Ananas MD-2

Season Overview

Description

The MD2 pineapple, also known worldwide as "Super Sweet" or "Gold Pineapple," is the most economically important pineapple variety today. It was developed in Hawaii in the 1980s to replace the then-dominant but acidic "Smooth Cayenne" variety. It owes its triumph on the world market primarily to its extremely sweet taste and significantly lower acid content, which makes it particularly mild and digestible. Visually, the MD2 is characterized by a very uniform, cylindrical shape and an attractive golden-yellow color of the skin and flesh. The flesh is firm yet juicy and has a low fiber structure. A major advantage for trade is its high transportability and long shelf life; it is less susceptible to bruising and internal discoloration during refrigeration than older varieties. It also has a significantly higher vitamin C content. Today, the majority of MD2 fruit sold in Europe comes from plantations in Costa Rica, which can supply it all year round.

Growing tips

Pull the plant from the stalk: The most common mistake is to simply twist off the leaf head and plant it. It usually rots that way. Clean cut: Cut off the crown with about 2 cm of pulp. Then remove all the soft flesh thoroughly until only the hard, whitish stalk is visible. Pluck the leaves: Pluck off the bottom 2-3 layers of leaves individually until about 2 cm of the stem is exposed. You will often see small brown nubs there - these are the roots. Leave to dry: Very important! Leave the stalk to air dry for 2 to 3 days to seal the cuts. This prevents rotting. The right substrate & container Pineapples hate "wet feet". Soil: Mix conventional potting soil with 50% sand or perlite. Even better is cactus soil or a mixture with orchid substrate (for aeration). Pot: Choose a pot with a large drainage hole. A piece of clay over the hole prevents the soil from clogging it. Watering correctly (the "heart" principle) Pineapples absorb water not only through the roots, but above all through the leaves. Watering technique: Pour the water directly into the center of the leaf rosette (the "heart"). It collects there and the plant feeds itself as required. Avoid waterlogging: The soil should only be slightly moist, never soaking wet. Water less in winter and spray daily in summer. Light is everything The MD2 needs a lot of light to build up sugar. Location: The brightest south-facing window you have. In summer, a place on the balcony or terrace (full sun!) is ideal. Winter: As there is often not enough daylight in the German winter, an inexpensive LED plant lamp is worthwhile so as not to stop growth completely.

Details

Germination temperature

25 – 30 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

60 cm

Row spacing

80 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm