The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple: From its first introduction into Europe to the late improvements of T.A. Knight, esq.Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius)
History
The different modes of cultivating the pine-apple: From its first introduction into Europe to the late improvements of T.A. Knight, esq.
Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius)
Pineapple
Plants intended to fruit in the succeeding year, are shifted finally in
the August of the year preceding. The plants are again looked over in
the February following, and top dressed; but such as are unhealthy,
feeble, and do not stand firm in their pots, he shakes out of their
balls entirely, and re-pots in the same, or in smaller pots. “Any
plants,” he says, “that have already started into fruit, should also be
shaken out, and be fresh potted, as above; which, by the check they
receive, will keep them back to a better season of ripening, and by the
force of fresh earth, make them swell their fruit larger than they
otherwise would have done. I have thus new-potted plants, even in
flower, with very much success, and have swelled the fruit to a size far
beyond my expectations; of which fact any one may easily satisfy
himself, by fresh-potting a few plants, and comparing their progress
with others treated in the ordinary way. Let the plants be re-plunged to
the brim as before, keeping the pots quite level. If the plants be
full-sized, and strong, they will require to be set at about twenty
inches apart from centre to centre, on a medium. But they should be
sorted; the smallest placed in front, and the largest at back, as in
arranging plants on a stage, that they may have an equal share of sun
and light. As soon as re-placed in the bark-bed, let them have a little
water, to settle the earth about their roots.” In May he again
top-dresses, “reducing an inch or two of the earth from off the surface,
and adding some fresh mould, which will invigorate the plants, cause
them to push surface radicles, and so keep them the more firm and
steady. This needs not be done, however, to plants whose fruit are
nearly ripe; but chiefly to healthy plants new shown in flower, past the
flower, or with the fruit about half grown. And with respect to any that
are unhealthy, and whose fruit are less than half grown, do not hesitate
to shift them, shaking them out, trimming their roots, and retaining
only healthy fibres. This is a very great improvement in the culture of
Pines, which I formerly practised, have since advised, and have seen
followed with much success.”
The temperature of the fruiting-pit is kept at the same degree as that
of the succession department in mid-winter. This is from 60° to 65°; but
as spring approaches, he rises gradually to 75°, but not allowing the
thermometer to pass 80°. From 72° to 75° is his temperature for March
and April. In May, June, July, and August, he requires 75° mornings and
evenings, and 80° or 85° at noon. In September, after fire-heat becomes
necessary, he keeps as nearly to 65° as possible, and in sunshine, by
the free admission of air, to about 70° or 72°. In October, November,
and December, he lowers the temperature to 60° mornings and evenings,
and 65° in sunshine.
Air is admitted at all seasons in fine sunshine weather, and freely, as
the fruit approaches to maturity, in order to enhance its flavour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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