Q: How long does it take for a plant to produce a pineapple?

A: About 18 months for the first fruit and another 13-14 months for the second fruit. 

Q: How many crops do you harvest per cycle?

A: Two crops in three years or three crops in four years. After the last crop is harvested, the field is knocked down and a new cycle begins starting with land preparation. 

Q: Why is the soil so red?

A: The red color is caused by decomposed volcanic ash resulting in oxidized iron in the soil. It is good pineapple soil.

Q: What is the purpose of the black plastic mulch used when growing pineapples?

A: 1) Confine fumigant. 2) Conserve moisture. 3) Heat soil to stimulate root growth. 4) Weed control. 5) Planting mark.

Q: What is used as planting material?

A: Basically the crown of the fruit or slip that grows on the stem of the fruit.

Q: How many plants do you plant in an acre?

A: 27,000 to 33,000

Q: How are they planted?

A: All plants are manually planted.

Q: Do you irrigate pineapple?

A: Yes, by the drip tube method within the pineapple line.

Q: Does pineapple need fertilization?

A: Yes, mostly nitrogen and iron in the form of liquid sprayed on the plant.

Q: Are pineapple harvested by machine?

A: All harvesting is done by hand and loaded on a boom conveyor that takes fruit onto a bin.

Q: How are the pineapples from Wahiawa utilized?

A: About 60-70% as fresh and the balance as processed.

Q: Do you plant year-round?

A: Yes, in order to keep the fresh fruit market supplied with pineapple throughout the year.