Pineapple is an exotic fruit (a tropical fruit native to South America), but it has been on the market for a long time and its price is not particularly high. Many people want to know if it is possible to grow this tropical wonder at home. The answer is yes! And many people are quite good at it. How to grow pineapples at home from the top, will tell you in detail in Bubgo this article. The exotic fruit can be grown even in an ordinary room.
To grow pineapples at home, you must first buy them and you need to pick the freshest ones. Understanding the suitability of this fruit for growing at home is simple.
1. Pineapples should not have any stains, soft spots, rot, or mold.
2. Pay attention to the leaves, they should be fresh and fully green.
3. A good fruit has a pleasant, slightly sweet, and fruity aroma.
4. Always check the leaves of the rosette before planting the pineapple tops. They should definitely have a core.
5. Check the rosette area, it should be dense and its texture should resemble that of pineapple skin.
6. Ideally, you should try to take the unripe fruit, which is the best option.
Pineapples with wilted or withered leaves are not suitable for planting. As is a fruit that has had its leaves chopped off or otherwise removed.
Tip: Sellers rarely remove the leaves because it is extra weight and therefore money. However, if the fruit has begun to deteriorate, the leaves will be removed to make it less noticeable. The leaves must be undamaged and green.
Once the fruit has been selected, you need to prepare it for planting.
1. First, the fruit should be gently and thoroughly washed with soap and water, then rinsed and dried with a soft, clean cloth or any kind of cloth. For propagation purposes, the crown should be cut off. Wash it before you cut it off, not after.
2. After the fruit has been washed, you should cut off the crown - be sure to cut off the leaves. Cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the rosette and no further.
3. All the flesh should be gently removed and the fibrous core left behind.
4. Make sure to sprinkle crushed activated charcoal or any growth promoter powder on all pruning points.
5. Next, place the cut tops on a clean towel and place them in any well-ventilated room.
After about two days, you will notice a thick sheath forming over the cut. This is the callus - the precursor to the root. If you are not sure if the spot is dense, you can feel it with your fingers. The area should not be moist. If it is damp, you can leave it for another day, but not longer than that, because a crown that is too dry is also a bad thing. Once the canopy has grown a callus, you can start planting.
Soil for growing pineapples at home can be purchased at a garden store or you can make your own soil mix. If you choose to buy it, we recommend buying a palm tree growing medium as it is the most suitable. You can also grow pineapples at home with a ready-made orchid substrate.
If you decide to make your own pineapple mixture, your best bet is to mix three parts sod, three parts acidic peat, two parts good quality humus, and one part river sand.
Given that pineapples are a demanding crop, it is important to choose a responsible container to grow them in. It is recommended to take a new container for the pineapple immediately. After purchase, it should first be washed with plain water, then rinsed with a pink manganese solution, and then rinsed again very well with room temperature water.
When planting pineapples, choose a low and wide pot or other similar containers. If you have no choice but a deep pot or other containers for your use, this should always be filled about two-thirds of the way with a layer of drainage. The best way to drain is expanded clay, but if not, you can also use crushed bricks or pebbles.
Tip: Pots or containers made of clay are best because pineapples develop well in them. Remember to check for drainage holes in the bottom of the container; if not, you should definitely do so - it's the right thing to do.
Once you have chosen the right pineapple fruit, cut off the top, prepare it, the container, and the soil, then it's time to start planting.
1. You must make a mound of potting soil in the middle of the pot. Take out the green top and gently place it on this mound of soil. Then use moderate force to press the top into the mound of nutrient soil.
2. During this process, you can slightly moisten the soil in the pot with a spray bottle. Do not water with water, such as with glass, as you can easily flood the soil. When watering, use water that is at room temperature.
3. Cover the head with plastic wrap, glass, or a plastic bottle cut in half to make a kind of greenhouse.
4. Make sure to keep the container in as bright a place as possible. Roots will usually appear after about 50-60 days. The leaves will also start to grow as you can tell if the roots have taken root and started to grow. Once you notice that the leaves have started to grow in size, you should remove the mulch and then repot them a week later and transplant them to a permanent location.
Please note that the roots are very fragile at this point, so great care should be taken when planting. When transplanting, bury the roots of the pineapple 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil and no more. It is recommended that a prop be placed immediately, as the leaf mass is large and heavy and the plant may fall over.
After transplanting, you can water the plant with a sprayer, preferably with room temperature water. Some people do not need to germinate - they submerge the stem 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil and place the pineapple in its permanent position. But if you germinate on a mound of nutrient-rich soil as we have described, you will have a better chance of success. Over time, the plant should be moved to a larger pot.
After planting, start taking care of the pineapple; everything is important here.
1. Watering
This is done by moistening the soil. Use 86 °F (30°C) water for watering. Water when the soil becomes dry. Ideally, the soil should be slightly moist, but not dry or over-watered, as this is a tropical fruit.
2. Lighting
Ideally, pineapples should last 10 hours of daylight. In winter, there is little light, so it is necessary to install additional lighting, preferably plant lights, which is indicated. A container with pineapples is placed on the brightest window. But it is placed on the windowsill so that the direct rays of the sun do not fall on the leaves. You should not place the pineapple with the other side facing the sun, without which it will grow perfectly.
3. Fertilization
Since pineapples are quite active, they should be fertilized once every two weeks. Ideally, 5 grams of nitrocellulose per 0.26 gals (1 liter) of water should be applied to the plant at a rate of 250 ml. Any ready-made preparation for ornamental crops and orchids can be used: the dosage is indicated on the package and should be followed. For example, you can alternate between nitroglycerin and orchid preparations.
4. Disease control
There are no diseases specific to pineapple. It usually suffers from common fungal diseases and root rot. If the pineapple's leaf tips have started to dry out, it may simply be dehydrated - water it, increase the humidity in the room and spray again. Do not overwater the soil, mold can form. If this happens, remove it with a damp cloth and reduce watering. If the infestation is severe, the soil will have to be replaced.
Tip: If the roots have started to rot, you will see black spots on the leaves and a rotten odor as well. You will need to report the plant by cutting out the rotten roots or, if the situation is severe, root the new crown.
You now know all about growing pineapples from the top. Follow the step-by-step guide and have fun!
Do you grow pineapples at home? Please share your planting and care tips with other gardeners in the comments!
