Growing Guava tree from cutting | Easy Way to Grow Guava plant From Cutting

Best Method: Semi-Hardwood Cuttings with High Humidity

This method generally offers the best success rate for guava cuttings.

1. Timing is Key:

• Best Time: Late Spring to Early Summer (which aligns perfectly with July in Dinajpur). During this period, the plant is actively growing, and temperatures are consistently warm, which encourages root development.
• Avoid: Taking cuttings during very cold or very hot, dry periods, as these can stress the cuttings.

2. Selecting and Preparing the Cuttings:

• Choose the Right Wood: Look for “semi-hardwood” cuttings. These are shoots from the current season’s growth that have started to mature but are not yet fully woody and brittle. They should be firm but still flexible enough to bend without snapping immediately. Avoid very soft, green tips or very old, dark, woody branches.
• Cutting Length: Take cuttings that are about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, with at least 3-4 nodes (where leaves or buds emerge).
• Make Clean Cuts:
  • Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears or a knife. Sterilizing with rubbing alcohol prevents the spread of diseases.
  • Make a 45-degree angled cut just below a node at the bottom of the cutting. This increases the surface area for rooting.
  • Make a straight cut just above a node at the top of the cutting.
• Remove Leaves: Remove all leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting. This prevents them from rotting in the rooting medium and reduces moisture loss (transpiration) while the cutting is trying to root. Leave 2-4 leaves at the very top. If these remaining leaves are very large, you can cut them in half horizontally to further reduce moisture loss.
• Optional (but Highly Recommended): Rooting Hormone: Dipping the bottom 1-2 inches of the cutting into a rooting hormone (powder or liquid, typically containing Indole-3-Butyric Acid or IBA) significantly increases the chances of success and speeds up rooting. Tap off any excess powder.
  • Natural Alternative: Some gardeners report success using fresh aloe vera gel as a natural rooting aid. Simply dip the cut end into a freshly cut aloe leaf.

3. Preparing the Rooting Medium:

• Excellent Drainage is Crucial: Guava cuttings are very susceptible to rot if the medium stays waterlogged.
  • Best Mixes:
    • 100% Perlite: This provides excellent aeration and drainage. Many successful propagators use only perlite.
    • Peat Moss and Perlite/Coarse Sand: A 50/50 mix is also very effective.
    • Coco Coir and Perlite/Sand: A good, sustainable option.
  • Avoid: Heavy garden soil or regular potting soil, as they tend to hold too much moisture.
• Containers: Use small pots (4-6 inches / 10-15 cm diameter) or a propagation tray with plenty of drainage holes. Clean and sanitize containers if they’ve been used before.
• Moisten the Medium: Pre-moisten your chosen rooting medium until it’s evenly damp but not soggy. When you squeeze a handful, only a few drops of water should come out.

4. Planting the Cuttings:

• Create Holes: Use a pencil or a stick to make a hole in the moistened rooting medium before inserting the cutting. This prevents the rooting hormone from being rubbed off.
• Insert Cuttings: Carefully place the prepared cuttings into the holes, ensuring that at least one or two nodes are buried beneath the surface of the medium.
• Firm Gently: Gently firm the medium around the base of each cutting to ensure good contact between the cutting and the rooting medium.
• Spacing: If planting multiple cuttings in a tray, give them enough space so their leaves don’t touch, which helps with air circulation and reduces the risk of fungal issues.

5. Creating a Humid Environment (The Most Crucial Step):

Cuttings don’t have roots to absorb water, so they rely on high humidity to prevent them from drying out.

• Humidity Dome/Plastic Cover:
  • The simplest and most effective method is to cover the entire pot or tray with a clear plastic bag or a transparent humidity dome.
  • Ensure the plastic doesn’t touch the leaves directly (you might use small sticks to support it).
  • Seal the bag/dome around the rim of the pot to trap moisture.
• Ventilation: Briefly open the plastic cover once a day for 5-10 minutes to allow for air exchange and prevent excessive condensation, which can lead to mold or rot.
• Misting (Optional): You can also lightly mist the inside of the humidity dome or the leaves of the cuttings occasionally, but the primary goal is to keep the air moist, not the soil waterlogged.

6. Providing Optimal Conditions:

• Light: Place the pots in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, as it can overheat the enclosed environment and scorch the leaves. A shaded patio, a north or east-facing window, or under the canopy of a larger tree can work.
• Temperature: Guava cuttings root best in warm temperatures, ideally between 24-29°C (75-85°F). Your July temperatures in Dinajpur are very favorable for this. If growing indoors in a cooler environment, a heating mat under the pots can significantly speed up rooting.
• Watering: The rooting medium should be consistently moist, but never soggy. Check the moisture level regularly. If the top inch or two starts to feel dry, mist lightly or bottom-water by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water for 15-20 minutes until the medium absorbs water.

7. Patience and Transplanting:

• Rooting Time: Guava cuttings can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks (or sometimes even longer) to root. Do not disturb them by pulling them out to check for roots repeatedly.
• Signs of Rooting: The most reliable sign of rooting is the appearance of new leaf growth. Once you see new leaves developing, it’s a good indication that roots have formed. You can also gently tug on a cutting; if it offers resistance, it’s likely rooted.
• Hardening Off: Once rooted and showing significant new growth, gradually acclimate your new guava plants to lower humidity and outdoor conditions. Over a period of 7-10 days, slowly increase the time you leave the plastic cover off.
• Transplanting: Once well-rooted and hardened off, carefully transplant your young guava tree into a larger pot (a 1-gallon pot is a good next step) with a good quality, well-draining potting mix. Avoid disturbing the delicate new roots too much during this process.