Kris Koll
Kris.Koll@ndsu.edu
Horticulture 211 Fall 2010
PINEAPPLE
The pineapple or Ananas comosus, a member of the Bromeliaceae family, is a popular edible fruit. It is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. In 1943 Christopher Columbus found pineapple on the island of Guadaloupe and brought it back to Spain, from there it was spread around the world and eaten on ships to prevent scurvy. Today pineapple is one of the leading fruit crops in the tropics. In the United States it is grown in southern Florida and on the coast of southern California. It can also be grown in a greenhouse or as a potted plant.
The pineapple is a herbaceous perennial. It is a rather large plant 2 ½ to 5 feet high with a spread of 3 to 4 feet. It grows best in well-drained sandy soil with high organic content. The pH of the soil should be between 4.5 and 6.5. The plants are tolerant of drought, but adequate moisture is necessary for optimal fruit production. Growing temperatures are best at 65-95 degrees F. Pineapples need to be in a frost-free environment.
There are four types of propagation for pineapple: slips, suckers, crowns, and ratoons. Plants that are vegetatively propagated will bear fruit in 15-22 months. Fertilizing with nitrogen is necessary to increase the size and yield of the fruit crop. Also fruit weight can be increased by the addition of magnesium. Pineapple plants do produce flowers, but they only last one day. 3-4 months after all the flowers have opened and closed fruit will mature and ripen.
There are four main classes of pineapple cultivars in international trade: