Dole Plantation: Pineapple Variety Garden

The Pineapple Variety Garden is free to visit.

Sectioned to grow a variety of pineapples and at various stages of growth.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

This is one of a series of posts about the Dole Planation visitor attraction.

One of the free things to do at Dole Plantation is the Pineapple Variety Garden. It educates the public that pineapples (or bromeliads) come in other forms. The photo above names other varieties of pineapple but the smooth cayenne is the one that is grown commercially.

Another sign in the garden answers some Q&As about pineapples including:
Q: How long does it take for a pineapple plant to produce fruit?
A: About 20 months for the first fruit and another 14-15 months for the second fruit.

Q: How many crops do you harvest per cycle?
A: Two crops in 4 years or 3 crops in 5 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 soil for pineapple.

Q: What is used as planting material?
A: The crown of the fruit or slip that grows on the stem of the fruit.

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: 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.

At the far end of the garden is a fish pond. For a few cents, guests can buy feed for the fish. Visit
dole-plantation.com for more information. Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm daily (closed on Christmas Day).

The pineapple belongs to the bromeliad family of plants. These are
a decorative variety of the plant.

The Cosmosus Prozenas pineapple from South America.

The more recognizable variety of Pineapple (smooth cayenne).

The maze, tropical garden and train ride surround the Pineapple
Variety Garden.

Sign in the in the garden showing the distance to local and
international destinations.

The fish pond at the end of the garden.

Visitors can feed the fish. Feed dispensers located next to the pond's
viewing platform.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)