Thursday, July 29, 2010

pineapple gripping hard.

pineapple in a pot
top view

flashback: the pineapple 
a month ago. 

pineapple on the ground
top view

pineapple on the ground
side view

basil seen from the above
to join the images of pineapple viewed from the top.
it does give a peculiar view with its columnar flowery stalk

Kakdah's brother Faizal was explaining about the way pineapple grow. It was months ago. He mentioned about leaves grow in a circular fashion. He suggested  cutting the pineapple seedlings into 4 quadrants and each should grow even though they look terribly injured. He also said the similarity to banana plants, about leaves adding in a circular pattern.
For a plant that size, pineapple is quite amazing. The weight of the eventual fruit is a lot heavier than the plant itself. To show extreme care and affection, the plant chooses to crown the fruit on top of itself. As far as the comparatively big fruit is concern, watermelon is pineapple's friend and rival. But watermelon surrenders on strength and the big watermelon has to rest on the ground.
The growth is very slow and our naked eyes will definitely miss the minute change. Photographs taken at monthly interval may at least give a hint, that pineapples do grow, add new leaves and make leaves longer. I am sure our pineapples are now strengthening the central stem in full anticipation of the eventual fruit resting on its crown by the end of the year.



bangchik

15 comments:

  1. I had no idea pineapple grew like this, I mean, I thought they grew on a tree or something! How interesting. How long does it take until a fruit is ready to harvest?

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  2. Beautiful pictures, the plant looks wonderful. Interesting comparison with watermelon. I would like to see a quadrant of pineapple recover...

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  3. Hey looking good! This past year, a pineapple similar to this took first prize in our local flower show in the edibles category. It was only the size of a large tomato, but people were really impressed. I'll bet yours does even better!

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  4. The only time I ever saw pineapple growing was in Hawaii. They have gorgeous foliage. You grow such exotic plants!

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  5. That's interesting to know that pineapples grow well even though they were cut to 4 quadrant!

    Hope you will have a sweet pineapple by end of the year!

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  6. Joseph
    It takes a year for fruits to appear. It may take longer in my case, with the lack of space...

    Rebecca
    I will soon try breaking seedlings into quadrants and see what happen. I may just try banana first since there are a lot of seedlings to meddle with.

    JGH
    I have seen pineapples as big as people's head. In my case I will be more than happy to see fruits as big as big as cricket's ball.

    Rosey
    In malaysia pineapples may not get into the list of exotic plants. Its far too common. Not many will grow them in home garden simply because of the thorny leaves and the long wait.

    Malar
    It's good to try splitting seedlings and grow them. I will try soon with banana first. You can also try it out since crown is easily available from the market.

    Cheers,
    Bangchik .

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  7. You are right ... the pineapple is an amazing little plant. Pam

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  8. Thank you for sharing educational stuff wrt how some plants grow especially about the part of cutting the pineapple into 4!!!

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  9. -pam
    -one

    Not many plants grow like pineapples. Pandanus and lemon grass share the same growing habit, adding new leaves in a circular fashion and they don't grow tall. Pandanus keeps growing with no real ending, whereas pineapples end with fruiting. Quadrating seedlingd is never the way gardeners would go for due the extra care and attention. Researchers have to resort to breaking them into little bits for ease, identical samples and probably constraint of space as well. Growing plants is a world by itself.

    Have a great day
    ~bangchik

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  10. Aaron.
    The wait is far too long just for a fruit. In the meantime, we have to be happy with its exotic and ornamental features.
    ~bangchik

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  11. How fascinating. I look forward to your updates on the growth of your pineapples :-)

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  12. Is the plant on the pot and on the ground planted at the same time? If so, i think the one on the pot is not receiving sunlight enough as it is very green, unlike the normal leaves color which are slightly yellowish. Besides, it really grows faster on the ground without restrictions.

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  13. Noelle
    Andrea

    There will be updates of course, but from now on, I don't think they really differ in size. The number of leaves will be the only indication of their growth. They are planted about the same time. The one on the ground receives full sunlight, the one in pot is in shade half the day, thus a slower growth and greener leaves.
    Thanks, have a nice day.
    ~bangchik

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  14. I always thing that the leaves look like cupped hands and fingers - getting ready to hold the Pineapple safely in the centre.

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  15. Easygardener.
    That's a truly romantic way to look at pineapple leaves.
    ~bangchik

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