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Related
Species:
Pina de Playon (Ananas bracteatus).
Distant affinity:
Pingwing (Aechmea magdalenae), Pinguin (Bromelia
pinguin), Pinuela (Karatas plumier).
Adaptation:
The pineapples is a tropical or near-tropical
plant, but will usually tolerate brief exposures to 28°F. Prolonged
cold above freezing retards growth, delays maturity and causes the
fruit to be more acid. Pineapples are drought-tolerant and will
produce fruit under yearly precipitation rates ranging from 25 -
150 in., depending on cultivar and location and degree of atmospheric
humidity. They are successfully grown in southern Florida and coastal
areas of southern California. The small plant adapts well to container
and greenhouse culture and makes an interesting potted plant.
DESCRIPTION
Growth Habit: The pineapple plant
is a herbaceous perennial, 2-1/2 to 5 ft. high with a spread of
3 to 4 ft. It is essentially a short, stout stem with a rosette
of waxy, straplike leaves.
Foliage: The long-pointed leaves
are 20 - 72 in. in length, usually needle tipped and generally bearing
sharp, upcurved spines on the margins. They may be all green or
variously striped with red, yellow or ivory down the middle or near
the margins. As the stem continues to grow, it acquires at its apex
a compact tuft of stiff, short leaves called the crown or top. Occasionally
a plant may bear 2 or more heads instead of the normal one.
Flowers: At blooming time, the
stem elongates and enlarges near the apex and puts forth an inflorescence
of small purple or red flowers. The flowers are pollinated by humming-birds,
and these flowers usually develop small, hard seeds. Seeds are generally
not found in commercially grown pineapple.
Fruit: The oval to cylindrical-shaped,
compound fruit develops from many small fruits fused together. It
is both juicy and fleshy with the stem serving as the fibrous core.
The tough, waxy rind may be dark green, yellow, orange-yellow or
reddish when the fruit is ripe. The flesh ranges from nearly white
to yellow. In size the fruits are up to 12 in. long and weigh 1
to 10 pounds or more.
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.
CULTIVARS
Hilo A compact 2-3 lb. Hawaiian
variant of the Smooth Cayenne. The fruit is more cylindrical and
produces many suckers but no slips.
Kona Sugarloaf 5-6 lbs, white flesh
with no woodiness in the center. Cylindrical in shape, it has a
high sugar content but no acid. An incredibly delicious fruit.
Natal Queen 2-3 lbs, golden yellow
flesh, crisp texture and delicate mild flavor. Well adapted to fresh
consumption. Keeps well after ripening. Leaves spiny.
Pernambuco (Eleuthera) 2-4 lbs
with pale yellow to white flesh. Sweet, melting and excellent for
eating fresh. Poorly adapted for shipping. Leaves spiny.
Red Spanish 2-4 lbs, pale yellow
flesh with pleasant aroma; squarish in shape. Well adapted for shipping
as fresh fruit to distant markets. Leaves spiny.
Smooth Cayenne 5-6 lbs, pale yellow
to yellow flesh. Cylindrical in shape and with high sugar and acid
content. Well adapted to canning and processing. Leaves without
spines. This is the variety from Hawaii, and the most easily obtainable
in U. S. grocery stores. |
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AVAILABLE FROM:
Alan’s Tropical Fruit Trees
Largo, FL
Exotica Nursery Inc.
Vista, CA
Jene’s Tropicals
St Petersburg, FL
Laguna Hills Nursery
El Toro, CA
Oregon Exotics
Grants Pass, OR
Pacific Tree Farms
Chula Vista, CA
Papaya Tree Nursery
Granada Hills, CA
Ben Poirier
Fallbrook, CA
Montoso Gardens
Maricao, Puerto Rico
Just Fruits and Exotics
Crawfordville, FL
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