Pine Apples

Pineapples despite the common misconception have nothing to do with a pineapple tree if the word tree is taken strictly. They are not hard to grow though, and while the bush doesn't make the garden shine up in the first year, the flowers it has and the fruit in the second year makes it worth it.

Pineapples grow on bushes, about 3-4 feet in height and diameter, and the fruit is a compound of a bunch of flowers. Growing this plant is particularly easy if you know the ins and outs, but there are a few mistakes to avoid.

1. Choosing unripe fruit to grow at first is a rather bad move. Always go for golden or yellow bark because that is what differentiates the ripe fruit from the one that is not ready for it yet. Unripe pineapples are also poisonous and cause mouth and throat burning, and severe diarrhea. Do not under any circumstances eat this fruit green.

2. Too moist soil will make the leaves and the fruit rot. For the best possible results go for sandy and relatively dry soil, and dry the fruit and leaves too, before fitting it into the ground. Water is needed for proper growth but too much promotes fungi and fungal attacks. Fungi are deadly to the small plant, avoid letting it fall victim to them.

3. Over-watering kills the plant. Do not do it. After you cut the crown leaves with about two inches of fruit and dry them for a week you need to fit it into dry soil. Only water when the surrounding sand feels dry to the touch. Pineapple bushes drink way more water through their leaves than they do through roots, a sprinkler may come handy for the task of giving water to the growing bush.

4. Eating the fruit when it's not completely ripe yet. It causes all kinds of problems, you might have already come across them. Mouth burning is just one of the symptoms, severe diarrhea is another, more serious one. Wait until the fruit is yellow or dark yellow. Some are golden when they're ready for human consumption.

The pineapple 'tree' is biannual, it grows its leaves in the first year, which is not at all spectacular, but in the second year you can cash in on compliments, because the flowers look wonderful. They are easy to grow and do well indoors, you just have to avoid a few common mistakes.

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