Growing Pineapples in the Desert

 Q. I have seven robust pineapple plants; two which are very large. I plan to move them to my small greenhouse over the winter. One plant now has three pups, and a very large plant only has one pup. What would be the ideal management of the pups? Leave alone or cut down?

Not a pineapple in the desert but one on our farm in the Philippines

A. When we grow some pineapples for fresh eating at our farm in the Philippines, we use the tops from discarded pineapples. Commercial growers use side shoots or “pups” from known varieties. Using the tops takes a few months longer than using the “pups” or side shoots but is more economical.

Pineapples are Tropical

Pineapples barely survive freezing temperatures. They are tropical. Since the production time for pineapples grown in Las Vegas is closer to two years. Part of its time growing must be in a greenhouse or at least a protected area. Greenhouse grown pineapples produce fruit in less time than without a greenhouse. Heated greenhouses are like the tropics. Unheated greenhouses extend the time for planting because of the protection they provide. Use a soil thermometer for planting in unheated greenhouses.

Commercial pineapples are planted 18 inches to two feet apart

Even though planting without a greenhouse can be as late as mid-March you can start looking at favorable air temperatures for planting outside after mid-February. Start pineapple outside after the last possible frost and plant them in an area with very bright indirect or morning sunlight. East sides are better than west or south sides. Total time from start to finish is 16 to 24 months after planting depending on variety you choose, weather, and soil type.

Mound and Warm the Soil

Pineapples need warm, moist, mounded soil. Before planting them outside mound and cover a 3 x 3 area for one week with clear plastic to warm it. Plant cut tops or side shoots (pups) that have had a chance to heal for a few hours. Experienced gardeners plant tops or sides shoots from a variety they like. Space them in rows about two feet apart. They can be closer but crowding and poorly drained soil can be a problem. Water them with drip tape or tubing. Tops will produce fruit in the longest time while 4-inch-long pups or side shoots produce fruit a couple months faster.

Pineapples Produce Fruit in the Desert after Nearly Two Years

After about 10-15 months of growth, they should initiate flowering. If first planted in February or early March, the plant should be old enough to start flowering by the following summer. Fruiting takes about 4 to 5 months after that.