Don't know about the vendor, but Ethan (who frequents this site) gave me a "Sugar Loaf" pineapple ratoon and it has produced many pineapples over a few years. It is only grown in my unheated greenhouse and the fruit is sweet and the core is soft and also sweet. When ripe it fills the greenhouse with pineapple scent. That one ratoon has provided many other pineapple plants/fruits as has the other reproductive parts (top of fruit, suckers under fruit, other ratoons). We also grow afew from store bought tops. They do well also but not as good as Sugar Loaf. They are grown in 5 gal pots, minimal care. Our summer temps are 40º nights, 75º days, the greenhouse is necessary to get required heat. Texas might be a bit warmer in the summer? Check with Ethan.