Pineapple is a tropical fruit widely grown in the Philippines, offering a range of benefits, from being a delicious snack to a significant commercial crop. Its unique taste and potential for high profitability make it a popular choice for home gardens and large-scale farms alike. Pineapple planting in the Philippines is both rewarding and manageable, given the country’s ideal climate. In this guide, we will walk you through every step of growing pineapples, ensuring a successful harvest.
Choosing the Right Variety for Pineapple Planting
Selecting the right pineapple variety is essential for a successful yield. Below are some varieties commonly grown in the Philippines:
- Queen Pineapple
- Description: Known for its small size and sweet flavor, Queen Pineapple is a favorite for fresh consumption.
- Pros: Highly resistant to diseases, excellent flavor.
- Cons: Lower yield compared to other varieties.
- Recommended Growing Region: Bicol region.
- Smooth Cayenne
- Description: A larger variety with a tarter taste, ideal for canning.
- Pros: High yield and good for commercial farming.
- Cons: Prone to diseases.
- Recommended Growing Region: Mindanao.
- Red Spanish
- Description: A variety that is more fibrous and smaller, with a reddish hue.
- Pros: Highly resistant to pests and diseases.
- Cons: Less sweet and more fibrous.
- Recommended Growing Region: Luzon.
- MD-2 Hybrid
- Description: Known for its balanced sweetness and shelf life, MD-2 is a favorite for export.
- Pros: Long shelf life, very sweet, and high yield.
- Cons: Susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Recommended Growing Region: Davao.
Soil Preparation
Pineapple plants thrive in well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH level of 4.5 to 6.5. Ensuring that the soil is well-prepared will lead to healthy plant growth.
Steps for Soil Preparation:
- Test the soil pH using a soil testing kit to ensure it falls within the optimal range.
- Amend the soil with organic compost or well-rotted manure to improve its structure and fertility.
- Ensure proper drainage by creating mounds or raised beds to prevent waterlogging, as pineapples do not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Planting Methods
There are several methods to propagate pineapples, but the most common methods in the Philippines are using crowns, slips, or suckers.
- Crowns: The top part of the fruit is used for propagation.
- Preparation: Twist the crown off a ripe pineapple and let it dry for a few days to prevent rotting.
- Planting: Plant it in the soil with the base slightly buried, spacing crowns 30-50 cm apart.
- Slips: These are small shoots that grow between the leaves of the mature fruit.
- Preparation: Detach the slips when they are about 20 cm long.
- Planting: Plant slips about 8 cm deep, spacing them about 30 cm apart.
- Suckers: These grow from the base of the mature plant and can be replanted to propagate new plants.
- Preparation: Remove suckers when they are around 30 cm tall.
- Planting: Space suckers 90 cm apart in rows 1 meter apart.
How to Plant
Proper spacing, planting depth, and light exposure are crucial factors for the successful growth of pineapple plants, especially during the propagation stage.
Plant Spacing:
- Crowns: When planting pineapple crowns (the top part of the fruit), space the plants 30-50 cm apart in rows that are spaced 80-90 cm apart. This spacing ensures proper airflow between the plants and allows them to receive adequate sunlight, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
- Slips and Suckers: Slips (small shoots) and suckers (offshoots from the main plant) should be spaced about 90 cm apart. Rows should also be spaced 1 meter apart to allow ample room for root expansion and future growth. This wider spacing is particularly important for suckers, as they tend to grow larger and can spread more extensively.
Planting Depth:
- Crowns: When planting pineapple crowns, the base should be buried about 2-3 cm deep in the soil. Be careful not to bury the crown too deeply, as this can lead to rotting.
- Slips and Suckers: Both slips and suckers should be planted 8-10 cm deep, ensuring the roots have enough contact with the soil to establish themselves. Proper planting depth is key for promoting healthy root growth while avoiding excessive moisture retention around the stem, which can lead to rot.
Fertilization
Fertilizing pineapple plants is essential to support their growth and fruit production. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers can be used, depending on availability and preference. Here’s a guide to fertilization at different stages of growth, with recommendations for both types of fertilizers.
a. Growing Stage (Vegetative Growth)
- Objective: Promote healthy root development and vigorous leaf growth.
Inorganic Fertilizer:
- NPK Ratio: Use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, such as 10-5-10 or 12-6-8. Nitrogen supports the growth of lush, green foliage.
- Application Frequency: Apply every 6-8 weeks during the growing stage.
Organic Fertilizer:
- Compost or Well-Rotted Manure: Apply 2-3 inches of compost around the base of the plant to provide a slow release of nutrients, particularly nitrogen.
- Vermicast (Worm Castings): Use 0.5 kg of vermicast per plant to boost nitrogen levels naturally, promoting healthy leaf and stem development.
Application Tips:
- Whether using organic or inorganic fertilizers, avoid applying fertilizer too close to the plant stem to prevent root burn. Instead, distribute it around the drip line of the plant.
b. Flowering Stage
- Objective: Encourage healthy flower formation for optimal fruit development.
Inorganic Fertilizer:
- NPK Ratio: During the flowering stage, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer like 5-15-10. Phosphorus supports flowering and root development, while potassium helps the plant maintain its vigor.
- Application Frequency: Apply once at the onset of flowering and continue every 6-8 weeks until fruiting begins.
Organic Fertilizer:
- Bone Meal: Apply 0.5 kg per plant of bone meal, which is rich in phosphorus, to promote flowering.
- Fish Emulsion: A liquid organic fertilizer like fish emulsion is also effective in this stage. Dilute 2 tablespoons per gallon of water and apply around the base of the plant every 4-6 weeks during flowering.
Application Tips:
- Organic fertilizers should be worked gently into the soil to ensure proper nutrient absorption. If using bone meal or fish emulsion, water the plants after application to help the nutrients penetrate the soil.
c. Fruiting Stage
- Objective: Enhance fruit development, size, and sweetness.
Inorganic Fertilizer:
- NPK Ratio: For the fruiting stage, use a potassium-rich fertilizer such as 10-10-20 or 12-12-17-2 (NPK+Mg). Potassium improves fruit size, taste, and overall plant resistance.
- Application Frequency: Fertilize every 2-3 months during the fruiting stage.
Organic Fertilizer:
- Banana Peels: Rich in potassium, banana peels can be composted or buried near the plant’s root zone to release nutrients as they decompose.
- Wood Ash: Apply a thin layer of wood ash (about 1 cup per plant) around the base of the pineapple plant. Wood ash provides a good source of potassium and other trace minerals.
- Kelp Meal: Kelp meal is another excellent organic source of potassium. Apply 2 tablespoons per plant during fruiting.
Application Tips:
- Avoid over-fertilizing during fruiting, as too much nitrogen at this stage may result in less sweetness and smaller fruit. Focus on potassium to support the fruit’s development.
d. Post-Harvest (Recovery Stage)
- Objective: Restore nutrients to the soil and prepare the plant for the next growth cycle or ratooning.
Inorganic Fertilizer:
- NPK Ratio: Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 to provide the plant with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Application Frequency: Apply once immediately after harvest to help the plant recover and prepare for future growth. This can be done again after 2-3 months if you’re continuing ratooning.
Organic Fertilizer:
- Compost: Apply a fresh layer of 2-3 inches of compost around the base of the plant to replenish the soil’s nutrients.
- Green Manure: If possible, plant a green manure crop (like legumes) between rows after harvest. This enriches the soil with nitrogen and improves its structure.
Application Tips:
- After harvesting, fertilize the plant lightly to avoid excessive stress. For ratooning, maintaining a good balance of nutrients will ensure healthy offshoot growth for future crops.
Watering
Watering needs vary depending on the climate. Pineapples should be watered 2-3 times per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but not soggy. In the rainy season, reduce watering to prevent root rot.
Mulching Techniques
Mulching is essential for retaining soil moisture and controlling weeds. Apply organic mulch like straw, leaves, or compost around the base of the plant. This also helps keep the roots cool and minimizes water evaporation.
Weeding
To avoid competition for nutrients, it’s vital to regularly remove weeds. Mulching helps reduce weed growth, but manual weeding may still be necessary during the rainy season.
5 Common Pests and Diseases
- Mealybugs
Symptoms: White cottony masses on leaves and roots.
Control: Neem oil or insecticidal soap. - Nematodes
Symptoms: Root knots and stunted growth.
Control: Use nematode-resistant varieties or soil solarization. - Fruit Rot (Phytophthora)
Symptoms: Rotting fruit.
Control: Use fungicides and ensure good drainage. - Scale Insects
Symptoms: Brown or black scales on leaves.
Control: Horticultural oils or insecticides. - Leaf Spot
Symptoms: Dark spots on leaves.
Control: Apply copper-based fungicides.
Flowering and Fruiting Stage
During flowering and fruiting, monitor the plants closely for pests. Increase watering slightly and ensure the plants are getting enough nutrients.
Harvesting
Pineapples are usually ready for harvest about 18-24 months after planting. The fruit should be a deep yellow color and firm to the touch. Use a sharp knife or shears to cut the fruit at the base.
Pruning Requirements
Prune dead or dying leaves and suckers to direct more energy toward the main plant. Pruning once a year is usually enough.
Post-Harvest Care
Store harvested pineapples in a cool, dry place or refrigerate to extend their shelf life. Pineapples can also be canned or dried for long-term storage.
Propagation for Future Plantings
After harvesting, suckers can be removed and replanted to start the next cycle. Pineapple plants can also ratoon, meaning they can produce more fruit without being replanted.
Additional Tips
- Pineapple planting in the Philippines benefits from the warm, tropical climate.
- Keep an eye on the weather and adjust watering and fertilization accordingly.
Conclusion
Growing pineapples in the Philippines is a rewarding venture that can be done in both home gardens and large farms. With the right variety, proper care, and patience, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest year after year. Follow the best practices outlined in this guide to ensure success with your pineapple planting endeavor.