Pineapple is an exotic fruit that can be grown on your balcony. Growing pineapple at home is a simple and very interesting activity.
Pineapple does not have seeds, therefore, to grow it is necessary to take its socket, i.e. top green part. When choosing a pineapple, you need to pay attention to the fertility and condition of the tuft. It is very important that the fruit is not frozen, otherwise it simply will not be suitable for planting. Therefore, the purchase of pineapple is best transferred to the summer season. The outlet itself should not be lethargic or even damaged.
So, with a sharp knife, we cut off the outlet from fertility, while trying not to touch the flesh. We wash it in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and sprinkle a cut with ash. After 5-6 hours, when the outlet dries, it can be planted.
Now you need to prepare the container. Growing pineapple at home is possible if you have prepared a flower pot for this, which should be no more than 0.6 liters. A small hole must be present in the pot to drain water during irrigation. At the bottom of the pot we lay out a layer of drainage, 2-3 cm thick, and then an earthen mixture, which consists of turf land, humus from leaves, coarse sand and peat. From above we pour a mixture of humus from leaves and sand in equal proportions about 3 cm thick. In the middle of the pot we dig a small hole of 2 cm. We pour charcoal into it to prevent decay of the outlet tip. We plant it and ram it well with our fingers at the base of the handle. On the edges of the pot we install several sticks, to which we fasten the socket with ropes. Next, spray it on top with water and cover it with a plastic cap or made from a plastic bottle. We put the pot in a warm and sufficiently lit place, but in no case in the sun.
The temperature for better rooting of the outlet should be 25-27º. In the winter season, to grow pineapple at home was successful, the maintenance required was successful, maintaining the same temperature as in the summer is required. To do this, put a board on the battery and put a pot of pineapple on it.
The roots will begin to sprout in a month and a half, then the first leaves will appear. The polyethylene cap can be removed after two months, after the root is fully rooted.
Every year, the plant should be transplanted into larger pots. This should be done by transshipment, making sure that the lump of earth does not collapse. Immerse the root system no more than half a centimeter. Pineapple has small roots, so even an adult plant needs to be kept in 3-4 liter containers. The substrate is applied the same as when rooting.
Growing pineapple in an apartment implies keeping it on a sunny balcony while protecting it from rain. Keeping a certain temperature is a very important moment for pineapple growth. In summer, the temperature should be 28-30 º, and in winter, the most optimal temperature will be 22-24 º. If the room temperature drops below 18 º, the plant will cease to grow further and may die.
When watering a pineapple, it is better to choose rain or melt water. If growing pineapple at home requires it, you need to stock up with such water, since it is extremely useful for this plant. In addition, it can be stored for a long time. You can, of course, pour it with boiled water, after acidifying it with citric acid, since without pineapple the pineapple grows worse in the soil.
Top dressing (special mineral fertilizers) should be applied once every two weeks. Another option for feeding is carefully strained horse or cow manure.
Twice a month, it is recommended to spray and pineapple with a ready-made solution of vitriol (iron), 1 g of vitriol is taken per 1 liter of water.
When all of the above recommendations are followed, the pineapple should begin to bear fruit after 3 years from the time of planting. At this time, its height will already reach 80-90 cm. If an adult pineapple does not bloom for a long time, you can fumigate it with any kind of smoke. We put a plastic bag on the plant and put 2-3 smoking coals near the pot. So we do it 2 to 3 times, observing the weekly interval. After 2-2.5 months, inflorescences should appear, and after 3.5-4 months - the fruits.
A ripe fruit weighs from 0.3 g to 1 kg. To grow pineapple at home requires patience and regular care. And then your "green pet" will delight you with delicious and juicy fruits.