Today's Harvest

Sometimes it is true:  A picture is worth a 1000 words. Today's Harvest is a good example; two white and one yellow pineapples, just in time for picnic gathering tomorrow with friends.

Out of over two dozen pineapples plants in our mini-orchard, we are delighted that more than half have been the coveted white ones.  Eat 'em, drink 'em, freeze 'em.   YUMMM!

Pineapple facts: Pineapple, Ananas comosus, is a tropical, herbaceous perennial and is the leading edible member of the Bromeliaceae family. During the seasonal bloom at 12-18 months of age, fruits start to grow from a central leader which puts forth an inflorescence of many small purple or red flowers.  As the stem continues to grow it produces at its apex a tuft of stiff, short leaves.

This will fully develop into the crown or top of the pineapple.  Hummingbirds are the principle pollinators of pineapple, which is why the importing of hummingbirds to Hawaii is forbidden. Pineapple that is not pollinated has no seeds and is obviously more desirable.  Propagation of pineapple is by new vegetative growth consisting of slips that arise from the peduncle just below the fruit, suckers that originate at the base of the plant and the crown of top of the fruit.   The core of some kinds of white pineapple are completely edible, and is not woody  like other varieties of pineapple.