UPDATE 2018 – Successfully grown in non-circulating hydroponics (KRATKY) and began 3rd generation seedlings trials.

This variety was acclimatized to SG natural environment by 2017.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
KRATKY Strawberries

 


The parent plants of this variety began their journey on January 16 2016 in soil.

This is Alpine heirloom Pineapple strawberries, a low growing variety with 1 inch sized light yellow colored fruits.

The taste profile of this variety has been described as sweeter than red strawberries, with an unforgettable impact of pineapple and rose.

 

GERMINATION NOTES

Sowed on January 7 2016 and germinated on the 16, about 9 days.

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
2016 January 16

 

These seeds were not easy to germinate.

We succeed only on our third attempt.

Germination tests will continue in 2017 to pin down the best method to germinate these wonderful strawberries.

 

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberry babies
2016 January 25 – More Seeds germinated

 

Pineapple strawberries are rarely sold in overseas supermarkets and even Farmers’ marts.

This variety does not travel well.

They have to be consumed the same day as harvest!

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries roots
2016 February 3 

 

How to transplant seedlings post here.

 

Grow Alpine White strawberries
March 8 2016 – 80% seedling survived, seem hardier than the white soul variety

 

We germinated more seedlings than needed to study how they grow.

In addition, what conditions made them grow better in our natural environment.

We collected these data to craft our strawberries growing technique for our workshops.

 

Grow white alpine strawberries in Singapore
2016 March 8  – 2 months old is 9.5 cm

 

They were bigger plants than white strawberry varieties.

At 2 months old, they outgrew PET bottle pots and have to be transplanted to grow bags.

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberry

 

A common problem seen on non-red strawberries in Singapore is cupped leaves.

Seedlings tend to fail more during the second month of growth.

We have observed this tendency in red Alpine strawberries as well last year.

From the 4th month, they became hardier.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries
2016 March 8 – 3 months old

 

Cupped or folded leaves are signs of stress.

 

Heirloom pineapple strawberries
Weakening Plants

 

On the assumption that cupped leaves may be due to lack of aeration in the PET bottles, we made adjustments with our soil mixes.

The leaves improved after this was done.

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry
Leaves improved

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries
Roots extending out of the net.

 

Recycling efforts continued this year as well.

Most of our strawberries are grown in PET bottles, either 1.5L or 600 ml plastic bottles.

This year, instead of painting these bottles, we recycled even plastic bags and old socks (suggested by member ” Shy Jean“) to shield them from the heat of the sun.

Cooling with ice packs as shared by member Wanqing’s method was also explored during very warm weather.

As much as possible, we hope to show gardeners that growing strawberries in tropical countries, is possible and with the least carbon footprint and costs.

 

 

Pineapple strawberry from seeds
Sun, Chill and Aeration for health! Isn’t these the same for humans too?! 🙂 Frozen ice pack cool the strawberries as they sunbathed! 🙂

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
June 2016 – The pineapple strawberry continued to thrive. Recycled old socks protect “pots” from our tropical heat!

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seed
July 28 2016 – Strawberry plant grown in a 600ml Sprite bottle

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seed
Smallest bottle strawberry plant at flowering stage

 

See why I enjoyed growing strawberries from seeds?

We get the chance to witness each development closely as they evolved.

Just watching how the crown began preparation for its flowering/fruiting journey is amazing. 🙂

 

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
First, just a single crown with one new “shoot”

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
Then it becomes two!

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
More than 2 leaves at the crown

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
The crown thickened and ready to multiply! The stems become redder as well.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
July 14 2016 – First flower spotted!!

 

Human bees get to work on July 17 2016  –

 

Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
Summer began on the first flower to open! 🙂

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberries
Household chores – Pollinating strawberries flowers (Shona, my niece)

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
August 7 2016 – Children pollinating flowers

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberry
Self pollination with a paint brush

 

Pollinating flowers with new young friends (Jonas and Eva) from NakedGreens‘ gardening group! August 14 2016 –

 

 

When pollination is successful, strawberry’s petals will drop completely.

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberry
Hopefully this developing fruit completes its journey!

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seed
Can’t wait to taste our yellow strawberries ! 🙂

 

Sometimes, even after successful pollination, the fruit may dry up in Singapore, halting its journey to fruiting.

Thus, we always keep our fingers crossed till harvest day!

Not taking any developments for granted.

The strawberry plant though continued to evolve.

Check out how flowering stems developed from the crown.

 

Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
Newly formed flowers just began.

 

Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
New flower buds

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seed
July 27 2016 -Pretty little bloom peeking out

 

Pineapple strawberries from seeds
Regardless of the color of the fruits, strawberries flowers are yellow center, either white or pink flowers.

 

HARVEST DAY (Parent Plants to our second generation seedlings to come)  – August 7 2016 :)

 

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Amazing taste – rose syrup, pineapples and only a hint of strawberries. Very light yellow and a strong scent of pineapple when ripe

 

Heirloom pineapple strawberries
Aug 13 2016 – Saving these for the grandparents!

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries
Aug 22 2016 – Sweet and flavorful! Pineapple candies smell scent the room 🙂

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Kids love these yellow strawberries!!

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries
Aug 21 2016 – Bountiful harvest.

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries
September 17 2016 – Do the fruits look like pineapple to you?

 

These strawberries took one month to slowly ripen and grow.

Fruit sizes are about 2.5 cm to 3 cm when it’s fully ripe.

Pineapple candies smell scent in the bedroom!

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries
Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries – about 2.5 – 3 cm

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberries
They are sweet, a surprise hint of rose syrup with pineapple and strawberries taste! 🙂

 

Video of our strawberries plants – (in English and Japanese)

 

 

 

Second Generation (Born in Singapore Strawberries) – Seeds from our ripe strawberries were sowed for the next generation of pineapple strawberries.

Hopefully, we will have acclimatized strawberry plants for Singapore soon.

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
August 26 2016 – Very ripe fruits were sacrificed for seeds!

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Germinated on August 30, these seedlings are about a week old on September 7 2016.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
Sept 2016 – New generation of strawberry seedlings from born in Singapore Heirloom parents! 🙂

 

As the seedlings grew, we need more space to accommodate an expanding garden.

Thus vertical space was considered again.

A new method to grow them in less soil and using Singapore natural resources work well.

It will be shared in workshop sessions only.

 

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Hanging Garden of strawberries and camomile plants

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Jan 16 2017 7 am – Scented Window Garden at the balcony :

 

Grow Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
January 26 2017 – My office where I wrote and replied posts!

 

Second generation‘s first fruit harvested on January 30 2016 –

 

Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Jan 26 2017 – First fruit spotted!

 

Seeds to Harvest VIDEO 

 

 

 

OBSERVATIONS on second-generation plants (February 02, 2017 ) –

  • Hardier than Generation 1 , need no chilling treatment
  • Slower to flower
  • Fruits production is less than parent plants

 

With so many seedlings on hand, the window of opportunities grew to learn more from them.

For example, what kind of soil is best for strawberries?

Working with soil specialists, we were able to put our seedlings through soil trials in order to pin down a formula that works for these plants in our climate.

Thus, customized ready soil mix is in the pipeline soon,

 

Grow gourmet Strawberries from seeds
December 01 2016 – Seedlings from our parent plants

 

The learning journey never stops as we sought to learn more about our strawberries.

As these plants are not commonly grown (yet), everything from soil mixes to plant care has to be documented.

After many months of trial and error, we think the solution to the best soil mixes is close.

What do you think of our progress on these 3 months old seedlings?

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberries from seeds
Same age seedlings! The bigger plant are grown in our customized strawberry soil compared to normal commercial organic soil 🙂

 

Another discovery on December 10, 2016

Stressed Alpine strawberries even a reputed non-runner variety like this one will sent out runners when they sensed danger.

We do not think this is a good sign for this plant.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry
An almost torn stem triggered runners in this plant

 

The instinct to live is high for this seedling!

 

Symptoms of stressed alpine strawberries
Dec 12 2016 – The more pronounced the tear, the more developed the runner.

 

Second Generation Strawberry Plants

Recovered from transplant shock very quickly, within 2 days instead of weeks.

 

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry
Dec 10 2016 – Suffered a transplant shock

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry
Dec 11 2016 – Recovered in the afternoon

 

Comparative Study of SG vs. USA seedlings –

Since we have seeds from USA Heirloom and SG born Pineapple Strawberry plants, we thought it would be interesting to study how they grow together for a comparative study.

These were our observations so far.

 

Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
SG seed from our own plants germinated one of these SG seedlings on Aug 30 2016

 

The germination rate for SG seedlings was 4 days compared to 9 days for USA seeds, and as can be observed, the speed of growth is faster for SG seedlings as well.

These pictures were taken on October 2nd 2016.

 

Grow Heirloom Pineapple Strawberry from seeds
Heirloom USA seed germinated on Aug 30

 

Seasoned gardeners lend a hand to study how to grow strawberries better in Singapore from February 2016.

 

 

Heirloom Pineapple strawberry
Terence Low of Naked Greens 🙂 Also Pak Mat (hydroponics), Calvin Soh (Guerilla Seeds), Alan Tan and even my lecturer on Hydroponics, Gregory Chow Kheong Keat (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)

 

Summary of Pineapple Strawberries Information –

  1. Perennial Plant
  2. has no runners
  3. Ideal soil temperature 16 – 21 degree Celsius
  4. Soil PH 6.1 to 7
  5. Can tolerate full sun or partial
  6. Small fruits of light yellow colors

 

Two months old Pineapple Strawberry Hydro “plug-ins” seedlings can be PRE-ORDER.

Due to limited space to grow, reservation is needed.

Thank you for understanding.

 

Strawberries natural nutrients care
From non-GMO heirloom seeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 thoughts on “Pineapple Strawberry”

  1. Hi
    Interested in promoting your strawberry growing techniques in the gardening communities? You are invited to conduct gardening short course in ITE. please call me if you wish to share and spread this passion. Thank you.
    Regards
    Mr Ting
    ITE College West CET Office

  2. Hi ! I was reading your strawberry journey and have been interested in the pineapple strawberry, would actually know where you get the seeds from or if i could purchase some from you ?

    Thanks

      1. Oh… then is it possible to let me know where you got your seeds from, as i am interested in cultivating them as well. Thanks 🙂

  3. Hi, i have been trying to purchase the same breed of seeds online but i don’t know how i can ship it to SG, would reall appreciate it if you could share the experience, my email is whipandbake@gmail.com . Looking forward to your reply as it would help me alot ! Thanks

    Regards,
    Alex

    1. Yes, most of these cold season strawberries seeds are not available for sale outside its natural growing zones. Mine were from growers direct who are also friends, and sometimes I wait 6 months for relatives to hand carry back.

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