Many people think that these exotic fruits grow on a palm tree. In fact, they do not grow on a tree or a bush at all, but on the ground. We are talking about an amazing tropical fruit, the taste of which is familiar to everyone. This is pineapple, which is one of the most common exotic fruits. Its taste is familiar to many.
The article presents a story about how pineapple grows in nature (see photo in the article), what conditions are necessary for its growth, and what features it has.
Local residents of the tropics grew and used pineapples for food back in the pre-Columbian era. In addition to edible fruits, stems and hard, prickly leaves of plants were also used. From this raw material a fairly strong fiber was obtained, used for the production of ropes, clothing, mats and fishing nets.
The statement that pineapples grow on palm trees is not at all true. You can find out more about this later in the article. But first, let’s present a short story about the discovery of this wonderful plant.
Ananas comosus is the plant closest to the modern species. It was discovered at the beginning of the last century in a valley (South America).
Most likely, a long time ago, it was from these regions that the inhabitants of local tribes, who learned to eat these juicy fruits, spread them across the territories of the South American continent to Central America and the Caribbean.
A well-known fact is that this plant was cultivated by the Mayan and Aztec tribes. The discovery of an exotic tropical fruit by Europeans occurred in 1493, during the voyage of Columbus, who noticed this interesting plant on the island of Guadeloupe. It was with the light hand of the great Spanish navigator that this fruit received its name - Pina de Indes.
After the discovery by the Spaniards in Hawaii, the Portuguese also found a similar, no less interesting plant in Brazil. And several decades later, the first plantings of pineapples began to appear in African and Indian colonies. The tropical fruit, which is quickly gaining popularity, has retained the name it received from the indigenous people of South America. "Nanas" translated from the Indian language means "magnificent fruit." And in 1555 the prefix comosus (translated as crested) appeared in the name.
The countries that are the birthplace of pineapple are Paraguay and Brazil (South America). This plant prefers tropical climates. It can grow even during dry periods due to the ability of leaf cells to store moisture. Most pineapples are grown in Thailand, Brazil, the Philippines, Hawaii, Mexico, Australia, India and Guinea. It is quite possible to grow pineapple in Russia, but for this it is necessary to create conditions for this plant (in greenhouses) close to natural ones.
Pineapples are grown on extensive plantations, and only the best varieties are planted. In nature, this plant grows solitarily; it can only be found in individual specimens. In addition, under natural conditions there are wild varieties with fruits that are harder even when ripe. They are small in size and not very sweet. Large varieties are bred by man.
Where the pineapple grows (see photo below) in the wild, it is practically a weed, growing without any care. Therefore, its taste is far from human-grown pineapples.
Today this fruit is grown in almost all countries where a tropical climate prevails - Australia, Ghana, Mexico, India and others. The vast fields where pineapples are planted in long ridges look stunningly beautiful.
The idea that pineapple grows on a tree is wrong. It is a perennial herbaceous terrestrial plant that grows as a small bush. It has hard and spiky leaves. The fruits are located on the trunk. The peculiarity of the leaves is not only that they are prickly, but also in the unusual properties that they possess. They, as noted above, have special cells, the tissue of which is capable of accumulating moisture during rains. This allows the plant to survive in the driest periods.
The height of a pineapple depends on the growing conditions and the variety. It can be 0.6-1.5 meters. The stem of the plant is quite short. It is densely covered with elongated, stiff foliage.
An adult plant has a rosette formed from 30 or more fleshy, pointed leaves that have a concave shape. Their length is 20-100 cm. One of the features of the plant is that on the stem, which thickens as it grows, the leaves are arranged in a spiral. Some varieties and subspecies of pineapple have spines along the edge of the leaves - curved and sharp.
There are pineapple subspecies with both monochromatic and variegated leaves. However, all representatives of this genus have foliage with a thick waxy coating, which makes it almost bluish or gray.
In appearance, this exotic plant more closely resembles a shrub with elongated and dense leaves. In the very first year, its stem thickens and a green mass grows, which consists of intertwining narrow and fleshy succulent leaves (up to 0.7 meters long) with sharp thorns at the edges.
After a year, the pineapple begins to develop an inflorescence shaped like a spike with a large number of flowers, and bisexual ones.
The way pineapple grows (photo presented in the article) can be compared with the growth of white cabbage. Both are small bushes with dense leaves. In both, a fruit forms in the center of the rosette. There are people who mistakenly believe that pineapples and cabbage are related. In fact, pineapples belong to the bromeliad family, and they are the only edible species in this family.
The peduncle, reaching a height of up to 60 cm, sprouts from the growing point of the leaves. It is completely covered with flowers, as noted above, of both sexes. It is due to this that this plant is self-pollinating. Flowering duration is approximately 14 to 20 days.
The flowers come in reddish and purple shades, which also depends on the type of plant. Each of them contains a berry filled with juice.
How do pineapples (fruits) grow? After the end of the flowering period, a very powerful infructescence is formed on the bush of the plant. From it the fruit develops in the future. Moreover, at the top of each fruit a tuft or palm appears, in the same shape as the bush itself, but smaller in size. To grow a new fruit, this top is cut off and planted. However, pineapples are not always self-pollinating. There are subspecies that have only male or only female flowers. In this case, the plant is pollinated by bees and other insects, and seeds are formed in the fruits.
Wild fruits are usually small in size, and almost all of them have many seeds, which various animals like to feast on.
After the first fruit ripens, the lateral shoots that form from the axils of the leaves begin to grow intensively. These shoots are subsequently used to propagate pineapples in cultivated form. When the side shoots are removed, the mother plant blooms again after some time and produces fruit again. The plants are completely torn out after the second harvest, and new ones are planted in their place.
Where does pineapple grow? On the ground, on the trunk of a small herbaceous plant. Its seeds are located immediately under the skin of the fruit, in places called “eyes,” which are analogous to potato “eyes.” Scientifically, they are called Seeds; their shape resembles apple seeds, only they are smaller in size. From such small seeds a new pineapple can grow. Propagation by seeds is the second method after propagation by shoots. It should be noted that self-pollinating varieties do not have seeds, so they can reproduce only in one way - with the help of a tuft.
Fruits grown using pollination do not have very good taste and the price of such fruits is lower. Therefore, when growing pineapples on an industrial scale, pollination of the plant is avoided in every possible way.
How do pineapples grow at home? In order to grow it, first of all, you need to purchase a well-ripened fruit (two, just in case). When purchasing, you should pay attention to the leaves. They should be firm and deep green in color. The skin of the fruit should be golden.
Preparation of material for planting: leaves collected in a bunch together with the stem are twisted. You can simply cut off the top, separating it from the pulp.
Growing pineapple is a long process and therefore requires patience.
So how do pineapples grow at home? It’s great if you follow all the care rules. After 3-4 years, tasty and aromatic fruits will appear.
Growing pineapples at home is a fun and easy process. The main thing in this matter is to be patient and do everything right.
It’s clear how pineapples grow in nature. But, as noted above, sweet fruits are quite difficult to find in the wild.
Over the years since the discovery of the pineapple, not only the value and quality of this plant have changed, but also its appearance. For comparison, the following can be noted: wild pineapples in natural conditions form fruits weighing 200-700 grams, while cultivated varieties have fruits weighing up to 2-3 kg. With all this, the pulp of the fruit has become much sweeter.
Among the huge variety of tropical fruits, pineapples are in third place in terms of production volumes. In many countries, growing pineapples is the most important agricultural product.
How much do we know about this fruit, I’m sure not. Surely many people think that it grows on palm trees. It turns out not. Let's take a look and read the truth about this fruit! :)
When I saw this photo, I immediately thought about Photoshop :-) Well, that’s how tightly the stereotype pineapple = palm tree is stuck in my brain!
Pineapples, like bananas in general, do not grow on palm trees. Moreover, pineapples do not even grow on a tree! The pineapple plant is herbaceous and does not grow above one and a half meters. Grass.
They grow on the ground, much like cabbage. But unlike cabbage, pineapple is a perennial plant. It has sharp long leaves, and the fruits grow from the central part, on a stalk.
The soil should be moistened, a transparent plastic bag should be put on the pot and placed in a bright place. The rosette takes root at a temperature of 25–27°C. In winter, a board is placed on the battery and a pot with a cutting is placed on it. After 1.5-2 months, roots will form and new leaves will begin to grow.
The plastic bag is removed only 2 months after the plant takes root. In an adult pineapple, lateral shoots may appear from the base of the stem. They are rooted in the same way as a rosette.
Pineapples are usually replanted annually, slightly increasing the capacity of the pot. The root collar is buried 0.5 cm. Replanted only by transshipment, without destroying the clod of earth. The composition of the substrate is the same as during rooting.
When growing pineapple, temperature is important. In summer, the temperature should be 28-30°C, although pineapple grows well at 25°C. In winter it is kept at 22-24°C. The plant is placed not on the windowsill, but by the window on a table or a special flower stand. You can place the pot on the radiator by placing a board under it. In winter, the plant must be illuminated with a fluorescent lamp.
Water the pineapple with settled rain or melt water. You can use simple settled or boiled water, acidifying it with citric or oxalic acid to pH 5-6. The acidity of the water is checked with universal indicator litmus paper. Water for irrigation is heated to 30°C. Water is also poured into the outlet, but the soil is not excessively waterlogged. Pineapple also needs frequent spraying with warm water.
Every 10-15 days the plant is fed with liquid complex mineral fertilizers, as well as a carefully strained infusion of horse or cow manure. Be sure to spray the pineapple 1-2 times a month and water it with an acidified solution of iron sulfate at the rate of 1 g per 1 liter of water. The solution is poured into the outlet. The plant does not tolerate alkaline fertilizers, such as wood ash and lime.
With proper care, the pineapple will begin to bear fruit within 3–4 years. Usually at this age the length of its leaves reaches 80–90 cm. Mature fruits weigh from 300 g to 1 kg.
An adult pineapple can be made to bloom and bear fruit by fumigating it with smoke. To do this, place a thick plastic bag on the plant next to the pot for 10 minutes. put in a few smoking coals. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times with an interval of 7-10 days.
In addition, pineapple is an excellent remedy for combating calluses. At night, you need to apply pineapple pulp to the callus, and in the morning, steam the skin in hot water, and the callus will be easily removed. Pineapple can also help those who constantly feel sick at sea and in the air. Before a flight or trip on a ship, you should drink a glass of pineapple juice.
Pineapple is also good for the skin. For example, oily skin can be wiped with its pulp every evening. And, of course, you shouldn’t forget about pineapples if you want to stay slim for a long time. As for the calories in one hundred grams of pineapple, there are only forty-six. So you can eat pineapple at least three times a day without worrying about your figure. It is useful to have a pineapple fasting day every week.
And if you treat yourself to a few slices of pineapple for dessert every day, your metabolism in the body will significantly improve. In addition, in this case, pineapples will also cleanse the blood and serve as a stimulant for the immune system.
In addition to all of the above, consumption of pineapple as food, according to some scientists, is also a prevention of cancer.
Pineapple is a tropical fruit with a pleasant smell and sweet and sour taste. This exotic grows in the hot climate of South America, Australia, and some African countries, both in the wild and on plantations. Even at home you can grow a pineapple, see it bloom and, if you’re lucky, wait for the fruit. Let's take a closer look at how pineapple grows.
According to historians, even in ancient times, pineapple was cultivated by the natives of the Caribbean archipelago, making wine from the fruit, and a cloth resembling fabric from the leaves. Pineapple came to Europe from Brazil along with potatoes and tobacco on the ship of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus.
Rus' discovered pineapples at the beginning of the 18th century, and they prepared overseas gifts as vegetables - stewed with beef, chicken, and pork. Later, during the reign of Catherine II, pineapple began to be served raw with sparkling wine, cheese, sweets, and ice cream - this tradition has survived to this day.
Golden pineapple cones grow on evergreen, shrub-like perennial plants. Simply put, pineapple is a tall herb that blooms in lush rosettes and forms edible, vitamin-rich inflorescences.
Under natural conditions, the pineapple tree reaches a meter in height, has hard leaves, and reproduces by seeds. The fruits of the wild fruit are small but sweet, so they are liked not only by local residents, but by birds and animals.
An adult plant sprouts small tufted caps from its side shoots, which after a while become overgrown with roots. Planters take advantage of this feature by planting huge fields of unique seedlings that quickly grow.
The pineapple blooms six months after planting, stretching out the middle stem and forming small pink-violet inflorescences in its upper part. The set berries merge with each other, forming a hard skin, under which there is a fragrant fruit. It takes three to six months to mature.
Interesting fact: for mass flowering, farmers treat plants with acetylene, and to prevent pollination and seed formation, they put caps on each inflorescence.
The plant bears fruit in one place for several years, then the planting material is changed and the process starts again.
Pineapple is a tropical resident, a lover of heat and timely watering. Of course, in our climate you can’t just grow it in the garden, but at home, on the windowsill, you can try.
Now you know how pineapple grows and how to properly grow these strange fruits at home. Try it, and if you succeed, share your achievements with our readers.
Pineapple is a collection of small fruits into a single whole. These small particles are formed from an inflorescence, where each has its own small flower. This is confirmed by an external structure consisting of many cells. The pollination procedure rests with hummingbirds. After pollination, fruits form in the middle of the flowers.
Pineapples first appeared in South America. Back in 1502, the Portuguese first planted these exotic bushes on St. Helena. Over time, the plant was introduced into Africa and also India. They appeared in Europe much later.
If we analyze the consumption of all fruits, then this fruit takes a worthy second place. This fruit accounts for 20% of the total production of exotic fruits.
Based on statistics, it can be stated that almost 70% of all grown pineapples are consumed by the population living in areas where they are mass-growing. The first countries where the plant was cultivated are:
We can also highlight countries that grow pineapples on an industrial level and are the largest importers. This:
The largest jump in the growth of production and sales of pineapples has been observed since 1960. According to statistics, every second pineapple is sold.
Pineapples are sold fresh and canned. In addition, they are actively used for the production of juices, jams, and fillers.
Many people may mistakenly think that pineapples grow on trees. But, as it turns out, this is far from the correct opinion. They are a tropical perennial plant that looks like a bush of grass. Open air positively promotes growth, thanks to which the height of the bush can reach about 1.5 meters. Height largely depends on the variety.
The leaves have a fairly tough and also fleshy structure. They are tightly intertwined with each other. The fleshiness of the leaves is explained by the fact that the plant accumulates moisture in it, which is later used if drought occurs.
On an industrial scale, pineapples are grown in huge plantations where they grow in long rows. The spectacle is simply incredible. Lush bushes are decorated with unusual cones of a golden hue.
It is worth noting that the taste of the purchased pineapple can determine how it was ripened. If it is completely sour and tart, then it was picked before it was fully ripe, since the fruit that managed to acquire its characteristic yellow color while still on the bush will be very sweet and juicy.
In natural, that is, natural conditions for it, it blooms only after 3 or 4 years. Right now, the length of its leaves can be about 60 centimeters, and the base has a diameter of almost 10 centimeters.
Since much depends on weather conditions, the flowering period may occur later. It also takes a decent amount of time for the fruit to fully form and ripen.
About 5 months pass. If we consider production conditions, when the most favorable conditions are created for the plant, up to 3 harvests per year can be achieved.
The parameters of the fetus can be up to 25 centimeters in diameter and up to 40 centimeters in height. At home, the size of the fruit can be much smaller.
This unusual fruit can be grown in three ways:
The simplest and most common way to grow a pineapple with your own hands is considered to be growing from a tuft, that is, using only the top.
In order to have high-quality planting material, you must try to purchase the most ripe fruit. It should have a tuft with well-developed green and strong leaves, the surface of which does not have any damage. The peel should have a characteristic brown color with a golden tint.
After the purchase, you need to carry out the following algorithm of actions:
It is very important to dry the resulting workpiece for about several days, since if you start planting right away, there is a high risk of rotting, and this, as we know, will lead to death.
In order for the crown to begin to take root as soon as possible, you must perform the following steps:If everything is done correctly and all the necessary conditions have been created for cultivation, then in about 3 weeks the first roots will appear. Planting can be done when the length of the root system is 2 centimeters.
In order for a pineapple to grow and develop well, you need to try to create the most optimal conditions for it. As a basis for soil, you can take one where there are equal shares of peat and sand. Don't forget about the drainage layer. If we are talking about a young pineapple, then moisture has a great effect on its development, but it should be moderate. More mature pineapples need to be watered once a week, but not more often.
In addition, light is needed, but there should not be direct exposure to sunlight. In proportion to how the plant will increase in size, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of transplanting into a larger pot.
The plant must match the temperature where it grows. It is important that it is constantly warm, but at the same time the sun does not scorch its leaves with its rays. If possible, you should move the plant outdoors, as this promotes better growth and development.
With the onset of cold weather, you need to try to protect the plant from drafts and at the same time you need to place it as far as possible from heating appliances.
It is clear that you really want the bush to not only grow, but also delight you with its fruits. When growing this plant at home, flowering can be achieved no earlier than 16 months from the date of planting. The height of the plant is approximately 25 centimeters.
A bud forms on top of the plant, which blooms only 2 months after its formation. As soon as the bud fades and dries, the fruit will immediately begin to form.
In some cases, growing pineapple at home, you have to wait for flowering for years, and under certain circumstances this does not happen at all.
Then you can take measures and carry out the procedure for stimulating flowering. This can be done using ethylene.
You need to take a small container and mix 1 teaspoon of calcium carbide there, as well as 500 ml of water. It is best to cover the container with the resulting solution and leave it to infuse for about 24 hours. After this, you need to very carefully pour the solution into another container so that there is no sediment. The resulting product must be added to the base of the upper leaves for 7 days.
As a result of this procedure, flowering will appear within 4–6 weeks. After the fruit is fully ripe, the bush itself begins to gradually die. In this case, most often it forms several side shoots. If you plant them in time and provide proper care, you can get a new bush, and then a long-awaited exotic fruit.
People who see a pineapple plant for the first time have a hard time believing that it is not a tropical shrub accustomed to living in conditions of lack of moisture, but a grass. Depending on the variety and variety, individual specimens can grow up to two meters in height, and the diameter of the rosette of hard leaves ranges from 1 to 2.5 meters. And yet, pineapple is a herbaceous perennial plant that has been used by humans for many centuries.
Even before the discovery of the American continent, local tribes grew pineapples to produce sweet and sour fruits and strong fiber, which was used to make clothing, mats, fishing nets and baskets.
And today the crop is recognized as one of the most important agricultural countries in the tropical zone. Pineapples grow on vast plantations not only in South and Central America, but also in the Asian region, Australia and a number of African countries. In temperate climates, it is possible to grow pineapples in greenhouses. And on home windowsills and in gardens this crop is used as a spectacular ornamental plant.
Since pineapple is a perennial plant, it spends the first months after planting creating a leaf rosette. At this time, the trunk, 20 to 80 cm long, grows and thickens, from which narrow, pointed leaves, tightly planted in a spiral, extend.
Despite their rigidity and the presence of sharp spines along the edges in many varieties, the leaves when cut are very juicy.
This is explained by the fact that in their original habitats, plants sometimes experience a serious lack of moisture. It is for collecting water that the concave shape of the leaf plates is intended, along which raindrops and dew roll down to the stem and down it, where the pineapple has a superficial fibrous root system in the ground.
Water also accumulates in the juicy pulp of the leaves, so that later, if necessary, it supports the entire plant and the formation of the fruit. How long does a pineapple grow before the fruit appears on it? Pineapple is ready to flower 12–18 months after planting. The period may vary depending on the variety and variety of the plant, but the process of formation of the inflorescence and fruit is similar in all species.
On an elongated, leafless continuation of the stem, small flowers, united in a dense spike-shaped inflorescence, open. The number of corollas, not exceeding 1.5–2 cm in length and having a lilac or pink-violet color, in an inflorescence can reach up to two hundred. First, bisexual flowers open in the lower tiers, then flowering spreads to the upper buds.
The ovaries represent berries, which, almost after formation, begin to merge with each other, forming a juicy pineapple familiar to everyone under a single hard peel.
It takes 3 to 6 months for the fruit to mature, after which it is cut off. How does a pineapple grow further?
As the fruit ripens, the plant begins to rapidly form daughter lateral shoots, located both in the axils of the leaves and at the base of the rosette, as well as under the fruit itself. When the juicy fruit is cut off, the plant loses its main growth point, and further development can continue due to new shoots.
This happens if pineapple grows in nature. And fruits not cut by humans, inside of which wild pineapples contain small, up to 3 mm in length, seeds, and lateral shoots are ways of continuing the life and propagation of the crop.
Seeds from fruits eaten by animals and birds, falling into the ground, give rise to new shoots, and shoots from the axils easily take root.
But in pineapples sold in stores, even if you look closely, you are unlikely to find at least a couple of seeds. How do pineapples grow on plantations and in greenhouses? And where do the seeds disappear?
Since pineapple has become extremely popular all over the world, farmers grow it not only in South and Central America, where the plant was first discovered and has grown for centuries, but also in other regions suitable for climatic conditions. The largest pineapple plantations exist in Asia, South Africa, Australia and the southern United States.
Here the crop is cultivated using intensive technology using large-fruited, early-ripening varieties. Pineapples fall into the ground in the form of rooted cuttings at least 20 centimeters long. Plants are planted in a two-row manner, leaving a distance of about 1.5–2 meters between individual pineapples and making wider row spacing.
The best varieties are able to bloom within 12 months after planting in the ground. When the harvest is harvested, the plants are harvested and new ones, obtained from shoots in the leaf axils, are planted in their place.
In the tropics, using mechanized means, modern pest and disease control agents, as well as fertilizing and fertilizers, it is possible to obtain up to three harvests per year in open ground.
But not everything is so simple in growing pineapples on plantations. It turns out that in order to obtain a massive planned harvest, plants are forced to bloom. If earlier they used ordinary fire smoke for this, today they resort to treating the plantings with acetylene. Only under the influence of gas do pineapples on plantations begin to lay flower buds.
The inflorescence that appears on a long peduncle does not reduce the concerns of farmers. It turns out that it is possible to achieve ripening of fruits that do not have seeds or only have their rudiments by preventing cross-pollination of plants.
For this purpose, protective measures are used against insects, and even protective caps are put on each inflorescence. Indeed, in Hawaii, for example, plants of this species like to be pollinated not by bees or butterflies, but by hummingbirds.
Since the 16th century in Europe, pineapples, as welcome guests from the South American tropics, were grown in greenhouses. Today this is also possible, especially since modern technologies make caring for pineapples in a greenhouse much easier and reduce the cost of their maintenance. Due to the shallow type of root system, the pineapple's need for soil is limited to a layer of about 20 cm. With a well-designed schedule of watering and fertilizing, as well as when organized within 6-8 hours, pineapples grow, as in the photo, no worse than on a tropical plantation .
The optimal temperature for growing this crop is 23–30 °C. Lower or higher temperatures significantly affect the speed of development of plants, which weaken and can be susceptible to all sorts of diseases and pest attacks.
The soil for pineapples is prepared specially by mixing garden soil, humus, perlite, and adding crushed charcoal. Plants tolerate slightly increased acidity, the level of which in the soil can reach 4.0–5.0 units. To maintain it, pineapples in the greenhouse can be watered with acidified warm water. Moisture for watering and irrigating foliage should not be colder than the air. You need to moisten the soil carefully so as not to cause stagnation of water and rotting of the root system and stem.
Like pineapples on a plantation, to obtain a harvest, plants in a greenhouse are also treated with acetylene or fumigated several times with smoke. How long do pineapples grow in greenhouse conditions, when can you expect the first harvest? When using high-quality planting material, proper care and fertilization of plantings during their active growth, the time to obtain ripe pineapples in a greenhouse is no longer than in open ground.
As a potted crop, pineapple is widely used in the USA, southern Europe and other countries with warm climates. A spectacular large plant that perfectly decorates the garden and home. At the same time, plants of the species Ananas comosus var. are most often used for planting. comosus, familiar to everyone from the shelves of fruit shops, and its close relatives are decorative small-fruited varieties.
Particularly interesting are plants of the subspecies Erectifolius, Ananassoides and Bracteatus with edible small fruits and sometimes variegated bright foliage. The fruits on the tops of the shoots of such plants, of course, are inferior in taste to pineapples from a greenhouse or plantation somewhere in Puerto Rico. 
If you want to get a truly sweet pineapple at home, you will have to try growing it from the top of a store-bought fruit.
To understand all the intricacies of the process, you can watch photos and videos about how pineapples grow and what kind of care this crop needs. The difficulty of caring for a pineapple in a pot is ensuring the temperature required by the plant, following the rules of watering and fertilizing. But by watching how a pineapple grows, you can learn to respond to the needs of your green pet. And 1–1.5 years after planting, the time will come to make the plant bloom and bear fruit.
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