Since it is quiet here, I’ll give you an update on my pineapple!
I posted the blossom two months ago, it has turned into a proper fruit. I expect it to grow twice this size before harvest. On the left you can see the dried-out stem of the first fruit. The new stem branched off sideways. I have squeezed in a stone from below to keep it upright. The fruit will soon need support from above, or risk toppling.
The leaves are a bit of a hazard, sharp and pointy as the fruit crown. I’m cutting the tips before they reach eye-level.
Growing next to the pineapple is a young cotton plant (hopeful) and the top of an avocado (dying).
Cool! How long from planting to fruit was it? I’ve grown the tops before, but never had one long enough to produce fruit.
I don’t keep track, but I’d say about 3 years from store-bought pineapple (fruit with crown, cut off the bottom leaves) to flower.
I have harvested several already. I don’t know what I’m doing right, but I consistently get a flower and a fruit. I think it’s the warm and sunny location.
Anyway, here is what I do: Water every 2 weeks (pineapples are specialized to survive dryness and store water in their leaves, so not too much I guess). The tap water is a bit hard here, and I read you should filter it so I always do, but never tested without. Standard soil, a few stones as drainage in the bottom (I doubt this matters a lot). Do not put the plant on the balcony on a sunny summer day, when I did it wilted within 2 days and didn’t recover. I guess it really hates cool nights. The pot size has a big influence, the size in the photo seems to be optimal, with a smaller pot I get smaller leaves and a smaller fruit (600g instead of 1100g).
And before you take my advice, I should mention that many plants have wilted in my care at that window. Just not pineapples.
Thank you!