Oddly enough I've just done one as well (Tesco �£1.25 - bargain!) but I twisted the top off rather than cut it and stood it upside down in an empty pint glass. After a couple of days the bottom felt dry and the leaf tips were also just starting to dry so I decided it was time to plant it. I removed a few of the lower leaves (tearing them off sideways seems to be the most effective) to expose the root buds then planted it in a good sized pot with free draining compost. It's only been a week but looking at it now the crown seems to be healthy but I could do with some warm weather so I can get it into some good light.
buy another pinneapple, inspecting tops first...... cut away fruit pulp, tie a poly bag over growing end and dry in airing cupboard for a couple of days or beer mug method, then try planting [ 13. March 2006, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Lady Gardener ]
In my case I looked for one with a nice top that hadn't been on the supermarket shelf for a week. The main point is the top should be complete and not hacked off and a fresh green colour with no dry leaves. The growth crown should be absolutely undamaged or bruised.
Haha - that was what this one had, before I seem to have killed it! I was pretty shocked when it all fell out last night - I was all ready for a nice healthy plant!
Dave, sometimes they seem to burn out the growing point, I think its to stop the crown drawing moisture from the fruit. Anyway you need one with the leaves all intact, and the bigger the bush on top, the better.
You really do need to take a careful look at the centre to make sure the growing tip is still there, as Pete said.. They are pretty good links I agree. Trial & error after that I think....
