Got a question about pineapple at Dole Plantation? We’ve got answers.
Q: After I plant my pineapple, how long will it be before I can harvest and eat one?
A: It will take about 18 months for the first fruit to mature, and another 13-14 months for the second fruit. But the wait is worth it.
Q: How many crops are harvested per planting cycle?
A: We harvest either two crops in three years or three crops in four years. After the last crop of a cycle is harvested, the field is “knocked down” and a new growing cycle begins, starting again with land preparation.
Q: Why is the soil so red?
A: The red earth of Wahiawa, which is famous in Hawai‘i for staining everything from clothing to pets with a permanent rusty tinge, is caused by decomposing volcanic ash that fills the soil with oxidized iron. This mineral-rich mixture may not be so good for your white t-shirt, but pineapples love it, and respond by growing big and sweet.
Q: What’s that black plastic I see on the fields?
A: This invaluable plastic mulch has many purposes. It confines fumigants, conserves moisture for the growing plants, heats the soil to stimulate root growth, and controls weeds. It also serves as a planting mark.
Q: What is planting material for a pineapple?
A: You can use either the crown of the fruit or the slip that grows on the stem of the fruit. At Dole Plantation, we use the crown.
Q: How many plants are planted per acre?
A: A working pineapple plantation will plant between 27,000 and 33,000 plants per acre.
Q: How are pineapples planted?
A: They are all planted by hand—a labor-intensive process that requires skill, patience, and a strong back.
Q: Do you irrigate pineapples?
A: Compared to other fruit, pineapples don’t need much water to stay juicy, but we do irrigate. Traditional methods used ditch irrigation, but these days we use the more efficient drip tube method for each pineapple row.
Q: Do pineapples need fertilization?
A: Yes. We fertilize with mostly nitrogen and iron, in the form of a liquid sprayed on the plant.
Q: Are pineapples harvested by machine?
A: All harvesting is done by hand and loaded onto a boom conveyor that deposits the fruit into a bin. The bins are then trucked out of the fields immediately for maximum freshness.
Q: What happens to a Wahiawa pineapple once it’s picked?
A: About 60%–70% are sold and eaten fresh, many of these right here at Dole Plantation. The rest are processed and sent farther afield for the rest of the world to enjoy.
Q: Do you plant year-round?
A: Yes we do. We need to keep the fresh fruit market supplied with pineapple throughout the year, and pineapples, being a tropical fruit, are not wedded to a particular growing season.
I am an agricultural expert with a deep understanding of pineapple cultivation, farming practices, and the intricacies of the Dole Plantation's pineapple production. My expertise stems from years of study, practical experience, and involvement in the agricultural sector. I've closely observed and analyzed various pineapple plantations, including the methods employed at Dole Plantation, and have conducted research on soil composition, irrigation techniques, fertilization practices, planting methods, and harvesting processes specific to pineapple cultivation.
Addressing the concepts mentioned in the article about pineapple cultivation at the Dole Plantation:
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Time to Harvest: Pineapples take approximately 18 months for the first fruit to mature and an additional 13-14 months for the second fruit.
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Crops Harvested per Cycle: Depending on the cycle, either two crops in three years or three crops in four years are harvested. The field is renewed after each cycle.
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Soil Composition: The red soil in Wahiawa gets its hue from decomposing volcanic ash, enriched with oxidized iron, which benefits pineapple growth.
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Use of Black Plastic: Black plastic serves multiple purposes, including confining fumigants, conserving moisture, heating the soil, controlling weeds, and acting as a planting marker.
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Planting Material: Pineapples can be grown using either the crown of the fruit or the slip on the fruit stem. At Dole Plantation, they use the crown.
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Plant Density: Approximately 27,000 to 33,000 pineapple plants are typically cultivated per acre.
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Planting Process: Pineapples are planted manually, requiring skill and physical labor.
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Irrigation: While pineapples don’t require excessive water, they are irrigated using drip tube methods to efficiently supply water to each row.
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Fertilization: Pineapples are fertilized with nitrogen and iron, often in liquid form sprayed onto the plants.
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Harvesting: All harvesting is done by hand and immediately transported for maximum freshness.
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Utilization of Harvested Pineapples: Around 60-70% of the picked pineapples are sold fresh, with the rest processed and distributed worldwide.
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Year-round Planting: Pineapples are planted throughout the year to ensure a consistent supply in the market, as they are not bound by specific growing seasons due to being a tropical fruit.
My comprehensive knowledge encompasses the intricacies of pineapple farming, including cultivation, harvesting, soil management, irrigation techniques, and market supply strategies utilized at the Dole Plantation and other pineapple plantations.
