Ah well, different ideas or interpretations perhaps … If you leave the mother plant to produce another fruit next year, that fruit is smaller. That's what I understood from whatever-it-was that I read. I got the impression that the pups - and there's two types, ones from the stem and ones from between the leaves of the mother plant - were the main ways in which Pineapples were reproduced. The pups have two different names too, both of which escape me just now.
Pineapples with tops may be around now. I noticed some nice size pineapples with tops on, at the fruit/veg shop beside the IGA & butchers at Samford going for $1.99 each. The owner tells me their from yeppoon, and dayboro pineapples will be in next month.
And for some trivia, he also tells me a 2nd generation pineapple (pup off main) is called a ratoon, and as Lissa said, each generation pup's fruit keeps getting smaller, reset and start big again with a new top.
Also, golden circle cannery are still sourcing our local pineapples ... I was surprised, as I believed otherwise, but it's our local beetroot that has been dropped by GC.
I feel exactly the same Steven. Wish I could have a good discussion with my Pop who died when I was 5yrs old. He was a terrific vege gardener from all accounts, growing things to sell in my Grans shop.
What a fascinating and beautiful plant. I have learnt something from the comments. My late grandfather grew pineapples for a living in Dundowran (Hervey Bay) in the 40's and 50's before I was born, but sadly I never discussed this with him. Oh I wish I could sometimes go back to my teenage years with my old head and mindset and do a couple of things differently.
If you are buying those 'Aussie Gold' ones, my guess is they come from north Qld, few Pineapples ripen over winter down here. Partly removing the tops means simpler packing but partly it could be they are a PVR thing and no one get planting material for free.
Usually by later summer there are local ones in the shops and mostly they have their tops intact.
So if you left the mother plant alone, it will produce another fruit next year? OK I didn't know that, thanks. I thought bromeliads only flower once then they die. I have one in the yard grow from a top so I'm hoping to harvest some suckers/slips (if there are any) from the two fruiting plants. Don't really want to wait 3 years :)
Thanks Joseph - a mine of information! Not all plants produce suckers/slips as I know. Nor does the mother plant necessarily die - it's a Bromeliad but a longer-lived one than the ornamentals. But the mother plant's fruit is smaller by the year. So for the home-grower, re-planting afresh would be best use of space.
Good to know about removing those slips/pups I was going to leave them so it's a good time to move them on now.
Hi Elaine, according to this website, pineapples can produce either slips or suckers, or both. I assume a non-GMO pineapple must be able to somehow reproduce as the plant dies after the fruit is harvested.
Comments
Ah well, different ideas or interpretations perhaps … If you leave the mother plant to produce another fruit next year, that fruit is smaller. That's what I understood from whatever-it-was that I read. I got the impression that the pups - and there's two types, ones from the stem and ones from between the leaves of the mother plant - were the main ways in which Pineapples were reproduced. The pups have two different names too, both of which escape me just now.
How disappointing that the fruit from pups keep getting smaller each generation. Whole new tops hey.
Never mind, it was delicious right down to the last mouth full.
And for some trivia, he also tells me a 2nd generation pineapple (pup off main) is called a ratoon, and as Lissa said, each generation pup's fruit keeps getting smaller, reset and start big again with a new top.
Also, golden circle cannery are still sourcing our local pineapples ... I was surprised, as I believed otherwise, but it's our local beetroot that has been dropped by GC.
I feel exactly the same Steven. Wish I could have a good discussion with my Pop who died when I was 5yrs old. He was a terrific vege gardener from all accounts, growing things to sell in my Grans shop.
What a fascinating and beautiful plant. I have learnt something from the comments. My late grandfather grew pineapples for a living in Dundowran (Hervey Bay) in the 40's and 50's before I was born, but sadly I never discussed this with him. Oh I wish I could sometimes go back to my teenage years with my old head and mindset and do a couple of things differently.
If you are buying those 'Aussie Gold' ones, my guess is they come from north Qld, few Pineapples ripen over winter down here. Partly removing the tops means simpler packing but partly it could be they are a PVR thing and no one get planting material for free.
Usually by later summer there are local ones in the shops and mostly they have their tops intact.
Jan - I've noticed that the shops are now cutting off the tops. Maybe buy some from farmers markets?
So if you left the mother plant alone, it will produce another fruit next year? OK I didn't know that, thanks. I thought bromeliads only flower once then they die. I have one in the yard grow from a top so I'm hoping to harvest some suckers/slips (if there are any) from the two fruiting plants. Don't really want to wait 3 years :)
Thanks Joseph - a mine of information! Not all plants produce suckers/slips as I know. Nor does the mother plant necessarily die - it's a Bromeliad but a longer-lived one than the ornamentals. But the mother plant's fruit is smaller by the year. So for the home-grower, re-planting afresh would be best use of space.
Good to know about removing those slips/pups I was going to leave them so it's a good time to move them on now.
Hi Elaine, according to this website, pineapples can produce either slips or suckers, or both. I assume a non-GMO pineapple must be able to somehow reproduce as the plant dies after the fruit is harvested.
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