To grow pineapples, all you need are fresh pineapples. Pick one fresh pineapple from the supermarket, then separate the leaves from the fruit, and soak the bottom in water. Within a few weeks, the pineapple roots will begin to grow, and you can grow your pineapple in a pot and enjoy the fruit after some time. Keep reading to find out more about growing pineapples.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing Pineapple
Step 1. Choose a fresh pineapple
Look for pineapples that are firm, with green leaves that haven't turned yellow or brown. The skin of the pineapple should be golden brown and firm to the touch. Smell the pineapple to know it's ripe; Pineapple that emits a strong sweet aroma is the right choice for you if you want to grow new plants.
- Make sure that the pineapple is ripe. Pineapple that can produce new plants is a ripe pineapple.
- Check to make sure the pineapple you choose is not overripe, by gently tugging at the leaves. If the leaves fall off immediately, the pineapple is too ripe for planting.
- Make sure the pineapple doesn't have bugs at the base of the leaves. These insects usually appear as small, gray spots.
Step 2. Twist the leaf on the top of the pineapple to release it
Hold the pineapple fruit body with one hand and use the other hand to grip the base of the leaf and turn them in different directions. This will keep the base of the leaf intact. The pineapple leaves will stick to only a small part of the fruit, where you don't need it to grow the pineapple.
- If you are having trouble removing the leaves by twisting them, you can cut off the top of the pineapple. Cut the fruit around the root.
- Make sure that the bottom, where the fruit and leaves meet, is intact. Pineapple roots will come out of this section, and without this section new pineapple plants cannot grow.
Step 3. Peel off a few leaves at the bottom to reveal the pineapple stem
This is so that the stem takes out roots after planting. Peel until a few inches of the pineapple stem is exposed. Cut the pineapple without injuring the stem.
Step 4. Turn the pineapple stems and let them dry for one week
The part where you cut and removed the leaf will harden. This is necessary before you proceed to the next step.
Method 2 of 3: Soaking Pineapple Crowns
Step 1. Fill a large glass with water
The mouth of the glass should be wide enough to fit the pineapple crown, but also small enough to support it so that it doesn't completely submerge.
Step 2. Insert a few toothpicks into the crown of the pineapple
Place toothpicks opposite each other near the top of the stem. Press it deep enough to keep it from moving. This toothpick is useful for holding the pineapple crown in a glass of water.
Step 3. Put the pineapple crown in the water
The toothpick should be on the rim of the glass. The pineapple stems should be submerged in the water, and the leaves should be sticking out to the surface.
Step 4. Place the glass in a window that gets plenty of sunlight and wait for the roots to start growing
Root growth can take a few days to a few weeks.
- Keep plants away from extreme temperatures. Don't let your plants get too cold or too hot.
- Change the soaking water every few days to prevent mold growth.
Method 3 of 3: Planting Pineapple Crowns
Step 1. Prepare pots for planting
Fill the pot 6 inches deep with garden soil that has a 30% organic matter mixture. This composition is the right mix for pineapple plants.
Step 2. Plant the pineapple crown in a pot
Plant the pineapple crown when the roots have grown a few inches. Wait until the roots are long enough to be planted in the ground. If you plant pineapple crowns too soon, your plants will not grow well. Firmly press the soil at the base of the crown without hitting the leaves.
Step 3. Keep your plants moist and warm
Your plants need a sunny, warm and humid environment. where the temperature at night will not be less than 18ºC. If your environment is dry, spray water on your pineapple plants regularly.
You can place the pot outdoors if you live in a warm climate. But if you live in a cold area, put your potted pineapple plant inside the house and place it in a window that gets a lot of sunlight. Your pineapple plant needs lots of sun throughout the year to grow well
Step 4. Provide food and water
Water the soil with a small amount of water once every week. Fertilize with a concentration of half, twice every month throughout the summer.
Step 5. Pay attention to the flowers
It may take a few years, but eventually a red cone will grow from the center of the leaf, followed by blue flowers and finally a pineapple. The time it takes for the pineapple to grow perfectly is about six months. The pineapple will grow from the flower, above the ground, in the center of the plant.
Tips
- It might be a good idea to grow two pineapple plants at once, if one of them is not growing well. That way, you have a greater chance of growing pineapples until they bear fruit.
- To trigger the plant to flower, place the plant in a bag with two very ripe apples cut. Ethylene gas released by apples can trigger the process of growing pineapple flowers.
- To produce a full-size pineapple, your plant should be about 1.8 m wide and about 1.8 m tall. Unless you have prepared this large area, don't be surprised if your pineapple is not as big as the pineapple sold in supermarkets.
- Be careful if you use wild pineapple. The sap from the immature pineapple plant contains enzymes that very strong and can irritate your hands.
