READER’S QUESTION

I’D LOVE to do the same as the Truro lady (below) who took six years to grow a pineapple from the top of a shop-bought fruit, but don’t know how. What’s the best way to do this?

Mrs B. Crawford, Taunton. SELECT a healthy pineapple. Remove the top part, keeping the leaves intact, and set aside the remaining fruit for eating. Keep the pineapple top for a few days until the cut surface has dried. Then plant it — not too deeply — in a pot with drainage holes, filled with a 50/50 mix of potting compost and Perlite.

Put it on a warm, well‑lit windowsill and water regularly. Rooting will take at least six weeks. Pineapples need plenty of light and constantly warm temperatures, so keep yours above 15c at all times.