Pineapple Guava (Marion)

Planting & Care

Planting & Care – Marion Pineapple Guava

Site Selection

• Choose a sunny, sheltered spot; wind bruises fruit and breaks branches.
• Tolerates salt spray, so coastal sites work well.

Soil Preparation

• Use well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
• Tolerates soils from sandy to heavy clay given good drainage.
• Mix in compost at planting time to improve structure.

Planting Instructions

1. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
2. Set the plant with the root flare at soil level.
3. Backfill with native soil and water in thoroughly.
4. Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, kept off the trunk.

Watering & Fertilizing

• Keep soil evenly moist while fruit is sizing.
• A dry spell during fruiting causes fruit and leaf drop.
• Feed lightly in early spring.

Pollination

• Marion is partially self-fertile and sets some fruit alone.
• Plant a second pineapple guava nearby for a full crop.

Pruning & Training

• Prune after harvest to shape; fruit forms on new wood.
• Light hedging controls size without cutting next year’s crop.

Harvest & Use

• Marion ripens mid to late season, October into November.
• Fruit is ripe when it drops or twists free easily.
• Collect frequently; flavor keeps developing for a few days after picking.

Cold Care

• Shelter the first winter or two while the plant establishes.
• An established, fully dormant plant takes brief single-digit cold.
• A sudden autumn frost costs the ripening fruit before it harms the plant.