-efficient |
| ๐ก๏ธ Temperature | Cold resistant down to -10ยฐC! |
| ๐ฑ Soil | Draining, not picky |
| ๐ Size | 2-5 meters (shrub/small tree) |
| ๐ธ Blossom | April-May (edible flowers!) |
| ๐ Fruits | October-December |
| ๐ Pollination | Preferably 2 trees of different species |
| ๐ Difficulty level | Lightweight - durable and unspoiled wood |
| โ Safety | Safe for humans and pets |
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The guide was written by the Deco Garden team of experts.