Decorative indoor pineapple. Pineapple-like flowers: spectacular exotic plants from tropical countries. How to grow pineapple at home
Lilies have proven themselves to gardeners as an unpretentious, thermophilic plant that grows well on light soils in gardens in many regions of the country. One of the genera of Asparagus is distinguished by the uniqueness of its flowering - dense dense inflorescences with small buds. We are talking about the pineapple lily, better known in academic circles as eukomis or eukomis, its long racemose inflorescences are shown in the photo in this issue so that readers can appreciate the plant and its garden species at their true worth.
Proper reproduction will allow you to form an exotic corner in the garden, and competent planting and care will preserve its beauty throughout the summer.
The genus eukomis (eukomis) belongs to the Asparagus family, although in other sources it is often referred to as Hyacinth plants due to its slight similarity. The pineapple lily received its scientific name in 1788 from the French botanist Charles Louis Pertier de Brutel, who considered that the word translated from the ancient Greek as "beautiful-haired" is appropriate for this species. Popularly, eukomis is simply called "pineapple palm" due to the interesting structure of the inflorescences. In the photo below you can see that the top of the brush has a shock of green leaves, which are the bracts of the buds. 
Perennial bulbous plant is a herb that can grow from 30 to 100 cm.The genus includes only 14 known species, while only 4 ornamental plants are used as a garden culture flowering plants... A wide distribution in the wild can be seen in the subtropics and tropical forests of South America, some representatives are often found in the regions of South Africa.
The pineapple lily has a large bulb, on average its diameter in the section is 5-8 cm, this does not depend on the size of the plant itself. Representatives of eukomis differ from other genera by a very powerful, rapidly developing root system, which should be taken into account when planting a plant as a container culture at home. From the shiny ovoid bulb, very large ribbon or belt-shaped leaves are formed, collected in a basal rosette. They have a soft, smooth surface to the touch. Numerous leaf plates with an uneven wavy edge, less often at the base may have several spots brown... When planting in a pot, it is worth considering the impressive size of the leaves - up to 60 cm in length. 
From the middle of the bulb at the beginning of summer, a powerful cylindrical peduncle is formed - an arrow. It is a very resilient stem, reaching a maximum of 1 meter in height. Small flowers are formed on it, similar to stars, collected in dense racemose inflorescences up to 30 cm long. The buds can have a white or cream shade with a green, purple or purple tint. There are species and hybrids that have several shades, for example, Bicolor. Perianths are divided into 6 parts, growing together to the base, they do not fall off during flowering. At the top of the inflorescence, a "cap" of green bracts is formed, which can often be confused with leaves. They make the pineapple lily look like an exotic fruit, as you can see in the photo below. Most types of flowering occur in the warm season - early June-late July; there are also representatives that can maintain decorativeness until September. 
After flowering, a round ovary is formed, consisting of three ribs. After that, you can see the fruits of the "box" with many seeds inside black or dark brown. Seeds are harvested for further reproduction, with proper sowing and comfortable conditions, the pineapple lily grown from such planting material will bloom for 3 years of life.
Garden species of pineapple lily and their photos
Among all the known types of pineapple lily, garden decorative crops... They are easy to grow on your site, knowing that eukomis is a heat-loving plant and the severe frosts characteristic of some regions can destroy them during hibernation. But, about the nuances of care and planting in open ground let's talk a little later, but for now we will find out about the garden types of pineapple lilies and see her photos.
The most common in the Southern regions is eucomis bicolor. This is a tall plant up to 60 cm with an elastic peduncle covered with small star-shaped buds. At the roots, powerful leaves and an elastic arrow up to 50 cm in height are formed. The flowers are collected in spectacular racemose inflorescences up to 30-35 cm long. At the top there is a cap of contrasting green bracts. A distinctive feature of the Bicolor species is that its flowers have a purple border. The bicolor pineapple lily blooms in mid-summer. When growing this species in open ground, you should be aware that the minimum temperature of its content is +10 degrees. If the mark of the mercury column has dropped to this value, then it is time to remove the Bicolor bulbs for the winter in a cool room. 
The eukomis species Comosa (crested) is also a fairly popular garden culture in some parts of Russia. Its homeland is considered to be the southern part of America, because the plant can only be grown in regions with a warm climate. The pineapple lily of this species reaches a height of 80-100 cm. On a powerful peduncle-arrow there are many star-shaped flowers of a pale green color. Flowering can be observed at the end of summer, it lasts until the first cold weather (temperature drops below +10 degrees). The photo below shows one of prominent representatives the whole species of crested eukomis. 
In the subtropical climate of South Africa, you can find another decorative view eukomisa - pallidiflora. In our country, it is often used as a decoration for the garden. In America, this species is recognized as one of the best and is included in the list of the most beautiful garden crops. In height, the pineapple lily has average values \u200b\u200bof 45-70 cm, but this does not prevent it from being very effective during the growing season. The plant blooms with pale green buds, collected in dense inflorescences. This species visually resembles a pineapple more than the others, make sure of this from the photo below. 
Very popular in our country is the autumn eukomis or, scientifically, eucomis autumnails. This plant is dwarf in size, reaching a maximum height of 30 cm. A perennial during the flowering period produces a peduncle with inflorescences very similar to candles. It differs from other species and the relatively large size of the bulb - on average 8-11 cm. The inflorescence is very dense, one can contain from 120 flowers of a pale yellow color with a green tint. The flowering period lasts from mid to late summer, rarely until September. It is an excellent outdoor cultivation in regions with little winter frost. 
Reproduction and planting of pineapple lilies in open ground
Almost all garden species of pineapple lily, gardeners prefer to grow in the open field. IN room conditions, as a container crop, the plant blooms only when there is sufficient light and good temperature conditions, which is quite difficult to provide in some regions. Therefore, in pots with soil, it is preferable to only leave eukomis for the winter, and closer to summer, transplant it into open ground, for example, in a garden or a backyard. But, before that, depending on the method of reproduction: seeds or bulbs, you need to know some of the nuances. 
The easiest way is to grow eukomis from bulbs purchased in specialized stores. Some gardeners choose to harvest them from an already grown plant in the garden. Planting material is formed during the period of vigorous flowering at the mother bulb. They are collected by sprinkling the tear-off sites with charcoal to avoid getting fungal spores into the rhizome. After harvesting, you can begin to plant the material or store it in a well-ventilated, dry place. 
Planting a pineapple lily will require light, well-drained soil with a lot of humus. In order for the soil to become light, river sand is added to it. To germinate a bulb before planting in open ground, you can take a container (for each bulb - a separate one) with soil from the garden, or with a soil mixture prepared on your own: equal parts of river sand, humus and sod. The containers should have good drainage, for this we make holes in the bottom and line a thin layer of pebbles or broken bricks. 
After preparing the soil, place the bulb so that its top remains at ground level. This is best done from early March to late April. There will be enough time before landing in open ground for full development and adaptation.
When the bulb is planted and before the rosette of leaves appears, minimum watering must be observed, since there is a risk of fungus in the young root system. When extending the peduncle, we increase the amount of moisture and the frequency of its introduction. 
Before transplanting, the plant must adapt slightly to external conditions. In mid-May, we begin to take out the pots to fresh air in the garden, gradually increasing the residence time. Only after the soil warms up, the eukomis can be transplanted to a permanent place in the front garden. To transplant the bulb into open ground, you need to shake it out gently from the pot and clean the rhizome of old soil. In light, drained soil, the plant will grow rapidly. 
In the southern regions, eukomis can be planted with bulbs in open ground without prior germination. In this case, it is important to maintain a distance of 15 cm between plantings. For residents of regions with severe frosts, it is recommended to grow some lilies in large pots, which will not hamper the development of a powerful root system. 
Seed propagation is often used to produce a pineapple lily that differs in inflorescences from the parent plant. Seeds are sown immediately after collection, as they quickly lose the percentage of germination. Eukomis blossoms, grown from such planting material only for 3 years of life.
Exotic lily eukomis care
Undemanding pineapple lilies are loved by gardeners who know some rules for caring for exotic plants... They will delight them with excellent summer flowering. For a long time of popularity as a garden culture, eukomis has established itself as an unpretentious, but very light and heat-loving plant. Most species lack frost resistance, so their bulbs must be dug up every year and stored for the winter. Lily does not tolerate gusts of cold winds and drafts. This impairs flowering, so some gardeners grow it in pots, and in the summer they take it out into the fresh air in the garden or on the balcony. In the southern regions, the lily hibernates in the open field, under spruce branches or sawdust. 
Exotic lily care begins with the need for bright lighting. If you grow eukomis outdoors, then the place should be well lit. Shade and partial shade will adversely affect flowering.
After planting, minimum watering must be observed. When a rosette of leaves appears, it is gradually increased. During the period of active flowering, watering is needed abundant, in the heat the air is also humidified. After flowering, the introduction of moisture is gradually reduced, by the time all the leaves turn yellow, watering is completely stopped. 
For pineapple lily, regular fertilizing with complex fertilizers without nitrogen is useful. This should be done at least 1 time in 2 weeks with water-soluble mineral preparations. Eukomis does not tolerate nitrogen, as it can cause a number of diseases of the plant bulbs.
Home-grown container crops require an annual transplant into a new pot with complete soil replacement. For garden species the bulbs are harvested for winter storage. In the fall, when the leaves turn yellow, they are dug out, then washed, disinfected with a light manganese solution and cleaned, packed in paper or rag bags in a cool dry room. A vegetable compartment in the refrigerator is suitable for storing bulbs in winter. For wintering pineapple lilies, a simple pot with soil mixture is also suitable - a perennial is stored in it at room temperature, and when the heat comes and the soil warms up, transplant it into open ground.
Of course, you don't have to eat indoor pineapple (Ananas), because it ornamental plant, but to surprise the neighbors, having such a miracle on your windowsill, will definitely succeed. With decent care for indoor pineapple, you can get a fairly large fruit, little distinguishable from a real fruit.
How to care for indoor pineapple and how to propagate this indoor plant, you will learn below.
Family:Bromeliads, light-loving, moisture-loving.
Indoor conditions usually grow crested pineapple ( Ananas comosus) is a large terrestrial plant with a strongly shortened stem and a rosette of rigid linear xiphoid leaves (can reach 2 m in diameter and 1 m in height).
The leaves of the houseplant pineapple are gray-green, grooved, strongly narrowed towards the top, completely covered with scales, and on the edges are planted with sharp thorns.
Flowers with pinkish-purple petals are arranged in a spiral in dense spike-shaped inflorescences and are covered with wide cupped bracts.
As you can see in the photo of indoor pineapple, after the end of flowering, a compact golden-yellow fruit is formed, similar to a cone.
There is also a variegated variety - "Variegatus" with green-creamy longitudinal stripes on the leaves, turning pink in bright light.
Pineapple bracts (Ananas bracteatus) with bright striped green-creamy-pink leaves looks even more elegant.
Pineapple has powerful positive energy. It is a plant of renewal, spiritual awakening. The presence of pineapple in the house will make life varied and colorful, emotionally intense, festive.
Pineapple indoor plant care at home
Pineapple can be grown on southern and south-western windows at temperatures not lower than +18 ° С in winter period... When caring for indoor pineapple, the plant is watered abundantly, sprayed and fed every two weeks during the period of active growth in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, watering is reduced, but the earthen lump is not brought to dryness. Pineapple transplant is carried out annually in spring by transferring to a container bigger size... For planting, a soil mixture consisting of leafy soil, sod land, sand (2: 1: 1) is well suited.
Reproduction of indoor pineapple
Reproduction of indoor pineapple is carried out by seeds or by rooting the apical shoot. To do this, the "sultan" is cut off at the ripe seed crop, grabbing the "heel" (a piece of pulp 0.5-1 cm thick), dried for 2-3 days and planted in sphagnum with a slight deepening. For the formation of roots, warmth, regular moderate moisture and time (3-4 weeks) are needed, after which the seedling can be transplanted into the soil mixture described above. Reproduction is possible and separation of offspring, which are formed at the base of an adult plant.
They call it creeping hops, beer hops, curly hops, bitterness ... This powerful and beautiful liana has everything to be useful to man... Hops are revered by many peoples of the world, it is a symbol of fertility, strong economy, daring, happiness and longevity, it is depicted on coats of arms and coins. But many summer residents are not at all happy with him. Hops tend to thrive, suppressing the growth of cultivated plants around them. But is it really necessary to fight it?
Pork with Eggplant - Delicious stew with vegetables and savory rice is easy and simple to prepare for dinner or lunch. It will take about half an hour to cook, so this recipe can be categorized as "if you need dinner quickly." The dish turns out to be hearty, aromatic, spicy. Turmeric colors the ingredients in a beautiful golden yellow color, while cloves, cardamom, garlic and chili peppers add a spicy flavor to the dish. Choose lean meat for this recipe.
Seed propagation in the garden strawberry we are used to, unfortunately, leads to the appearance of less productive plants and weaker bushes. But another type of these sweet berries - alpine strawberries, can be successfully grown from seeds. Let's find out about the main advantages and disadvantages of this culture, consider the main varieties and features of agricultural technology. The information presented in this article will help you decide whether to allocate space for her in the berry.
Despite the confusion accumulated over the past decades with the name "Christmas cactus", one of the most recognizable and striking forest cacti, epiphyllums, remain universal favorites. Leafless, with flattened stems, amazingly profusely blooming, hybrid epiphyllums with their hanging shoots and delicate flowers do not require particularly difficult care from their owners. They can become the most striking flowering succulents in any collection.
Merchant-style buckwheat with meat and pumpkin is an uncomplicated recipe for a delicious dinner or lunch. I advise you to bring it to readiness in the oven, although it is possible on the stove. Firstly, it tastes better in the oven, since buckwheat is steamed, it becomes very tasty, and the meat turns out to be tender. Secondly, the hour that it languishes in the oven can be spent on yourself or on communication with loved ones. Perhaps many will decide that buckwheat with meat is an ordinary dish, but try to cook it according to this recipe.
Often at the sight beautiful flower we instinctively bend down to smell it. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by moths) and daytime, whose pollinators are mainly bees. For a florist and a designer, both groups of plants are important, because we often walk around the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners with the onset of the evening. The fragrance of our favorite fragrant flowers never fails.
Many gardeners consider the pumpkin the queen of the garden beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, useful qualities and a rich harvest. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, iron, various vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the possibility of long-term storage, this vegetable supports our health all year round. If you decide to plant a pumpkin on your site, you will be interested to know how to get the largest harvest possible.
Scottish eggs - incredibly delicious! Try to cook this dish at home, there is nothing difficult to prepare. Scotch eggs are hard boiled eggs wrapped in chopped meat, breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried. For frying you need a frying pan with a high side, and if you have a deep fryer, then it's just great - even less hassle. You will also need deep-fat oil to keep the kitchen out of smoke. Choose farm eggs for this recipe.
One of the most amazing large-flowered tubs, Cubanola Dominican, fully justifies its status as a tropical miracle. Heat-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique flower bells, cubanola is a fragrant star with a complex character. She requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, there is no better (and more chocolate) candidate for the role of an indoor giant.
Chickpea curry with meat is a hearty hot dish for lunch or dinner, based on Indian cuisine. This curry is quick to prepare but requires preparation. Chickpeas must first be soaked in large quantities cold water for several hours, preferably at night, the water can be changed several times. It is also better to leave the meat in the marinade overnight to make it juicy and tender. Then you should boil the chickpeas until tender and then cook the curry according to the recipe.
Rhubarb is not found on everyone garden plot... It's a pity. This plant is a storehouse of vitamins and can be widely used in cooking. What is not prepared from rhubarb: soups and cabbage soup, salads, delicious jam, kvass, compotes and juices, candied fruits and marmalade, and even wine. But that's not all! A large green or red rosette of plant leaves, resembling a burdock, acts as a beautiful backdrop for annuals. Not surprisingly, rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.
Today, the trend is to experiment with non-trivial combinations and non-standard colors in the garden. For example, plants with black inflorescences have become very fashionable. All black flowers are original and specific, and it is important for them to be able to select suitable partners and location. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to the assortment of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.
3 Delicious Sandwiches - Cucumber Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, Cabbage and Meat Sandwich - great idea for a quick snack or for a picnic in nature. Only fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and some spices. There are no onions in these sandwiches, if you wish, you can add an onion marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches, this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, all that remains is to collect a picnic basket and go to the nearest green lawn.
Depending on the varietal group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, average ripening times - 55-60 and later dates - at least 70 days. When planting tomato seedlings at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly lengthened. But success in obtaining a high-quality tomato crop also depends on the careful implementation of the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.
Pineapple is a tropical fruit that is known and loved all over the world today. Today the fragrant pine cone has become the second symbol of the New Year along with tangerines. But flower growers pay attention to its other features, namely, exceptional decorativeness and elegance. And since there was a demand for a plant that would resemble appearance overseas fruit, then there were proposals. Meet the pineapple flower.
general description
Perhaps for some it is still a revelation, but cones with fragrant pulp do not grow on a palm tree at all. The pineapple flower grows on the ground, and it is planted in whole plantations. This plant belongs to the bromeliad family. This is unusual and very interesting indoor plant... And the variegated varieties look completely cheerful. The pineapple flower forms inflorescences, which consist of a dozen flowers. If you want to get the fruit, you need to keep it on the plant. But it is worth noting that the plant does not bloom too often at home. Moreover, the plant height can reach 70 cm.
Indoor pineapple care
This plant is very fond of sunlight. Most varieties tolerate perfectly even straight lines. sun rays... But even a slight partial shade will be fatal for them. The pineapple flower loves to grow at a temperature of +22 ... +25 degrees. In autumn and winter, the plant does not have enough light, so it is imperative to install lamps for illumination.
Watering is required in moderation with high humidity. And not the other way around. Homemade pineapple flowers need to be kept clean. So get a spray bottle and spray the plants several times every day. This will ensure normal air humidity and clean leaves.
The plant is quite large, but you don't need a deep pot. The fact is that its root system is superficial. Therefore, it is best to choose a pot that is wide and stable. It is very important to fill it with a porous substrate that allows water to pass through easily. Don't forget to summer period apply top dressing regularly. It is best to purchase both the substrate and fertilizers in a specialized store. Periodically, you will need to carry out preventive pruning and remove dry leaves.
Planting and flowering
Many people dream of seeing a pineapple flower on the windowsill. Photographs in magazines support these dreams, since today there are many varieties of plants that look similar to it. But more on that later. The easiest way to get this plant is to grow it from a ripe pineapple. To do this, you need to unscrew the green leaf sultan from the cone. This will be the planting material. within two days it needs to be slightly dried, and then plant it in peat with sand. If the temperature is 24 degrees or more, then after about 3-4 weeks the roots will appear. It is very important to cover the sultan with a bag and regularly moisten the soil.
When the plant takes root, it is moved to the window. Now the pineapple flower becomes a cherished dream. How to care for a plant so that it blooms, we have already discussed above. This usually occurs in early summer, and the fruit ripens within 4-5 months. There is a way to make the plant bloom. To do this, a bag of ripe apples is tied to it. They release ethylene which promotes flowering.
Transplant and disease control
Pineapple grows very quickly, and the high demands on nutrients means that the transplant will have to be done quite often. The plant is transplanted 2 months later before it reaches a year. Then the frequency is reduced to once a year. In this case, the pot should be too small for him. No pruning is required except for the removal of dry leaves. Pineapple loves to nibble on a pest called a worm. If the leaves appear yellow spots, then you definitely need to pay attention to him. The worm can be easily removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
Variety of species
If you didn't manage to grow an exotic pine cone - don't be discouraged. You can easily find a flower that looks like a pineapple. The photo will help you make a choice, so read the article to the end. Today we are considering just a few of the brightest options for decorating your home collections. In fact, there are many more offers on the market today.
The most interesting thing is that the pineapple-like flowers belong to different families: bromeliads, liliaceae, asparagus, proteaceae. But they have common features, namely the structure of the leaf rosette and the flower blooming in its center.
Eukomis
It is a bulbous plant of the hyacinth family. It can be grown as a pot or garden plant... It grows quickly, flowering occurs in the summer. The blossoming inflorescence bears a certain resemblance to pineapple. "Beautiful Vortex" so you can translate its name. A flower is like a pineapple - this is how growers call it among themselves.
The plant is unusual, but it is not difficult to grow and care for them. The main care consists in regular watering and feeding. Watering should be stopped when the leaves of the plant turn yellow. Now comes the rest period. It is recommended to store the bulb on the lower shelf of the refrigerator until spring. Top dressing should be done 2 - 3 times a year, while nitrogenous fertilizers are not the most the best choice.
Protea
Amazing plant, which was brought to our region from Africa. It is used to decorate gardens and is also planted in pots. Proteas are very different, some resemble a simple burdock. The most beautiful royal protea. During bud formation, it is very similar to a pineapple, and during flowering to a huge artichoke. The diameter of the flower is about 30 cm. 10 buds are formed on one bush. At the same time, caring for the plant is simple, it is completely unpretentious. Even without watering, it is able to pick up luxurious buds and delight you with flowers.
Gusmania
And again a guest from the tropics. This plant is an epiphyte from the bromeliad family. It grows in South America. In it are long, glossy rosettes, which are collected in a dense root rosette. The plant is quite attractive, but most growers are looking forward to the appearance of the buds. But this can be difficult. Only in the fourth year of life, an erect stem with a bright inflorescence is ejected from the center. But flowers only last a few days, so the long wait turns into disappointment.
Nidularium
This is a real gem of every collection. For the color of the upper leaves, resembling a star, it received this name. Spectacular leaves are collected in a dense rosette. At first glance, the leaves themselves resemble artificial ones, they are dense and shiny. Large rosette of long leaves with fine serrations. You will not have to wait for flowering, the plant is decorative in itself. All its beauty is given by bright, reddish leaves in the center of the rosette. Like a star, it shines all year round.
Neoregelia
This species was also introduced from Brazil. A bright and original representative of the bromeliad family. Keeps decorativeness throughout the year. The rosette consists of shiny leaves. They form a dense, dense rosette. The edge of the rosette is decorated with thorns. During flowering, the central leaves of the rosette become intensely red. This gives the impression that a red flower has blossomed. The plant needs diffused sunlight. But direct sunlight can be dangerous as the leaves will burn. In winter, it is imperative to install fluorescent lamps. In spring and summer, the air temperature needs to be +25, and in winter it must be reduced to +16. Humidity is very important, it should not be lower than 60%, therefore it is advisable to install a humidifier in the apartment.
Ehmeya
Herbaceous plant the bromeliad family. Under natural conditions, the plant can be found in tropical forests. They grow on trees. This family includes plants that get their nutrients from the air and also feed from the soil. What variety is ehmeya? Its root system is poorly developed and is used only for fixing.
The plant receives all the necessary substances from the air. Therefore, the leaves have a specific shape, curling towards the center. So, they collect water after rain. Such is the amazing pineapple flower. The photo and title were checked against the catalog of modern ornamental plants.
This is practically the only plant that will not grow if no water enters the center of the outlet. Most species, on the other hand, do not tolerate this. Make sure that during hot weather a little water remains in the center of the plant every day. But in the cold season, excessive moisture can cause rotting of the root system.
Bromelia
This is another beautiful pineapple-like one. Its name gave the name to a huge family, which includes several hundred plants. This is an overseas beauty originally from Latin America. The plant has dense and tough lancet leaves. They form a symmetrical rosette. The color of the leaves is monochromatic or variegated. But most of all, flowers deserve attention. They are collected in apical spike-shaped inflorescences. The color can be different, but most often the flowers are red or purple.
Bromeliad blooms in winter, which is why it is sometimes called the Christmas star. The plant is not too demanding to care. It is important to water it abundantly in the heat and lower the temperature in the winter.
(care instructions)
general information
Pineapple is a herbaceous fruit plant of the bromeliad family. Its homeland is semi-arid regions in the northeast of South America. Pineapple - perennial, thermophilic, photophilous and drought tolerant plant... Its linear leaves with spines along the edges are collected in a rosette and reach 90 cm in length. The inflorescence on a fleshy peduncle is collected from flowers densely and spirally arranged on the axis. The flowers are bisexual. Pineapple fruit is similar in structure to raspberry fruit. It consists of individual juicy fruits sitting on a central rod that penetrates the seed from the base to the top, on which a bunch of leaves is located. The color of the fruit, depending on the variety, is yellow, golden, red and even purple. When proper care pineapple begins to bear fruit in the 3-4th year. Usually at this age the length of its leaves reaches 80-90 cm. True, an adult pineapple still needs to be made to bloom. This is done by fumigation: a dense plastic bag is put on the plant, next to the pot for 10 minutes. put a few smoking coals or a couple of cigarettes, observing the measures fire safety... The procedure is repeated 2-3 times with an interval of 7-10 days. Usually, after 2-2.5 months, an inflorescence appears from the center of the outlet, and after another 3.5-4 months, the inflorescence ripens. The mass of ripe fruits is 0.3-1 kg. You don't have to talk about what the taste of pineapple is - this is a great dessert that can decorate any table.
Landing (transplant)
Pineapples need to be replanted annually, but do not get carried away and do not give the roots of the plant space - the capacity of the pot is increased very slightly. The root collar is buried by 0.5 cm. It is transplanted only by transshipment, without destroying the lump of earth. The root system of pineapple is very small, so on adult plant a 3-4 liter pot is enough. Pineapple should be transplanted annually, while the composition of the soil: sod, leafy and humus soil, sand is kept in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. Good drainage is essential for the pineapple to grow normally. The planting container should also be spacious enough. Then children will successfully appear and develop, which are usually formed after flowering.
Reproduction
The green pineapple rosette must be cut off at the very base of the seed fruit, without pulp, and rinsed in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Then sprinkle the cut with ash or crushed coal - tablets are suitable activated carbon from the pharmacy. After that, the cut should dry out properly for 5-6 hours. The dried outlet is planted in a pot with a capacity of no more than 0.6 liters. Drainage is poured onto the bottom of the pot, and then a loose earthen mixture consisting of turf, leaf humus, sand and peat in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 1. A mixture of leaf humus and sand is poured on top with a layer of 3 cm in a ratio of 1: 1. In the center of the pot, a hole is made with a depth of 2-2.5 cm with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rosette. A little crushed charcoal is poured into it so that the tip of the outlet does not rot. An outlet is lowered into the recess, after which the earth is well tamped. Along the edges of the pot, 2-4 sticks are placed and a rosette is attached to them with ropes. The soil is moistened, a transparent plastic bag is put on the pot and placed in a bright place. The rosette takes root at a temperature of + 25-27 ° C. After 1.5-2 months, roots are formed and new leaves begin to grow. The plastic bag is removed only 2 months after rooting. In an adult pineapple, lateral layers often grow at the base of the stem. They are rooted in the same way as the rosette from the top of the fruit, and the thought of your own plantation ceases to seem like a fantasy.
Lighting
In summer, pineapple prefers to be outdoors, in the sun, which, by the way, after winter, it should be exposed "a little". Such sunbathing will clearly benefit him. In winter, the plant must be illuminated with a fluorescent lamp so that the daylight hours are at least 12 hours.
Air temperature
In summer, the temperature should be + 28-30 ° С. On warm sunny days, the plant can be taken outside, but if the temperature drops below + 16-18 ° C at night, then it is brought into the room in the evening. In winter, pineapple is kept at a temperature of + 22-24 ° C. At temperatures below + 18 ° C, the pineapple stops growing and dies. Hypothermia of the root system also has a detrimental effect on the plant, so it is undesirable to put it on a windowsill, close to a cold window. In winter, indoor pineapple should rest. The plant is placed in a cool room, not lower than + 14 ° C, with a soft, slightly dim light. At the same time, watering is reduced, and spraying is stopped altogether.
Watering
Watering should be abundant. Watering the plant, water is also poured into the outlet, but it must be borne in mind that excessive waterlogging leads to decay of the roots, therefore, the earth should dry out slightly between waterings. Pour the pineapple only with warm water heated to + 30 ° C.
Leaf shower
If the day is hot enough, the pineapple leaves should be sprayed with water at room temperature in the evening.
Fertilizer
When caring for pineapple, you need to know that mineral and organic fertilizers can be used as top dressing, from March to August. It is recommended to feed it 2 times a month. If you manage to ensure in spring the temperature optimum for the plant (not lower than + 25 ° С), be sure to wait for the abundant and bright flowering of pineapple. For feeding use organic fertilizer "Pineapple", it is presented on our website "Fertilizer for indoor pineapple".
Diseases and pests:
Drying pineapple leaves... Cause: heat air, the plant lacks moisture. Water and spray more often. Move the pot to a cooler place.
Pale color of leaves... Reason: lack of sunlight. Place the pot closer to the window.
The tops of the leaves turn brown and dry out. Reason: This is most likely caused by the low humidity in the room. Spray the plant and increase the indoor humidity.
Grows slowly and does not bloom. Reason: The probable cause is lack of nutrition, be sure to feed the plant.
The lower leaves dry out, sag and curl. Reason: This is a sign of destructive drafts. Place the pot in a safe place.
The plant rots at the base. Cause: The probable cause is waterlogging of the soil or low air temperature. Move the pineapple to a warmer and better ventilated area, dry the ground a little. If the rot spreads higher, the plant will die.
Pests.
Pineapple pests are sucking pests, in particular: scale insects and false scales. The fight against them is carried out by chemical and biological preparations, which are more acceptable in the open soil of subtropics and greenhouses. It is advisable not to use pesticides for an apartment. When damaged by a scab, brown-gray shiny rounded formations with a diameter of 3-5 mm are visible on the surface of the leaves. They are placed along the veins at the top and bottom of the leaf. In the initial stage, these growths are almost transparent, whitish and poorly visible. With a strong lesion, sticky gum appears on the surface of the leaves, and in the late stage they become covered with a black sticky bloom, which is very difficult to wash off with water. Water-oil emulsions effectively help from the scabbard and lizhny scute. Stir one teaspoon of machine oil in one glass of warm water, add 40 grams of laundry soap, 2 tablespoons of washing powder. Processing is done with a cotton or gauze swab. The water-oil emulsion is applied to all leaf surfaces. After 3-4 hours, rinse everything under the shower, making sure that the emulsion does not get into the soil. Processing must be done 3 times with an interval of 6 days. Remember that the use of pesticides for pest control is possible only as a last resort. This should be done in the warm season, in an open place, taking all precautions so as not to poison yourself and not harm the surrounding animals and people.
