The exotic pineapple plant conveys the romance of the South Seas and promises unique fruit enjoyment. Few people know that they can grow the queen of tropical fruits themselves. Here, hobby gardeners familiarize themselves with all the details of pineapple cultivation in their own green realm.

When is the best time to plant pineapples?

In principle, you can start growing pineapples all year round. The window with the best chance of success is open at the beginning of the season during the months of March and April.

What should the location be like?

In view of its tropical origin, the pineapple plant places high demands on its location. Only start growing pineapples when the royal plant finds these conditions:

  • full sun with light shade in the blazing midday sun
  • constant temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius
  • a high humidity of more than 60 percent

With a growth height of up to 2 meters and a width of 1 meter, the imposing pineapple plant takes up a corresponding amount of space. A large conservatory, a greenhouse or a spacious bathroom are the primary locations.

What expectations should the substrate meet?

If you want to grow a pineapple plant successfully, top-notch soil drainage is paramount. In addition, a slightly acidic pH value of around 5 is recommended. Commercial cactus soil, peat culture substrate (TKS1) or pricking soil are therefore suitable. The addition of quartz sand (€15.85) or perlite (€37.51) contributes to optimization.

How is the cultivation done professionally?

To grow a magnificent pineapple plant, the tuft of fresh fruit serves as prime starting material. Choose a ripe 'flying pineapple' that has not been stored in cool temperatures. How to proceed correctly:

  • cut off the leaf crown with 2-3 centimeters of pulp
  • Carefully pull off the bottom two rows of leaves
  • Remove the flesh from around the stalk with a spoon
  • pay attention to the raised shoot points from which the roots will grow
  • ideally let the exposed stem dry for a few hours
  • half fill a pot with the recommended substrate

Before you plant the prepared leaf tuft, make a small depression in the potting soil. Plant the future pineapple plant so deep that the substrate reaches the lower leaves and water with lime-free water. Until the first sprouting, put on a plastic cover or place the seed pot in a heated indoor greenhouse.

What should be considered when transplanting?

If the cultivation goes according to plan, the first fresh leaf will appear within the leaf rosette within a few weeks. Any cover is now removed to prevent mold from forming. First leave the young plant in the planter until it has fully rooted. Then plant like this:

  • fill the cavities with earth up to the lower leaves
  • choose a sufficiently large bucket with a volume of 30-40 liters
  • create drainage from inorganic material, such as chippings (€46.95) or broken potsherds, above the water outlet in the bottom of the pot
  • Half fill the substrate to create a hollow in it with your fist
  • Unpot the pineapple plant and plant it in the hollow
  • After planting, pour lukewarm rainwater directly into the leaf rosette.

What is the period of maturity?

If you grow a pineapple plant yourself from the leaf tuft, you can look forward to the first blossom after 1 to 4 years. The more the site conditions simulate a tropical climate, the faster the post-planting process will be. The fruit then takes another 4 to 8 months to harvest.

Which method of propagation is recommended?

If pineapple cultivation is successful, the desire for more specimens grows. In addition to pulling a pineapple plant from the leaf crown, the use of side shoots is ideal for uncomplicated vegetative propagation. The dying mother plant produces these in the leaf axils and at the base. These are fully formed mini plants that you can cut off with a knife at a length of 15 to 20 centimetres.

The planting of these 'Kindel' follows exactly the same pattern as with a leaf tuft. Therefore, do not discard the mother plant prematurely, but give it a little time for the growth of the shoots.

How to handle the sowing?

Hobby gardeners with a penchant for gardening challenges opt for the generative propagation of a pineapple plant by sowing the seeds. After the seeds have soaked, they are planted 2 centimeters deep and moistened. At temperatures of 28-30 degrees Celsius, germination takes several months. If you are aiming to grow a new strain, sowing is the best approach.

tips and tricks

On warm summer days, a place on the sun-drenched balcony is very convenient for the sunny disposition of a pineapple plant. As long as the temperatures do not fall below the minimum of 20 degrees Celsius, fresh air and sunshine have a beneficial effect on vitality.

GTH

Category:

Trees