Nom

I've started 5 or 6 pineapples tops from various places in my greenhouse. All I got with starting them in soil was mold, so I'm starting them in water, which is working. I took all of them out to check them out, all are popping out roots and one already has about 10, 2-3", white, fuzzy roots. I also ordered two seed grown Kona Sugarloaf pineapple plants that are about 6" tall with 6" leafs. I have a few questions...

1. Some of the pineapple's middles rotted a bit so there is no new leaves coming up, but only on two of the pineapples. Will new leaves grow?

2. When should I plant the pineapples in soil?

3. I unknowingly left part of the fruit part on the pineapple and I don't want it to mold in the soil, however there is no way to cut it off now without killing the roots. How can I prevent mold from growing on this?

4. How should I go about transplanting the seed grown plants?

Nicolas Naranja

Believe it or not, a lot of the pineapples I have seen in the store have had their tops killed. When you remove the bottom leaves of the top you will find a hole that pierces the growing point. All you have to do is twist the top off the pineapple and remove about 1/3 of the bottom leaves.

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Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

Nom

All but the two pineapples has perfect growing points that are green and growing. I just don't want to toss the two because they're the ones with roots.

tommibear

1. To avoid mold, you need to let the tops dry for a few days - also make sure you remove most of the flesh from the pineapple plant (by peeling a couple of bottom layers of leaves from the pineapple top).

2. Whenever I transplant my "water" rooted pineapple plants, they always go into shock and look sickly for a month of two. However, they will recover and "adjust" to the soil. It is a lot better to put your pineapple tops in the soil directly.

Nom

How big should the root system be before transplanting?