When growing a pineapple from a crown in Hawaii a pineapple will take at least 20 months to fruit. If the pineapple is being grown anywhere else in the world where the conditions of Hawaii cannot quite be replicated it is expected to take much longer. Once this 'mother fruit' has been produced, it is possible to grow an additional or 'ratoon' fruit. This is a process that could take another year.
It is possible to grow a pineapple from the crown of a pineapple that has been bought from a store. To prepare the crown it is necessary to twist or cut it off from the pineapple and trim off any fruit that is still attached as this will rot. The bottom of the crown should be cut until root buds are visible. When these can be seen, as little tissue as possible should be removed to avoid damaging young stems.
After trimming the crown and removing any excess leaves, it should then be placed upside down in a shady place for about a week. Once the cut end has had time to heal it can then be planted. The pineapple crown should be planted in good soil or compost in a pot at least eight inches in size. The pot needs to be one that allows good drainage and the soil must be tamped carefully around the crown.
The pineapple should be fertilized when planted and every two to three months afterwards. It should only need watering once a week and never overwatered. When the plant reaches approximately 24 inches high it will form an inflorescence bud. In around two months this bud will turn into a red cone and signal the start of your fruit developing. After this has occurred the plant will begin to flower in neat rows and once the last of the flowers have dried the fruit will begin to grow.
While the pineapple typically takes 20 months to grow, if there is no sign of the fruit developed after 24 months it is possible to 'force' the fruit to grow. For more information go to http://tpss.hawaii.edu/pineapple/pinegrow.htm.
It is possible to grow a pineapple from the crown of a pineapple that has been bought from a store. To prepare the crown it is necessary to twist or cut it off from the pineapple and trim off any fruit that is still attached as this will rot. The bottom of the crown should be cut until root buds are visible. When these can be seen, as little tissue as possible should be removed to avoid damaging young stems.
After trimming the crown and removing any excess leaves, it should then be placed upside down in a shady place for about a week. Once the cut end has had time to heal it can then be planted. The pineapple crown should be planted in good soil or compost in a pot at least eight inches in size. The pot needs to be one that allows good drainage and the soil must be tamped carefully around the crown.
The pineapple should be fertilized when planted and every two to three months afterwards. It should only need watering once a week and never overwatered. When the plant reaches approximately 24 inches high it will form an inflorescence bud. In around two months this bud will turn into a red cone and signal the start of your fruit developing. After this has occurred the plant will begin to flower in neat rows and once the last of the flowers have dried the fruit will begin to grow.
While the pineapple typically takes 20 months to grow, if there is no sign of the fruit developed after 24 months it is possible to 'force' the fruit to grow. For more information go to http://tpss.hawaii.edu/pineapple/pinegrow.htm.
