Question
Hi Tom, I live in the uk , my wife heard the other day that you can grow a pineapple plant by cutting off the foilage and planting it in composs
is this a wined up or is it possible to grow one,
say in greenhouse, Im cheating now, also is it possible to grow water melon from seed, i.e out of the melon, any advice will be gratefully recieved,
cedric.

Answer
Hi Cedric,
Thanx for your question.  First, allow me to apologize for being so tardy in my response.  I mistakenly thought I had answered all of my questions and then we had the Independence Day holiday and I was not on line.  In regard to pineapples:

1) Cut the top off the pineapple and remove all of the fruit. If you leave some fruit on it will rot the top.

2) Remove the bottom 1" or 1 and 1/2" of leaves The stalk will root but the leaves will rot.

3) (the secret) Dry the top for two days or until a callous forms Depending on the humidity this could be as short as a day or as long as a week. Do this some place cool and dry. If you don't do this the stalk will rot.

4) Dip the stalk end in water and then into rooting hormone. This makes rooting faster.

5) Lay the stalk in a pot of fast draining potting soil so that only part of the stalk is touching the soil.

Don't put the entire stalk in the soil. Don't plant the stalk in a vertical position. If you do then it is highly likely the stalk will rot. If you live in a very dry climate then put the pot and stalk in a clear, sealable plastic bag to conserve moisture.

6) Mist frequently to keep the soil moist but not wet. Roots should appear in 2 or 3 weeks.

7) Once roots appear, repot the pineapple (this time in the vertical position) in a fast draining pooting soil (e.g., half pooting soil half perlite).

Remember, pineapples are actually bromeliads. Hence they like tropical conditions. High light, constant humidity, and constant lite fertilizer in the summer time.

In 2 or 3 years, it will grow another pineapple.

As far as the watermelon goes, seeds from watermelon, canteloupe, honeydew, squash and pumpkin germinate easily in warm weather.  You can start them indoors in separate pots as they do not transplant at all.  You can also direct seed outdoors in situ.  Seed will not germinate until the ground has warmed to 65-70 degrees.  The plants love hot weather with frequent moisture for maximum fruiting.  I note that you are from the UK.  In the U.S. the best growing areas for watermelon are hot summer areas like north Texas, Oklahoma, some parts of Kansas and Colorado.  These areas all experience warm weather (75-80 degrees and upwards over 100 degrees F from early May through the end of September.  Watermelons like sandy, well-drained, rich soil but will grow in clay and less nutritious soil, though the yield will be lower.  As long as you have warm soil (75 degrees F and above) for a period of 100 days or more, you should be able to grow a watermelon.  Let me also advise you that there are many cultivars of melons and squash that have been bred in the US for growing in our cooler New England and Great Lakes climates where last frosts can often occur in early May.  Let me know if you need references for locating these seeds.  I've been to England before and you shouldn't have trouble growing watermelons although they may not be as sweet or large because your summer climate is cooler than ours.  I hope this helps.
Tom