It is difficult to find people who would not hear about pineapple. The birthplace of this exotic fruit is Brazil. Today it is supplied to almost all countries of the world. Many people have a question about whether it is possible to grow pineapple at home. With the right approach, you can not only grow it, but also achieve fruiting.
Description
Pineapple is a tropical perennial plant that forms dense long leaves during the growing season, which form a dense rosette. One of the most important parts of pineapple is the basal rosette. From it forms a massive and thick stalk. Subsequently, a peduncle appears at its apex, the length of which is 50 cm. The flowers of the plant are spike-like; a rosette with bracts grows on the top of the peduncle during the ripening period. To date, there are 8 different varieties of pineapple. The one who at least once tasted this exotic unusual fruit probably wondered how to grow pineapple at home. To make this possible, the main thing is to create suitable conditions.
We prepare planting material
The easiest and easiest way to grow pineapple at home is to use the tops of fruit bought in a store. True, you need to choose planting material with all responsibility. When buying a fruit, you must carefully inspect. It should be ripe, fresh, without any signs of spoilage. For planting, it is not recommended to use a pineapple purchased in the winter, because at this time of the year the fruits are stored in cold conditions, and the crest of the crest is very often damaged by frost. It will not be possible to grow a plant from such a fruit. The best time to plant is summer or early fall. During this period, you can purchase fruits of suitable quality. If you decide to grow pineapple from seeds at home, it is very important to choose the right planting material.
Signs of a suitable pineapple:
- The ripe fruit has a healthy leaf. Also, ripeness can be checked by pulling one leaf out of the fruit. If the pineapple is ripe, it will be very easy to do. In an unripe fruit, the tops do not come off.
- The color of the peel should be uniform brown. You can not choose a pineapple with a green peel, because nothing can be grown from it. In addition, there should be no spots on the crust. Before purchasing, you can knock on the fetus. A loud sound indicates that the pineapple is ripe and fresh.
- If the fruit has a very pungent odor, then it is not fresh. In a ripe good fruit, it should be barely noticeable.
Consider how to grow pineapple at home from the top.
Work sequence
After acquiring a pineapple with a sharp knife, the upper part is carefully separated from it, being careful not to damage the core. Pulp may remain on the trimmed top. It must be removed, otherwise the trunk may subsequently begin to rot.
It is also necessary to trim the lower rows of leaves. So, the trunk of the plant will be clearly visible. It is most often about 1 cm high.
After trimming, the crest should dry. It is left in a dark place for 14-15 days in an upright position. During this time, the wounds on the handle will heal. In the future, pineapple nutrients will be used to form the root system. After about 2-3 weeks, the tip will be ready for landing.
Capacity and soil for planting
Before growing pineapple at home (a detailed description of which we will consider in the article), it is necessary to prepare a container for planting and a special soil mixture. As a container, you can use any flower pot. Most importantly, its size should be slightly larger than the crest. It is desirable that there are openings in the container to remove excess moisture.
First, the pot is filled with a layer of expanded clay or pebbles of approximately 2 cm. The planting substrate is best used using a mixture of river sand and peat, taken in equal proportions. When a few days remain before planting, the substrate must be disinfected by pouring boiling water on it. This processing method will provide the most optimal substrate moisture. You can place the outlet in the soil without waiting until the moisture is completely absorbed.
Pineapple planting
When all operations with the soil are carried out, proceed to the landing of a crest. It should be located so that the lower leaves are at the level of the soil. The soil must be carefully compacted, well watered and stretched plastic wrap or cover the pot with a cap. Then the pot with pineapple should be moved to a bright, lit place, but without direct sunlight. After about a month, the stalk will begin to take root. But until the first roots form on it, it must not be watered. To maintain moisture, they are limited only by spraying the leaves.
Transplant and watering
When the pineapple socket is rooted, it should be transplanted into a more spacious container. This operation is carried out in the same way as the first landing. After transplanting, the pot must be covered with a cap. After two or three weeks, shelter can be removed. Water the plant only with warm water. Watering is carried out infrequently and in moderation. It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out. As the plant develops, water will begin to collect in the axils of its leaves. It will stimulate the emergence of new roots. How to grow pineapple at home? Since it can tolerate prolonged drought and is responsive to good light conditions, in summer it can be put in a sunny place or transferred to a balcony, which will contribute to growth.
Growing conditions
In order for the plant to grow well at home, he needs to create the most comfortable temperature - 20-25 degrees and provide fertilizers. They are brought in twice a month. You can use minerals or mullein infusion. At the end of summer, when the temperature begins to drop outside, pineapple is brought inside.
Flowering stimulation
During the first two years after planting, it is important to ensure proper care for the plant so that it can accumulate strength for flowering. But sometimes it happens that the flowering begins much later than the specified date. If the plant was provided with proper care at all times, then flowering will have to be stimulated.
Good results can be obtained using ethylene. Prepare it as follows: take 1 tsp. calcium carbide and diluted in 0.5 l of water. The resulting solution is infused for 24 hours, filtered, separating the liquid from the sediment formed at the bottom. The resulting liquid is treated the central part of the outlet once a day for a week. If done correctly, the pineapple will begin to bloom very soon.
Reproduction after fruiting
So, we examined how to properly grow pineapple at home. When growing from the top, you need to remember that this plant is herbaceous, so after fruiting it does not go to rest, but dies. But often this process stretches out over time and takes up to several years.
Maternal pineapple can form numerous small shoots that are used for reproduction. When they form young roots, they are separated and transplanted into separate containers. Most often, plants that are obtained from young shoots begin to bloom much earlier than bushes obtained from tuft.
How to grow pineapple at home from seeds
Another way to grow pineapple is to sow seeds. For planting, a ripe fruit is selected and seeds are extracted from it. Then they are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and allowed to dry. Next, prepare the soil for sowing. The substrate is best suited for this. For its preparation it is used in equal amounts:
When sowing seeds, they are buried in the substrate by 2 cm, watered with warm water, a film is pulled over the container and transferred to a warm place. When growing, it is important to pay attention to creating the optimum temperature, since the time of emergence of the sprouts depends on it. Seeds begin to hatch after 2 months, but sometimes you have to wait almost six months. Plant care includes regular watering and spraying, feeding.
How to grow pineapple at home: reviews
Pineapple is a very popular exotic fruit that, if desired, can be grown independently at home. It is not so difficult to master this task, the main thing is to familiarize yourself with cultivation agricultural technology. Occupation is quite fascinating and interesting.
According to reviews, the top is considered the most popular and easiest method of growing.
Those who cultivated this exotic fruit noted the unpretentiousness of this plant, simple care, and delicious fruits.