Multiply ornamental pineapples from offshoots yourself

The ornamental pineapple is the archetype of the pineapple and has significantly smaller, dark pink fruits. With us you will learn how you can easily multiply an ornamental pineapple from offshoots.

Propagation from offshoots

The ornamental pineapple (Ananas comosus) belongs to the bromeliad family and forms offshoots, so-called Kindel. The offshoots are independent plantlets that form next to the mother plant. after the ornamental pineapple has flowered and fruited, the mother plant dies. But that's not a problem, because one or more young plants can easily be grown from the small children.

materials and tools

In order to be able to propagate an ornamental pineapple, the mother plant must have formed offshoots next to it. To separate and plant the Kindel you will need:

• potting soil e.g. B. Coconut, palm or cactus soil with sand
• small growing pots
• slightly larger pots for transplanting
• translucent film
• Elastic or twine to attach
• sharp, sanitized scissors or knife

instructions for propagation

When propagating ornamental pineapples, you should proceed as follows:

detach offshoots

Before you separate the offspring of the ornamental pineapple from the mother plant, you should check whether they have developed well and reached a size of about 10 - 15 cm. A Kindel should have at least one or two leaves.

• Expose offshoots carefully
• cut off with a sharp knife or scissors
• neither damage cuttings nor roots

A notice: Sometimes it can happen that an ornamental pineapple does not form any or only very small children because it has mainly put its energy into fruiting.

Plant cuttings directly

Since the offshoots already have roots, rooting in a water glass, such as when propagating by means of a tuft of leaves, is not necessary. They can be planted directly.

• fill small pots with potting soil
• pH around 5 recommended
• insert one offshoot per pot in the middle
• Press and water the substrate
• keep evenly moist, not wet
• Absolutely avoid waterlogging
• Only water with rainwater or stagnant tap water
• warm soil and high humidity are indispensable
• therefore cover offshoots with translucent foil
• Remove foil regularly for ventilation
• otherwise there is a risk of rotting

A notice: A translucent film over the offshoot ensures an optimal microclimate, which in turn is conducive to the development of the young plant.

Place offshoots correctly

After planting, you should look for a suitable location and pay attention to the following:

• Ideally, the location should be flooded with light and warm
• with constant temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees
• Ambient temperature not below 16 degrees all year round
• no blazing midday sun
• or with the possibility of shading
• otherwise risk of sunburn
• also locations with draft avoid

After eight to ten weeks, new roots will have formed and you can remove the foil once they have grown.

Ornamental pineapple cuttings - care

After the offshoot has grown well and the substrate is well rooted, it is time to transplant the young plant and continue to care for it accordingly.

• Replant offshoots in a slightly larger pot
• in a loose, well-drained substrate
• Bromeliad particularly well suited
• alternatively, lime-free mineral soil based on compost and Lauberde
• mix both in equal parts
• Insert the plant, press down the soil and water it
• Allow soil to dry between waterings
• Spray daily for humidity of at least 60%
• fertilize at the age of about one year

Later, it is advisable to water the ornamental pineapple from March/April to August/September about every 14 days, depending on size and growth behavior to fertilize flower fertilizer.

Tip: The young ornamental pineapple now also tolerates a little more sun, but should gradually get used to it.

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