Ananas

The genus Pineapple (Ananas) unites 5 species of evergreen plants, some of them have edible fruit trees. In natural conditions , they are one of the few bromeliads that are not epiphytes (they use other species as a support) and therefore have a normal root system. These are perennial herbaceous plants up to 1 m high with a strongly shortened stem and a characteristic rosette of hard, curved, prickly leaves along the edge, from the center of which peduncles develop. The fruit stock is orange-brown, large, and very decorative. Fruiting is possible only in heated greenhouses. The most well-known species cultivated in rooms is the crested pineapple (Ananas comosus, or A. sativus) with belt-shaped bluish-green pointed leaves. The peduncle is short and strong, with small purple bract leaves at the top and bright blue flowers. A very common variegated form with leaves outlined with a whitish-cream border. During the flowering period, all the Central leaves (if only the place was in the open sun) become bright pink. The variety 'Porteous' sheets with longitudinal yellowish cream stripes, sometimes on the edge of the red. Pineapple bract (A. bracteatus) has lilac - purple flowers, which in natural conditions are replaced by large edible chestnut fruit trees. For decorative purposes, the Tricolor variety is grown, among others, with leaves that have a yellowish-cream border and reddish spines.

The genus Pineapple (Ananas) unites 5 species of evergreen plants, some of them have edible fruit trees. In natural conditions , they are one of the few bromeliads that are not epiphytes (they use other species as a support) and therefore have a normal root system.

These are perennial herbaceous plants up to 1 m high with a strongly shortened stem and a characteristic rosette of hard, curved, prickly leaves along the edge, from the center of which peduncles develop. The fruit stock is orange-brown, large, and very decorative. Fruiting is possible only in heated greenhouses.

The most well-known species cultivated in rooms is the crested pineapple (Ananas comosus, or A. sativus) with belt-shaped bluish-green pointed leaves. The peduncle is short and strong, with small purple bract leaves at the top and bright blue flowers. A very common variegated form with leaves outlined with a whitish-cream border. During the flowering period, all the Central leaves (if only the place was in the open sun) become bright pink. The variety 'Porteous' sheets with longitudinal yellowish cream stripes, sometimes on the edge of the red.

Pineapple bract (A. bracteatus) has lilac - purple flowers, which in natural conditions are replaced by large edible chestnut fruit trees. For decorative purposes, the Tricolor variety is grown, among others, with leaves that have a yellowish-cream border and reddish spines.

Cultivation

Pineapple plants are not difficult to grow at home compared to other tropical plants. The substrate is made by mixing peat, pine needles and garden soil (2:1:1), adding 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket. During the entire growing season, especially during the flowering period, a complex fertilizer (5 g per bucket) is added to the water for irrigation every 20-30 days.

Location

All species of the genus Pineapple prefer good lighting, which favors the intense color of the leaves, primarily in variegated forms. Plants can even be left in the open sun, but drafts should be avoided.

Temperature

For pineapples, a constant high air temperature is required, the optimal one is 20 °C.

Watering

Plentifully watered in spring and summer, but between waterings the soil is allowed to dry out. Humidity around the plant is maintained by frequent spraying with water.

Transplant

The root system of pineapple is small, so transplanting into a larger diameter pot is required only for young specimens. The maximum pot size is 15-20 cm. In such containers, only the surface layer of the soil is replaced in the spring, trying not to tamp it too much.

Care

Clean the leaves with a damp cloth or sponge, wearing gloves to protect your hands. The use of lustrating solutions is not recommended. Remove dry leaves.

Reproduction

The best way is to separate the daughter shoots that form at the base of the plant. The optimal time is the beginning of spring (March-April), but you can perform the operation at other times of the year, the main thing is not to damage the roots. Planted in a soil with good drainage, maintaining the temperature at 24 °C. As soon as the children have a root system, they are planted in separate pots. The cut-off top of the fruit tree can simply be placed on the edge of a jar of water so that it barely touches it if possible. After 1-2 weeks, the roots appear. When their length is 2 cm, the seedling is planted in a pot.

Diseases

Pineapples in the culture room are very demanding in terms of cultivation. For example, lack of light and humidity or excessive watering can lead to discoloration of the leaves and their rotting. In case of rot, the substrate is treated with one of the fungicidal preparations. Sometimes worms settle on the underside of the leaves. They are removed with cotton wool or a cloth soaked in alcohol, and then the plant is treated with an anticoccidial drug.

Acquisition

Pineapple plants are easy to buy in gardening centers and flower shops with an extended range. Choose specimens without spots or other signs of diseases (rot, spotting, etc.). If you buy a flowering specimen, keep in mind that it will die after flowering, but it will form babies that easily grow new plants.