If you love Pavlova or Pineapple Cake you’ll need some fruit, and what better way than to grow it yourself!
What you might not know is you can grow a pineapple from the top (or crown) of another one. It’s easier than opening up a tin of fruit salad, and the good news about growing a pineapple from the top is it doesn’t need much care.
Here’s how.
Planting a pineapple top
So, you’ve already got a pineapple (Ananas comosus) and want to know how to grow another one from the top. According to Tropical Permaculture it’s simple.
Step 1 First, you cut off the crown. “If you use tops make sure you remove all the fruit flesh. The stem that is left needs to be bare, dry and clean.”
Step 2 What some people do next is put them in water to ‘root’, but, “In the case of pineapple tops it’s actually better to let it cure or dry for a day or two before planting.”
Step 3 Remove all the bottom leaves and any dead leaves.
Step 4 Fill a pot with soil. Richgro from Bunnings is ideal.
Step 5 Make a hole big enough for the pineapple top and plant it.
Step 6 “They don’t need much water,” says Tropical Permaculture. “They have very tough leaves so they don’t lose much water through evaporation. They can get by on very little.”
Step 7 Once you plant your pineapple it will take some time to grow so patience is in order.
According to the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), “In very broad terms the plant crop is ready for harvest 20 to 24 months after planting.”
Step-by-step video on how to grow a pineapple
You can see from the step-by-step video link (above) that growing a pineapple from a top requires very few tools other than good soil and sunshine.
Good soil
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) says, “The best soils for pineapple production are non-compacted, well-aerated and free-draining loams, sandy loams and clay loams.”
Sunshine
“The optimum air temperature is 32°C during the day and 20°C at night.” Perfect if you live in Queensland which is where most of our pineapples are grown.
Ideal growing conditions
Pineapples grow in the ground but will also flourish in a pot. Taking care of your pineapple plant at home is easy. Pineapples grow slowly and only need watering about once a week.
As long as you plant your pineapple top in good soil and position it in a spot with good sunshine, you’ll see the rewards of your effort in just under two years.
Sounds like a long time?
Here are some delicious pineapple recipes to keep you going until then. Or in the meantime, learn how to grow some other foods like chillies or organic veggies.
Roast pineapple with butterscotch sauce
Chargrilled pineapple with mint and summer cheese
Salted coconut ice cream with spiced rum pineapple
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