Pineapple opinions...
 

I am thinking of ordering a tray of pineapples from agri starts...

Anyone have some opinions or input about the different varieties?

Pineapple
Ananas cosomus 'Elite Gold'
Ananas cosomus 'Elite Gold' 144
Ananas cosomus 'Sugarloaf'
Ananas cosomus 'Sugarloaf' 144
Ananas cosomus 'Smooth Cayenne'

Thanks!

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

*Elite Gold - 5-6 lbs fruit, yellow flesh, commercial variety

*Sugarloaf - 5-6 lbs fruit, high sugar, very low acid, white flesh, no woody core

*Smooth Cayenne - 5-6 lbs fruit, yellow flesh, high sugar, acidic, U.S. commercial variety.

Can't help with the 144's though, sorry.

I have two TC sugarloafs up here in CT. They are growing slow for me, but already pushing up pups. With your weather down there, you might have much better results.

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

I boght the same 3 from ebay(not the 144's though) early in the summer. Growth was slow but steady and are supposed to be good flavored.

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

The 144 is a large tray, typically trays are 72 plantlets. The 3 varieties shown are all good, although Elite Gold is rated as zone 10b plant. Smooth Cayenne is the common Dole pineapple grown in the tropics.

I am so far satisfied with Sugarloaf growing in my borderline 9b/10a environment. I am also looking for sources of Pernambuco and Natal Queen starts -- not individual plants but trays (36 or more) of plant starts.

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

Sugar Loafs are by far the best tasting pineapple. Once you've eaten one, the yellow ones seem better cooked.....

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

I've grown both Sugarloaf and Smooth Cayenne and the Sugarloaf seems pretty bland to me, but I do like a little acidity in both my bananas and pineapples. The smooth Cayenne is the same as store bought only the store bought is never completely ripe. It makes a world of difference leaving them on the plant long enough to turn completely gold. Just in case you didn't already know, pineapples will not ripen any further once removed from the plant.

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

I don't know what variety I have--I grew it from a store bought top, but they sure take a long time to ripen. It has been over 6 month since they started to bloom, they are full size, but have not turned yellow yet.

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

Smooth Cayenne has jagged leaf tips with three spines on each side; Sugar Loaf has smooth leaf tips (although they do come to a sharp point)

Re: Pineapple opinions...
 

My Sugarloaf got some red/maroon color in the blades, and the flower cup is amazingly colored! For a long time I had mine mixed up but now know who's who. :)

Sugarloaf