Feijoas generally do not suffer from many problems, but when they do it can often be difficult to decipher the cause.
This problem can be attributed to a lack of both water and fertilizer as well as genetics.
Many varieties of feijoa are known to have thick rubbery skin as well as a gritty textured fruit and cross pollination is recommended to produce a fruit of alternate quality.
If, on the other hand you suspect that there may be a chance your feijoa plant was lacking in nutrients and water during the fruiting season, ensure that correct fertilizer and water requirements are met the following fruiting season to ensure healthier fruit.
Dead or dried feijoa leaves are most likely an outcome of lack of water. Older feijoa leaves do eventually die off so some occasional dead leaves are to be expected. Green dried leaves are definitive proof of a lack of water whereas dead brown leaves are more likely caused by old age.
Over fertilization may also be a contributing factor to falling leaves.
Holes in feijoa leaves are an obvious pest problem. Usually, these holes are caused by various caterpillars that should be controlled using pyrethrum spray or other natural pesticides.
When a feijoa flower falls off of the plant without turning to fruit you can be almost certain that it has not been pollinated by bees. Feijoa flowers require bees to spread pollen from one flower to another in order to bear fruit and if bees are not in abundance fruit may not occur. It may be beneficial to relocate a feijoa plant closer to other plants that attract plenty of bees or plant the bee attracting plants near your feijoa. Otherwise, hand pollination using a fine brush will be required daily for each flower until petals begin to die off. Less common causes of falling flowers include lack of water and fertilizer.
If your feijoa plant is not flowering it may be too young to do so. A feijoa plant will not flower until at least its second or third year of age and in its first flowering season, provide few flowers. Be sure to meet all of your feijoa plant's requirements to help it flower and produce fruit as soon as possible.
Drooping leaves and young branches are a sure sign of under watering, and a regular watering will be required to improve the plants condition. If you plant is potted, consider planting it in a larger pot or into the ground to reduce water requirements .
The failure of a feijoas growth is commonly attributed to compact or unsuitable soil as well as lack of nutrients and water. Potted feijoas will quickly become root-bound causing growth to slow to an eventual halt, and large pots are required to produce a reasonable harvest.
Damage leaves or spots on leaves are in most cases caused by pests. Although pest problems on feijoa plants are rare, on occasion mealybugs (small white insects), scale (spots on leaves) and caterpillars can all effect a feijoa. These pests should all be controlled with organicly based pesticides, and failure to do so may result in an ill plant or low yields of fruit.
