Pot-grown pineapples rarely achieve the size of the pineapples at the
supermarket, but they are fun to grow, and a novelty. Let it mature, and you can
eat the fruit and replant the top. Pineapples are bromelliads and can produce a
fruit when the plant is two years of age or older. To aid in fruit set, or get a
more filled out fruit, when the plant is the appropriate age and size, put the
plant inside a large plastic bag and stick an apple or two in with it. Apples
give off ethylene gas, which should encourage the plant to produce a fruit.
Leave the plant sealed up with the apples for several days, and then give them
full sun and see what happens. Do keep in mind, that once a pineapple plant
produces a fruit, the mother plant will die, but there should be daughter plants
at the base, to take their place.
(November) I have always saved the tops of the pineapple and planted them in a pot.
I have grown some nice plants. Two years ago, I started one, and this year I
have a pineapple!! Now I don't know what to do with it...should I cut it off and
replant the top or what? I would thank you for any hints you may give me.