Fruits · Hard
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
A pineapple crown in a pot of free-draining growing medium, in full sun and warmth, for a fruit in 2 to 3 years.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- very long: 18 to 32 months
- Difficulty
- Hard
Sound origin
Ananas comosus
The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is native to South America, from Paraguay, northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil, where the oldest traces of its cultivation, nearly 3500 years old, have been found.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Pineapple, flesh, raw
- Rich in vitamin C
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Key steps
- Start it from the crown of a store-bought pineapple: remove the flesh and a few bottom leaves, plant 8 to 10 cm deep in a free-draining growing medium (University of Florida).
- A pot of 11 to 26 liters: the bigger it is, the bigger the plant and the fruit (University of Florida).
- Allow 18 to 32 months from planting to harvest, including 5 to 7 months from flower to ripe fruit (University of Florida).
- Dies below -2 °C (28 °F), grows slowly below 16 °C (61 °F) and above 32 °C (University of Florida): sunroom or bright indoor spot in Belgium.
- Flowering is triggered by nights below 16 °C (61 °F), on a plant at least 16 months old (University of Florida).
- Fairly drought tolerant: never waterlogged growing medium; harvest when the fruit smells good and turns from green to golden yellow (University of Florida).
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | none |
| Plants | Apr., May, June |
| Harvest | none |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Hydroponic pineapple: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Hydroponic pineapple: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Pineapple: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). A pineapple crown in a pot of free-draining growing medium, in full sun and warmth, for a fruit in 2 to 3 years.
Pineapple: when to set out plants in Belgium?
Start from plants, set out in April, May and June (garden, patio or balcony, Belgium or northern France).
- University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions, Pineapple
- J. H. Crane, University of Florida IFAS, Pineapple Growing in the Florida Home Landscape, HS7