My pineapple guavas almost died a few years ago.  I think it might have been the summer when it got really hot.  They looked like they were dying of thirst. Many leaves fell off and limbs looked dead.  I tried watering them, but apparently it wasn't enough.  So I made a plan.

I installed an olla under each one.  This is a large clay pot that you fill with water during the hottest months and it slowly seeps out.  It was invented by indigenous groups in the Southwest.  I refill it about once a week in the summer.  We have hot, dry summers.  I also biocharred them all the way around at the drip line.  Then I deep mulched them with wood chips.  Then I pruned back the mulberry tree that was partially shading them.  

They slowly seemed to recover. Last year, they looked healthy but didn't fruit. Finally, this year, they flowered heavily this year.  I hand pollinated them and this year, they are both fruiting.  I am now enjoying the fruits of my labor!  

Don't let your pineapple guavas get too thirsty. They won't like it.  

John S
PDX OR