Can't Stop Growing Pineapples!

[Tess]

I can't stop buying them, eating them, and planting the tops.

I give them away to anyone who will take them and then promise myself that I will not plant anymore, but it doesn't help.  I don't really have room for them, but it doesn't matter.  I don't live in pineapple climate, but it doesn't stop me.

Normal people thow the tops away, but I can't.  I go into grocery stores and see them sitting there waiting to be bought.  Oh, the temptation.

What can I do?

[feef706]

Do you cut the tops off or twist them off? I have been interested in growing one but always put the pineapple in the refrigerator too long and the leaves start to turn brown.

Also I have seen a pineapple plant with red and yellow variegations in it do you know what variety of pineapple that is?

Theres nothing wrong with your problem buy the way there are much worse habbits out there..

[virtualpalm]

Here in Miami, I do the same thing... the difference is that I can (and do) get fruits on my pineapples, and they are by far better tasting than the store-bought.

The key to doing this right is to cut the top off as soon as you get it home and BEFORE you put it in the 'fridge. You then leave it on the counter to dry for a day or two and just plant it in some well-draining soil. They usually root out within about 6-8 weeks, and can then be planted in the ground. I have 4 in the ground that I started this way, and 3 more that grew as suckers off the main plants and I cut and planted beside the others. The fruits just started forming for this year, and I have two out there right now that are about 2-3 inches tall. I also have four more rooted tops in 2-gallon containers ready to be given away. It's great fun!

Jody

[Xavierdlc61887]

ill take the ones u dont want....i know u want them all but just saying whatever u have to get rid of im here hahah

[virtualpalm]

Here are a couple photos of the two developing fruit:

Jody

[ariscott]

I just harvest one of mine yesterday.... I gave it to a friend because I don't like pineapples. I just like growing them  ::

Regards, Ari

[Fred San Pedro]

Let me get this right...All you do is cut the top of the fruit, then put it in some soil? No rooting hormones, fungicides...? How deep do you bury it? I eat A LOT of pineapple. However, I don't think it will fruit in SO CAL.

Thanks,

Fred

[Kathryn]

Since I began growing pineapples like this several years ago, the temperature has not dropped below 28ºF, so I’ve had many fruit ripen. It takes about two years from initial planting for mine to produce ripe fruit. I am on my third generation now!

[ariscott]

(Fred San Pedro @ Mar. 30 2008,15:51)

QUOTE

Let me get this right...All you do is cut the top of the fruit, then put it in some soil? No rooting hormones, fungicides...? How deep do you bury it? I eat A LOT of pineapple. However, I don't think it will fruit in SO CAL.

Thanks,

Fred

Don't bury it... just put enough soil to cover a little bit, so like you have the head of pineapples sticking up (if you know what I mean). No... it doesn't need anything. It should grow very easy for you. I don't know about fruiting though... as I am in the tropics.

Funnily enough, the supermarket stops selling pineapples with the tops...  

Regards, Ari

[Tess]

I am not strong enough to twist off the tops so I cut them off.

As Jody mentioned, cut the top off as soon as you get it home.  A pineapple will not ripen any further once it has been picked, so there is no reason to wait.  

When selecting in the store, I look for pineapples with the best looking/freshest tops.  They really get abused in packaging and often leaves are broken or torn, I want one with fully intact and green top.

First:  I cut all of the meat off until I am left with jut the green top.  I then peal off an inch/2.5cm worth of the bottom leaves and expose the stalk.  You will notice a ring  of tiny little buttons or nubs about an eight of an inch/2mm on the stalk, they may be white or brownish, this is where the new roots will spring from.

Second:  Like Jody said, let the top dry for a couple of days.  This is important.  If you plant right away, I've found that the top will rot.

Third:  Place the top up to the first leaves in a pot with moist potting soil.  Keep the soil somewhat damp.  It's okay if it gets a little dry.  Water as needed and make sure you put some in the crown.  Place in full sun if possible.

The newest leaves in the crown may die off, but will regenerate once the top has taken root.  I've had some tops root-out within a week, others have taken longer.

You can grow a full sized pineapple plant with full sized fruit in a five gallon pot, so no need to put them in the ground unless you want to.  It's too cold where I live at night, so I bring them in in winter, placing them in as much sun as I can get them.

As Kathryn mentioned, it takes about two years before it will fruit.  Once the pinapple has been picked, the plant will not produce another fruit, it will send out off-shoots and begin again.

I visited the Dole Plantation on Oahu and they said that they plow the plant under once it has fruited and start over with new tops.  They had a whole wheelbarrow full of tops that they let people who are taking the tour plant.  Their visitors garden has a wide variety of pineapples (of course).  Some were crazy lookin buggas.  

[Hollywood Palms]

Hi Fred,

In in the teens and 20s in the 20th century, they were pineapple fields in Hollywood and in the Hollywood Hills.

I've grown them in a nearby community garden here in the hills. Easy, no problem and you can get real fruit.

Thanks,

David

[virtualpalm]

(Tess @ Apr. 13 2008,14:12)

QUOTE

I am not strong enough to twist off the tops so I cut them off.

I would never recommend twisting the tops off.

(Tess @ Apr. 13 2008,14:12)

QUOTE

First:  I cut all of the meat off until I am left with jut the green top.  I then peal off an inch/2.5cm worth of the bottom leaves and expose the stalk.  You will notice a ring  of tiny little buttons or nubs about an eight of an inch/2mm on the stalk, they may be white or brownish, this is where the new roots will spring from.

Tess, I have never gone to so much trouble when rooting my pineapple tops. I usually cut straight across about 1/2 inch below the top of the fruit and just let the whole thing dry out for a couple days on the counter. I then stick it in a 3/4 full 2-gallon pot and cover the fruit part up to the bottom leaves. Nothing to it. I think I may have lost 1 out of 10 or 15 that I have rooted this way.

Jody

[SubTropicRay]

I have 6 plants growing happily in the shade of a Bismarckia.  None were purchased but merely propagated from the top of each previous fruit.

[Walt]

I love pineapples, always have.

I probably have about two dozen pineapple plants growing here and there about my property. All were started from tops my wife got from Publix Supermarket that the produce department was throwing out.

When ever I eat a ripe pineapple I plant the top in a one gallon pot to get it rooted. Once rooted I plant it in the ground.

Just last week I harvested a pineapple and I believe it was the sweetest one I've ever tasted, store bough or home grown.

I found pinepapple plants grow well in full sun and even quite a bit of shade, like the ones in the linked photo below:

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/4552....MG]

[_Keith]

I have grown the tops here, but don't have quite enough growing season to get good fruit.   This year, the big box had them for sale with 4" fruits already on them.  Price was good.  I still regret not buying a few.

[Neofolis]

I have a similar affliction, I can't stop my pineapple growing. It's far too big for my polytunnel now.

[Tess]

Walt,

Those pineapples look great! Thanks for the pic.

-Tess

[Tess]

Pineapple tragedy.

Was re-potting a couple of my larger plants and discovered that the tops of both were hanging on by mear threads, just about snapping off as I moved them. They would never have been able to support the weight of fruit (which they were due to produce this comming summer).

So strange, they looked fine. The treads must have been enough to keep the tops green.

They had been damaged by winds late this summer (I guess) but I really have no idea when it occured since they looked totaly healthy. I can replant these tops, but it will be another 20 months or so before they will be ready to fruit.

Woe is me...sniff sniff

Edited November 28, 2008 by Tess

[Walter John]

See Crowded House track "Pineapple Head" from album "Together Alone" or "Recurring Dream" for further inspiration and to help get over your pineapple losses.

[Guest LeftCoastAngler]

oh geez. ...and I thought it was just me.

phew.

~LCA.