Calcium Carbide for Pineapple Plants

Flowering

• Pineapple growers have long found it difficult to get a whole field of pineapples to yield at the same time. In some cases, two adjacent plants might flower months apart from each other. Harvesting fruit multiple times in the same year was onerous and increased labor costs, so growers wanted a way to make the plants flower on schedule. In the 1930s, growers discovered several compounds that could do the trick. One of these compounds was acetylene.

Acetylene

• Acetylene has two carbon atoms joined by a triple bond and two hydrogen atoms. In some ways it resembles another compound called ethylene, which has two carbon atoms joined by a double bond and four hydrogen atoms. Ethylene is an important plant hormone that helps trigger pineapple flowering. The similarities between ethylene and acetylene enable acetylene to serve as a substitute and trick the plant into behaving as if the hormone itself were present.

Modern Methods

• Most modern plant growers no longer use calcium carbide because better methods have now become available. In the 21st century, growers typically spray chemicals like ethephon, a compound that breaks down to release ethylene and makes the plants flower on time. Nonetheless, calcium carbide is still a viable option. If you want to buy calcium carbide for your pineapples, you may be able to find it at hobby stores; you can try inquiring at local home and garden stores, as well.

Application

• Forcing pineapples to flower with calcium carbide works well if the plant is already large and healthy. If it's small or sickly, forcing it to flower will reduce fruit quality and should be avoided. Be careful when handling calcium carbide -- remember it reacts with water to make acetylene, which is highly flammable. To apply the chemical, put some ice water in a cup and go outside and drop a few pellets of calcium carbide in. The mixture will begin to fizz. As soon as it stops fizzing, pour it into the plant's crown-like rosette and leave it to do its work.