Sunday, January 20, 2013

Pineapple Farming


Oh my, we don't get too many snow days here, but when we do we make a big fuss and get very excited! Children tend to get a snow day or two away from class each year... (Generally when we have a colossal inch of the white stuff on the ground!) It's a bit embarrassing when you see how Canada manages to keep themselves together each year, however I am certainly not one to complain. 


Now snow days are fantastic when you manage to wing a day at home when you should be at work, but snow at the weekend gets a little dull! Thus, I decided to try something new!... Pineapple farming!

I came across a guy on pininterest recently with a video showing how he had been growing pineapples indoors, see here.  Apparently one can grow their own pineapple in twelve to eighteen months by following some simple steps.  Until pineapple harvest time you get to keep a great looking house plant! Win, win I say.  



Time to get tropical...

Step 1:  Find yourself a ripened pineapple (The more yellow the better.) Grab at the leaves and hold onto the pineapple fruit firmly.  Twist the leaves from the pineapple and pull away from the fruit.  
I am not going to lie, this required some muscles, and I called on family for help. It quickly turned into one of those, "Clearly I loosened it" moments. 



Step 2: Begin peeling away the leaves layer by layer.  After a short while little roots should begin to appear! (I know, amazing right!)  Keep peeling away the leaves until you reach about an inch in and there are no more roots becoming visible.



Step 3: Realise that the indoor activity you had planned is going to require a trip outside through snowmageddon.  Don winter wear and find a vacant plant pot and some regular potting soil... Plant your pineapple leaves and roots and press so firmly secured.  Moisten soil and leave out of direct sunlight until the roots have chance to develop and the leaves begin to grow.



All finished... Now go eat some pineapple and wait for Summer to arrive...