Richard

I'm going to try growing pineapples in small tubs so that I can bring them into a warm area during our cool season.

What are some reputable providers for backyard varieties, like Pernambuco and Sugarloaf? I don't use eBay. Thanks!

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chong

Mr. Richard,
Wellspring Gardens has the Sugarloaf on eBay and their website. But I believe that the ones on eBay are small plants. I'm not familiar with the Pernambuco, so I wouldn't know where to get them.

I don't know if you've ever considered this, but if you want a really sweet pineapple plant, why not go to Costco and buy the ones they sell there, the fruit that is. They are always sweet, esp., the Maui Gold, if they're in season. They are so cheap, like $3 or $4 each. Cut the top (crown) off, rinse it off real good, remove a few of the bottom small leaves, let the exposed cut dry out a bit, (optional-dust the base with Rootone powder. It has fungicide mixed with it.), and then put it in a small jar of water with the bottom just barely touching the water. Do not let the jar run dry. In a few weeks, the roots will have formed and if you so wish, you can transplant it in soil. And you have a large plant that is true to the same type as the fruit you got. And again, you can already enjoy the fruit from the plant.

It's not just at Costco, if you see the "Gold" on the label of the pineapple in any supermarket, that would probably be the same as the "Maui Gold" from Costco. If they are not in season, any pineapple that Costco sells is sweet, in my experience.

The reason I encourage you to do it this way is that, for one, you will know how the fruit tastes. Then, because this is a commercial variety, you are assured that it will be a fast producer. Otherwise, it would not be competitive in the marketplace.

There is one variety in the Philippines that is called Formosa, which is sweet, though not very sweet, but has very little acid. Their crowns are not big, so it's difficult to propagate from the crown. The most common way to do this is by cuttings.

D_&_T

Wellspring Gardens Home Page
Welcome to Stokes Tropicals

This site is one Randy has a friend checking in too, for us.
The Orchid Gallery - jewelry, pottery

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D_&_T

short list found of types

Pacific Basin Tropical Plant Genetic Resource : pineapple

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modenacart

I have had much better luck when growing the tops of pineapples from the store by changing the water every day or every other day and putting it in a window.

Richard

The pineapples from the store are relatively easy to grow here in San Diego, CA. What I'm looking for are vendors that people have had good experiences with. Thanks!

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chong

OK, Richard -
There is Aloha Tropicals in Oceanside, I think that's near you, that I've ordered plants once or twice before. They carry "Sugarloaf":

Aloha Tropicals - Exotic Trees, Tropical Plants & Flowers

Could be a pleasant drive over.

When I get home, I'll check on another source I have for plants in HI. I just can't remember the name right now.

NANAMAN

Richard, I've purchased pineapple plants from Wellspring Gardens. The plants were 4/6" tall, and packaged up great. No damage! The Sugarloafs are flowering now and are about a year old. I'm very satisfied with this vender. He also carries Pernambuco. If you can find Natal Queen, a 3lb. pineapple, they are very good and extremely sweet. I found mine at a local rare fruit council plant sale.

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Richard

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Lau

I purchased the large greenish red one with the sawtooth edges from Florida Hills, the Variegated white and green from Wellspring, and the green one from the grocery store.

PlantHoarder

I have had some really good success with suppliers on Etsy (wellspring gardens is represented there too), TopTropicals, Urban Tropicals, QC Tropicals (Etsy).

Those are the two I can think of right now, I use to maintain a spreadsheet with ordering info and yard allotments to track everything.