Need recs on Pineapples

[SonnyCrockett]

I recently picked up 5 each of Elite Gold, White Jade, Florida Special, Sugarloaf, and Smooth Cayenne.  Not sure what to add next...  Maybe Pernambuco, Spanish Red, Queen or something else?  What do you think?

And where to get them?  I can't seem to find a good source for uncommon pineapples.

Thanks.

[buddyguygreen]

Ive been looking for the multi colored flesh pineapples especially green fleshed, I'll let you know if i find any sources.

[horseshoe_bayou]

I wonder if anyone can tell me what these are. got them from a guy on craigslist, who inherited them from an uncle who had a nursery. According to him, his uncle did not grow ornamental pineapples. I took a chance on them for $2 ea. can anyone I.D. ? the leaves have a red-ish coloration and are quite spiny.

[fyliu]

It looks a lot like the ornamental pink pineapple I tossed out last year. Hopefully someone with more experience will correct me.

[SonnyCrockett]

horseshoe_bayou,  I'm no expert, but they might be "Spanish Red".  I think I read something about them being widespread in South Florida a long time ago until other cultivars pushed them out.  The last time I was at Fairchild, I think they had a bed of red pineapple plants that were "Spanish Red", so you might be able to compare to theirs, since you aren't too far away.

You can also compare to these:  http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2183641/my-pineapples

[horseshoe_bayou]

SonnyCrockett, I purchased them hoping they were spanish red. they look like the picture in the link but, I'll have to wait until they fruit to be sure. I really hope they are.

[treefrog]

"...I can't seem to find a good source for uncommon pineapples."

too true!  if you find one, please share.

[SonnyCrockett]

Okay...  I MAY have found a source for uncommon pineapples.  They want to know what varieties I am looking for.  So, the next question is: if I could ask for any varieties, what should I ask for? 

Should we attempt to answer that here or start a "Top 5 Pineapples" thread or something like that?

[nighthawk0911@yahoo.com]

+1 for Spanish Red I think.  I think I had a home grown Spanish Red once.  The color of the flesh & the flavor was that of a Pineapple life saver.  Fruit flavored life savers came out in 1921 and I suspect Spanish red or similar varieties of the day was the flavor they artificially copied.  It may explain why color of pineapple life savers is a very pale shade of yellow. 

The Spanish Red I had had good flavor, but wasn't tender or as sweet as the newer varieties tho it's possible it wasn't as ripe as it should have been when picked.  It was also VERY spiny reddish plant & fruit as I recall.  Red Spanish I believe was grown commercially in Florida and elsewhere at one time, but was replaced by better varieties.

I wonder if anyone can tell me what these are. got them from a guy on craigslist, who inherited them from an uncle who had a nursery. According to him, his uncle did not grow ornamental pineapples. I took a chance on them for $2 ea. can anyone I.D. ? the leaves have a red-ish coloration and are quite spiny.

[Galka]

"...I can't seem to find a good source for uncommon pineapples."

too true!  if you find one, please share.

+1

[Jackson]

Where did you buy the Elite Gold, White Jade and other pineapples?
Thanks!

[LivingParadise]

I recently picked up 5 each of Elite Gold, White Jade, Florida Special, Sugarloaf, and Smooth Cayenne.

Yes, where did you get these in the first place? I have not seen Elite Gold before.

Does anyone in the States know of a supplier of Indian pineapples? I am fascinated by a few of them, particularly Giant Kew. I haven't tasted any, but they are popular there so I assume they're pretty good, and that one particularly looks like it produces huge fruit.

We definitely need a good pineapple thread that lists all good varieties, and where to get them. I am amazed that pineapples are not spoken of much on this forum.

I can only say that aside from in-person purchases, some varieties can be ordered online via Top Tropicals, and some Amazon sellers.  But I have not tried the fruit to vouch for any seller in particular as yet.  For those outside the US, Amazon also has some good international tropical fruit sellers.

[Galka]

TopTropicals had them on sale a couple of weeks ago with a picture of variegated pineapple. I got one and received a nice size plant with a 'baby' on a side, I only wish it was variegated. 

[SocalKoop]

http://floridahillnursery.com/

This place has a few like Elite Gold, Smooth Cayenne and Kona white. Seems reasonably priced though I have yet to buy anything from them.

[LivingParadise]

http://floridahillnursery.com/

This place has a few like Elite Gold, Smooth Cayenne and Kona white. Seems reasonably priced though I have yet to buy anything from them.

Thanks for that. Anybody who has experience ordering from these people, please advise. I am always looking for new online plant shipping companies, especially in FL where the shipping isn't too far and expensive for me. As I have stated elsewhere, I have lost patience with Top Tropicals, so any time I have another option I would prefer to take it. Amazon sellers are ok, but I would really love to have a one-stop-shop place, rather than dealing with individual sellers for every plant, which makes any problem become a massive headache to learn all the individual policies of that particular seller versus others.

[vanman]

Here is my thread regarding Florida Hill Nursery.  http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=20565.msg256351;topicseen#msg256351

I would not recommend them because of their non replies to my email. 

It appears it my not be that uncommon to send the wrong item.  I have an Asian pear that fruited for the first time and it does not feel or taste like an Asian pear.  I'll see next year what it is like.  If not then I'll top work it with known varieties.  Van

[LivingParadise]

Here is my thread regarding Florida Hill Nursery.  http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=20565.msg256351;topicseen#msg256351

I would not recommend them because of their non replies to my email. 

It appears it my not be that uncommon to send the wrong item.  I have an Asian pear that fruited for the first time and it does not feel or taste like an Asian pear.  I'll see next year what it is like.  If not then I'll top work it with known varieties.  Van

Thank you - I had not seen that thread. It's too bad that they may make frequent mistakes, because they are certainly cheaper than many other options. In some cases, the relatively low price might be worth the risk to me, as long as I get SOMETHING that fruits, lol! But not for important orders...