At the time of planting, P at the rate of 4 g per plant, in the form of rock phosphate, is applied in the pits taken for planting suckers. N and K are applied in 4 splits starting from 3-5 weeks after planting so as to get 8 g per plant. The usually applied organic manures are poultry manure and cowdung. Cowdung is applied in the pits taken for planting suckers or afterwards. One dose of N and K are applied at 70-80 days after growth regulator application for flower induction.

Wherever irrigation facilities are available, irrigation is done at 2-3 weeks interval. In the situation where irrigation facility is not available, the crop is scheduled to harvest before summer months (before March). Suckers planted during January/February are normally harvested in December/January.

Small farmers, who grow pineapple in less than one ha, usually adopt hand weeding for weed control. In larger plantations weed control is effected by application of weedicides. This is usually adopted by application of pre-emergent weedicides like Diuron. In inter-spaces usually weedicides like paraquat are applied atleast twice.

Pineapple cultivation in Vazhakulam area became very popular and commercially viable after the introduction of ethephon in this area by the beginning of 1980’s. During summer months and festival seasons, there is heavy demand for fruit and the prices increases. Hence many farmers schedule the planting, growth regulator application and harvest to synchronize with the season of demand and high price. Fruits are harvested at 130-135 days after the application of growth regulator.

The plant crop after harvest is retained as ratoon crop for atleast two more years. After the harvest, chopping of the side leaves of the mother plant was done for easy cultural operations. One or two suckers are retained removing any excess suckers. Earthing up is practiced. Manuring, irrigation, weed control etc are practiced as in the plant crop.