Pineapple Florida Special
Original price
$18.00
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Original price
$18.00
Original price
$18.00
$18.00
-
$18.00
Current price
$18.00
Pineapple Florida Special (Ananas comosus 'Florida Special') Growing Guide
- Taste: Florida Special produces medium to large fruit with vibrant golden-yellow flesh that is juicy, succulent, and bursting with tropical flavor. It offers a well-balanced sweet taste with mild tanginess, lower acidity than many commercial varieties, and exceptional sweetness that many growers describe as superior for fresh eating. The flavor is rich and aromatic, making it a standout for home gardens in warmer climates.
- Best Growing Environment: This cultivar excels in warm, subtropical to tropical settings with excellent drainage, such as sandy or calcareous soils common in Florida. It is ideal for home landscapes, container growing on patios, raised beds, or in-ground plantings in full-sun locations. It tolerates heat, humidity, and occasional cold snaps better than many pineapples, thriving in coastal or urban gardens where it can be protected from strong winds and heavy frost.
- Common Names: Florida Special Pineapple, Florida Special Ananas.
- Average Height: Mature plants typically reach 2–3 feet tall and wide, forming a compact rosette of sword-like leaves. Some descriptions note it can stretch to 3–6 feet in optimal conditions, but it remains relatively compact compared to larger varieties.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate. Plants take 14–18 months or longer to reach maturity and produce fruit, with total time from planting to harvest often 18–32 months depending on starting material (crown, slip, or pup) and care. Patience is key, as it focuses energy on strong root and leaf development before fruiting.
- Sun Requirements: Full sun is best (at least 6–8 hours daily) for optimal growth, fruit production, and sweetness. It tolerates partial shade but may produce smaller or less flavorful fruit and grow more slowly in lower light.
- Cold Hardiness: Notably cold-tolerant for a pineapple, withstanding temperatures down to the mid-30sF (around 30–32F) for short periods without significant damage to ripening fruit or the plant. It was specifically developed for Florida’s occasional cold snaps, performing well in marginal subtropical areas with protection for young plants.
- Water Requirements: Moderate. Water lightly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as pineapples dislike constantly wet roots. Established plants are quite drought-tolerant once rooted but benefit from consistent moisture during dry spells and fruit development. Use well-drained soil or containers to prevent rot; overhead watering or misting is appreciated in very dry conditions.
- Planting Guide: Plant in well-drained, sandy loam or similar soil, spacing plants 1–3 feet apart. Use pups, slips, or crowns, burying the base slightly while keeping the center above soil level. It transplants easily year-round in warm climates. Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the central rosette. Container growing works excellently with a fast-draining mix; choose pots at least 5–10 gallons for stability as the plant grows.
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Detailed Fertilizing Guide with Timing: Pineapples are light feeders. Use a balanced dry fertilizer (e.g., 6-6-6 to 10-10-10 NPK with magnesium) or a slow-release formula.
- Months 1–3: 1–2 oz per plant every 8 weeks.
- Months 4–6: 1–3 oz every 8 weeks.
- Months 6–12: 2–6 oz every 8 weeks.
- Months 12–16: 3–6 oz.
- Months 17–24: 5–8 oz, reducing nitrogen once flowering begins to encourage fruiting.
Apply around the base or as a foliar spray (including micronutrients like iron if leaves yellow). Fertilize every 2 months during active growth (spring through fall), avoiding heavy applications in winter. Soil testing helps tailor needs; over-fertilizing can reduce fruit quality.
- USDA Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11 (best in 10–11), with protection for brief dips into the low 30sF in Zone 9. It can be grown in containers and moved indoors in colder zones for overwintering.