A pineapple
The fruits of the tropical fruit, delicate in taste and somewhat unusual in appearance, began to be imported to Europe after the discovery of America.
They attracted the attention of wealthy European nobles and were to their liking. But in those days, shipping from Brazil, which was and remains one of the most important suppliers of pineapples, was a long and expensive process.
A more rational option turned out to be growing pineapple directly at the place where it is consumed.
Where do pineapples grow?
Of course, to cultivate the southern fruit, greenhouses and greenhouses were required, but the tasty fruits were very successfully grown not only in the Moscow region or St. Petersburg, they were obtained even in the very harsh climate of the Solovetsky Islands.
Of course, the establishment of maritime shipping greatly simplified the supply of the fruit; huge quantities of it began to be imported to Europe from South America, and soon the magnificent fruit began to be grown in the Indian and African colonies. The cost of the product has decreased significantly; today it is quite affordable for every wallet.
What is pineapple
Looking at the large fruit, its weight can reach one and a half to two kilograms, one can imagine that it grows on huge palm trees. In fact, pineapple is a herbaceous perennial plant that is not so large in size.
Its height can reach a meter. The length of the leaves is usually from 20 cm to 1 m, they grow in a spiral, making the plant quite original and attractive.
Relatively small dimensions and easy maintenance allow grow fruit at home. Moreover, practice shows that after two years the pineapple begins to bloom, which is followed by the formation of a fruit.
But even if you don’t get to enjoy the fruit you grew with your own hands, the process of planting and caring for gardeners is of great interest, and the excellent decorative qualities of the bush will give the interior of the room an original look.
How to root a pineapple at home
This is the propagation option that experienced plant breeders recommend. Even knowing how to grow pineapple from seeds will not always help you achieve results. Getting seeds is quite difficult. As a rule, fruits bought in stores do not contain seeds. If they are found, it will be in an underdeveloped or immature form; there is no hope that seedlings can be obtained from them.
Much easier germinate the cut top from a purchased fruit. In the articles in this section, the process of germination and planting is described in great detail.
An important point is the correct choice of fruit; it must be ripe, the leaves on the top should not be wilted, or have signs of disease, rotting or drying out.
To propagate pineapple under plantation conditions, planting lateral shoots that appear at the base of the stem is used. Of course, this method can also be used for plants grown indoors.
How to stimulate flowering
To speed up the process of inflorescence formation, watering with acetylene is used. To obtain such a miraculous liquid, calcium carbide is mixed with water. The strained solution is poured in small quantities into the axils of the upper leaves on the rosettes. This excellent flowering stimulator allows fruit to be produced throughout the year.
The harvesting process is quite labor-intensive, carried out manually, and is complicated by the thorny leaves surrounding the fruit.
We are sure that by planting a pineapple, you will not only admire its leaves and flowers, but also get aromatic fruits rich in vitamins, light sugars, and valuable acids. And harvesting will give you real pleasure.
