Guava

The guava tree is a small which may reach a height of about 8 meters. It has four-angled branches. The leaves are opposite, somewhat hairy, oblong to elliptic and usually pointed at both ends. The flowers are white and borne in panicles with one to three flowers.
The guava fruit is rounded, about 4 to 5 centimeters long, the introduced guavas, such as the Brazilian guava, the Florida Guava and the Java guava are much bigger than the native varieties. They are much more fleshy and have lesser seeds. The fruit when unripe is green, when fully ripe, it is yellow. The ripe fruit has pink or white pulp.
One variety, with smaller fruits but recommended for backyard planting is the purple guava. It is a sort of a novelty because of its color. The ripe fruit is sweet and delicious;
Economic and Nutritive Values of Guava Fruits
• Guava fruits are eaten ripe or unripe. The ripe guava fruits are sweet and are made into jellies which preserved in bottle.
• Ripe guavas are used in the preparation of a certain dish.
• Vitamin C content of guava fruits.
Medicinal Value
• The leaves are boiled in water and the solution is used for stomach ache and for expelling intestinal worms.
• The bark and leaves are used in childbirth to expel the placenta.
• The pounded leaves are applied to ease rheumatic pains.
• Juice extracted from roots and leaves are rubbed on the spine children having convulsions.

Guava are propagated in a number of ways. Seed planting is most common way. Guavas, however, may be planted asexually, by marcotting, stem cutting, grafting and budding.

Atis (Anona aquamosa)

The atis tree(Sugar Apple Tree) is widely cultivated in many parts of the Philippines. It is one of the fruit trees that is easy to grow, and is recommended for backyard growing because of its relatively small size. It grows about two to seven meters high.
The fruit is about the size and shape of an apple. Its rind is scale-like in appearance, which breaks loose from the pulp when the fruit ripens. The pulp is very soft and aromatic. It has many seeds. Although not very juicy, it is very sweet.

Economic And Nutritive Values of Atis Fruit
• The ripe atis fruit is mainly eaten as a dessert fruit.
• It is a rich source of Vitamin C and also contains Vitamin A.
Medicinal Value of Atis
• The unripe fruit is given for internal use(eaten) as remedy for dysentery and diarrhea.
• The pounded leaves mixed with oil make a good poultice for diseases of the scalp.
• The solution formed by boiling the roots in water is used as purgative.


The atis tree may be propagated by seeds, cutting and grafting. It grows well in a well-drained soil containing plenty of humus. The seeding or young tree should be planted from four to five meters apart.
The fruits should be properly mature before they are harvested so that they would be fleshy and delicious. The fruits are ready for picking when it has become light green and the space between the outer carpels has widened but not cracked. The planting time for atis are during the months of July to December.