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Kbud
01-02-2013, 08:49 PM
Hi all!

This is my newest endeavour - growing my own bromeliad - a pineapple top!!! Believe it or not, pineapples are easy to grow and cheap! I bought mine for $3. I used a book called How to Grow Tasty Tropical Plants* (like...) *In any Home Any Where. Love this book! Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Tasty-Tro ... where+like. I also got a lot of help from this video: Pineapple, Pineapple: Remove the top, slice it up and then plant it! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQERxSkXdY). Check out the cool pictures at the end! I'm going to try and keep this updated and even put in pictures to help all you guys out too! I'd love some tips and experiences.

BTW, I have an exact copy of this post on bananas.org - I wanted it on both sites.


THE PLANTING - JANUARY 1st, 2013
After getting the pineapple, I planted it a day later. This was labeled as a Chiquita Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple, grown in Costa Rica. I'm sure it has a technical name, but I don't want to ask the company. They'd probably think I was some kind of competitor fruit company or something. I got the pineapple from BJ's, a local bulk store. I planted the plant in Scott's or Miracle-Gro potting soil (either way, it was fortefied). I put some LFS around it. First I cut the top off, then sliced the fruit (great and juicy pineapple by the way) and then I went to the top. Instead of twisting it off like the lady in the video did, I cut it and a bit of fruit off. I trimmed the flesh off so it wouldn't rot, then sliced it down to the rhizome, which looked like a tree stump with brown structures around the edges. These are where the roots come from. I then covered the bottom and some of the side in Bon-Tone rooting powder and it placed it in the soil. Thouroughly watering it. At this point, I have a 50/50 chance of success, fingers crossed. I set the plant in an east-facing window where it will get morning sun and then left it. Will get to pics soon

The best part of this plant is that the plant will produce nice pineapples in 18 months. Aside from being pretty and tasty, it is easy to grow. Once the plant fruits, it will die, but will have made two new plants from suckers; one pineapple can start a whole new generation. Oh, by the way, if you try this, let the soil dry out between waterings and grow it in room-temperature soil and keep it above 60 degrees F to prevent root rot. Also, when you select a pineapple, be sure to get one that has healthy leaves and no insects, to prevent an early death. Be sure to get a pineapple that is not too golden or too green.
-
Fun plant fact!!!!! Once a pineapple is plucked from the plant, it will not get riper - it will only rot.

Until Next Time!



Day 3 - January 4th, 2013

Starting tomorrow, I am going to give the plant some supplemental lighting, acting on a tip from rogerjames....... Thanks! I put some pictures in to this link here: Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146). I am a little worried, as you can read from the description on the photos, about the yellow leaf tips on many of the leaves, but I attribute this to shock. Somebody please tell me or reply to the post so I can grow this plant as good as I can!
Also, for all of you guys who couldn't get your plant to fruit, read this excerpt:
From: How to grow Tasty Tropical Plants* (Like....) *In any Home, Anywhere.
Laurelynn G. Martin and Byron E. Martin
Storey Publishing, 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, 01247
Storey Publishing : Books for Country Living Since 1983 (http://www.storey.com)
Copyright 2010

The Apple/Pineapple Connection
If you'd like to speed up the fruiting process of your pineapple plant, try this amazing but effective trick: Cut a slice of apple and tuck it into the crown of your pineapple plant. The apple slice will give off enough ethylene gas to stimulate early fruiting of your pineapple plant.
(End excerpt)


Obviously, I can't tell you if it works, because my plant hasn't rooted yet, but maybe this could make your plants fruit. I overall think the experiment is working so far; I'm hoping I will someday be eating fresh pineapple!
Speaking of which, aside from using the top of the pineapple, I had some fun with the fruit itself! It was tasty and juicy, and I'm hankering for another one! Today, I used the rest of it to make a huge fruit roll and some dried chunks so I can enjoy it in so many ways! I just pureed it and put it on a fruit roll sheet, and it is currently drying in my dehydrator at 135 degrees F. Can't wait to try it! I just cut the pineapple into small cubes and am drying it with the the fruit roll. For more info, check out my post here: http://www.bananas.org/f6/banana-chips-fruit-rolls-17293.html. That's all for now! Talk to you all at the next update!
Cheers!


Day 4

Well, now I'm really starting to get a little nervous. The top is appearing more yellowish/brown. Pics are here and are labeled as "Day 4." Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146)



Day 13

Today was another important day in my brief history of pineapples. I cut up and planted another top. The pineapple tasted good, but not as sweet. It is the same brand and is also grown in Costa Rica. This plant is in the same spot as my first one, but it is put in orchid soil, since I was transplanting a lot of plants and wanted to just replace one pot with this top. Besides, bromeliads should like orchid soil! That should do good. I will refer to it as Sample 2 in future posts. Also, with my first plant (Sample 1), it has started rooting! The old leaves look horrible, but new growth and the crown looks healthy. I couldn't wait any longer and gently worked it out of the soil to see 1 or 2 little roots coming out. Considering complete rooting is supposed to take 1-2 months, this is great. I gently replanted it and will not disturb it again. I didn't take pictures of the roots, but should have. Oh well. I did put new pics in at the gallery here: Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146). The updates are labeled as "Day 13" for Sample 1 and "Day 13 (Sample 2, day 1) for Sample 2. It would appear my experiment is a success so far!

Day 21

Well, I am a bit worried about my first specimen. The second one is trucking along - it is going almost exactly like the first one did. My main concern with the first one is some brown in the leaves near the crown. No rot, but the leaves are turning brown. I also saw some gray mold or related on it. Roots are growing. I bought Bonide Copper Fungicide and sprayed that in the crown. I still have high hopes for this plant. And if it does die, I have a second one. Yay! Pics will come soon, probably in the next update.

Apr. 28th

Well, I threw my first plant out a bit ago. My second one has roots growing okay, but the newest leaves are dried out and getting moldy. Regularly applying copper fungicide, but I don't know if it will make it. I bought another pineapple from BJ's today, and will cut that up today. It looks great and the leaves look big - perhaps it is already growing! I am going to do the water method with this one - peel off the lower leaves and stick the top in water. The 2nd pineapple that is fighting mold has been trimmed of its dead leaves, making it look better. Hopefully this will help. In any case, I don't know if I like the soil method, and I think the water method might work better. I also am not using any rooting hormone as it seems like it promotes root growth, but stops leaf growth. I will try and post updated pics soon. The fruit I just bought is the usual - Chiquita Gold Extra-sweet from Costa Rica.

Apr. 29th

Horrible news. The pineapple was great, super sweet and tasty, but I made the worst mistake I could possibly make on a perfectly healthy pineapple top: I cut it too high. The plant was even already sort of starting to root! This made the entire thing fall apart and I was left with two slices that might grow. I dumped them in my glass of water - they are totally submerged - and I am hoping for the best. At least I found three seeds in one of the edible chunks. I saved them. And will do research and plant them later. Since most commercial species are hybrids, I figure the seedlings will not grow true to species, and I will have unique pineapple plants that only I am growing! Sweet! That's not that bad, but I can't believe I did that with the top. At least I have a few seeds.

June 16th

Well, I finally got a pineapple in water. I don't know if I got the crown in too low, but I am hoping for the best. Pics will come soon. Just wondering, does anybody know if pineapple seeds grow true to species? Sorry about the short update, I am just short on time, but I will try and produce better updates soon.

*************************************************************
Originally copied from my post on FlyTrapCare:2722:

2woodensticks
01-03-2013, 01:37 PM
that how they propagate pineapples on the big plantations..tops of tops of tops and so on

Kbud
01-03-2013, 06:20 PM
Really? Awesome! Glad to know I'm doing it the "proper" way. Pictures on the way!!

momoese
01-03-2013, 11:43 PM
I've been growing Smooth Cayenne and some others for years. Best fruit I've ever had.

Btw the mother plant will produce slips and suckers which can be planted or left for a ratoon crop which is what I have done for 7 years. The fruit gets progressively smaller each year but the flavor is the same. Commercial plantations will sometimes go 2 ratoon crops before replanting the slips. From what I've read they don't plant the suckers or the crowns, only slips.

dsws
01-04-2013, 04:40 PM
I've tried three pineapples so far. All three have been full of rot from the start. Two I threw away when they started to stink. The other I tried to take off all the rot, and there was nothing left.

mksmth
01-04-2013, 04:50 PM
they can be tons of fun and easy to do. we start a few new ones every year in hopes of always having one. Been at it for a couple years and none have fruited yet. I am in zone 7 so they go in the greenhouse. Im sure that slows them down. We would do more but the dang things take up so much room. I usually chop of the points to keep from poking ourselves in the greenhouse.

H2O
01-04-2013, 04:51 PM
i have two crowns "growing", i followed this method:

How to Grow a Pineapple Top Indoors (http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/Pineapple/pineapple.htm#Pineapple_Slicer)

CathyK
01-04-2013, 05:34 PM
This summer I planted the top of a pineapple purchased from store. After cutting from fruit, it was left in a bowl for several days before it finnally got planted, I didnt think it would live. But it did, and already even has a smaller one coming up along side it, couldnt believe it. Hopefully it will produce fruit, in the cominh years. I like the idea of planting one every year. Would love to see your photos, do you have any posted?

Abnshrek
01-04-2013, 05:59 PM
I have like 6 going and 2 smooth one being a pup off the monster mother.. I have in the sun room. :^)

Kbud
01-04-2013, 08:46 PM
Thanks for the kind words you all! I just updated the thread with a link to the pictures!

What do you mean by ratoons and slips? Sorry, just not totally sure what you mean.

momoese
01-04-2013, 08:58 PM
Ratoon is a crop that's growing from a plant that has been harvested already. You see the mother doesn't really die, it supports the slips that grow from between the leaves and produce the Ratoon crop. The 2nd year Ratoon crop is from slips that grew from the first years slips on the original mother and so on and so on.

Suckers grow up from the bottom under the soil line, Slips emerge about half way up the plant from in between the leaves. They can be snapped off and planted straight into the soil like you see in videos from commercial plantations.

momoese
01-04-2013, 09:06 PM
Slip that will turn into a almost full size plant on the mother plant and produce a ratoon (secondary) crop.

http://www.unirom.co.uk/nhaggett/MyPineapples/20050623-5-fruitoutdoors.jpg

momoese
01-04-2013, 09:09 PM
http://cms.cnr.edu.bt/cms/files/docs/Image/Jeanette/Tropical/pineapple/Diagram_parts.gif

Kbud
01-04-2013, 09:39 PM
Oh! I understand it now! Online I saw somebody selling sugarcane ratoons - so they were referring to a plant that has already been harvested from! Thanks so much!

CountryBoy1981
01-05-2013, 10:47 PM
If you have the chance you should look into getting "sugarloaf" pineapple. It produces a lot of suckers and the core of the fruit is edible (not woody). The sugarloaf is sweeter and less acidic than the store bought variety.

Kbud
01-06-2013, 04:22 PM
Awesome!

Chance1945
01-06-2013, 07:02 PM
Mitchel, do you know why the commercial growers don't plant the suckers? Seems the sucker would produce the same fruit as the slip.

momoese
01-06-2013, 07:26 PM
Mitchel, do you know why the commercial growers don't plant the suckers? Seems the sucker would produce the same fruit as the slip.

No I sure don't. I would assume it's because they are very easy to break off where suckers have roots and are lower down making it harder to harvest them. Maybe slips are easier to sanitize before planting? It's a good question for a commercial grower.

Chance1945
01-06-2013, 07:33 PM
Kbud, I'm following your progress because I bought 2 dz or so pineapples and this is my first experience growing them. Good luck.

Terry

sunfish
01-06-2013, 07:33 PM
Pineapple (http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/pow/pineapple.htm)

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/f_n-7.pdf

sunfish
01-06-2013, 07:46 PM
Organic Pineapple Production. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8THNBfwccQ)

sunfish
01-06-2013, 08:01 PM
Pineapple juice extraction - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uC5h0xBVDU)

dsws
01-10-2013, 04:00 PM
I bought another pineapple yesterday. No visible rot, for a change. But I'm going to let it dry longer anyway.

designshark
01-10-2013, 04:25 PM
Kbud, I'm following your progress because I bought 2 dz or so pineapples and this is my first experience growing them. Good luck.

Terry

I'm on the experiment too. I started one last summer, first in a cup of water then to a pot after roots were visible. The growth is slow but none the less there is growth.

Abnshrek
01-10-2013, 04:38 PM
I'm on the experiment too. I started one last summer, first in a cup of water then to a pot after roots were visible. The growth is slow but none the less there is growth.

I have 6 I started last summer and all are 4-5 times their original size. I think they grow well inside, and are low maint. compared to a mango. Some had roots some not, but all got a root hormone dip. I fed mine Banana Fuel so its all good. :^)

Kbud
01-10-2013, 07:26 PM
I feel so happy! My post is popular! Anyway, will get to updates soon. Also wondering, anyone know where I can get red-stemmed sugarcane? Does it grow back each year after I cut it?

At chance1945: Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm glad to hear I'm inspiring others! I wish you the best of luck as well and would love some pics!

at Abnshrek: Glad to hear I'm not the only one using Bon-Tone or another root hormone! Glad to hear its working out for you!

wolfyhound
01-10-2013, 08:18 PM
I love fresh pineapple! I'm game to give it a try too. I do hate throwing out the tops when they might be a plant.

Can I get Bon-Tone at the regular stores like Rootone?

Dangermouse01
01-11-2013, 09:55 AM
I feel so happy! My post is popular! Anyway, will get to updates soon. Also wondering, anyone know where I can get red-stemmed sugarcane? Does it grow back each year after I cut it?

I plant just about every pineapple top I get. I just harvested this one this morning from the yard.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Misc/pineapple-01-11-2013_zpsc920a3bc.jpg

Probably could have left it for another day or two, but I could just start to get that pineapple smell. But usually if I wait after I can smell it, the possums will get to it the night before I plan to harvest it. And I find it already eaten when I go out to get it, or it was dragged away (which would explain some of the locations that pineapples are growing in my yard, from those tops).

Kbud, as for sugarcane, I have Black and Red growing in pots. Going to be planting some Green today. When my dogs are in the grass eating mood, they like to eat the leaves of the Red (or the lemon grass) so it isn't as large as it should be (which is why I put it in a pot and moved it to the front yard). If you are not in another country send me a PM and I will see what I can find to send ya (I know I have more Green than I need to plant).

DM

designshark
01-11-2013, 10:37 AM
That's a nice lookin pineapple. How long did it take to grow to that size?

Hammocked Banana
01-11-2013, 12:19 PM
Kbud, very exciting. I'm must let you know however not to expect a fruit in 18months unless u move to Hawaii. My first pineapple I started 2.5 years ago, this will be its 3rd summer coming up. It is just getting big enough to fruit but I will still probably have to force it in mid june so that it flowers over summer when its outside. I recently started 2 more, one is starting to take off and the other is prolly not gunna make it, very little green left on it. It is normal for the tips to die back abit when it is first planted though so don't panic. Just wait for it to start growing then cut the dead tips off.

To anyone starting a new plant, when selecting your pineapple, get one that is very ripe, not necessarily the one with the best crown. Also gently pull on the new leaves in the crown, if they pull away the growth point is likely already rotting. A ripe fruit will have a good amount of root growth already started under the leaves. I find it much better to twist the crown off then to cut away at the fruit. One twist and no fruit left on the crown what so ever. I find if there is any remaining fruit, you will have a very high chance of your new plant rotting b4 it roots. After removing the crown, start peeling back leaves until u see roots or root nubs, and keep going until u don't see any more. Then let the crown cure for a day or 2, apply root hormone, and plant. Water sparingly, and from the bottom of the pot if u can, water on the plant b4 it roots also leads to it rotting.

sunfish
01-11-2013, 01:33 PM
I have started many of these with no root hormone or curing :)

momoese
01-11-2013, 02:53 PM
I have started many of these with no root hormone or curing :)

Same here. I twist the crown off, peel off some of the lower leaves and place in water until fully rooted and then into the soil. Easy peasy

Kbud
01-11-2013, 03:35 PM
@mamoese - I should try the water method for a backup! Although, my plant does look okay so far.

@Hammocked Banana - Thank you so much for the advice! I am a bit disappointed to know they won't fruit in 18 months, but hey! I still think the plants are pretty on their own!

@DangerMouse01 - Oh my gosh! That is awesome! Look at the pineapple and how beautiful it is! How did you get them to grow in your NE yard? I live in new england in upstate NY as well, so I may be able to take you up on your offer. I'll send you a PM. I am thankful to have such an oppurtunity because I want to grow some this summer and the only offer I found was $10 for 1 ratoon! Even Logee's doesn't have it right now! I would love the red variety, really, I get more sugar through the black stemmed ones. THX so much. BTW, do you process yours to get brown or white sugar like you buy at the store? How would you do that?

Also, In the corner of the photo, is that a variegated pineapple? Its so beautiful! I sure am jealous of you right now!!!!!




To everybody else: thanks so much for the kind words and info! I will put an update with pics on this weekend! The leaves are more brown, but the inside growth is still nice and healthy - so I have high hopes!

Kbud
01-11-2013, 03:37 PM
Sorry, just caught this. Dangermouse, what is the difference between green sugarcane and other types? Where did you originally get your plants?


@wolfymouse - I got my bon-tone at Home Depot in the houseplants section. I'm sure it will be at most stores like that and plant nurseries.

Kbud
01-11-2013, 03:41 PM
OH! Stupid me! You meant northeast florida, NOT New England, duh!!!! Still interested in your offer, though.

CountryBoy1981
01-11-2013, 03:49 PM
For those of you who live in areas where pineapples cannot grow outside in the ground, they will grow very well in pots and the pots do not have to be large. Here is some information and you can also go the site:

Not only is growing pineapples ridiculously easy. Growing pineapple plants is possible just about anywhere in the world! (That's because the pineapple plant is one of the few tropical fruits that are really well suited to growing in pots, and that means you can grow pineapples indoors.)

How To Grow Pineapples? Growing Pineapples Is Ridiculously Easy (http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-pineapples.html)

Dangermouse01
01-11-2013, 04:10 PM
OH! Stupid me! You meant northeast florida, NOT New England, duh!!!! Still interested in your offer, though.

:ha: Actually it's NE Palm Bay, on the East coast of central Florida.

The variegated plant in the picture is a variegated Flax lily.

The Black cane I got from Logee's about a year back. The Red cane, I bought a length of cane at a weekend farmer's market in Forsyth park in Savannah, GA, in Dec of 2011, planted it and got what I have. The Green cane, I just got a length of green cane from a local produce market in town. Was actually looking for Yellow cane at the local Asian markets, but couldn't find any, so bought the green when I found it.
I just grow the cane to grow it (and kinda like the looks of the Black and Red).

DM

wolfyhound
01-11-2013, 07:08 PM
Thank you Kbud! I actually have tomorrow off so I'll go searching!

Chance1945
01-11-2013, 07:56 PM
Kbud, you asked about red stem sugar cane. I have two or three small pieces that I got from Kat of Dreaming of the Tropics. Forgot the name but I can find it if that's important to you and if you have an interest since I have so few pieces.

Kbud
01-12-2013, 09:45 AM
Thanks again for all the offers! I still feel sheepish after mixing up Dangermouse's location, but thank you all!

@chance1945 - It sounds like you don't have much red sugarcane - I wouldn't want to impose. But thank you anyway for the offer!

@dangermouse - I found what looks like yellow-stemmed seeds on Amazon - but since they don't grow true to species.... just throwing it out there.

@wolfyhound - Thanks! Tell me how your search goes!

To the rest of you - an update is coming today! With pics:)

Dangermouse01
01-12-2013, 01:14 PM
Kbud; if you have any Asian or Hispanic markets near you, check and see if they have any cane stalks. The Hispanic market I got the green from, also had Red, cost me $1.99 for about a 5-6 length. They are super easy to start from a stalk.

Here is a picture of the 5 pieces of Green that I cut up to plant (like I said, I have more Green to plant than I actually need). Soaked them in water for a day or two, then kept them in a ziplock with a wet papertowel for another couple of days (this is how I did it, there are other ways also). Look at all the new roots
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Misc/GreenCane2-01-12-2013_zpscf899f81.jpg
Each joint where the roots are there is a node (on alternating sides of the stalk), that will grow to be the new plant. My pinky finger is pointing to one, you can see another farther to the right.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Misc/GreenCane1-01-12-2013_zps9d7f9868.jpg

Then plant the piece horizontal in dirt with the nodes to the sides.

I have a piece of Red (with nodes) that I can send you for the price of postage. PM me a address if you want me to send it to you.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/Misc/RedCane1-01-12-2013_zps1109bd1f.jpg

I work with a fella who has the yellow growing in his yard, I will get a chunk from his eventually.

DM

designshark
01-13-2013, 12:10 AM
Thought this was a pineapple thread

momoese
01-13-2013, 12:18 AM
Thought this was a pineapple thread

All threads can be hijacked, there are no rules about this.

I learned something new from this hijacked thread. I will be buying some cane from my local Asian market and trying to root it! :)

designshark
01-13-2013, 12:22 AM
pineappley people are taking it back, in the name of pineapples!

momoese
01-13-2013, 12:37 AM
pineappley people are taking it back, in the name of pineapples!

I'm one of those people......Sugar Cane!!!!! Omg did I say that? :ha:

Dangermouse01
01-13-2013, 07:57 AM
Thought this was a pineapple thread

The original poster offered up the Sugar Cane segue in their own thread. So it wasn't a hijack, just consider it a slight educational diversion.

Better to know a little bit about a lot of things, than a lot about a few.

DM

Kbud
01-13-2013, 01:54 PM
Thanks! Updating today! Starting another new pineapple. Yay! Thanks for the sugarcane advice!

Nicolas Naranja
01-13-2013, 04:37 PM
I've got some black sugarcane at work, also some where the stem is variegated.

Kbud
01-13-2013, 09:26 PM
Sweet! I have not had time to update my blog, but I should get to it in the next few days. I also had to know how my plant was doing, so I took a look at the roots and it is getting a root or two! That is awesome, considering the plant has only been in the media for about a week or two. It is supposed to fully root in 1-2 months. The crown and all seems healthy, although many of the old leaves look horrible. No big, since that is expected. Yay! Oh, and this is not a hijacked thread. It is a discussion of ideas in a very informal and unorganized fashion! LOL!


@dangermouse01: You inspired me. I'll go check local hispanic markets and then get back to you. Things sure are busy right now! I need a weekend from my weekend, but I'll try and go when I have a chance. So you just cut the stalk where roots are showing and plant those? And leaves will come up? One small 6 inch stalk can become five or six plants.

Hola! Yo hablo espanol. Donde esta el sugarcane rojo? Yo nesesito para plantas. Yo soy un estudiante de espanol.


@Nicolas Naranja: Sugarcane with variegated stalks? Awesome!

@designshark: no worries, just combining two posts into one!

Dangermouse01
01-14-2013, 07:05 AM
Kbud, the pieces in my picture if laid end to end, the length would be about 3 feet. You could divide those up into 14 pieces (cut between to rooting parts for 14 individual plants) if you wanted, but I just plant them as they are shown.

DM

Kbud
01-14-2013, 04:25 PM
Cool! Thanks and updating this post right now!!!

Kbud
01-14-2013, 04:58 PM
Updated! Wolfymouse, next update, I'll put up pictures of my Bon-Tone for you!



Updated 1/14/13

Kbud
01-19-2013, 09:44 AM
Dangermouse - I found a deal in bulk on eBay for yellow sugarcane - 7 inch chunks for $6.00! I thought you might be interested if you don't want to wait until the yellow your friend has grows. Here's the link: Bulk Super Sweet Yellow Asian Sugar Cane cuttings Fresh 3 7 inch Pieces | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BULK-Super-Sweet-Yellow-Asian-Sugar-Cane-Cuttings-Fresh-3-7-Inch-Pieces-/121044338101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2ece05b5).

Abnshrek
01-22-2013, 04:54 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52002&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52002)
Are we back on track now? :^)

CountryBoy1981
01-22-2013, 05:09 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52002&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52002)
Are we back on track now? :^)

That's a sugarloaf pineapple correct?

Abnshrek
01-22-2013, 05:37 PM
That's a sugarloaf pineapple correct?

I believe so.. :^)

Kbud
01-22-2013, 07:14 PM
At Abnshrek: Yes, we are back on track... with updates!!! Still not regretting the sugarcane conversation though!!! BTW, I saw your pineapple photos, but the computer won't let me see them. Oh well. No worries, I'll find a way to see your sweet pineapple plants!

amantedelenguaje
01-22-2013, 07:45 PM
Here is my oldest pineapple. She surprised me by flowering of her own volition in October 2012. There is actually another pineapple plant in the bucket. I have tried toinduce flowering in the second plant by surrounding it with overripe apples for two separte weeks. Hopefully it will flower around february if I succeeded. If not, I've got 9 other potted pineapples here, there, and everywhere. They've got to fruit sometime.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgWywDC86Ms/UP22F-JnZhI/AAAAAAAACtU/E6YndqeavAU/s1600/2013-01-21%2B16.19.06-702851.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ngdLhVGSwwg/UP22FMF7O3I/AAAAAAAACtI/Q_EwSfbchZU/s1600/2013-01-21%2B16.19.43-700251.jpg

Kbud
01-22-2013, 07:54 PM
Cool! Sweet pics! I love the second plant ! Someday, I hope my plant will look like that!

wolfyhound
01-22-2013, 07:56 PM
Those are all amazing plants!

designshark
01-22-2013, 09:53 PM
I agree, those are amazing.

Kbud
01-24-2013, 05:42 PM
You were mentioning putting apple slices around the plant. A book I read recommended putting it into the crown. Maybe that will help?

By the way, beautiful plants!

Nicolas Naranja
02-01-2013, 06:47 PM
Back to the Cane!

Yellow Gal, Red Stripe, and Black Cane

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/NicolasNaranja/2013-02-01172054_zps6b018857.jpg

Dangermouse01
02-01-2013, 07:41 PM
Back to the Cane!

Yellow Gal, Red Stripe, and Black Cane

Cool. Let me know if you want to sell a couple of nodes of the Yellow Gal and the Red Stripe.

DM

Kbud
02-02-2013, 09:35 PM
Sweet sugarcane!! Love the red stripe - didn't even know it existed!

dsws
02-07-2013, 01:50 PM
I'm still batting a perfect zero on pineapple tops. But three of my pineapple seeds have germinated.

Nicolas Naranja
02-07-2013, 02:08 PM
I'm still batting a perfect zero on pineapple tops. But three of my pineapple seeds have germinated.

Many of the pineapple companies will pierce the growing point. On the Del Montes I have noticed that if you start peeling the leaves off you will find a hole right through the growing point.

Hammocked Banana
02-07-2013, 04:49 PM
Ah I think that's why I see rot starting in the crows of certain companys. What a greasy move. I'm gunna try and tissue culture the top I have now with the growth point rotting.

Abnshrek
02-07-2013, 05:22 PM
I'm 6 for 6 in success.. I had one that was partially pierced that regrew from the top.. I guess I got lucky on that one.. :^)

pmurphy
02-07-2013, 06:39 PM
I found the whole pineapple diaries fasinating! I bought a plant at the swap meet about 4 years ago with a small pineapple on it. We could not wait and ate it when it was about 6" and it was sooooo good! I then planted the top and have been letting it grow since then, but of course trying everything to encourage it to produce a fruit. Last fall - about 3 weeks after moving it into the house from the greenhouse - I noticed a small rosette forming and realized it was FINALLY going to produce a fruit. That fruit is now about 8" and still growing but I also noticed a couple of aerial suckers ? forming on the plant.
The diaries have been really helpful.
Thanks,

wolfyhound
02-07-2013, 06:42 PM
I have my first pineapple top in a small amount of soil mix in a larger pot. I might have let it dry out too much, but I'll give it time and see if it dies or lives!

Thank you to everyone who posted about it, from those trying it to those who are experienced growers! Fascinating!

Kbud
02-09-2013, 04:26 PM
Thanks so much! I'm so glad this conversation has helped others other than me. My plants aren't looking the best but I still have hope. I will update soon when I get a chance. I have been really busy...

pukyman
02-24-2013, 03:55 AM
Hello to all lovers of pineapple

I recently bought a pineapple fruit and decided to experiment increasing it 's just enough in the pictures.We used the method indicated by H2O from the first page but i left the plant just an hour to dry the cut .
The leaves are soft but not dry , it left little healthy tissue.Maybe it was caught cold with winter transportation ? ?
What do you think has a chance to take root and try for another ?

Thanks and good luck to all .
http://imageshack.us/a/img546/4361/30059512.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/7690/63379944.jpg

H2O
02-24-2013, 06:25 AM
Hello to all lovers of pineapple

I recently bought a pineapple fruit and decided to experiment increasing it 's just enough in the pictures.We used the method indicated by H2O ...

here are my two pineapples i started from crown in august 2012:
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7096/1000725m.jpg
(among tamarindus indica, strelitzia reginae and ... nanners of course)

dry tips on the leaves is ok but yours seems to have totally dry leaves.

i have cut dry tips as you can see on picture.
i put mines in pot when roots were 25 mm long (coco soil).
(maybe 2 month in water or so to reach that step)
water changed every 2 /3 days.

I followed the method from How to Grow a Pineapple Top Indoors (http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/Pineapple/pineapple.htm#Pineapple_Slicer)
(click on their pictures to have a closer view)
the rooted crown on this site (close view):
http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/images/Pineapple/Mature_Roots.jpg

pukyman
02-24-2013, 07:37 AM
Thanks for the reply I did exactly what it says.I'll try again when I go winter not to have plants kept in cold.:03:

scottu
02-24-2013, 08:12 PM
I ate my first home grown pineapple last summer, it was awesome, wife and I finally got to appreciate something grown here and not bought, so much better than any pineapple you get from the store. It took over 2 years to get it. BUT we now have multiple fruit in multiple stages growing and looking better every day. eat a pine apple, plant a pineapple, if you have enough room? They do handle trimming well also, if you are growing them in your living quarters. Now I want the other varieties.

Nicolas Naranja
02-25-2013, 12:19 PM
Ah I think that's why I see rot starting in the crows of certain companys. What a greasy move. I'm gunna try and tissue culture the top I have now with the growth point rotting.

Some of the pineapple varieties are patented. I believe that there was some big lawsuit over the del monte gold a few years back. Basically, if you wanted to introduce a variety to your plantation, you could buy a container of pineapples and have plenty of planting material. It typically get 4 or 5 new plants off of every pineapple.

Kbud
03-31-2013, 04:52 PM
Sorry for not being on in a while. On an unofficial update, my plants have neither really grown nor died. Kind of disappointed. Next top I get, I am going to use the water method. I am also not going to use the root hormone. Though they got roots, the plants are growing. This has happened to basically every plant I used it on; they get roots and then stop growing. Without, I think it might work better. Thank you again to everybody who posted and I hope we can all keep this conversation going.

Thanks,
Kbud

Abnshrek
03-31-2013, 08:27 PM
My largest pineapple is pupping like crazy.. :^)

wolfyhound
03-31-2013, 08:53 PM
My pineapple top has not grown but the leaves are still green, so I'm leaving it be. I put it in a large pot, but with only 1/3 full of dirt so it's very protected.

Kbud
04-03-2013, 06:28 PM
@wolfyhound. That's what's been happening with me. Mine have roots and some green, but are mostly brown and not dying.

CountryBoy1981
04-04-2013, 08:50 PM
I don't know if my store bought pineapple top flowering in slightly over a year is the norm or the exception to the rule, but here is what I did. I started the top in water and potted it in black kow composted cow manure. I rarely watered it and left it out in the full sun. When the nights dipped below the 40's I put it in the shed and left it there until the night time temps went back above. I will post a picture of the flower here shortly; it still has not fully emerged yet.

CountryBoy1981
04-06-2013, 12:11 PM
Here is the flower beginning to emerge from my store bought pineapple top that I started a little over a year ago:

http://i49.tinypic.com/bfm0x3.jpg

Kbud
04-07-2013, 09:05 PM
Beautiful! I'll have to take a closer look, but it may have been the temperatures you were keeping it in. Did you stimulate it with ethylene gas? In any case, your plant flowering is a good thing, however, you hope it will pup. If it has pups, you are in business! If not, when the plant dies after fruiting, no pups will replace it and you will be back in square one


To everyone else, an update is coming soon, no worries. It will be an official update on the actual post, hopefully with better pics, since I got the new iPod with a better camera. I just got a new pineapple today and will try the water method on it tomorrow.

Kbud

CountryBoy1981
04-08-2013, 09:01 AM
Beautiful! I'll have to take a closer look, but it may have been the temperatures you were keeping it in. Did you stimulate it with ethylene gas? In any case, your plant flowering is a good thing, however, you hope it will pup. If it has pups, you are in business! If not, when the plant dies after fruiting, no pups will replace it and you will be back in square one


To everyone else, an update is coming soon, no worries. It will be an official update on the actual post, hopefully with better pics, since I got the new iPod with a better camera. I just got a new pineapple today and will try the water method on it tomorrow.

Kbud

It may have something to do with the humidity; there is more humidity in South Alabama than there is in Florida. I did not use any ethylene gas. The past summer we had high humidity and high 90 degree temperatures and over the winter I put the pineapple in the shed when temps dipped below 40 degrees.

Kbud
04-11-2013, 05:58 PM
That's probably what happened! Jealous of you right now:)

Abnshrek
04-11-2013, 07:37 PM
I know after planting my pineapple from a pot it was in from last summer.. I need to change my soil mix to having more sand & perlite w/ composted cow manure.. The soil just holds to much water. :^)

pmurphy
04-11-2013, 10:38 PM
I've found this whole "pineapple diaries" most informative.....I only wish I had such information 4 years ago when I stuck a pineapple top in some soil.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_29351.jpg

But this is the result, and I know it will be worth it!

pmurphy
04-11-2013, 10:43 PM
I've found this whole "pineapple diaries" most informative.....I only wish I had such information 4 years ago when I stuck a pineapple top in some soil.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_29351.jpg

But this is the result, and I know it will be worth it!


Lets try that again:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_29351.jpg

:ha:

stevelau1911
04-11-2013, 10:47 PM
I tried it, and the pineapple rotted through the top. I guess it got too much water eh?

wolfyhound
04-11-2013, 11:40 PM
Mine is not doing as well... my elderly yorkie fell off the porch into the pot and knocked it flying. Dog is fine, pineapple not so fine.

Abnshrek
04-12-2013, 10:13 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52626&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=52626)
Pineapple Friday.. its all good. :^)

Kbud
04-15-2013, 07:57 PM
@stevelau1911: Its great to know your plant is sucessful - I live in the same conditions in the same region and it is good to know that it is possible to succeed with the experiment.



Recently, I must announce Specimin #1 is dead. RIP. However, the other one is still holding on and roots seem to be growing. Will get to official update and photos soon. I trimmed the dead stuff off, and by removing that, the plant looks better already!

rwood1754
04-16-2013, 01:41 AM
Hi all!

This is my newest endeavour - growing my own bromeliad - a pineapple top!!! Believe it or not, pineapples are easy to grow and cheap! I bought mine for $3. I used a book called How to Grow Tasty Tropical Plants* (like...) *In any Home Any Where. Love this book! Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Tasty-Tro ... where+like. I also got a lot of help from this video: Pineapple, Pineapple: Remove the top, slice it up and then plant it! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekQERxSkXdY). Check out the cool pictures at the end! I'm going to try and keep this updated and even put in pictures to help all you guys out too! I'd love some tips and experiences.

BTW, I have an exact copy of this post on bananas.org - I wanted it on both sites.
Nice article. I have a 3 year old pineapple that I finally planted in the ground last summer. Lucky it survived this unusually cold winter in Phoenix. Had it by a west wall under my banana netting. Covered it partly with leaves & a sheet. The middle of my back yard got down to 17 degrees one morning. The leaf ends that were uncovered did freeze. I had a half dozen others just covered with an old door. Some froze after a few freezing nights. The rest I put in the laundry room. But I brought them out too soon & another freeze damaged a couple of them, but a few survived. Very unusual for pineapple plants. I've been raising pineapple tops for years. They are very easy to grow & make nice patio plants. I have never had any pineapples by the way.

THE PLANTING - JANUARY 1st, 2013
After getting the pineapple, I planted it a day later. This was labeled as a Chiquita Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple, grown in Costa Rica. I'm sure it has a technical name, but I don't want to ask the company. They'd probably think I was some kind of competitor fruit company or something. I got the pineapple from BJ's, a local bulk store. I planted the plant in Scott's or Miracle-Gro potting soil (either way, it was fortefied). I put some LFS around it. First I cut the top off, then sliced the fruit (great and juicy pineapple by the way) and then I went to the top. Instead of twisting it off like the lady in the video did, I cut it and a bit of fruit off. I trimmed the flesh off so it wouldn't rot, then sliced it down to the rhizome, which looked like a tree stump with brown structures around the edges. These are where the roots come from. I then covered the bottom and some of the side in Bon-Tone rooting powder and it placed it in the soil. Thouroughly watering it. At this point, I have a 50/50 chance of success, fingers crossed. I set the plant in an east-facing window where it will get morning sun and then left it. Will get to pics soon

The best part of this plant is that the plant will produce nice pineapples in 18 months. Aside from being pretty and tasty, it is easy to grow. Once the plant fruits, it will die, but will have made two new plants from suckers; one pineapple can start a whole new generation. Oh, by the way, if you try this, let the soil dry out between waterings and grow it in room-temperature soil and keep it above 60 degrees F to prevent root rot. Also, when you select a pineapple, be sure to get one that has healthy leaves and no insects, to prevent an early death. Be sure to get a pineapple that is not too golden or too green.
-
Fun plant fact!!!!! Once a pineapple is plucked from the plant, it will not get riper - it will only rot.

Until Next Time!



Day 3 - January 4th, 2013

Starting tomorrow, I am going to give the plant some supplemental lighting, acting on a tip from rogerjames....... Thanks! I put some pictures in to this link here: Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146). I am a little worried, as you can read from the description on the photos, about the yellow leaf tips on many of the leaves, but I attribute this to shock. Somebody please tell me or reply to the post so I can grow this plant as good as I can!
Also, for all of you guys who couldn't get your plant to fruit, read this excerpt:
From: How to grow Tasty Tropical Plants* (Like....) *In any Home, Anywhere.
Laurelynn G. Martin and Byron E. Martin
Storey Publishing, 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA, 01247
Storey Publishing : Books for Country Living Since 1983 (http://www.storey.com)
Copyright 2010

The Apple/Pineapple Connection
If you'd like to speed up the fruiting process of your pineapple plant, try this amazing but effective trick: Cut a slice of apple and tuck it into the crown of your pineapple plant. The apple slice will give off enough ethylene gas to stimulate early fruiting of your pineapple plant.
(End excerpt)


Obviously, I can't tell you if it works, because my plant hasn't rooted yet, but maybe this could make your plants fruit. I overall think the experiment is working so far; I'm hoping I will someday be eating fresh pineapple!
Speaking of which, aside from using the top of the pineapple, I had some fun with the fruit itself! It was tasty and juicy, and I'm hankering for another one! Today, I used the rest of it to make a huge fruit roll and some dried chunks so I can enjoy it in so many ways! I just pureed it and put it on a fruit roll sheet, and it is currently drying in my dehydrator at 135 degrees F. Can't wait to try it! I just cut the pineapple into small cubes and am drying it with the the fruit roll. For more info, check out my post here: http://www.bananas.org/f6/banana-chips-fruit-rolls-17293.html. That's all for now! Talk to you all at the next update!
Cheers!


Day 4

Well, now I'm really starting to get a little nervous. The top is appearing more yellowish/brown. Pics are here and are labeled as "Day 4." Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146)



Day 13

Today was another important day in my brief history of pineapples. I cut up and planted another top. The pineapple tasted good, but not as sweet. It is the same brand and is also grown in Costa Rica. This plant is in the same spot as my first one, but it is put in orchid soil, since I was transplanting a lot of plants and wanted to just replace one pot with this top. Besides, bromeliads should like orchid soil! That should do good. I will refer to it as Sample 2 in future posts. Also, with my first plant (Sample 1), it has started rooting! The old leaves look horrible, but new growth and the crown looks healthy. I couldn't wait any longer and gently worked it out of the soil to see 1 or 2 little roots coming out. Considering complete rooting is supposed to take 1-2 months, this is great. I gently replanted it and will not disturb it again. I didn't take pictures of the roots, but should have. Oh well. I did put new pics in at the gallery here: Banana Gallery - The Pineapple Diaries (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2146). The updates are labeled as "Day 13" for Sample 1 and "Day 13 (Sample 2, day 1) for Sample 2. It would appear my experiment is a success so far!

Day 21

Well, I am a bit worried about my first specimen. The second one is trucking along - it is going almost exactly like the first one did. My main concern with the first one is some brown in the leaves near the crown. No rot, but the leaves are turning brown. I also saw some gray mold or related on it. Roots are growing. I bought Bonide Copper Fungicide and sprayed that in the crown. I still have high hopes for this plant. And if it does die, I have a second one. Yay! Pics will come soon, probably in the next update.

*************************************************************
Originally copied from my post on FlyTrapCare:2722: Hmmmm? I was interupted when I was making a comment on your post. Excuse me if I am repeating, but I can't find my comment. I've been raising pineapples as house plants for over 40 years. They are easy to grow. I usually just give them away, altough I did sell some to a nursery. I have one that is 3 years old planted by one of my bananas. Surprising it went through the heat of last summer & freezes down to 17 degrees in my back yard. I had it under the banana netting, partly covered with leaves and a sheet. The only part that froze were the edges of the leaves that peaked out from under the sheet. I am amazed that it went through the winter, but it is an older plant. Never has produced a pineapple.

rwood1754
04-16-2013, 01:49 AM
I tried it, and the pineapple rotted through the top. I guess it got too much water eh?

Myself, I've kept pineapple tops just in water for weeks at a time. They grew roots & I planted them. If they were kept in cold storage, sometimes after you get them home they start to die. Also don't delay. They start going downhill right away. Right now I have one that I haven't had time to plant & I just have it in a saucer of water. I have one outside in the ground that was under netting & went through 116 degree temps last summer & 17 degrees only covered with leaves & a sheet this winter, but it is 3 years old. But any leaves that peeked out from the sheet froze. Very unusual.

Abnshrek
04-16-2013, 07:05 AM
Most of my Pineapples. :^)
http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r698/Bucko13f/PA041613_zpsaa1493f1.jpg (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/Bucko13f/media/PA041613_zpsaa1493f1.jpg.html)

Kbud
04-20-2013, 02:37 PM
What's in the bottom left of the picture?

@steve - sorry for confusing you. I thought you said your plant was successful, not rotting through. Moisture may be the issue, but I think mold and rot eventually did my first one in.

Hammocked Banana
04-20-2013, 08:29 PM
Looks like a plumeria

Kbud
04-21-2013, 09:25 AM
Hmmm. Never seen one before!

Worm_Farmer
04-21-2013, 09:31 AM
Wow, my method has become very lazy. I twist off the top, then let it sit around for a few days to a few weeks (I am lazy). Then I will peal back all the brown leafs until I get the point where I see nice green leafs and yellow center core with little roots already showing. I then push that right into a pot of dirt or right into the ground. I find that only about 10% of them die using this method.

Kbud
04-23-2013, 07:23 PM
Hmm. What an unusual method... but you can't argue with results! I should try that! Thanks!

Kbud
04-23-2013, 07:29 PM
Someone should sticky this post! It seems to be becoming a good reference source!

mksmth
04-26-2013, 11:15 AM
here is my first every fruiting pineapple. This one was started roughly mid summer 2011.

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t365/mksmth1/IMG_20130410_185327_285_zpsee45e10a.jpg

a local market here has pineapples on sale for $1 so i may get a few more going.

sandy0225
04-26-2013, 05:16 PM
I have a pineapple blooming right now too. I just do mine like that other guy and let the tops sit a few days and pull off all the brown ones until I see roots and then plant and water sparingly. Sometimes if the pineapple top looked really bad to start with they mold and die, but usually not. I buy my pineapples at the store now by looking to see which one has the nicest tops, instead of looking at the pineapple. Sad huh?

Kbud
04-26-2013, 07:06 PM
@sandy0225 - not at all! Nobody understands why I care about the top more than the fruit!

@mksmath - awesome plant! I wish mine would just grow!

Abnshrek
04-26-2013, 07:19 PM
Not only do I look for a healthy top I make sure I see plenty of roots, by bending the lower leaves. :^)

Kbud
04-26-2013, 07:42 PM
Nice! Do you peel off the lowest leaves up to about an inch up to prevent rotting? That's what I was told to do before planting it in soil or water.

Abnshrek
04-26-2013, 11:02 PM
Nice! Do you peel off the lowest leaves up to about an inch up to prevent rotting? That's what I was told to do before planting it in soil or water.

You peel them up an inch cause they are going to die anyway since it grows from center. :^)

H2O
04-27-2013, 11:14 AM
Pineapple from crown:

Glass covered so growing roots have no light.
http://imageshack.us/a/img844/5317/1000755m.jpg

tube removed:
http://imageshack.us/a/img818/6264/1000756m.jpg

Closer look to pineapple (6 days):
http://imageshack.us/a/img825/5015/1000757d.jpg
Water + about 1 g/L of 16-8-22+(3) soluble fertilizer.
Changed every 2 days.

Kbud
04-28-2013, 11:54 AM
Nice! Why did you cover the roots so they couldn't get light? It really does look like the water method is more effective. That's what I'll be trying with my newest pineapple.



I UPDATED THE THREAD! YAY! CHECK IT OUT!!

H2O
04-28-2013, 11:23 PM
... Why did you cover the roots so they couldn't get light? ...

because roots normally don't have sun, growing in the soil.

Kbud
04-29-2013, 08:45 PM
Updated again!

pmurphy
04-30-2013, 09:42 AM
Over 4 years ago I bought a pineapple plant at the swap meet that had a small 4" pineapple growing on it. It soon turned golden in color and we could not wait any longer so we ate it. I then planted the top and waited.....and waited....and waited. Now, 4 years later, we will soon be able to harvest our first home-grown fruit

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52784&size=1

who said you can't grown pineapples in Canada.... :ha:

H2O
04-30-2013, 10:01 AM
Update - growing roots (now changing water every 4 days)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=52785

mksmth
05-01-2013, 03:47 PM
Wow pmurphy 4 years. Thats is some dedication!! that one is good sized too.

Kbud
05-01-2013, 07:19 PM
Agreed! Thumbs up!

H2O
05-04-2013, 03:47 AM
Pot time

http://imageshack.us/a/img40/73/img00016201305040954.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img89/4112/img00017201305040957b.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img838/6379/img00018201305041005.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img694/3172/img00019201305041005.jpg

pukyman
05-04-2013, 03:58 AM
Nice, good luck to do and fruit as quickly.:nanadrink:

Kbud
05-04-2013, 06:37 PM
Congrats on your success, H2O!

wolfyhound
06-10-2013, 08:09 PM
I gave up on my pineapple top. My yorkie knocked it flying off the porch and I just set it back up against the steps with the handful of dirt left in the pot and if I thought about it once in a while I'd squirt the hose in that direction... more out of habit than the idea it would grow.

So today I looked and not only were the leaves still green... it has FOUR new center leaves!

MY PINEAPPLE IS GROWING!!! And it's all thanks to you guys with your pineapple threads and pictures!!!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53243&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53243&ppuser=15189)

I gave that fruit some dirt. Fruits love dirt.

Kbud
06-12-2013, 05:08 PM
No man, it was all you! I am incredibly glad that the thread helped, though. Just updated thread with my newest pineapple project! And by the way, wolfyhound, you inspire me! Put in pics of my new setup.

Abnshrek
06-23-2013, 07:31 PM
My 1st slip.. :^)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53465&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53465)

Abnshrek
06-24-2013, 01:55 PM
A set of twins.. My 1st pups from a Pineapple Crown. :^)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53475&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53475)

Hammocked Banana
06-25-2013, 07:38 AM
Are all 3 on the same mother plant?

Abnshrek
06-25-2013, 08:17 AM
The answer is no.. I have 4 Pineapples w/ a pup or more.. 2 being crowns. This one has 5 pups & the slip. :^)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53486&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53486)

Hammocked Banana
06-25-2013, 08:07 PM
Neato!! :goteam:

Kbud
06-30-2013, 12:59 PM
Sweet looking plants!

Yshavit
07-03-2013, 10:20 AM
hello all! im new at making TC's and I wanted to know if any of you ever experienced in pineapples TC's. Iv purchased the plattc home kit but in a hindsight im not sure the plants will propagate since the amounts of hormones in the kit are not exact and change from plant to plant....

Hammocked Banana
07-03-2013, 11:44 PM
http://www.bananas.org/f260/step-step-tissue-culture-pineapple-10981.html

Kbud
07-05-2013, 10:07 AM
I would love to help, but I am not an expert in TC, nor do I have the supplies for such. Sorry about that.

Hammocked Banana
07-05-2013, 12:35 PM
I've only tried once but I didn't have space to make a little clean room and I got contamination. Now I'm set to go again and will try with a clean zone. I'm using the exact medium amd method in that link

Dangermouse01
07-07-2013, 09:04 AM
Many of the pineapple companies will pierce the growing point. On the Del Montes I have noticed that if you start peeling the leaves off you will find a hole right through the growing point.

I bought a few recently that looked like they drilled down from the top to the growing point.

They are putting out growth from there anyways.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/pineapple/pineapple2_07-07-12_zps476ee710.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/pineapple/pineapple1_07-07-12_zpse46b8c14.jpg

DM

Dalmatiansoap
07-07-2013, 09:55 AM
Why are they doing that?

Abnshrek
07-07-2013, 10:01 AM
Why are they doing that?

So people don't grow them themselves.. Here they stick of of those tag guns thru the center, but they still grow.. I've had one that died back then regrew from center last year.. Pineapple are one of the easiest plants to overwinter if you have well draining soil. :^)

Dalmatiansoap
07-07-2013, 10:10 AM
that explains why I couldnt root some lately

wolfyhound
09-16-2013, 05:26 PM
Latest picture of my pineapple. It's not growing fast but it is growing and not dying or even looking sickly. It stays mostly shaded.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54561&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54561&ppuser=15189)

Hammocked Banana
09-17-2013, 01:56 AM
I would say that's growing really fast since june. Maybe it will even fruit at the end of next summer for you...

G.W.
09-22-2013, 01:45 PM
I bought a few . ecently that looked like they drilled down from the top to the growing point.

They are putting out growth from there anyways.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/pineapple/pineapple2_07-07-12_zps476ee710.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/dangermouse2006/flowers%20and%20plants/pineapple/pineapple1_07-07-12_zpse46b8c14.jpg

DM

The problem is not holes being drilled to prevent our growing tops.
Nice try conspiracy guy.

The tops fell victim to schmucks in the store who think you can figure out how ripe a fruit is by plucking the center leaves from the top.
I've seen one guy ruin 10 tops in less than a minute by snatching leaf after leaf until he found a sufficiently ahem.. ripe... fruit .

My evidence that he was a destructive idiot ?
I knew what he doing but asked instead how I could pick a ripe one.
He let me in on his little ...ahem... secret. :waving:

I asked the obvious question.
How come you picked the greenest one ?

Of course I already told you ;-)




Stay away from plants with cold damaged tops.

Dangermouse01
09-22-2013, 07:58 PM
The problem is not holes being drilled to prevent our growing tops.
Nice try conspiracy guy.

The tops fell victim to schmucks in the store who think you can figure out how ripe a fruit is by plucking the center leaves from the top.
I've seen one guy ruin 10 tops in less than a minute by snatching leaf after leaf until he found a sufficiently ahem.. ripe... fruit .


Nice try with your theory, but wrong....at least from the pineapples I had.
Nobody pulled the center leaves from any, they were all cut flat across down inside the crown. You can see in the my second picture that the center leaves were all cut flat and straight across. Brand new small undamaged growth in the center, two taller ones have damaged tips, the ones at 9 o'clock and 5 o'clock were cut flat, the ones just outside of those two.....cut flat across. Sorry I dont have a "before" picture, but I know a flat bottom hole when I see one.

DM

wolfyhound
09-22-2013, 08:58 PM
I dunno about any of that, but I can say that pulling the center leaves doesn't kill the thing absolutely, I pulled two center leaves on mine handling it before I twisted the top out and planted it and it's alive.

Abnshrek
09-22-2013, 09:01 PM
http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r698/Bucko13f/Pineapples091913_zpsf2a4e030.jpg (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/Bucko13f/media/Pineapples091913_zpsf2a4e030.jpg.html)

Hammocked Banana
09-23-2013, 10:39 AM
Those are beauties. Should flower very soon!

Abnshrek
09-23-2013, 11:02 AM
http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r698/Bucko13f/Pineapple092313_zpsabf8424c.jpg (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/Bucko13f/media/Pineapple092313_zpsabf8424c.jpg.html)
This is my biggest one.. Cayenne Pepper (L) out of control.. :^)

Abnshrek
10-13-2013, 09:01 AM
Look what I found @ the Local Home Depot in Fl.. No, I didn't get any Pineapples but I did find Fish Emulsion in a gallon jug, and Citrus Fert. :^)

http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r698/Bucko13f/PAhomeDepot_zpse46a25ed.jpg (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/Bucko13f/media/PAhomeDepot_zpse46a25ed.jpg.html)

Kbud
12-27-2013, 06:47 PM
I am so jealous of you guys down south! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, so I know that you all hate me now, but I am back and better than ever! I have tried a few more times, but I am hoping I finally have a winner! When I go searching for pineapples, I look more at the plant potential in the leaves than the fruit itself! I really care that much! I can't help but feel that I am overdoing it and waiting too long to plant the top. After even a day, the leaves start to turn brown. This one I currently need to cut up seems to be doing okay. In any case, I am planting it tonight. I am changing the process by simply twisting the top off and planting it, as per a youtube video I saw, instead of going head over heels attempting to twist it off and trim it like crazy, probably often hurting it. I am putting it in standard miracle-gro potting mix and using a spray bottle, as well as praying that this plant may grow!
On a side note, my plant collection has grown! I now have a banana tree, black pepper plant, and tea plant (camellia sinensis)! Hopefully, a pineapple plant will soon be added. I am way too motivated because of the book that I love: How to Grow Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home Any Where. In any case, I will probably make individual threads on those plants soon. I am also still hunting down the always elusive sugarcane plant! My collection is continuing to expand!
I also want to thank the many people who have contributed to this thread thus far. It is you guys who made this thread popular! As I write this, 4 guests are reading it! I cannot thank you all enough!

Sincerely,
Kbud
Hopeless New York Gardener

wolfyhound
12-27-2013, 06:55 PM
I twisted the top out of the pineapple I did and it's still going strong, even after having a yorkie knock it off the porch(4 ft drop), surviving with a few inches of potting soil(since I thought it would die after getting knocked off the porch) and ignored completely for weeks and weeks.

I just twisted the top out, rinsed it a little bit and planted it. It's still alive, although I guess I should get a new picture of it.

Kbud
01-07-2014, 12:09 PM
Well, if your plant is making it after surviving a doggy apocalypse, then mine can too. Mine is still going strong. Maybe finally it took root? Thanks wolfyhound!

sandy0225
01-08-2014, 09:28 PM
here's my best pineapple right now.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a542/sandy02256/image_zps50a6a7c7.jpg

Kbud
01-19-2014, 07:20 PM
Thumbs up to @sandy0225!

Kat2
01-19-2014, 09:14 PM
I scanned through this thread and didn't see anything about cutting a crown into sections. I read through this link mentioned before. How to Grow a Pineapple Top Indoors (http://www.rickswoodshopcreations.com/Pineapple/pineapple.htm#Pineapple_Slicer) And realized my year old pineapple that is just now really getting a strong enough root to not tip over in a strong breeze was done all wrong. It was never cut back to expose roots, sat in water for a while then got dumped on the ground for a few months before I rescued it and shoved it in a pot. It's green but not hardy; it looks like the one I had for 7 years in MD which I finally tossed because it really didn't grow much.

Tonight I acquired another top which isn't pretty but I cut it back to expose the root nubs then stripped leaves so that more would be in dirt. So many root possibilities got me to thinking...why do I have to plant only 1? Can't I divide it? So I went searching and found this: Pineapple--Farmer's Bookshelf (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/fb/pineappl/pineappl.htm#Propagation) Heck, it was free, I haven't done well with the other so why not play? I now have 4 sections which might, before I'm done, become 8. I have plenty of Rootone (left over from my herb biz) and some pots so we'll see.