A journey of two years..
Pineapples are fairly slow growing Bromeliads. They take about a year or more to mature enough to form a flower. Generally, a pineapple will flower as soon as it is big enough, so the happier it is and the better you look after it the sooner it will flower.
Once they flower, it takes another 6 months for the fruit to evolve.
A Few tips about pineapples before you grow them:
- Pineapples do not need much water, as they have very tough leaves and do not lose much water through evaporation.
- I have planted them on land which is slightly slanting, this prevents water clogging and helps water to drain easily.
- Pineapples need free draining, essentially a loose fertile soil.
- They do not have a big root system, hence do not need much soil or very high quality soil.
- This plant gets a lot of its water and nutrition through its leaves.
- Pineapples like slightly acidic soils, which is what most gardens have anyway.
- They grow in full sunlight, even in the hottest of climates, but they also do well in dappled shade. (Mine are planted in a semi-shade land).
- Pineapples grow very happily in pots or tubs. Which means you can grow them at home and in your balcony.
What pineapples do not like is:
- Soggy, waterlogged soils.
- Having their leaves burned with concentrated fertilisers. We use all homemade organic fertilisers and natural enzymes.
The benefits of eating pineapples are endless and so are the different ways of eating it. It is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed by just slicing it and garnishing with some “Chaat masala” (Indian tangy spice), or juicing it for a refreshing cocktail.
A few pieces of pineapple in your regular salad can make it exotic and delicious. My most favorite recipe is caramelizing the pineapple in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
