The pineapple patch

[happypalms]

Another great bromeliad is the pineapple with the added bonus of a tropical fruit my wife’s sister worked in a juice bar so we got all the pineapple tops and planted them on mass somehow I don’t think I will be taking over the pineapple trade in Hawaii but some rather nice summer fruit instead 

[Looking Glass]

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

Another great bromeliad is the pineapple with the added bonus of a tropical fruit my wife’s sister worked in a juice bar so we got all the pineapple tops and planted them on mass somehow I don’t think I will be taking over the pineapple trade in Hawaii but some rather nice summer fruit instead 

Do rats or squirrels go after these?  I’ve thought about planting some. 

[Zeeth]

6 hours ago, Looking Glass said:

Do rats or squirrels go after these?  I’ve thought about planting some. 

I have a TON of issues with raccoons and squirrels in general (I don't get any mangos from my trees unless I put them in plastic clamshells), but one pineapple variety I've had good luck with is the Sugarloaf (specifically the one with the serrated leaf edge). 

[Fishinsteeg234]

I’ve had good experiences with pineapple around my yard, in both shade under other trees and in full sun. “Florida Special” has been a good producer for me until this past summer when a black bear and her cub decided to stop by for a taste. Two years of growth resulting in 6 pineapples lost in about 15 mins. 

[Looking Glass]

2 hours ago, Fishinsteeg234 said:

I’ve had good experiences with pineapple around my yard, in both shade under other trees and in full sun. “Florida Special” has been a good producer for me until this past summer when a black bear and her cub decided to stop by for a taste. Two years of growth resulting in 6 pineapples lost in about 15 mins. 

Those bears were probably like, “Sweet Prickly Nectar of The Gods!”  

[Johnny Palmseed]

2 hours ago, Fishinsteeg234 said:

I’ve had good experiences with pineapple around my yard, in both shade under other trees and in full sun. “Florida Special” has been a good producer for me until this past summer when a black bear and her cub decided to stop by for a taste. Two years of growth resulting in 6 pineapples lost in about 15 mins. 

Wow that sucks. I had a beautiful pineapple that was days away from harvest and I found it still attached but chewed apart. On a side note, your Siam Ruby banana looks great! I tried a couple of these but they kept producing too many pups and dying off. I would like to try again but now I don’t see them readily available.

[Merlyn]

I've had good luck with the Ananas Comosus "Variegatus" type, they are extraordinarily thorny.  Eventually the bears will eat them, but the one in my front yard sat in "pickable" condition for at least a month before one got brave enough to grab it.  It also may be that they aren't super-sugary, so slightly less attractive to the bears and raccoons.  I personally like them more than the sugar bombs of the "Florida Special."  They are more like a Sweet-Tart than pure sugar.  They are also pretty hardy if in partial shade, taking little damage at 25F.  The red ornamental and the Florida Special both torched at the same temps.  @Fishinsteeg234 let me know if you want to try one, I am sure I've got several pups around the yard.

[happypalms]

14 hours ago, Zeeth said:

I have a TON of issues with raccoons and squirrels in general (I don't get any mangos from my trees unless I put them in plastic clamshells), but one pineapple variety I've had good luck with is the Sugarloaf (specifically the one with the serrated leaf edge). 

The same problem here with possums and the flying fox fruit bat they can have dry sharp edges that’s a good deterrent 

[happypalms]

20 hours ago, Looking Glass said:

Do rats or squirrels go after these?  I’ve thought about planting some. 

There pretty well much fair game for any rodent nowadays but do plant some they make a great ornamental

[Fishinsteeg234]

@Johnny Palmseedthanks! I picked up this Siam Ruby this past spring from Lucas Nursery in Oviedo, but they did sell out quick and I haven’t seen anymore there recently. I’m planning on propagating more from a few rhizomes this upcoming spring, remind me then and I’ll send you one. 
 

@Merlyn sounds good! I definitely want to link up for a garden tour sometime soon and trade a few garden gems. 
 

-Alex

[amh]

On 12/14/2023 at 2:05 PM, Fishinsteeg234 said:

I’ve had good experiences with pineapple around my yard, in both shade under other trees and in full sun. “Florida Special” has been a good producer for me until this past summer when a black bear and her cub decided to stop by for a taste. Two years of growth resulting in 6 pineapples lost in about 15 mins. 

I had this happen, but with white tailed deer.

I don't think black bear will recolonize my part of Texas in our life time, but maybe they can keep the Florida deer population in check.

[happypalms]

On 12/15/2023 at 7:05 AM, Fishinsteeg234 said:

I’ve had good experiences with pineapple around my yard, in both shade under other trees and in full sun. “Florida Special” has been a good producer for me until this past summer when a black bear and her cub decided to stop by for a taste. Two years of growth resulting in 6 pineapples lost in about 15 mins. 

Man that’s a tough situation bears I say let ‘em eat them iam staying inside away from them at least brown snakes only kill you in Australia not eat your pineapples 🍍 bears do both eat you then your pineapples as dessert 🧁 you can’t win I will stick with the brown snakes they don’t eat pineapples