With Summer in Florida is in full swing we are also enjoying tropical fruit season. This week we are propagating pineapples (Ananas comosus) from slips and crowns. It is a deceptively simple process, and I love it every time.
There are four different sources of vegetative propagation planting material from pineapples. Personally, I tend to use the crowns (attached to the tops of fruit) or slips (from under the pineapple) more than suckers (from leaf axils) or ratoons (from roots).
Once the crown has been removed from the fruit (and the remaining fruit from the base of the crown) or slip from plant, you will be able to see the roots primordia (the initial visible stage of root development) at the base of the slip.
At this stage I usually let the crown or slip sit in the shade or inside for a little while to harden off a bit. I have forgotten slips in a hidden corner for months and been able to successfully plant them out. It seems like the minimum hardening off time is at least 24 hours.
Once I am ready to pot them up or plant them out I remove a few more layers of base leaves to expose more roots primordia and give the plant a more solid footing in the ground. That being said, I know someone who grows a lot of pineapples and does not bother with this step. He has great success as well, so it is probably a matter of preference.
When planting them in soil it is important to remember not to bury the crown too low, otherwise it will be prone to rotting out. Pineapples are bromeliads, and while designed to collect water with their tightly attached leaves, they can be sensitive to crown rotting if buried too deeply at planting.
This IFAS article covers more details about pineapples, propagation, growth, health, nutrition, and harvest if you are interested in more information HS7/MG055: Pineapple Growing in the Florida Home Landscape.
Questions: In your environments, how long do you allow your slips to harden off?