I want to grow a Pineapple.

So I have tried before by planting the top bit in mp compost.........no luck.
I suppose keeping this tropical fruit in the fridge doesn’t help.
Has anyone been successful,where do I go wrong?

 

Hi roders, First of all, cut the bottom bit off. You just need the leaves and a central core of stem 1" - 2" long. You can shorten the leaves as they won't do any good until you have roots. You can either plant the result in barely-moist MPC with added sand or grit, or IIRC some folks stick long wooden skewers through the stalk and suspend it over a glass or jar of clean water until roots form. Whichever method you use, keep it fairly warm.

 

Thinking a "Willow Pattern" plate was a growing medium?

 

Got one on the go from last summer

Cut the stem off just above the fruit, strip back some of the leaves, let it dry for a couple of days or so. Often roots are visible even at this stage hidden between the leaves.

Then push the bottom inch or so into some damp compost, rotting is probably the biggest problem at this time of the year, so dont overwater, just the odd misting.

Keep it warm, probably 80F is best, in a propagator but lower temps will be ok, but not below 70F I would say.

After about three years you get this.

 

Just to add, NO, dont keep them in the fridge, at this time of the year fruit can already be chilled when you buy it, which doesn't help.
Sometimes they appear to have had the growing point ripped out, not good, but if so they often grow away from a side shoot.

 

I bought a pineapple today so something like this?


See the root? Some are left on the fruit as well.................


@roders - if I get lumbered with a pineapple plant to look after it's your fault as I had no intention of growing one until you started this thread!

 

Thanks Pete and Longk ,I might have known Pete would have done one successfully....Well done mate.
I might have known Longk would rise to the challenge,good luck with that.
I have stripped my one down and it looks possible ,I am just wondering if to dust it with hormone rooting powder.

So Lonk..........only a three year wait for a Pineapple.

 

From BBC News this morning ...


Cocaine found in fresh pineapples

Police in Portugal and Spain have seized cocaine hidden inside fresh pineapples.
The drugs had been transported from South America.

 

Pineapples were first grown in England in the 1700's in hothouses called Pineries. Very difficult to grow and very very expensive , they really were only for the top landed gentry. You can buy one now for £0.89 !
They don't seem to have a problem growing them in Hawaii

 

That looks promising!

All I need now is some tanners bark.................

Hothouses and Pineapples — Dumbarton Oaks

Might also be handy for the Lychees that have just germinated!

 

That should see sales of fresh pineapples go through the roof then

 

Looks good @roders , but let it dry for a few days.
Personally I'd not bother with hormone rooting powder as it already has roots,.
Since they took the fungicide (captan) out of hormone rooting powder it is, IMO, a total waste of time and money anyway.

 

These 'modern' Pineapples are more customer friendly than in the past as the spines along the leaves have been bred out of them.
Good luck @roders, it can be done but care and patience is required.

 

bugger! That was the look that I was after

 

I'm the first to fail! I put the cutting in the spare room to dry out for a couple of days and forgot about it!