Description
Ananas comosus – Pineapple – Commercial pineapple – This species has been cultivated for centuries by Central American Indians. It grows 30” tall and 4’ feet wide. In early times it was an expensive exotic plant to a quest was a great compliment hence the use of the pineapple motifs in architecture to symbolize hospitality. It bears dark green, sword shaped leaves that are viciously edged with tiny thorns. In summer inflorescence up to 12” long with yellow to red bracts followed by bright red fruit 12” long.
Zones 11-12
Ananas –Pineapple
There are about 8 species of bromeliads, in this genus. Some have an importance as a commercial crop as well as an ornamental’s and as houseplants. They derive from fairly dry to extremely humid areas from South America. They are large rosettes of narrow tapering tough leaves with sharply toothed or spiny edges. The flowers cone like usually reddish purple each backed by a bract and borne in crowded head at the top of a short stout stem that emerges from the center of the leaf rosette. The fruits are edible.
When grown indoors use bromeliad-potting mix in full light with low to moderate humidity and in a draft free conditions. Water freely during growing and flowering periods. Reduce watering when fruits begin to swell and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer weekly. Keep barely moist at other times of the year.
Where able to grow outdoors (where temperatures don’t fall below 59 degree Fahrenheit) in well drained fertile, humus rich soil in full sun.
Prone to wet root rot, fruit rot, Mealy bugs, and scale insects.
