How to grow Pineapples in Zimbabwe

How to grow Pineapples

As it is indigenous to the tropics, the crop requires areas where the climate is warm,
humid and free from extreme temperatures (25 °C being optimal). These areas
have a great potential for pineapple production.

Cayenne and Queen cultivars

The Smooth Cayenne cultivar is used for both canning
(75 % of which is exported) and as fresh fruit. The Queen,
because of its high sugar content and unsuitable canning
qualities, is cultivated only for fresh consumption. However,
because production of the Queen pineapple is more costly,
fresh consumption is shifting towards the Cayenne.
Cayenne plants and the fruit are normally larger than that
of the Queen, with succulent yellow fruit. Queen fruit has
a golden yellow colour and is less juicy.

Planting requirements

Pineapples can be grown in a variety of soil types but
prefer mildly acid soils (pH 5,5–6,5). However, there are
certain requirements for successful pineapple production,
which include:

Planting material

Plant pineapples between July and December.
Why?
• For rapid growth and uniform stand
• The temperature during this time ranges from satisfactory to ideal
Do not plant between February and April.
Why?
• Temperatures become progressively lower
• Retarded growth, poor and uneven stand
Farm planning, selection of soils and land layout
Consider the following factors when designing the layout of the land where you are going to
plant pineapples as they will affect production:
• Climate—is it warm, humid and frost free? The occurrence and intensity of rainfall
should also be considered
• Soil type—clayey loams or sandy soils are ideal for planting
• Natural obstacles—rocky outcrops and vleis
• Soil conservation—unprepared soil usually results in poor plant uniformity, root
development and weed control
• Position of windbreaks—to protect soil and crops
• Topography—gentle slopes will require a layout different from that for steep slopes.
Steep slopes are more difficult to manage and cultivate (more powerful machinery is
required)
The aims in the layout of a pineapple land are to:
– control water runoff and thereby limit soil erosion
– facilitate good drainage and prevent root and heart rot
– uniform distribution of sunlight to all plants
– have roads allowing machinery easy access to the pineapple plants (to expedite
harvesting and spraying).

Planting

Planting is done by hand, with or without the aid of a planting machine. Use of the latter
results in uniform, neat plantations.
Plant spacing
Spacing from ridge centre to ridge centre: 1,5 m.
Each ridge must carry a double row of plants.
Spacing between rows should be 600 mm.
Spacing between the plants in the row: 300 mm.

Weed control
For the control of most broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses, contact herbicides can be
used.

Pest and disease control
Effective control measures are available for the most important pests and diseases.
Pesticides used to control soil pests and diseases should be incorporated into the soil
before ridging, with booster applications if required.
Pests above the soil level are usually controlled by spraying with a foliar pesticide during
the period when the pests are most active.
Always read the label on the pesticide containers.
Why?
• To know if pH sensitive or biodegradable, i.e. whether it breaks down rapidly in direct
sunlight
• To find out how to get the desired control with minimum impact on the environment
• For the safety of workers

Fertilisation
Use the following fertilisers
Hand applied fertiliser:  ammonium sulphate 100 N (sulphate of ammonia)
—10 pockets/ha
Phosphate:   drilled into the ridges
0–300 kg/ha (Saaifos and zinc)
Potassium:   broadcast before ridging
0–400 kg/ha (potassium chloride)
Mixture:   drilled/broadcast
0–600 kg/ha (0:1:6 + Mg/Zn)

Forcing agents
With the use of forcing agents, the pineapples can be made to bear fruit at virtually any
time of the year.
Why?
• It initiates flowering, shortens crop cycle and increases yield
• It ensures uniform, complete and concentrated cropping
Fruit colouring or yellowing
Fruiting agents can also be applied to colour fruit, by spraying or brushing onto fruit. This
ensures uniform colouring of the fruit in a plantation.

Irrigation
The pineapple plant is able to utilise rainwater and even dew very effectively. Therefore, the
heavy dew that occurs in the coastal regions is so valuable to pineapples that irrigation may
not even be necessary. Supplementary irrigation could, however, sometimes be essential
and of great value.

Harvesting
Harvesting should be done 7 to 14 days after yellowing. It is labour intensive because
workers walk in the space between ridges to pick the fruit by hand, loading it into baskets,
or onto a boom harvester.
After harvesting the crowns are broken off (not twisted) and left on top of the plants in the field
or are placed in bags to be collected at a later date for planting.
Make sure that the fruit is not too green or too ripe when harvested, not bruised or damaged
and that it is not affected to a large extent by any physiological problems.