`GROCERY GARDENING' PROVIDES FUN, BUT NOTHING IN WAY OF FOOD

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 12, 1993                   TAG: 9303120541
SECTION: LAWN & GARDEN                    PAGE: LG-15   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
`GROCERY GARDENING' PROVIDES FUN, BUT NOTHING IN WAY OF FOOD
Gardeners can break the routine this spring and summer with a growing method that could be called "grocery gardening."
What that means is growing plants with common foods bought in grocery stores. It's a good way to get into house plants in a mini sort of way.
Most outdoor gardeners and houseplant growers are familiar with the technique.
It's a nice way to extend growing through the winter with a collection of novelty plants that will provide interesting conversation pieces.
But don't expect them to provide any food. They are strictly ornamental.
The way this works is to use part of the household groceries to grow plants, mostly houseplants.
The Virginia Tech Extension Service said grocery items that can be used include carrot, sweet potato, pineapple and citrus seeds.
The carrot probably produces the best results. Cut off the top inch or so, and put in soil with the cut end down. Make the top level with the soil. In time a delicate, fern-like plant will grow.
The part of the carrot left after cutting off the top can become a part of the dinner table's soup or salad.
The sweet potato can be planted in a container of soil or water. Leave about a fourth of it above the soil or water line, and in time a vine similar to a philodendron will appear.
To grow a pineapple, use a raw pineapple with the foliage top still attached. The foliage top is what is planted.
Twist it off so that it remains in one piece. Put it in a semidarkened, cool place, and in about two weeks tiny roots will begin growing from the base of the foliage.
The roots of the foliage cap then need to be moved into the light with the roots in water.
After the roots have become larger and stronger the foliage cap is then planted in soil. From that the foliage will grow into a plant with long, spiky leaves that resembles a cactus.
Citrus seeds can be grown into a tree-like plant that can become quite large if nurtured long enough.
Seeds from the orange, lemon, grapefruit or any other type citrus are suitable. But a word of caution. Seeds must be planted in soil immediately after being taken from the fruit. Do not let them dry. Once dry, they probably won't sprout.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB