So Lula is susceptible to scab disease. Now it clicks. I saw it with my own eyes. They looked somewhat unsightly. On March 1, 2013, the tree was still, unbelievably, pretty much full of them. You could see a good deal of scab on pretty much all of them. On March 23, 2013, it only had one left on the tree. Althoug with scab, in perfect edible codition.
Because of the scab disease issue, I very much dislike to have to spray it, or keep it at a height of 15'. Therefore, the Lula is out of my consideration; I wonder if using another type of rootstock on the Lula will have any effect on the scab disease situation.
Carlos, after researching yours and others posts on this TFF, I've also ruled out of my consideration the 'Oro-Negro' variety. Great taste but disease issue also.
All this leads me back to Monroe avocado variety. Just moderately susceptible to disease, large size and productive. A quality avocado, though not as great in taste (or for guacamole) as 'Oro Negro.' And, based from what I've been able to gather from first hand observation, it looks like the Lula will hold fruit longer than Monroe. Although, several scientific reports on the net, say that Lula and Monroe hold fruit for the same length/period of time.
So, at least for the time being, Monroe is back to the top of my list. Carlos, you, Rob and others have been really helpful in this search. Thank you. Unless anything changes, it looks like I'll be pruchasing a grafted Monroe avocado tree sometime this summer. If it still leaves me with an avocado/mango void, I think it's only for approximately 15 days or so. I can live with that, until that new, super-duper, void-filling variety shows up, that is.