Giving pineapple a chance.

A recent trip home to Sitiawan ended with a pineapple crown accompanying us back to Putrajaya. Kakdah's youngest brother Faizal brought home lots of pineapples fresh with crowns still intact from  his wife's place Sungai Manik. Kakdah took a crown.  Faizal had given lot of background information about pineapple s growing. He did agriculture at UPM in his study days. Now working with Lembaga Perindustrian Nanas Negara (Malaysian Pineapples Industry Board), he is fast becoming an expert.

 the crown at the top

(from google pictures)

It has been said, that crowns are not the best choice as seedlings. But that is what I am going to try... Normally people will grow pineapples from the shoots or slips. Shoots are branches around the stem, and slips grow on the stem just below the fruits.

 The slips, just below the fruit

(google pictures )

pineapple shoots

taken out from the stems

(google pictures)

For ordinary people with  little garden, crown is a better option because of it's availability. Pineapples sold in the market, come with crowns. It is NOT a common practice to grow pineapples in pots, but i am going to allow that variation with pineapple growing,  in garden soil and in pots.  Last Sunday, Kakdah bought a pineapple from Presint 8 Market where the seller was more than happy to give 5 other crowns. The fruit ended as Pajeri Nanas, another of Kakdah's specialty. The crowns are placed on the bed where okras or lady's fingers are, to allow rootings and then transplanted later, definitely a few in pots.

It is going to be another adventure, but obviously with patience, because pineapples will take the whole year to bear fruits. There will be photos soon....

References: 

1. Pineapple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. How to Grow Pineapple 
3. PINEAPPLE Fruit Facts
4. Official Website of Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board ...

bangchik and kakdah

putrajaya malaysia