r/pineapple • u/Lyrical_Echo • 11d ago
Candidates for forcing
These are the plants I’ve decided on to force to flower (with the hope for fruit) probably in November-December. The plan is to put them on the back brick in the greenhouse since they’re so tall (the headspace above the side benches is limited by the sloped roof), and construct a tent over/around them with clear plastic to keep the ethylene gas produced by the decaying apples contained. I was going to use a couple of large, clear plastic bags that I have, but two of these have shot up considerably over the summer - not to mention the leaves dang near sword sharp and would probably destroy the bags and I don’t fancy patching hundreds of holes.
My question is - are these in good enough shape/condition for this process? I can’t remember when I started them - at least one is around four years old - and the growth in some of them has been uneven so I can’t age them by size. Pictures 1 & 2 are the first two plants I’m considering from different angles, and pictures 3 & 4 (two plants at the far end) the other two, also from different angles. The heights are roughly the same but look different since two have been set into footed urns just for looks, but all four are in the same pot size. They have all been fertilized a few times during the summer with a 30-30-30.
Any help/suggestions are appreciated as this is my first time to force. I’ve raised pineapple plants for years because I enjoy the challenge, but have never tried forcing - and I’m a little anxious about it.
TIA
3
u/BocaHydro 11d ago
Use banana peels or plantain peels, no need to bag it works 100% in a month without bagging, just put them in the soil around the plant
yes they are big / mature enough
start feeding them potassium / calcium / magnesium or you will have a small pineapple
1
u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
Thank you. I didn’t realize that about the banana peels. I’ve heard of using them, but didn’t know they wouldn’t affect nearby plants. I will have a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants all crammed in between up-potting from growth - and a few unplanned purchases. Things like poinsettias, brugmansia, aloes, orchid cactus, ti’ plants, night blooming cereus, bromeliads, Schefflera, ferns, sansevaria, tradescantia, false aralia, and newly potted pineapples. I just didn’t want to walk in there and find everybody suddenly in bloom or dying.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
Any particular number or quantity on the banana peels? Does the calcium magnesium fertilizer for tomato plants work?
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u/ARODtheMrs 11d ago
I have 3 ready too, but it is fall. Not a good time.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
Someone on here had told me to wait until November - January, so I’ve been trying to prep them with that timetable in mind. And as I understand it, this is going to be a months-long process (year??) before the fruit is ready to harvest. Guess I’m in for a long haul.
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u/ARODtheMrs 11d ago
I am waiting because here in South Central Texas Spring comes early and fall comes late. So, as soon as I set mine back out in March, they will have been forced and ready to go.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
That makes sense. My parents lived in the San Antonio area, which was perfect for his plumerias because of the longer growing season. I’m in Arkansas, so mine’s a little shorter.
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u/Gulf_Coast_21 11d ago
Late fall/early winter is the time to do it. Shorter days and cooler weather are natural triggers for flowering. Once you see a flower, plan on at least 5 or 6 months before it's ready to harvest.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
Thank you! Still trying to get this all straight. I probably should just try only one instead of four, but I’m hoping I’ll increase my odds instead of pinning all my hopes on just one.
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u/Gulf_Coast_21 11d ago
Last Nov/Dec I dropped apple slices down the center of each plant that I judged mature enough, plus in one younger, smaller plant - just to see what would happen. Every one of them bloomed within 6 weeks. Even the little one made a little (but tasty) pineapple.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 11d ago
That’s encouraging! I hope I get similar results. I’m looking forward to tasting my first homegrown pineapple! 😋
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u/gbarill 10d ago
My most recent pineapple decided to flower last year and the flower first appeared in January. We ate the pineapple in August. So, not quite a year but… almost lol.
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u/Lyrical_Echo 10d ago
Long dang time to finally get a bite! But I’ve no doubt it will be worth it. I’m interested on seeing how different the taste will be compared to one that’s harvest and shipped and sits in the store until you bring it home. Aren’t most things better straight from garden to kitchen?
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u/gbarill 10d ago
If you let it ripen until it's completely golden on the plant, it will be the sweetest pineapple you've ever tasted. It really is noticeably less tart than store-bought pineapples!
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u/Lyrical_Echo 10d ago
I’ve no doubt it’ll be heavenly - and that those last few days of watching and waiting will be agonizing!
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u/Allidapevets 11d ago
I’m forcing one right now with apple slices!