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5.

Patch-budding has also been used successfully, both the usual type and
the modified Forkert, preferably on rootstocks about 1 inch in diameter.
Scions should be of the same thickness. The seated patch of bud and bark
is conveniently held in place by a somewhat larger patch of vinyl plastic,
tied on with plastic strips.

Guava trees already in production can be topworked to better varieties
by the standard method of cleft-grafting, performed early in the season of
most active growth. Another good method of top-working is to induce the
development of many sprouts by pruning the trees heavily, then when the
sprouts which develop have attained sufficient size (the diameter of a lead
pencil or larger) they can be veneer-grafted, in the same manner as young
seedling stocks. In all cases where guavas are topworked, many undesired
shoots will develop below the graft and must be cut away promptly lest they
outgrow the scions.

Seedlings, either for use as stocks or for planting in the field, are
easily grown. Guava seeds remain viable for many months, but give decreasing
percentages of germination with time, so that the sooner they are planted
after removal from the fruit, the better. The hard seed coats often do not
absorb water readily, thus delaying germination for many weeks. While seeds
sometimes germinate within three weeks, delay can be avoided by immersion in
hot water for five minutes. Seedlings several months old are difficult to
transplant from the open ground, hence they should be potted while still
small and moved from time to time into larger containers until they are a
year old. They are then ready for grafting, or for transplanting to the
field.