this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2024
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Gardening

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Should be ready soon 🀞

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[–] SchmidtGenetics 22 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

Like I know this is real, but it still just looks like someone stuck a pineapple on a stem. This IS real… right…?

Asparagus is another one, just completely blew my expectations on how it grew.

[–] TheGiantKorean 10 points 3 months ago

Yep, totally real. It still looks bizarre to me, too! I used to think they grew in trees when I was younger.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago

"This is a prank, right?" Is my favorite set of plant morphologies.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Congratulations! The wait must have been agonizing! Are you going to replace them with fresh suckers after the harvest?

[–] TheGiantKorean 9 points 3 months ago (3 children)

Thanks! Yes, 7 years, lol. One of them produced a pineapple last year, so I'm going to see if I can get them to fruit again next year. I always thought pineapples were one-and-done, but I guess not!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Wait, really?? Looked it up to be certain and they seem not to normally produce multiple pineapples. Treasure that sucker, literally and metaphorically. You might have a million dollar plant on your hands!

[–] TheGiantKorean 6 points 3 months ago

I am wondering if maybe it split off a new pineapple plant? I started off with one and it divided itself into 3, so I repotted all of them. Anyway, point being, I know they can divide.

But also, maybe it's because I'm forcing it to flower? After waiting 7 years with no luck I decided to use calcium carbide tablets which worked like a charm.

[–] IMALlama 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

How did you remove the pineapple last year? Cut the whole stalk off at the plant , right below the pineapple, something else?

[–] TheGiantKorean 4 points 3 months ago

I cut the stalk off at the base and then removed the stalk from the pineapple.

[–] Brickhead92 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

My first pineapple fruited about 18 months ago, and then grew 5 pups? Storks? I was expecting 2-3 from what I read so I was pretty excited.

I also planted 3 more between 9-12 months, so was hoping something would grow this summer (Australia) but might have to wait for next year. I haven't seen any signs of fruiting yet.

[–] TheGiantKorean 2 points 3 months ago

Ah, pups! Weirdly mine haven't made any yet. Hoping it makes some this year. I did root the top of the pineapple that I grew last year, though, so now I have 3.

[–] Mpeach45 8 points 3 months ago (3 children)

They’re ripe when they turn yellow.

Got my first one this summer from a top I cut off a store bought pineapple maybe years ago. Home grown, from my single example, has a more subtle flavor with hints of vanilla and much less acid.

[–] TheGiantKorean 8 points 3 months ago

Yep. The first one I grew last year had all of those notes, too. I got it started late and had to keep it under a grow light and heat lamp. It was ready in January.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

The acidity in the store bought ones is due to them not being ripe. A ripe pineapple is very sweet with some faint tartness.

[–] dirthawker0 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I've just started on this journey. After a few false starts that died, I finally got one to root well. The plant is about 8 months old now and looks pretty happy.

[–] TheGiantKorean 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Have fun on the journey! There are several ways to get it to flower if you don't want to wait, but I'd recommend giving it at least 2 years so the plant can grow big and strong first.

[–] dirthawker0 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'm happy to let it take the time to get its strength, but I am curious about getting it to flower too. Im guessing lots of light and more phosphorus?

[–] TheGiantKorean 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If you want it to flower on its own, I think this is the way to go. You can also cut up an apple or banana and place them around the plant (the gasses they give off will encourage it to flower), or drop a calcium carbide tablet into the middle of the plant with some water (careful when doing this).

[–] dirthawker0 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Oh, interesting. Never heard of calcium carbide. Thanks for the info!

[–] TheGiantKorean 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Sure! I think it's how they used to get them to flower. I think they use gas now.

[–] dirthawker0 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)
[–] TheGiantKorean 2 points 3 months ago

Thanks for those! Very cool. I didn't know why it worked, so knowing now is pretty neat.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

nice pineapples