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Pollination

The majority of Feijoa varieties require cross pollination hence the planting of more than one variety is necessary to ensure good fruit set. Pollination is generally undertaken by birds, which are attracted to the brightly coloured flowers. Blackbirds in the South Island and a combination of blackbirds and mynas in the North Island are the main pollinators. It is generally necessary to have more than one variety to ensure cross-pollination, with alternating rows per variety the most practical arrangement. Only Unique is sufficiently self-fertile to be planted as a single block cultivar.

Harvesting

Home gardeners usually wait for the fruit to drop from the trees. Commercially, fruit needs to be in good condition for longer periods and therefore needs hand harvesting or netting off the trees. This can be done with a little experience in judging when fruit is ready by fruit size after some initial fruit has begun to fall. Hold fruit and give a gentle wiggle to tell if ready. The main harvest is April - May in cooler areas and from February - April in the North.

Shelter

Strong winds can affect Feijoa fruit production. Orchard shelter should always be regarded as a necessity for commercial plantings and ideally should be established before the crop is planted. Shelter from prevailing wind benefits helps Feijoa production in the following ways:

• Helps protect the fruit from both leaf and limb rub.
• Protection against limb breakages.
• Reducing water loss from soil and leaves.

Creating a more favorable microclimate for fruit ripening. Well-sheltered blocks can be 2°C warmer than exposed ones. This can be particularly important in cooler, marginal areas.