One of our local readers invited the Hernando Sun to come by and check out his pineapple plants. Acy Holly, who is 89 of Brooksville has over 100 pineapple plants. He started growing them about 5 or 6 years ago. He said he found a pot with a plant in it one day, not knowing what type of plant it was, continued to water it. One day a pineapple started to grow, and he’s been growing them ever since. In the beginning his wife obtained a few tops that Publix saved for her, and over time the plants have doubled and tripled in number.
What does he do with all that pineapple? The Holly’s usually sell them to friends and have never ended up with more pineapple than anyone wants. Mrs. Holly even told me a story about a pineapple they sold at their family reunion auction for $25. They had brought pineapple to serve at the reunion and after tasting how good it was, the gentleman just had to have one for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Holly allowed me to sample some of the pineapple that they had frozen and it was absolutely the most delicious frozen fruit I have ever had.
Mr. Holly took the time to explain his process to me, and how the sucker, or the very top portion is twisted off from the fruit part and replanted to grow another plant.
The total time it takes to grow a pineapple is about 16 months. Since the plants prefer the heat, they are left in direct sunlight, and in the winter they are kept in a greenhouse he constructed himself. The greenhouse is equipped with a sprinkler system that will create a light mist on the plants and the temperature never goes below 59 degrees. This past winter he had 240 plants in his greenhouse and currently has 118 growing. No harmful chemicals are used on his plants ever.
Unlike other foods that require a lot of attention, pineapples require very little maintenance or water and love the sun, making them perfect for Florida weather. They are a great option for people like myself who do not have a green thumb and constantly forget to water. A perfectly ripe, sweet, ready to eat pineapple will be a rich yellow color on the outside, not the green typically found at your local grocery store. The green exterior means it is not perfectly ripe and therefore is by far more acidic in taste.
As a parting gift they gave me a small pineapple plant to take home. I will be able to teach my boys about the process and how to grow their own pineapple. So as a new pineapple owner, I began to wonder what health benefits, if any, pineapples had. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they actually have many. Not only are pineapples delicious but they help treat many things. Here are a few I found on www.organicfacts.net:
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Treat Arthritis
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Boosts Immunity
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Cancer Fighter
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Helps with Digestion
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Treats Cough and Cold
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Bone Health
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Relieves Asthma
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Controls Diabetes
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Helps clear skin and reduces wrinkles
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Strengthens Gums and Teeth
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Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
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Prevents clots and reduces the buildup of plaque in the arteries
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Improves Blood Circulation
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Aids in Dissolving Kidney Stones
With all these health benefits why wouldn’t you want to try it? Interested in purchasing one of the Holly’s pineapples? All you have to do is contact him, and on top of a yummy fruit that will keep growing, he will share his amazing knowledging on pineapples and growing them. His number is 352-596-3316, be sure to let him know Melissa sent you.
