For many people who have watched cartoons in childhood, where painted pineapples grow on palm trees, it becomes a real discovery that this tropical fruit in real life - The plant is herbaceous and grows on small bushes on the ground. Another big discovery for the residents of our region, we think, will be that pineapples can be grown on their windowsill. After reading this article, you will learn that reproduction of pineapple at home - this is not such a troublesome task, although, of course, in order to achieve the desired result, you will have to make an effort.
How to plant pineapple seed
Exotic fruit propagates in four ways: seeds, side shoots, root division and using the apical outlet. They rarely resort to the seed method, since it is the longest.
Before you grow a pineapple from seed, you need to attend to the purchase of a suitable fruit for this occupation. He must be well ripened. If you carefully examine the fruit, you can see that it is a stem consisting of a set of fused pieces of scales, which are arranged in a spiral. The structure of the pineapple fruit is a bit like a cone.
Virtually every scale has one seed. You can see this for yourself by peeling the fruit or by cutting it into slices. However, it may not be worthwhile to engage in seed extraction yourself; it is better and easier to purchase them in specialized stores.
How to prepare seeds and soil for planting
If you nevertheless decided to grow the store pineapple babies, then the brown seed droplets must be removed, washed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried well. You also need a special way to prepare the ground for planting pineapple. For sowing, sheet soil, sand and peat in equal proportions or coniferous soil are ideal.
Pineapple Seed Breeding Pattern
The seed breeding scheme is simple. Seeds are buried in the ground by 2 cm. After planting, the soil is watered abundantly, then covered with foil or cap. Pots of seeds must be placed in a warm place. Ideal for pineapple is a room where the temperature will remain at 20-25 ° C.
Important! The temperature in the room where the pineapple will be cultivated from seeds directly affects the growth of the plant. The higher it is, the faster the seeds will sprout. For example, in the heat of 30-35ºС sprouts can make their way within 15-20 days.
It is also necessary to know that the seeds do not grow in the same way, and the process of germination of some of them may be delayed for a long seven (or even more) months.
How to care for crops
Seedlings require regular care. They need to be watered, protected from direct sunlight and lured. Fertilize better twice a month with special fertilizers or bird droppings (15-20 g per liter of water). As the film grows over the pots, it is necessary to slightly open it in order for the sprouts to get used to dry air.
Using the top outlet for breeding
On how to grow pineapple from seeds, we have already learned. Now consider the more common method of reproduction - from the top.
How to choose pineapple for breeding
Particular attention should be paid to the purchase of fruit in the store. It should be ripe, but not over-ripe, and the leaves at the top should be green, firm, free from damage and all sorts of spots.
Did you know? You can find out whether the pineapple is ripe by slightly pulling one piece down. If he quickly returns to the original position, it means that the fruit is overcooked.
Those who resorted to this method of reproduction, advised to buy two fruits at once - for a guaranteed result.
Rooting process tops
Top outlet can be separated by twisting. To do this, all the leaves must be grasped and sharply turned. Together with the outlet will come a small stalk. Leaves and you can simply cut with a knife, while capturing a little pulp.
Important! The flesh must be carefully removed from the trunk, otherwise even if a small amount of it falls into the ground, this will lead to purulent processes and the death of the plant.
After cleansing from the pulp, it is necessary to gently cut off the bottom of the crown - until the root buds are exposed (small dots or circles around the stem circumference). Try not to damage them, because they are the beginnings of roots. You can sprinkle the slice with activated carbon to prevent flesh rotting.
We remove the lower leaves so that the trunk remains 2-3 cm high. After cleaning, the apical rosette must be dried for two days, which will allow the scars on the ends of the roots to stretch and avoid rotting.
For root germination using several methods. One of the most effective is germination in water. To do this, the trunk 3-4 cm dipped in a glass or a jar of water.
Did you know? In dark-colored containers, roots germinate faster.
Water is changed every 2-3 days. For substitution, use only separated water at room temperature or warmer. Utensils with tops should be placed away from drafts, direct sunlight and temperature changes. For the rapid growth of roots, you can add "Kornevin" (1 g / 1 l of water) or "Zircon" to water.
After the appearance of the roots you need to take care of what you need soil for pineapple. Rosette with roots transplanted into the soil with the following composition: 3 parts of sod land, 1 part of humus and 1 part of sand. Ready-made mixtures of "Cactus" and "Bromeliad" are well suited for planting.
The size of the pot in diameter should correspond to the diameter of the crown of the top. Before filling with soil at the bottom of the pot must be laid 2-3 cm of drainage. Plant the top socket in the soil and put the pot in a well-lit place. Strongly tamp the ground in a pot is not recommended.
Pineapple care
Caring for pineapple is a regular watering, observation and feeding. Watering should be moderate - the soil should be wet, but not wet. Full rooting occurs within 6-8 weeks. At this time, fertilize the plant is not recommended.
Important! If you notice rot on the surface of a plant or soil, then pineapple is no longer salvaged. It is better to try to grow a new perennial.
In the first two months of life, the old leaves of the tops will die off, and young ones will grow in its center. Then dry leaves will need to be removed. Watering throughout the year is recommended no more than once a week. A year later, the pineapple must be transplanted into a larger pot. Top dressing to produce 2 times a month from May to August with the help of nitrogen fertilizers and fertilizers for bromeliads.
Flowering can be expected for 3-4 years, when the leaves reach a length of 60 cm. Pineapple flowers look like tubules, in the process of flowering they change color within 1-2 weeks: from pale blue to dark crimson. In addition to bright colors, your room during this period will also be filled with a delicate pineapple flavor.
Subsequently a fetus is formed. From the time of flowering to full maturity takes 4-7 months. Fruits usually grow small - up to 300 g, but they can reach kilograms.
After flowering transplanted daughter sockets. If the pineapple does not bloom, then it is transplanted every year.
Since pineapple is a herbaceous plant, it dies after fruiting. However, sometimes perennial can still please their owners for three years. Usually, at the time of death, the hosts already manage to sow a large number of pineapple babies.
Did you know? If the pineapple does not bloom for a long time, you can try to help it do it with a flowering stimulator: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of calcium carbide (sold in building materials stores) in 0.5 liters of water. Infuse the solution for 24 hours in a closed jar, and pour 50 ml once a day for a week into the center of the top "palm".
Pineapple can affect spider mites, mealybugs, scales, aphids and phylloxera. For treatment, use a wipe with soapy water and sprinkle with Actellic (1-2 ml per liter of water).
There is another way to grow pineapple from the top. Cut off or twisted tops dry for two weeks, preferably leaves down, and then planted immediately into the ground. Pot take small. 2 cm of pebble and expanded clay are poured on the bottom, the ground - mixed peat and river sand in equal parts.
Two days before planting, the substrate must be disinfected with boiling water. The top is immersed in the soil to the bottom of the leaves and sprayed. A prerequisite for this method of planting is to cover the pot with a plastic bag or a plastic bottle.
Plant to put in a warm place (25-27 ° C). In winter, you can put on the battery, but be sure to put a plate or a book under the pot. The roots of pineapple should be formed within a month. If during this time the earth in the pot dries out, then it must be watered with warm water separated during the day. If the leaves are very dry, they must be sprayed. After rooting the bag or the bottle is removed from the pot.
Reproduction of pineapple side shoots and basal shoots
Pineapple cuttings, as a rule, occurs during or after fruiting. Transplantation of vegetative organs is made only after they reach ½ the size of the maternal crown, approximately 15 cm.
Preparation of planting material
For transplanting the child shoots and scions gently break out. Before planting, they are kept for 4-7 days. During this time, a tissue plug is formed at the cut-off point, which will save the escape from bacteria and rotting. Dried cuttings in a dark room at room temperature in a suspended horizontal position leaves down.
How to root a cutting
Pineapple scion during reproduction can live without water for several months. When the scars on the cut are healed, it can be powdered with charcoal and planted in a pot for rooting.
Recommended soil composition: turfy ground, leafy ground, riding peat, birch sawdust, sand (3: 2: 2: 2: 1). A day before planting, it is necessary to disinfect the mixture - steam it out or pour boiling water. The cutting is planted in a pot with drainage to a depth of 2.5-3 cm. The pot is covered with a plastic bag, plastic or glass container.
Features care for cuttings
Features care for cuttings are the same as in the rooting of the apical outlet way "directly into the ground." Plants are contraindicated in direct sunlight and excessive watering, spraying and warm temperatures are recommended. Rooting should occur in 1.5 months, as evidenced by the appearance of young leaves.
Now you know how to grow pineapple in a pot, and you can try to do it at home. However, you should understand that you will only grow an ornamental plant, and if the fruit is formed on it, it will be a nice bonus for you.
