Guava natti

*Wild Guava Plant / Nattu Koiya / Desi Amrood* 🌿

Wild guava is the native Indian variety — smaller, more aromatic, and harder than the big hybrid guavas you see in supermarkets.

*How to Identify Nattu Koiya Plant*

*Tree*: 

- Grows 3-6 meters tall, bushy with crooked branches

- Bark is smooth, greenish-brown, peels in thin flakes

- Young branches are 4-angled

*Leaves*:

- Opposite, simple, 5-15 cm long

- Thick, leathery, dark green top, pale underside  

- Strong guava smell when crushed

- Prominent veins

*Flowers*: 

- White, 2-3 cm across, 4-5 petals

- Lots of stamens — looks fluffy

- Strong sweet smell

*Fruit*:

- Round or pear-shaped, 3-6 cm only

- Green when raw → yellow when ripe

- Flesh: white or deep pink, very aromatic

- Lots of hard seeds — that’s the “nattu” trait

- Taste: sweet-sour, stronger flavor than hybrid

*Growing Nattu Koiya*

- *Climate*: Loves heat. Grows well in 15°C to 45°C. Drought tolerant once established

- *Soil*: Any well-drained soil. Thrives even in poor soil where hybrids fail

- *Sun*: Full sun needed — 6+ hours daily

- *Water*: Low water once mature. Seedlings need regular watering

- *Fruiting*: Starts in 2-3 years from sapling, 5-6 years from seed

- *Season*: Main season July-Sept. Some plants give winter crop too

*Why Farmers Like It*

1. *Hardy*: Pest resistant, no major diseases. Survives neglect

2. *Low input*: Doesn’t need heavy fertilizer or sprays

3. *Long life*: Tree lives 30-40 years easily

4. *Demand*: Premium price in cities for “nattu” taste + medicinal use

*Common Names*: Nattu koiya, Desi amrood, Koyya, Jaam, Perakka, Seebe