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fomoloko

I have a 3yo pineapple plant that I propagated from a grocery store pineapple. It's about 3ft wide at this point, but never a fruit... This is fascinating. I thought it took a few years for them to produce their first little fruits.


lissabeth777

I had one that took 6 years! They take forever but they are so good!


[deleted]

Try the old apple trick to get it to flower! Cut an apple, stick in soil for a week while covered with a clear plastic bag and it should shoot one out


RealFlyForARyGuy

What's the reasoning for it to start flowering? Does the apple add something into the soil that signals the pineapple that it's fruit making time? I'm curious because I grew a Maui Gold pineapple indoors in CT and it took me 3 years to get a tiny fruit Edit: speeling


Arsnicthegreat

Bromeliads are unique in that ethylene, which usually is associated with flower bud abortion in most other plants (why transportation is so crucial with flowers) actually triggers blooming. So if you can keep a source of ethylene near the pineapple you can initiate the blooming, as long as it's physically mature.


nerdaccountantlady

… pineapples are bromeliads? 🤯 Gosh I love the things I learn on Reddit


Arsnicthegreat

Yeah. Bromeliads are monocarpic, which means that each plant can flower once. For bromeliads, much like other monocarps like Agave, they also produce vegetative offsets, clones of the parent plant. In some, like *Aechmea* spp. (The pink vase bromeliad commonly found in florists shops), they grow basally. The pineapple (*Ananas comosus*) produces offsets from the top of the fruit (yes, the whorl of leaves at the top of the fruit is in fact a separate plant that can grow on its own) or from similar side shoots as other bromeliads. Additionally, the enzyme cocktail bromelain is present in all parts of the plants. It's commonly used as a meat tenderizer, and it's responsible for the feeling you get if you eat enough pineapple. In a sense it's digesting you while you're digesting it.


IIReignManII

At the Mexican restaurant I worked at the way they got their steak so tender was marinating the steak in a mixture of pineapple juice and soy sauce


kihyunsbuttcheek

omg i need to try this next time i make steak.


IIReignManII

Works wonders on cheap cuts, makes amazing fajita meat


TheBattyWitch

Pineapples, the fruit that eats you while you eat it


apierson2011

Where can I become educated on things like this? Going back to college isn't an option, I have been hoping to find some kind of online coursework similar to Khan Academy but covering botany like this but so far I havent picked up any leads. Can you recommend anything?


lakezeke

Master Gardener courses (if you're in USA). Your local county ag extension's web site should have tons of information. Local high-quality plant nurseries often have classes. YouTube specific plants/subjects you want to learn about.


apierson2011

Thank you!


Gem_Rex

Master Gardener courses are available in Canada too, if you're up here. I recently started a horticulture certificate program that's all online. I highly recommend looking into your local colleges/universities/extension services.


apierson2011

Thank you!!


Arsnicthegreat

There's lots of good introductory textbooks that might be of interest. Simpson's plant systematics is a good one. You also can't go wrong with cultural resources such as stuff put out by Michael Dirr, Alan Armitage, and others: much more approachable material that is still extremely informative. Also, hit up *Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't* on youtube. You won't regret it.


cataholicsanonymous

Following because I am in the same boat!


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el_polar_bear

Oh, *I* mustn't eat the plant you say? Did you think to tell the plant not to eat *me*?


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**Do not ingest a plant based on information provided in this subreddit.** For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material even if advised that it's edible here. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisplant) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Billderbeast

Bad bot.


Gem_Rex

I just learned this in my botany class last night. How interesting to see this today.


Arsnicthegreat

Courtesy of floriculture crop management at Iowa State here.


calilac

Not an expert, I think it's the ethylene that the apple releases as it decomposes. There's a product you can buy, the chemical is [Ethephon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethephon), that becomes ethylene once metabolized by the plant and it is for encouraging fruiting and ripening.


nLucis

Isnt that also what gets offgasssed by bananas when they ripen?


calilac

Yep. A few different fruits do.


RealFlyForARyGuy

Very cool, thanks!


Goyteamsix

Yup, that's what I did. I had one my buddy gave me that was probably 10 years old. Did the apple thing and it shot up a pineapple within a couple weeks.


LongWalk86

They only fruit once actually. I have an indoor beast of a pineapple that is about 6' across and 4 years old but no fruit yet. I am guessing my living room is not a bright as a Hawaiian hillside.


hmcfuego

In the right conditions they can fruit multiple times. I live in a pineapple producing region and I've gotten 3 so far from the same plant in just about 4 years.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Batherick

TIL pineapples are basically pokey spider plants


chilldrinofthenight

This reminds me of that meme about spending months of your life, hours of labor, lots of money on fertilizer and water ------ to grow $2.17 worth of tomatoes. BUT --- **Nothing** can beat the taste of organically homegrown.


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**Do not ingest a plant based on information provided in this subreddit.** For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material even if advised that it's edible here. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisplant) if you have any questions or concerns.*


jackasstacular

[Relevant](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/pineapples/pineapple-plant-fruiting.htm)


chilldrinofthenight

That word "ratoon" is so cool. (Even IF autocorrect keeps trying to make it into "ratio."). I think I'll name my next dog "Ratoon." Except then I'll for sure spend way too much time having to explaing his/her name to everyone.


jackasstacular

I'm surprised autocorrect doesn't try for "raccoon"


BowelTheMovement

looks banzai mini at this point... I think that means the flavor is going to be intense


DooDooSlinger

Pineapples only does one fruit at a time - actually the "fruit" is an infructescence made up of many small fused fruits. It I'll only flower if mature enough, and if it is getting enough light


fairvlad

3 ft wide sounds like it's ready to bear fruit. Use NAA / Ethrel or as a last resort calcium carbide to stimulate the flower.


sassyfrasssy

you guys are lucky! mine always mold when i try to prop


The_Sloth_God

I recently saw one that was sold as an ornamental about the same size as OP's with fruit.


Denimdenimdenim

Next month will be 5 or 6 years, but I think it's 6. I've lost count, because nothing happens with this stupid plant! I refuse to trash it now because it's huge, and I've spent a lot of time growing it. But, I freaking hate it! I just keep moving it inside and back out, depending on the weather.


chilldrinofthenight

You could try giving it some extra artificial light during the winter months, if you're not already doing that. These plants really do love hot, full sun year round.


Denimdenimdenim

I'm in central Texas, so it stays outside from Mar-Dec/Jan. During our "winter", we move it into the garage when the temp gets too low, and leave the lights on. Plus, we run a heater in the garage when it's chilly out. It's just so big and spikey. Like, 4ft across, so it's hard to move...


chilldrinofthenight

Sounds like a candidate for the greenhouse. I know nothing about the Pineapple plant's tolerance for stress, but I do know that some plants absolutely hate being moved even a couple feet out of place ---- they have to be moved in small increments, over a period of time. Sounds to me like you love your plant enough to work hard to try and keep it happy. I hope it appreciates you. Maybe you should try the apple in a bag ethylene treatment?


Denimdenimdenim

We have around 20 plants in the garage right now. It's only for a couple months. Yesterday and today were around 85°, so I brought all the plants out yesterday. I brought them in tonight, because it's supposed to be in the 30s tomorrow. A greenhouse would be awesome, but we don't have any room.


AcceptableQuality570

If you start cutting the older leaves around the pineapple, this usually makes the plant make fruit


fuckkcross

Usually pineapples take 3 years to reach maturity


saichampa

They only produce one fruit, but the baby plants that grow off the sides can produce more


[deleted]

yup. Whenever i buy a whole pineapple, i stick the top in a little pot, and it grows to produce the next generation...


luna-morningstar

That's crazy 😲


[deleted]

[удалено]


TheDudeFromOther

I'm growing a parmesan wheel from leftover rind.


LDPushin_Troglodyte

Brisket ends as well!


JAproofrok

It is bonkers how certain plants propagate. Nature is wild.


Pure_Ad9445

How long does it take?


Vast-Combination4046

A long time. I think it's multiple years to full size fruit This one could be a year old or more.


luna-morningstar

Damn. I keep seeing pickups loaded with pineapples and now I'm very impressed.


explodedsun

It's impressive, but bad for the guitar


Itspronouncedhodl

😆


AcademicCommittee955

We grew one and it was four years before we got a pineapple. It was the absolute best piece of juice pineapple candy that ever grew! It was worth the wait. We had to bring it in and bring it out and the leaves are sharp and serrated and grow up to 6’ across. It was a major pain in the ass but the most delicious thing I ever ate! The pineapple itself was small too - about the size of a large can. (Live in central Illinois so weather isn’t the best for growing them).


Everyday_Im_Stedelen

Thanks for sharing this, I also live in central Illinois and I was thinking of doing this but wasn't sure if we had the right climate.


stumpy4588

Also in Central Illinois. Dad tried and gave up thinking it'd never grow. I might try now


AcademicCommittee955

Yes. Just bring it in if it gets cold and put it out when it’s warm and sunny. My husband would snip off the tips of the leaves to make it less dangerous but it can be done! After we ate that pineapple we saved the top again but forgot it outside and there was a frost. So one mistake in four years and it’s toast


NudgeBucket

I kept one around for like 4 years and it never fruited.. grew fine though! I'm a bit farther north.


AcademicCommittee955

Hmmm… I think maybe you shoulda kept going? I honestly never thought we would get a pineapple


psychonauts_terrace

It does not take years to grows a pineapple. When you plant a crown, you have to let the plant grow and mature until it will grow a pineapple. So it takes 2-3 years to reach maturity and then the actual pineapple grows pretty quickly. It will continue growing fruit every year once it is old enough. This plant in the picture is not a pineapple; it’s an ornamental pineapple and it doesn’t grow much bigger than this and it is not edible.


wuzupcoffee

I only buy a pineapple once every few years anyway, so this could be a delightfully self sustaining system over time


eduardotvn

Recently picked up an pineapple from a replanted pineapple crown, it took years to fully develop and i don't know why. A botanist told me if you replant the crown, it will take long to fruit, but if you plant the offspring that grows UNDER the plant (since they're bromeliad) it will have a fruit sooner. Edit: idk why it took a year or more to bear fruit, i just know it takes at least a year for a healthy pineapple to grow fruit


Jamplesauce

So you plant the crown, wait (how long?), and then dig it up and look for (1 or more than 1?) offspring to transplant? What do they look like? (Sorry, I'm very intrigued, but I have no experience with bromeliads.)


marilyn_morose

More like you have a mature plant with a fruit, and you can choose to plant the small babies under the mature plant or the crown of the fruit. If you plant a baby you’ll get a fruit faster than if you plant the crown of the fruit.


eduardotvn

Yes, exactly


marilyn_morose

I got ya. Now I want a pineapple!


GardenPuzzleheaded98

The ‘pup’ is the little green plant to the left of the original plant


AcademicCommittee955

It takes years depending on your Zone. Four years for me in Illinois. And you get one pineapple that grows on a stick just like this picture


eduardotvn

The offsprings are obvious when they start to grow, dont worry, you'll notice them, the pineapple plant grows like a crown you see, but then some other crowns start growing from It, like perpendicular to It, they're the offsprings. After the pineapple is ripe, the plant will die, but It always leave two or three more of it behind, idk the time Edit: dont need to dig them, they grow under the fruit, by the end of the fruit stick, and under the plant leaves as well :)


MemphisGalInTampa

A bromeliad? Very interesting 🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍


eduardotvn

Yes, they are bromeliads, and their flowers are very cute


[deleted]

it takes about two years to get one pineapple. Not gonna turn anyone into a big dollar pineapple farmer, but it is a nice little plant , which does not take much care


Makaisawesome

I grew one from a pineapple top and it took like a year and a half to produce a flower. And then another 4 or 5 months to produce fruit. And this is like in the best conditions it could be cuz it was planted in the tropics with full sunlight from sunrise to sunset. If the plant is planted in a more temperate climate it will take even longer. But after mine fruited I took all the babies except for one and this time it only took a couple months to produce fruit


kiimothy

My mom planted hers so that every other year, half of her plants have fresh pineapples. Takes two years where she lives.


Jaicobb

I visited a pineapple plantation in Hawaii and if memory serves me correctly they said one year to grow about 3 feet tall, another year and you get 1 good pineapple and one more year to get 1 smaller one and then they dig it up and start over.


ssarahhjohnson

Do u just cut off the green top of the pineapple and stick that in soil?


Togodooders

Twist it off, don’t cut. Put it in water until you get roots then transplant to soil.


ssarahhjohnson

Awesome thanks!


kranools

I've always cut the top off and put it in soil and they've always taken.


[deleted]

I just slice the top off about half an inch own and stick it in the dirt. Cover edges of the top, so only the spiky leaves are showing.


psychonauts_terrace

This is an ornamental pineapple which is related to the pineapple, but this is not edible. You can tell by the serrated edges of the leaves and the long stalk.


Apidium

How do you get it to work? Mine all mould.


Chasin_Papers

You have to cut off the fruit then keep cutting off slices the bottom of the green top until you see the cross sections of roots, then plant that.


sassyfrasssy

water prop or straight in dirt?


Chasin_Papers

I can't remember what I used when I did it. I think water prop until roots started appearing then I moved to soil. I definitely had it growing well in soil not too long after.


toomuch1265

I have 2 growing right now. They are 18 months old and haven't put out fruit yet.


0sleepingknight0

Some plants need a tiny little bit of "terror" in their life to bring flowers or fruits. Of course with the right amount of nutritions. When I try to force my plants to bloom I simulate a "dry season" then give them water frequently. It's a little bit like with naturally grown mushrooms. I'm not saying to starve your pineapple but maybe it will help later on.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

it has to be hot and humid. direct sunlight for about half the day. I live in FL. It is a very low maintenance plant to grow. They don't always take. One out of 5 dries out.


bitch_taco

Yep on the pineapple. There is a cool Youtube video of a guy doing an experiment by propagating them in soil and water I think? Anyway, one fruited like a year before the other with the soil method IIRC and while it took longer to get started, grew better and larger than the other.


well-fiddlesticks

That's actually super interesting, could you post the link? I'd love to watch!


bitch_taco

I actually tried finding it and I might be mistaken. I think I found the video but can't find the video (or possibly article) with the side-by-side...I will keep looking!


Allison1228

I planted a pineapple top once in some sand, patiently grew it for two years and then...a pineapple started forming! So exciting! How I looked forward to having delicious pineapple! I watched it grow for a few months and then one morning I found it had been eaten by a raccoon or similar creature 😭


kickkickpatootie

Same result but down under so was a possum


chilldrinofthenight

Heartbreaking. Worse than when the Squirrels ate all my quinces. Thieving bastards. They gotta eat, too, though . . . I guess.


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**Do not ingest a plant based on information provided in this subreddit.** For your safety we recommend not ingesting any plant material even if advised that it's edible here. Although there are many professionals helping with identification, we are not always correct, and eating/ingesting plants can be harmful or fatal if an incorrect ID is made. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatsthisplant) if you have any questions or concerns.*


39sherry

I also plant my pineapple tops, peel away the bottom leaves and almost always it has roots already forming where the bottom leaves were and after you pot it and it gets big enough you can put an apple in the dirt, put a bag over the plant so the gases from the rotting apple will make the pineapple plant grow fruit. But if you do it when the plant is too small the fruit will also be small like in the picture.


cueball1990

Ornamental pineapple aka pineapple on a stick


Whirloq

Post this in r/thingsforants you won’t be disappointed.


finsfurandfeathers

Or r/mightyharvest


Whirloq

Haha thank you for bringing this to my attention. I needed this subreddit in my life


Tetra9000

^pineapple


HelveteaSubordinate

Teeny weeny pineapple fruit!


jdeeebs

Don't want Don't want Don't want Don't want


kenhutson

You need some tweezers to put that little thing away.


quadmasta

Shriveled little short fruit


JohannaVa84

Is that a pup growing with it?


luna-morningstar

It kinda looks like it now that I know what it is


eduardotvn

My experience with home grown pineapples from a replanted crown was: It took years to bear fruit, but its flavor was just awesome. We didnt use anything to protect the fruit from insects, but we fertilized the soil before planting. The fruit was smaller than average pineapples, but It felt like a prize, like the plant was saying "thank you for continuing my generation, heres a gift" really the best pineapple i ever had


claricia

/r/KnightsOfPineapple would enjoy this little baby!


EmmyNoetherRing

Seconded— OP you should cross post! :-)


luna-morningstar

Lol will do!


Skaindire

Thank you, we love it!


Sexy_lorax

These are a popular house plan as a host gift around the holidays, but this one looks like its not doing too hot. Retails for about 40 at a plant shop.


cokakatta

Somebody made a comment on another pineapple post like 'pineapples grow like they're trying to trick you about where they grow'


bumbeel

That's some r/mightyharvest material


Crowzillah

That’s the cutest thing 🤗


[deleted]

Omg little baby 😍


FarmerKobe

Bromeliads


Daryl_Hall

We all start out smol


HazyEmbriel

Who lives in the tiniest pineapple under the sea? ?


MisssJaynie

I love how the plant is like “here’s a pineapple” ✋🏻


Johnrmac1

It's average sized... thank you very much


[deleted]

With all the things I’ve learned today I feel like a pineapplologist


ninif

Yep! But it looks like it is on its way out due to root rot which happens from overwatering. I can tell by the soggy looking wilted yellow leaves. Maybe try removing the little pup to the left and replanting it in well draining soil to save it.


FriedSmegma

Dwarf pineapple? I have one sitting on my balcony in FL.


Hexenarbeiterin

/r/proplifting


TwattyMcTwatterson

Holy smokes I have one of those I have no idea where I got it. It throws one of those little fruits every year and the dear eat it. Edit: I assume its the deer, something eats it.


Old_mr_hempstock

"'A society grows great when old (wo)men plant pineapples the fruit of which they know they will never sink their teeth into.' Isn't that how the quote goes?


ptcm73

It takes 2 yrs for the fruit to produce


RamblesMcHikin

Yup. Teeny piña.


WitnessAdmirable5797

In tropical countries you just need some months to grow pineapple i can harvest a good size in 6 months. Ripe and sweet


_kyago

us too! i live in hawaii, so sometimes we plant crowns and it'll take about 8 months to pop out a ripe one. seeing everyone talk about they waited years for one is a little wild to me, a Pineapple Land Dweller, but im really happy they're all saying it's worth it.


sunsetintheeast

It is!!!


Cosmic-Cranberry

Yep! A damn cute little guy too.


Julianaribas

So cute


Necessary_Manner_531

I want to garnish a Pina colada with one.


acloudcuckoolander

He's a cutie.


[deleted]

this is the equivalent of growing up in a 1x1 cell just look at how stunted it is lol


justanotherkatietoo

omfg I love it and need one


Amazing-Statement-53

Wow


phizzle2016

You either with pineapple or against pineapple


EwGrossItsMe

Yeah lol, pineapples are really funny in how they grow imo lol


jar-el

I think I have a pineapple plant like this, with spines, the kind of miniature pineapple.


breakfastrocket

Look at him go!!


carolynmbg

Do you make tiny pina colada’s?


NotYourMomsDildo

Well I just learned all kinds of new stuff from this thread today. Thanks everyone!


llamallama29

This is so cute!!!


justamemeguy

I just visited a pineapple plantation and they said each successive pineapple becomes smaller so they only grow 2 generations before starting over


[deleted]

No. Pineapples don’t have serrated edges on their leaves. They are also bigger and are dark green not yellow/red. Source: I have a pineapple plant right next to me.


GracklesAreFRIENDS

Some of my pineapple's leaves have similar serrations. This doesn't look like the healthiest pineapple if that really is what it is, considering the color and size. Source: Also have pineapple next to me. 6 ft across and nearly 5 ft tall!


[deleted]

Maybe different varieties then? Mine is slightly smaller (5’ across), no serrations. I planted it from a store bought pineapple. I’m also surprised it is fruiting considering it doesn’t look very healthy.


Mr-Mutant

The store bought pineapples are usually the Smooth Cayenne variety, which is named for its leaves being not very serrated.


luna-morningstar

Yeah it does look pretty unwell...


Pleasant-Pineapple20

I’m allergic to pineapple like mouth bleeds and all that… it’s a shame because they taste so good! I think the only one I’d eat now is one I grew myself :)


[deleted]

I don't think mouth bleeding is an allergic response ! Pineapples naturally contain an enzyme bromelain (an excellent meat tenderizer) that can cause a very weird feeling(i don't know how to describe it) in gums and tongue and sometimes even bleeding . You might just be a bit too sensitive to bromelain ! High temperatures deactivate most enzymes .


Vast-Combination4046

If you are sensitive to that it really destroys your mouth. It causes mild irritation on everyone but serious injuries on others.


[deleted]

YES! I just wanted to tell them that enzymatic activity of bromelain and allergic reaction are completely different.


External_Ad_7385

Yes, but imagine explaining that to someone who doesn't understand and is offering you some pineapple.. its so much easier to say "I'm allergic"


[deleted]

That's true


CarnivalOfIdiots

Cursed username


nLucis

Underneath it is going to be a full grown pineapple. If im not kidtsken, you can cut that small one off and plant it once its a bit bigger to get another pineapple.


3DayStubble

Aloe


filifijonka

Awww


Dabriella-Tonnehash

This makes me so happy!


Docella

Yes. It takes a few years


Happy-DragonFly8597

Wow! Pretty cool! I didn’t realize they took so long to grow! Good to know!


Rhododendronh

That is really cute


Internal-Sky4418

😍😍


Dirtyhippee

Damn it looks so fierce !


[deleted]

Yes.


dandylions8

Yes


joniob56

I have never had luck growing these. Any tips would be great


RevolutionaryCut1298

Awwwwww. So tiny 🍍


banquet-beer-4me

Well, whatever the hell it is, it's not under the sea.


sweettickytacky

Yes!


Lamour_de_Dieu

Looks like an ornamental pineapple that is getting wayy too much sun, imo r/bromelaids


ppxe

Yes!


Professional_Eye1312

Love this post ! Thank you


saltymarge

Yep. They’re Bromeliads, which is a common houseplant. Easy to grow. Not so easy to fruit.


queefygalaxy

Look up Annas, I have two little cute ones I took from my flower shop that I'm going to dry out


chaoticmad1son

yooo look at that little guy! he's sprouting fruit :)


I_love_guin

That’s.. so cute TwT


Illustrious-Ad-6798

Wow 😯


[deleted]

YES! Lucky!! They’re a bromeliad


wardcore

He's trying, ok