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The Egan Library “Fruit Project”
By Benjamin Nestler
Whalesong Staff
Got fruit? Our
Egan Library does! Maybe you have noticed the Norfolk pine, pony
tail palm trees, the Christmas cactus, the lily plant, but did you
get to see the pineapple plant growing in the library? Most of these
plants have been donated by various people and are lovingly taken
care of by library staff and interested volunteer students. Library
employee Lori Oldacres, decided that a pineapple plant would fit
in nicely, and besides looking good, just might taste good too.
She was indeed rewarded for her efforts with sweet, mouth-watering
succulent success.
“It took about four months because it was pre-started,”
said Oldacres. “It was very small, but really tasty!”
To start a pineapple, the stalk or leaves must be completely dried
out and you must make sure that the very top or “head”
of the pineapple fruit is still attached to the stalk. When this
dries out, cover with soil. This head will form the new root system
of the plant. According to Oldacres, “I used apples placed
next to the stalk to cause the plant to fruit.” Apples exude
a chemical that facilitates the fruiting process of most any fruit.
In fact, if you buy green, unripe bananas, place an apple next to
them and this will help turn them yellow faster!
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