Pictured above is my pride and joy right now with respect to things I have planted. It is a pineapple plant. My wife and I ate the vast majority of this pineapple before I planted it. I planted only the top of the pineapple, which was comprised of the top six inches worth of leaves and perhaps half an inch of pineapple flesh. That was roughly two years ago.
A pineapple is a terrestrial bromelaid. It has a normal root system, as opposed to bromelaids that grow as epiphytes (meaning they live on tree branches and tree trunks, instead of on the ground). Bromelaids usually bloom when they reach their mature size. This can take several years. In order to trigger blooming, it is suggested that a ripe apple be place in the plant's pot, and then the plant is to be covered by a plastic bag for a few days. The ethlene gas released from the apple is supposed to initiate flower buds. (Complete Guide to Houseplants, Meredith Books 1st Ed., pp. 82-83, The Scott Company, Des Moines, IA 2004.)
A pineapple is a terrestrial bromelaid. It has a normal root system, as opposed to bromelaids that grow as epiphytes (meaning they live on tree branches and tree trunks, instead of on the ground). Bromelaids usually bloom when they reach their mature size. This can take several years. In order to trigger blooming, it is suggested that a ripe apple be place in the plant's pot, and then the plant is to be covered by a plastic bag for a few days. The ethlene gas released from the apple is supposed to initiate flower buds. (Complete Guide to Houseplants, Meredith Books 1st Ed., pp. 82-83, The Scott Company, Des Moines, IA 2004.)
I worry that in order for my pineapple plant to grow a pineapple, it must be pollinated by another pineapple plant, perhaps by bees acting as an intermediary. I have seen few bees and no other pineapple plants on my balcony. This troubles me. I plan on doing more research to see what, if anything, I can do to induce a pineapple to grow. I will try the apple and bag technique, described above. I might also purchase a few other pineapples from the store, and place them around my planted pineapple. Maybe bees will come and do what is necessary to pollinate my pineapple. It is easy to plant things, but not so easy to get your plants to bear fruit.
One time my grandpa received a branch from a pear tree through the mail. He attached it to a different kind of pear tree growing in his back yard, and, in time, that one pear tree bore him two different kinds of pears. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Right now I am using a piece of curvy black particle board to stabilize the plant, as you can see. The particle board was once part of a display that held some of my swords. I will not post a picture of swords on this blog because this blog is about things I plant.
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