PINEAPPLES AND NEWSPAPER MULCH

Today after a respite in the rain I concluded that it was time to harvest the pups from my Pineapple Bromeliad. This will be the second time that the pineapples were divided to make new plants . The original Bromeliad produced eight new plants and after gifting five away I still have three new pups to plant for myself.
The new plants are started by cutting the fruit in half and planting it in a new pot.

I am also trying out a new idea using shredded newspaper for mulch. I ran the local paper through my paper shredder and saved the shredded strips. When I made the new pots for the bromeliad pups I wet the strips and placed the wet newspaper around the plants as mulch to hold in moisture and prevent weeds . This is a first test so it remains to be seen how good the shredded paper will work as compaired to the shredded wood chips that I have been using.

First impression is that the paper is not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as the wood mulch.

But if it works out I will have a unlimited free supply . I read that the paper breaks down as compost into the soil and that the ink breaks down and is not toxic .

This all fits into my goal of recycling , building up my soil and saving money.

And the finished product three new Pineapple Bromeliads started with shredded newspaper used as a mulch. ...sanddune...

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