How To Grow Pineapple From The Top At Home + Photos And Videos

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

How to grow pineapple from the top at home

Today we are going to grow pineapple. A real tropical pineapple at home. For this we need directly the pineapple itself and a pot of soil. That's all. If you have these ingredients, and in addition to them patience, everything should work out. From us - advice and step-by-step instructions, from you - actions and belief in success.

Content

• 1 A little about pineapple

• 2 Preparing for landing

  • 2.1 Required materials
  • 2.2 Fruit selection

• 3 Step-by-step instructions for growing pineapple at home

  • 3.1 Video: preparation and germination of the top
  • 3.2 Landing procedure
  • 3.3 Video: planting and growing

• 4 Growing and care

  • 4.1 Air temperature
  • 4.2 Soil moisture
  • 4.3 Fertilizers
  • 4.4 Transfer
  • 4.5 Flowering
• 5 Reviews from those who have already tried
• 6 Video: how to grow pineapple from the top

A little about pineapple

Pineapple is a tropical herb, the fruits of which are famous for their juiciness, inimitable sweet and sour taste and aroma. Pineapple grows mainly in the tropics; the USA, Latin America, Thailand and the Philippines are considered the leaders in its production.

Contrary to popular belief, pineapples do not grow on palms. This fruit develops directly on the ground from inflorescences on densely growing herbaceous shoots. Today it is popular all over the world, but before Columbus's voyages in the Old World, it was never heard of. Having tasted the outlandish fruit, the Europeans soon began to make attempts to grow it at home in greenhouse conditions. This tradition has come down to us, so we are not the first to try to grow pineapple in a pot: gardeners have been doing this for more than half a century. Passion for growing pineapples reached Russia a little later. But already in the 19th century, the presence of a pineapple greenhouse in a noble estate was considered a sign of special prestige.

Preparing for landing

Necessary materials

We need:

• a pineapple;
• small flower pot (0.5 l);
• soil mixture;
• covering material.

When choosing a pot, keep in mind that its diameter is not less than a pineapple cut at the tuft (from 15 cm). A drainage flow for water is required.

The quality of the soil mixture largely determines whether the plant will take root. A mixture of river sand and peat in a 1: 1 ratio is suitable for a plant. The ideal option is a mixture for growing tropical (bromeliads) crops, which can be purchased at specialized country / flower shops.

To create a warm, gentle microclimate for the first couple of months, provide the plant with an impromptu greenhouse-cap made of polyethylene, glass or a cut plastic bottle.

Fruit selection

One of the most important conditions for the success of the enterprise is the selection of the right pineapple. Correct, therefore, ripe enough, but not overripe and fresh. The ripeness and freshness of the fruit can be judged by the golden yellow color of the peel. Make sure the fruit is firm but not hard, soft but not loose. The ripe fruit is slightly crumpled when pressed. The condition and appearance of the foliage is equally important. It should not be dry or frostbitten, the presence of gray spots is also unacceptable. The optimal season for buying pineapple for growing is late summer or early autumn. It is from the green tuft that crowns the pineapple that we will grow a new fruit, so the leaves must be flawless: firm and rich green.

Step-by-step instructions for growing pineapple at home

The preliminary stage of planting is preparing the top of the pineapple. This is done in one of the suggested ways.

1. Turn out the top of the pineapple with a gentle twisting motion. The bunch of leaves must separate from the fruit along with the inner stem.

   

   Removing the top by twisting

2. Cut off the top of the pineapple with leaves, 3 cm away from the tuft. Then gently strip the pulp around the inner stem, being careful not to damage it. It is from here that the root system of the future plant will develop. Carefully separate the lower leaves so as not to damage the basal buds. You should have a bare trunk about 3 cm long, topped with a crown of leaves.

   

   Top cut

It is recommended to treat the prepared cutting with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to avoid rotting. Ash or activated carbon powder can be used for the same purpose.

Some sources recommend drying the plant in an upright position for 2–3 weeks. To do this, it is hung on a string with the crown down. It is understood that after prolonged drying, the plant takes root better.

Drying the pineapple top takes from several days to a couple of weeks.

However, other craftsmen advise to immediately place the pineapple stalk in the water for preliminary germination. Do not use plastic dishes for this purpose. Place the prepared tuft in a glass of room temperature water so that the water covers the exposed stem. Keep seedlings in a well-lit, warm place protected from drafts and temperature changes. Change the water every 2–3 days.

Stages of sprouting and planting pineapple

After about three weeks, the tuft will grow overgrown with confident roots and will be ready for transplanting into the ground. During this time, the crown of the plant will be enriched with new leaves.

Video: preparation and germination of the top

youtube.com/watch?v=FVKwxHDDc8k

Landing order

1. At the bottom of the pot, lay a drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles. Then fill the pot with soil. To protect the plant from parasites and bacteria, it is recommended to disinfect the soil a couple of days before planting. To do this, spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate or at least boiling water.

   

   Place a layer of drainage and soil into the pot

2. Make a depression in the center of the pot and place the plant there, roots down. Now fill the root system with potting soil up to leaf level. Try to squeeze the ground around with your fingers so that the plant takes root tightly.

   

   Plant the tops in prepared soil

3. Lightly water the planted plant, place it in a well-lit, warm place. To create a favorable microclimate (especially in the cold season), you can cover the seedling with a cap made of a transparent bag, glass or PET bottle. At the same time, do not forget to remove it during the sunny time of the day so that the plant does not suffocate.

   

   Cover the pineapple with a cap

The fact that the plant has taken root, you will be told by the appearance of new leaves.

Video: planting and growing

youtube.com/watch?v=zVgYBcTUU1I

Growing and care

Pineapple is not capricious and unpretentious. It does not require special care, frequent watering and constant fertilization. However, there are a number of conditions that should not be neglected.

Air temperature

The optimum temperature for growing pineapple is 22–25 ° С. Pineapple loves warmth and light. In winter, maintain the required temperature using heaters or lamps. If the plant lives on a windowsill, carefully protect it from drafts and frostbite.

Soil moisture

Remember that pineapple in nature is used to tropical climates, which means that it can withstand heat. He has to go without water for several months. Therefore, the main mistake you can make is to overdo it with abundant watering. Best advice: watch your plant, feel it. It is enough to water the pineapple a couple of times a week, and even less often in winter. If your plant needs more moisture, drying leaves will tell you about it. Then you will need to water more often or abundantly. But excess moisture can lead to decay and death.

Fertilizers

Pineapple does not need additional fertilization. However, if you really want to feed your pet, you can do it with organic or complex flower fertilizers. At the same time, avoid the use of alkaline substances that are harmful to pineapple.

Transfer

Transplant the growing pineapple in a timely manner into a new, larger pot. This should be done at least once a year. Try to gradually increase the volume of the pot, do not transplant the plant into too large a container.

Home-grown pineapple

Bloom

Pineapple blooms in the third year of life. In this case, the apical rosette grows, and root buds appear. A densely overgrown crown will give a good seed. At the end of flowering, you need to get rid of old and dry leaves. Now you have every chance to grow a real pineapple and enjoy the fruits of your labor. After removing the fruit, the plant gradually dies. But even during the flowering period, you can separate the root buds from it and transplant it into the ground. From these, the plant will develop much faster than from the cut off top.

Feedback from those who have already tried

Video: how to grow pineapple from the top

Pineapple cultivation in greenhouse conditions is more than half a century old. Today you also have a chance to become an exotic gardener without leaving your home. And in order to start a new hobby, you simply cannot find a better pineapple plant. The unpretentious pineapple is ready to grow even in Siberia, if it is provided with the necessary care. And decorating the table with tropical fruits of your own hands is a real pleasure.