Growing Pineapples

Have you ever noticed that the top of a pineapple looks a lot like a miniature version of a pineapple plant? Well you can use the pineapple top to grow your very own pineapple plant that will produce fruits in as little as 2 years! They readily grow in warm climates, but you can give them a go as well even if you live in a colder climate.

I am a 7th Grade student at the Maria von Linden Gymnasium.

• A pineapple (Make sure that the top of the pineapple is in good condition)
• A glas jar

You will need the following supplies later in the pineapple growing process

• Several pots (small-large)
• Fertilizer
• (Optional) Apple (the riper the better)
• Shovel
• Potting soil

To remove the top of the pineapple, twist the top off instead of cutting it off. This may require some force, but once removed, should reveal a cone shaped end where roots will grow from. Remove some of the lower leaves and leave the top out in the shade for at least 5 days to dry out excess moisture and avoid mould.

You can skip this step, but it is helpful to see if your plant is actually growing roots or just slowly rotting away.

• Fill a glass jar with water and place the pineapple top on the jar
• Make sure that the small yellow cone is completely submerged, but not the green leaves
• Set the plant in a cool and shady environment as it hasn't developed roots yet and can dry out in a jiffy

After 1-2 weeks roots will have grown and it is time to repot

Pineapple plants like sandy soil so a cactus and citrus mix of potting soil is ideal

Make sure that the pot has properly working drainage holes because pineapple plants do not like their roots soaking in water

Pineapple plants are really easy to care for.

• Water them once every 1-2 weeks; make sure that the soil is dry before you water again
• Fertilize them twice a year
• Repot them once they have grown too big (or alternatively plant them in the ground)
• Pineapples like it warm, if it gets below freezing bring the pineapple plant inside

Soon they'll be quite large and ready to bear fruit.

As soon as your pineapple plant has over 30 leaves and is a reasonable size (usually after 2 years), it can bear fruit! You can wait for a bloom to come naturally, but (surprisingly) a very ripe apple can be very helpful as well! The apple releases ethylene gas which in turn makes your pineapple bloom and grow pineapples. So if you want to grow pineapples quickly, toss a few over-ripe apple slices and the apple-core into the center of a pineapple and wait for a week. Remove the apple and soon you'll see a unique flower develop in the center of the pineapple. Then a stem will slowly grow up and on this stem will be the reward for all this hard work: a home-grown pineapple.

Pineapples that are shipped out to stores are harvested early to prevent them from over-ripening on their journey to the supermarket. However this prevents them from developing their full flavor and can therefore taste bland. Leave your pineapples on the stalk until they turn bright yellow and start smelling delicious, then with a gardening scissor cut the pineapple off of its stem and place the pineapple in the fridge for an hour. After that cut it into small pieces and enjoy the wonderful taste of your home-grown pineapple.