How to Grow Pineapple from the Crown: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pineapple is a tropical fruit that can be grown in your own home, and it’s easier than you might think! In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of growing pineapple from the crown in just 20 days. Along with that, we’ll share a special tip to help you get the best results, all without using carbide or other chemical fertilizers. This method is simple, effective, and can be done with minimal materials.
Step 1: Preparing the Pineapple Crown
To start, you need to remove the crown from the pineapple. Simply twist the crown off the fruit. It should come off easily with a little pressure. Afterward, place the pineapple crown in a jar or cup of water. You don’t need a lot of water—just enough to submerge the bottom of the crown. Leave it in the water for about three days, and make sure to change the water every day to prevent mold or fungus from developing.
Over the next few days, you should start to see small roots forming at the base of the crown. After three days, you can remove the crown from the water and place it on a clean surface to allow it to dry out for a day or two. This helps prevent any mold growth.
Step 2: Preparing the Pot and Substrate
While the pineapple crown is drying, it’s time to prepare the pot where you’ll plant it. Choose a container that has good drainage. A plastic bottle or small pot will work well, as long as it has holes in the bottom for excess water to escape. Fill the bottom of the pot with some material to help with drainage. You can use paper towels, old cloth, or coffee filters—anything that will prevent the soil from falling out.
For the soil, mix 20% coarse sand with 80% black garden soil. This combination allows for proper drainage, which is crucial for growing pineapples. Pineapples don’t like excessive moisture, so the soil needs to dry out relatively quickly to avoid rotting.
Step 3: Planting the Pineapple Crown
Once the pineapple crown has dried for a couple of days and the roots have developed, it’s time to plant it. Take your prepared pot and fill it with the soil mixture. Leave enough space at the top so you can place the crown without it being too deep in the soil. Make a small hole in the center of the soil, large enough to accommodate the base of the pineapple crown.
Now, place the crown into the hole, making sure that the roots are gently pressed into the soil. It’s important to press the soil around the roots firmly, ensuring the roots have good contact with the soil. Once the crown is securely in place, fill in the surrounding area with more soil. Press it down lightly, but avoid compacting it too much. After planting, water the soil generously to help settle the soil around the roots.
Step 4: Watering and Care
Water your newly planted pineapple regularly, but don’t overdo it. Pineapples prefer to dry out between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant once a week, giving it a good soak each time. Be sure to avoid waterlogging the plant, as this can lead to root rot. If you’re using a plastic bottle for your pot, the excess water will drain out through the holes, which helps prevent stagnation.
Step 5: Enhancing Growth with Organic Fertilizers
To promote the healthy growth of your pineapple plant, it’s essential to use the right nutrients. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, you can opt for a natural mix that will nourish the plant over time. A great organic fertilizer for pineapples is a mixture of bone meal and banana peel powder.
To make the banana peel powder, dry banana peels and grind them into a fine powder. Mix 50% bone meal with 50% banana peel powder. Bone meal is rich in phosphorus, which helps with root development and flowering, while banana peel powder is high in potassium, which supports fruit growth. Every 30 days, make a small hole in the soil near the base of the plant and add three teaspoons of this mixture. Gently cover it with soil and water thoroughly.
This natural fertilizer will help boost the growth of your pineapple plant without the risk of burning the roots, which can happen with chemical fertilizers.
Step 6: Waiting for the Pineapple to Fruit
Pineapples take time to mature. After planting, it may take several months before you see any signs of fruit. On average, it takes about six months for a pineapple grown from the crown to begin flowering and fruiting. During this time, continue to water and care for your plant, and it will gradually start to develop into a full-grown pineapple plant.
Step 7: Optional Tip for Accelerating Fruiting
If you want to encourage faster fruiting, some people recommend placing a small amount of carbide inside the pineapple crown. However, this method is not necessary and can be avoided by using the natural fertilizer mixture mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Growing pineapple from the crown is a rewarding and easy process that anyone can try at home. With just a few simple steps and some patience, you can have your own pineapple plant growing in as little as 20 days. By using natural fertilizers and providing the right care, your plant will thrive and, in a few months, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Happy gardening!
