Why do large scale pineapple producers plant suckers and not crowns?

Also, if a "new" pineapple farmer wanted to start growing pineapples, where would he get suckers to plant for his first crop?





I assume from another pineapple farmer, but are there producers who specialize in selling suckers?

Why do large scale pineapple producers plant suckers and not crowns?
Read how the Aggies do it, they can teach a Dawg a thing or two. Check with someone in the extension service. They should be able to tell you where to get crowns or suckers.


http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/citru...
Reply:Most of the time they get them from their own plants. Pineapple plants produce just one pineapple and when dieing, send out suckers at the base of the plants. U can cut off the crown of a pineapple (leaves) and plant it in sand, keep wet and it will grow and produce a pineapple but it will not be as large as the original pineapple.
Reply:Suckers are a natural offshoot of the pineapple fruit. They must contain the plant DNA for reproduction which the crown apparently does not have. A new pineapple producer would be facing the stiffest competition for land and labor. It would appear that most of the suitable land is already planted. But the Hawaiians have a better feel than this one time visitor.