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Post by pete on Dec 15, 2009 20:05:11 GMT
As some of you may know I've been growing pineapples for some time now. The plants are propagated from the tops of fruit, its a very easy process, but from cutting to fruit can take three years or more here in the UK. You also need some where with good light in winter and a minimum temperature of no lower than 10C at night rising to at least 16C during the day. Here are some pics of the latest one to come into flower and fruit. The flowers are very small and easy to miss, but kinda purple. this was taken early November.  And a more recent pic about a week or so ago.  As things develop I'll post more pics. I dont get supermarket sized fruit as they are only grown in pots and space is a problem, but they are the sweetest ones I've tasted, being that they ripen on the plant |
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Post by kedigato on Dec 15, 2009 20:19:54 GMT
That is amazing, Pete, well done!  I always think of them growing in Hawaii, or somewhere with a similar climate, but never anywhere this far north, not even in a greenhouse. It looks lovely and am looking forward to seeing how they develop. How many do you have going at the moment? |
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Post by DAG on Dec 15, 2009 20:25:37 GMT
That is fascinating pete, I appreciate that they are small but I am not sure of the scale so can you give me some idea of the size?
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Post by pete on Dec 15, 2009 20:51:36 GMT
Kedi, I limit myself to two plants at a time, as I say space is a problem. Dag I have this picture that I did not post as its slightly over-exposed, but the £2 coin is intended to give it scale. I'm expecting at least another two months growth yet on this fruit so we will see how big it gets.  |
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Post by pete on Dec 15, 2009 21:02:27 GMT
I should add that as pineapples, (Ananas comosus), are bromeliads, feeding is applied to the foliage, similar to airplants, so its getting a weekly spray with very dilute tomato fertilizer. ;D
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Post by kedigato on Dec 15, 2009 21:12:28 GMT
It seems that tomato fertilizer is good for many plants. We have used it at times, too, on various garden plants.
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Post by nazimundo on Dec 15, 2009 23:38:30 GMT
Like Kedi I never thought you could grow Pineapples in this country, looking forward to seeing how big the fruit gets.
Alfie
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Post by pete on Dec 16, 2009 19:11:51 GMT
In true Blue Peter fashion, "this is one I grew earlier",. ;D I'm hoping this one gets a bit bigger.  |
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Post by thymelord on Jan 10, 2010 7:47:55 GMT
Hi Pete, well done what's the lowest temperature you can sustain the pineapple plant at?
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Post by pete on Jan 30, 2010 14:27:21 GMT
Hi Thymelord, sorry I missed your post earlier. Well I've tried growing them at a lower temperature but they tend to stop growing through winter and are not that keen to get going come spring. I wouldn't say its impossible with a min of 7C but they rot their roots off very easily at those kind of temperatures. Here's an up date, growth is slow at this time of the year but its still moving.  |
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Post by victoria on Jan 30, 2010 20:12:33 GMT
Impressive, Pete, impressive. I've 'toyed' with the idea of buying one as they always have them at this one garden center.
I'd say 'if you can, I can' ... but I'd probably have to eat my words rather than the pineapple .... !!!!!!!
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Post by pete on Jan 31, 2010 16:19:23 GMT
We also get pineapple plants for sale, they usually have a fruit just forming at the time of sale.
I know the fruit on mine looks small but the ones at gardencentres here are minute.
I'd say dont buy one, grow your own from a supermarket fruit.
It will take a bit longer but the result is more satisfying.
I bet in your climate it would only need some rain protection in winter and sun protection in summer.
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Post by victoria on Jan 31, 2010 18:46:07 GMT
Much as I would love one, dont' think I could have one could I Pete because they are very 'sharp' 'spikey' plants? I think that's why I've never bought one ... because of the cats.
Gosh, how soft are we .... me, I'm a pussycat .... xx
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Post by pete on Jan 31, 2010 22:06:39 GMT
A few spines on the very tips of the leaves is all mine have.
I think those varegated ones, with the yellow stripe have spines all the way up the leaves.
I guess the commercial ones have been bred to be almost spineless to make picking the fruit easier.
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Post by pete on May 8, 2010 13:32:49 GMT
Just an update, I'm not that impressed with this fruit, its starting to ripen now but I was hoping for something bigger. I have been spraying with seaweed feed, but get the impression it may have too much nitrogen as the top appears larger than the actual fruit.  Anyway this plant seems to have spurred on the other one to fruit which is now flowering. |
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