how are pineapples grown?

Answer 1

most fruits develop in 3 to 4 months but pineapples take about 18. theyre grown from the crowns or tops of ther pineapples. each crown is planted by hand. when the plants are one year old, the flowering process begins. the flower bud is small and pink and looks like a pinecone. when the bud grows it becomes the fruit known as the pineapple.

Answer 2

CULTURE
Location: Pineapples should be planted where the temperature remains warmest, such as the south side of a home, or in a sunny portion of the garden.

Soil: The best soil for the pineapple is a friable, well-drained sandy loam with a high organic content. The pH should be within a range of 4.5 to 6.5. Soils that are not sufficiently acid can be treated with sulfur to achieve the desired level. The plant cannot stand waterlogging and if there is an impervious subsoil, drainage needs to be improved.

Irrigation: The plant is surprisingly drought tolerant, but adequate soil moisture is necessary for good fruit production.

Fertilization: Nitrogen is essential to increase fruit size and total yield, which should be added every four months. Spraying with a urea solution is another way to supply nitrogen. Fruit weight has also been increased by the addition of magnesium. Of the minor elements, iron is the most important, particularly in high pH soils. Iron may be supplied by foliar sprays of ferrous sulfate.

Frost Protection: Pineapple plants require a frost-free environment. They are small enough to be easily covered when frost threatens, but cold weather adversely affects the fruit quality.

Propagation: Pineapples are propagated by new vegetative growth. There are four general types: slips that arise from the stalk below the fruit, suckers that originate at the axils or leaves, crowns that grow from the top of the fruits, and ratoons that come out from the under-ground portions of the stems.

Although slips and suckers are preferred, crowns are the main planting material of home gardeners. These are obtained from store-bought fruit and are removed from the fruit by twisting the crown until it comes free. Although the crown may be quartered to produce four slips, in California's marginal conditions it is best not to cut or divide the crown. The bottom leaves are removed and the crown is left to dry for two days, then planted or started in water.

Pineapples are planted outside during the summer months. A ground cover of black plastic works very well for pineapples, both as protection from weeds and for the extra heat it seems to absorb. It also helps to conserve moisture. Traditionally, plants are spaced 12 inches apart. Set crowns about 2 inches deep; suckers and slips 3 to 4 inches deep.

Pests and diseases: Mealybugs spread by ants can be a problem. Controling the ants will control the mealybugs. In most commercial growing areas, nematodes, mites and beetles can also be damaging, but these have not been a problem in California.

Harvest: It is difficult to tell when the pineapple is ready to be harvested. Some people judge ripeness and quality by snapping a finger against the side of the fruit. A good, ripe fruit has a dull, solid sound. Immaturity and poor quality are indicated by a hollow thud. The fruit should be stored at 45° F or above, but should be stored for no longer than 4 - 6 weeks.

Misc.: Fruiting can be forced when the plant is mature by using acetylene gas or a spray of calcium carbide solution (30 gms to 1 gal. water), which produces acetylene. Or calcium carbide (10 -12 grains) can be deposited in the crown of the plant to be dissolved by rain. A safer and more practical method for home growers is a foliar spray of a-naphthaleneacetic acid (1 gm in 10 gal water) or B-hydroxyethyl hydrazine. The latter is more effective. The plants usually produce for about four years, but they may last longer in California since the life cycle is slowed down by cooler weather.

Answer 3

I have had luck with a pineapple plant..I purchased a Pineapple from the grocery store,cut off the top,leaving about 2" of the bottom attached to the top... (clean and eat the bottom portion,as per instructions on cleaning a pineapple, let the top of the pineapple sit for a couple of days ,then I planted my pineapple top in a very good potting mixture ,leaving the top portion of the plant ,above the dirt....The pineapple grew and even produced a small pineapple !!! Hope these instructions are clear enough to help you enjoy growing your very own pineapple plant!!!

Answer 4

If you cut off the top of a pineapple and plant it in soil in a month it will have rooted and you will have your very own pineapple plant.

Answer 5

Check the agriculture section of the Hawaiian Islands.

Answer 6

They are grown under ground in a thing that looks like a yuka plant. (Lots of people think they grow in trees!!)

Answer 7

http://images.google.com/images?q=pineapple+plant&hl=en

Go to google images, search on pineapple plant. they are lovely (we lived in HAwaii, they nearly cover the North Short).

Answer 8

Upside down on a tree.

Answer 9

On trees in the tropics.

Answer 10

Between the marijuana plants