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| From In the Garden |
Longing for some tropical punch and a bit of warmth? You might try growing a pineapple plant. This is something I would never do normally since I don't care for houseplants, but a dear gardening friend's daughter was talking with me one day and I asked her if she could grow one plant, what would it be? She replied a pineapple. I didn't see why someone couldn't grow a pineapple plant so the next time we purchased a fresh pineapple I decided to see if it would grow.
I know there are tons of instructions on the Internet on how to start a pineapple and just about any other plant you wish to start, but I did not follow those instructions. Putting sand and whatnot in a pot and cutting the pineapple this way and that was just too complicated for me. All I did was cut off the top of the pineapple being sure to leave about 1/2-3/4 inches of the meat on the stem, then I placed the fleshy end down in a pot of good potting soil making sure there was a strong contact between the fleshy part of the pineapple and the soil. I left the pot on my front porch in morning sun/afternoon shade conditions and kept the pot moist (during the summer). A few months later roots appeared. After one year of growing this pineapple plant in this manner the plant has grown into a fine specimen that makes a super good houseplant. Even I can't complain about it since it does not drop its leaves, is not picky about my neglectful watering habits and helps to brighten my house up during the cold winter. I do bring the plant in during the winter and place it in a sunny south facing window. Too bad I will probably never get pineapples from my little plant but I can hope and dream of the tropical life can't I?
in the garden....
There is a new seed company called Hometown Seeds that let me know they are offering a 10% discount on your total order for all readers of this blog from now until February 28th, 2010. They cater to the home gardener-you and I. You need only add the word 'Thanks' to your order as a coupon code if you decide to order from them.
Full disclosure! I have never purchased from Hometown Seeds NOR have I received any free gifts from them. I just thought I'd pass along the information to my readers.
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
