Pineapple is a tropical fruit that has been famous in the world. Especially the areas of Latin America, Thailand, Hawaii, Vietnam, and of course Indonesia. Pineapple cultivation is beneficial because of its easy maintenance. Pineapple is a plant commodity that is widely utilized as a fruit processed food.
Vitamins contained in pineapple fruit is high enough because it's a lot of people who consume them. The large demand from the community makes the farmers want the results from the maximum pineapple cultivation. Here's how to cultivate pineapple for maximum results.
• Climate
- Pineapple plants can grow in wet and dry climates
- Pineapple plants can grow optimally with sunlight that can meet the needs of pineapple plants ranged from 33-71%.
- The temperature suitable for pineapple cultivation is 23-32 ° C, but also can live in low temperature land to 10 ° C.
- Pineapple is suitable planted with an altitude of 800-1200 m above sea level. But for optimal plant growth can be planted with an altitude between 100-700 m above sea level.
• Growing media
- In the cultivation of pineapple plants more suitable to use fertile soil, loose & contain lots of organic material and low lime content.
- The suitable acidity degree is pH 4.5-6.5. Soil containing a lot of lime (pH over 6.5) will cause the plant to become chlorotic & short. As for acidic soil (pH 4.5 or lower) will lead to rapid decline of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, & molybdinum.
- Water is needed in the growth of pineapple plants for the absorption of nutrient elements that can dissolve in it. However, the water content in the soil is not too much (stagnant). Another thing that also must be considered well is aeration & drainage, because if it is missed it will be very easy plant attacked root rot.
- In the process of pineapple cultivation the slope of the soil has no effect, but the pineapple plant is very liked when planted in a somewhat sloping place, because if there is abundant water on the soil, it will quickly dry the soil.
2. Phase - Stage of Pineapple Cultivation
• Seedling
The success of pineapple planting is largely determined by the quality of the seedlings. Pineapple can be proliferated by vegetative and generative means. Vegetative ways used are root buds, bud shoots, fruit buds, fruit crowns and stem cuttings. The generative way is done using seeds grown from the nursery process. For good seed quality should come from good plants as well as tanama grow normally / optimal, healthy and free from pests and diseases.
3. Planting Media Processing
• Preparation
Planting pineapple plants can be done in the garden or fields. The best preparation and clearing time is during the dry season, throwing away and clearing the trees or rocks from around the garden. For soil treatment process can be done by digging / hijacked use of tractor as deep as 30-40 cm to loose and with soil pH level of 5.5 at the beginning of the rainy season. After that let the soil dry for 15 days so that the soil is really ripe and ready for planting. The number of seeds needed in a field depends on the type of pineapple, the level of soil fertility and the ecology of its growth.
• The establishment of Bedengan
The establishment of beds can be done simultaneously with the processing of soil. The system of plots is enough by leveling the soil, then around it is made the channel of entry and disposal of water. Beding is done by making the distance between beds 90-150 cm, width 80-120 cm, and height map or bed between 30-40 cm.
• Calcification
The degree of soil acidity appropriate for pineapple plants is 4.5-6.5. Calcification of soil may use Calcit, Dolomite or Zeagro or other lime materials. Calcification can be done by way of sowing over the soil layer evenly, especially on acidic acid (pH below 4.5). Lime dose can be adjusted to soil pH, but usually, the dose is about 2-4 ton / ha. If it does not rain after calcification, then immediately do the irrigation of the soil to quickly dissolve lime.
4. Planting Pineapple
a. Make a Planting Hole
The first step is to make a planting hole in the bed that has been made earlier. You can use gancu or hoe in making planting holes. Make a planting hole about 30 x 30 cm.
b. Incorporate Seeds
Incorporate the seeds that you have selected earlier, so that later can produce good and quality pineapple fruit.
c. Close the hole
Cover each hole by using soil that is dumped to the ground. If you need to tread the soil, so the soil can solidify. When laying pineapple seeds, should try if the seeds of pineapple plants really plugged in on the ground, for good growth and not easily collapsed.
d. Flush
The final step is to water the soil evenly and clean by using clean water. If necessary while praying for your crops to be satisfying and quality.
5. Pineapple Plant Maintenance
• Embroidery
Embroidery on pineapple plants can be done after 1-2 months of pineapple plants from the planting process, by replacing pineapple plants that died or did not grow well with new plants.
• Weeding
Weeding is done on weeds or other pests that can disrupt the growth of pineapple plants.
• Pembubunan
Pembubunan done to improve the soil conditions and close the roots of pineapple plants that appear to the surface.
• Subsequent Fertilization
The first follow-up fertilization is done after the plant is about 2 to 3 months after planting. Further fertilization is done every 3 to 4 months until the plants bloom. Type of fertilizer used include Manure, ZA, SP-36 and NPK.
• Watering and Watering
Perform watering once a week, especially in the dry season, after the plant mature, watering is done 2 weeks.
6. Diseases and Pests
Generally, pests that attack pineapple plants among them are fruit flies, caterpillars, beetles, and fruit borer. Well, to eradicate and prevent these pests, then you can use the exterminators-among them are Micat, Bulldog, Imidisoprit, and spontaneous. But remember, use the exterminator in accordance with the dosage and advice on the packaging. If excessive, it can cause your pineapple plants to be disturbed and might die before harvesting.
7. Harvesting
Pineapple can be harvested after 1-2 years of age after planting depending on the variety of pineapple species grown. The characteristics of pineapple that can be harvested, among others: The fruit crown has been opened, fruit stalk has been shrunk, has a distinctive aroma, the color of the fruit began to turn yellow, and the eyes of the fruit has a large and more flat round. How to harvest it by cutting the base of the fruit stalk.
Similarly the article about "Here are 7 Important Stages in the Cultivation of Pineapple Plants" hopefully can add insight you and good luck.
