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Growing a Pineapple from Fruit


From feathers@rose.rsoc.rockwell.com (C. Tim Featherston)


Subject: Growing pineapple plant from fruit?
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 94 14:05:25 CDT

The following method works for me:

1) Cut the top off the pineapple and remove all of the fruit. If you leave some fruit on it will rot the top.

2) Remove the bottom 1" or 1 and 1/2" of leaves The stalk will root but the leaves will rot.

3) (the secret) Dry the top for two days or until a callous forms Depending on the humidity this could be as short as a day or as long asa week. Do this some place cool and dry. If you don't do this the stalk will rot.

4) Dip the stalk end in water and then into rooting hormone. This makes rooting faster.

5) Lay the stalk in a pot of fast draining potting soil so that only part of the stalk is touching the soil.

Don't put the entire stalk in the soil. In other words DO NOT plat the stalk in a vertical position. If you do then it is highly likely the stalk will rot. If you live in a very dry climate (e.g., Arizona or new mexico) then put the pot and stalk in a plastic bag (e.g., dry cleaning bag) to conserve moisture.

6) Mist frequently to keep the soil moist but not wet. Roots should appear in 2 or 3 weeks.

7) Once roots appear, repot the pineapple (this time in the vertical position) in a fast draining pooting soil (e.g., half pooting soil half perlite).

Remember, pineapples are actually bromeliads. Hence they like tropical conditions. High light, constant humidity, and constant lite fertilizer in the summer time.

In 2 or 3 years, it will grow another pineapple.

More useful advice from red.fish@juno.com (Jim S Drew)

Subject: Never Grown a Pineapple?
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 13:23:15 EDT

I feel full sun is very important for a happy pineapple. In three years my plant has seen it all; cold weather, frost, low light and dry conditions. I would suggest full sun if possible. Considering that the humidity rarely dips below 30% here, low light seems to bother the plant more than low water.

A shot of Miracle Grow Patio helps. When the pineapple started to appear I started using bloom booster.

By the way, it is getting ripe. It is beginning to swell and turn light green or gold around the flower sites.

After 3 failures (death by frost) it's good to see one produce. Maybe I found one with enough will to live.

My pineapple looked like it was about ready to give up the ghost before it produced. I have heard, like banana trees, they have to produce a certain number of leaves before they will bare. I counted 44 leaves on mine and may have missed a few. How many leaves does your have?

I had mine in a 10 gal pot and it was rootbound when I transplanted.

Just a thought... Putting it in a black pot may result in warmer roots. That may be why it's happier in the winter.

From: red.fish@juno.com (Jim S Drew)
Date: Sat, 09 Aug 1997 13:11:41 EDT

Just a word to let you know recent developments. The pineapple ripened and was delicious! Not only was It sweeter and juicer than the ones from our supermarket but its aroma filled the house.


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