Growth Time of Pineapples

Growth Period

• Pineapples grow best in regions with warm weather and are intolerant of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The growth period of the fruit depends upon the variety and growing condition. It generally takes anywhere between 18 to 24 months for a plant to produce fruit from the time of planting. The plant blooms and fruits all through the year.

Growth Stages

• At the age of 12 to 14 months, when the pineapple plant is about 2 feet tall, an inflorescence bud starts to develop from the center of the long, strappy foliage. This is the beginning of fruit development, although the fruit is not clearly visible for two more months, indicated with the appearance of a bright red cone. The light blue flowers start to open row by row on the cone, starting from the base. This continues for about two weeks. Once the flowers have dried completely, the fruit flesh starts to develop.

Harvesting

• As the fruit matures during the next four months, or after six months from flowering time, the shell starts to change to a golden yellow color, starting from the base. Sugar production increases at this time, and the fruit becomes sweeter. The flesh turns from white to yellow. The fruit may be harvested when it is halfway golden or it can be left to ripen further. Mature fruit is oval to cylindrical in shape, measuring about a foot in length and weighing anywhere between 1 and 10 lbs.

Harvesting Suggestions

• The best time to harvest the fruit is when one-third to two-thirds of the outer shell or peel has changed to a yellow color, advises the University of Florida Extension. Often, the pineapple reaches the mature size and desirable weight but still remains green. This fruit may be picked, as it will ripen at room temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the fruit ripen completely before refrigerating. Avoid placing green, unripe fruit in the fridge, as this is likely to cause chilling injury and improper ripening.