The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: zephian on April 04, 2018, 01:57:07 PM

Title: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 04, 2018, 01:57:07 PM
Hello!
I live in NorCal (North of sacramento) but I will be visiting SoCal to make use of our disneyland passes...
I'm trying to locate a GEM avocado tree in the LA area (within an hour or so) as I can not locate them up north.
Does anyone know where to locate one currently?

I'm trying to decide between Holiday, and 'LittleCado' for my second tree as well, any input?
I hear with our night time temps we don't have to stress the 'A' or 'B' type flower to much as the plants will be creating both flowers during the same time.
Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: containerman on April 04, 2018, 02:45:26 PM
I'm in the Modesto area and the little cado takes temps to 25* and the holiday to 30*. My little cado is doing great and my holiday tree died last year. I have 8 different varieties growing in my yard and none of them get protection and are all doing great. I'm in zone 9b.  near Modesto which should be similar weather to yuba city. I use to fish the feather river every year for salmon but haven't done that lately.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: alangr088 on April 04, 2018, 02:56:40 PM
I saw some 15 gallon Gems the last time I went to Atkins Nursery which was like 6 weeks ago. I'm sure they probably still have it.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 04, 2018, 04:15:59 PM
Hmm, do you recall seeing anything smaller? We plan on taking the corolla down since it gets twice the mileage my tacoma does.... ;P

and sorry to hear about your tree! We had a pretty cold year up here like a week straight of below 28 :(
I plan on wrapping the tree or lighting it up if that happens again next winter... for now though our lows are in the 50s and day temps of 80 already!
How does the Little Cado taste?

Seems easy to get Jim bacon, mexicola, hass and holiday out here but not much else currently. :( usually 25-40$ for a 5 gallon.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 16, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Hey guys,
My trips wednesday and I called atkins and a few nursery's around anaheim area and no one has the gem. Atkins says they'll be available in june.
Any other recommendations?
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Seanny on April 16, 2018, 05:13:39 PM
I called a couple nurseries for you. One said they don't carry Gem. Another said they are not allowed to sell Gem to home owner. Only orchard can buy Gem.

Carmen patent ended this year so they recommend Carmen. They said it's better than Gem.

Maybe get Gem scion if you really wanted one.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 17, 2018, 02:47:53 AM
Hey guys,
My trips wednesday and I called atkins and a few nursery's around anaheim area and no one has the gem. Atkins says they'll be available in june.
Any other recommendations?


Call Atkins again and let them know your situation. They actually grow them nearby at their private growing grounds and probably have them available in the grow house but don’t make them available until they are a good 3 feet tall. Tel them you are traveling over 500 miles just for the tree, you’re an experienced grower/gardener, and you’re willing to take the risk if the tree doesn’t make it. Buy 2 or 3 just in case. Because they are a wholesale retailer, their prices are about half what you’d pay at a regular nursery.

Only problem is they have a waitlist, so if they’ve already promised all their gems then you’re out of luck there.


Another person to try would be David archer at Bonita creek nursery. That’s where I bought my gem from.

Last resort. You could try www.adamtripics.com (http://www.adamtripics.com). I’ve never tried them before but per their website they have gem avocados and are based out of Temecula on the way to Atkins. I don’t know their reputation though.

Best
K
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 17, 2018, 10:46:12 AM
Thanks guys,
I actually tried to order from adamstropics already. ordered a $39 tree, next thing I know I get an email saying they only had the next size up and an invoice from paypal requesting another $130... shady... I emailed and asked if they can do a local pickup though as I'll be down there... we will see.

While I've got your attention here, is there any nursery's I should stop by just to see? The wife is interested in growing Passion fruit (lilikoi) and would love to find some while we are down there.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: z_willus_d on April 17, 2018, 11:11:23 AM
Hi Zephian,

I had a very similar experience with trying to obtain GEM from Adam Tropics.  I decided it wasn't worth the risk/$$$.  If I have any luck with my recent top-working/grafting experiments, I'll probably just try and obtain scion-wood for GEM at some point in the future.  Honestly, if you read what folks are saying about their favorite Avocado trees, it seems like the one to get is REED.  It's also supposed to be sensitive below freezing, but perhaps it's no more so than GEM.  It's supposed to be columnar in growth habit and produce a good amount of avocados after a few years.  Have you considered Reed?

Good luck, and have a nice trip!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 17, 2018, 01:17:43 PM
I got a hold of Atkins again today, they will check with the owner if he's willing to part with underage trees. The problem I have with reed is the size. I want something compact as I'm only on .2 acres. Sounds like the GEM is going to be smaller and has a great fruit quality. I thought about the 'Littlecado' but it sounds like it's a short but wide bushy tree with only moderate tasting fruit. Maybe I can fit more GEM trees in the car if they decide to part with them.... otherwise availability is slated for late may early june.... sounds like another disneyland trip.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 20, 2018, 01:21:09 AM
Never heard back from atkins. Wondering if anyone else had a recommendation on where to find gem? We are gonna take a break from Disney land tomorrow and checkout a local nursery or two.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 01:24:30 AM
I have some wood. I live in orange. Pm me
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 20, 2018, 01:29:32 AM
I am a complete novice, I wouldn't even know what to do with it :(
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 01:39:50 AM
Not surprised about the phone.

They are nice people but not the most responsive on the phone. I was looking for edranol. They had sold theirs to other nurseries and were going to call me back with the list of nurseries they had shipped to but never got back to me. I just keep calling themselves you can also drop by their nursery if You want to shop around but their avocados are off site at the growin grounds right now. A neat place to visit would Bonita creek nursery. It’s in the heart of San Diego county but they always have neat stuff. Only open by appt only on weekdays but you can call ahead. Otherwise open to public on weekends.  It’s where I got my gem from.

Another neat place is ong nursery in San Diego. It’s more of a residential home nursery. Lots of neat Tropical’. Not sure about Avos. Same with papaya tree nursery that you could hit up on your way back home (I think appt only  as well).

Evergreen nursery in San Diego has large beautiful trees at wholesale prices. Got a daisy mandarin and santa Teresa lemon from them last year.


There are also lots of nurseries in the area surrounding Atkins nursery. I don’t know if any have the same variety they have though.

Exotica nursery is about 15 minutes from Atkins.

If you’re in Anaheim, there is mimosa oc nursery. They have some large sapodillas and other trees. Reminded me of mimosa la but not quite as big. Probably  similar selection

Good luck
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 01:42:44 AM
Call David archer at Bonita creek. He may be able to have one of his employees show you around Bonita creek and who knows he may have another gem. I bet if he doesn’t have one that he could get a hold of one for you. Number is on the website, and if you don’t get anyone the messsage gives his cell which you could text.

K
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 20, 2018, 01:59:10 AM
Awesime, thanks for all the help!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: 8ofGac on April 20, 2018, 02:29:11 AM
You might want to try this place.http://www.epicenteravocados.com/contact-us/ (http://www.epicenteravocados.com/contact-us/)
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: z_willus_d on April 20, 2018, 11:16:39 AM
The folks at epicenter seem really nice and have a lot of nice varieties listed, but every year when I post an order on their website, I never hear back.  Is it just me?  Maybe the website is malfunctioning with my Chrome browser.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2018, 11:33:31 AM
The folks at epicenter seem really nice and have a lot of nice varieties listed, but every year when I post an order on their website, I never hear back.  Is it just me?  Maybe the website is malfunctioning with my Chrome browser.

Same experience.  Put in an order and crickets.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: 8ofGac on April 20, 2018, 11:36:55 AM
I tried to contact them yesterday and in my spam folder I got a email failure notice the contact form doesn't work.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Bush2Beach on April 20, 2018, 12:07:55 PM
I think their Avocado nursery is malfunctioning, unfortunately.

The folks at epicenter seem really nice and have a lot of nice varieties listed, but every year when I post an order on their website, I never hear back.  Is it just me?  Maybe the website is malfunctioning with my Chrome browser.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 20, 2018, 07:58:12 PM
Bonita has 7 gal for 120 or 15 gal for 130. 15 gallon need to grow a bit more though normally 160. Think I'm gonna wait for now. Does hass grow OK in 9b, or is there another hopefully compact version I should try?
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 11:51:04 PM
I think hass will be fine.

Re epicenter avocados, I’ had an email chat with Ellen last month. My green gold, queen, and my original sharwil and Jan Boyce we’re from there some years back.

She’s really nice and does good work, but I would agree communication isn’t great (but I’m not great with emails either. I usually just read but don’t always respond).


From my previous experience, you have to order around the new year when the list unofficially first opens up. That was her advice to me when I had my successful order. I tried to order some trees again about 2 months ago and she told me that they were already all spoken for.

If you’re looking for a tree for next year, then I would plan on contacting her in the fall sometime .

I was interested in palo d’oro which I can’t find anywhere and koala, but luckily found a source for koala (really grateful for that). The phoenix is Carmen Hass now that patent is gone but can’t use the name Carmen Hass.

Did you not like Bonita creek? Their prices are higher than the box stores but you get varieties you wouldn’t otherwise get and it’s a little tropical paradise over there. Atkins will give you best price as a wholesale retailer. If you’re persistent, you can wheedle them into selling you one of the smaller trees. You can also call Atkins and ask them which other nurseries they sell to and go from there. Wish I could help you out.

I’ve been there before, so I feel for you. Good luck with hunting down the cultivars you want. By the time you settle on what you ultimately get, you’ll have a story for each acquisition along the way. I’ve now labeled my plants according to their sources to remind me of the ordeal - it keeps things fun and interesting and adds color to each tree. Makes me appreciate it that much more.

K
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 11:53:49 PM
There is oc green scene tomorrow morning at cal state Fullerton arboretum. Opens at 9am. The oc crfg chapter will have loads of grafted avocado trees for sale. Proceeds benefit crfg student scholarships.

K
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 21, 2018, 01:04:39 AM
Thanks for all the help. Money's a concern currently or I'd happily get a tree at bonita. I think we're gonna plan it out a bit more and wait. Maybe grab a couple passion fruit vines for now and that'll hold me over.... well be back our Disney land pass doesn't expire til october!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 25, 2018, 01:58:11 PM
There is oc green scene tomorrow morning at cal state Fullerton arboretum. Opens at 9am. The oc crfg chapter will have loads of grafted avocado trees for sale. Proceeds benefit crfg student scholarships.

K
Forgot to mention I stopped by. Wasn't that impressed. there where a few avocado's I don't frequently see (atleast in my area) but they didn't looks ready for...anything yet. I didn't ask around much as I was in a bit of a time crunch, still cool to stop by and look around.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 26, 2018, 11:17:00 AM
I hear you about the plants. They are all small gtmrafted within past 4-6 months by volunteers.

I will say there are quite a few varieties especially early on that you might not be able to find elsewhere, especially newer or as of yet unheard varieties. I volunteered Sunday morning and spent quite a bit of time with Julie Frink. She highly recommended Sally avocado, says it’s one of the few in her yard that gets its own dedicated tree and spot. There was only one grafted.

I took photos of the inventory list for avocados - see below.
(https://s14.postimg.cc/hyb9v5gkd/05_D2_E14_C-9067-4836-_A6_F2-70_BC6_A34_D5_D3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hyb9v5gkd/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/9g1tqthrh/BDE02700-0462-4592-9_D85-3_DBC808_C5_D7_E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9g1tqthrh/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/44mx63g99/D32_D6_E96-7729-49_D2-_BDE3-_B7_F925_A4_AB16.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/44mx63g99/)
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: spaugh on April 26, 2018, 11:27:42 AM
Sometimes getting a really small tree is better.  You get big trees that have been sitting in a nursery forever and they are staked up and can't stand up on their own.  They get sick, sunburn, falling over. 
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 26, 2018, 11:39:44 AM
If I saw that Jan Boyce I probably would have jumped on it... but I didn't see one. And I hear it's supposed to be monstrous. I'd still be interested in a smaller variety avocado in the future....but....
I think I'm going to wait a while and let some other trees get established before I worry about more avocados. I just picked up a small Hass, and my Holiday is doing quite well (a couple inches taller and new growth all over). I will probably keep them in a container this year and let them mature a bit before planting them. I have a smaller back yard, so I will be probably planting them closer than recommended, but for curiosity's sake, how close should I be able to get away with? Is 8-10 ft too close? They'll be in the back corner of my yard, possible with a manilla mango between them if it does well in it's pot this year.
I'm also expecting some eugenia seeds from Mike (achetadomestica) tomorrow, that should hopefully find their way in to the landscape next summer.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: CA Hockey on April 26, 2018, 07:51:54 PM
If you're on top of it, keep them to about 8-12 feet in height, same for diameter. Sounds like you're allotted enough space, but leave yourself some room for other plants :-) You may want to remove any branches that start below 18 inches so that rodents don't have an easy path to fruit.

otherwise many of the trees will try and grow out of control on you.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: zephian on April 30, 2018, 02:17:18 PM
Stopped by the local nursery this weekend to pick up a multi-grafted cherry tree in preparation for cutting ours down in the next year or two and and replace some of my pepper plants that didn't survive the plant sitter while I was in so-cal...
but I have no self control and bought a Lamb-hass as well. It just looked so lonely...and healthy.. though the shape left something to be desired.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 01, 2018, 08:12:07 AM
Sometimes getting a really small tree is better.  You get big trees that have been sitting in a nursery forever and they are staked up and can't stand up on their own.  They get sick, sunburn, falling over.

They also can become girdled a condition which can cause death which happened to this mango I missed from PIN.  I'm usually on top of root spin out.  Missed this one.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/3pnd9tgud/Pickering_Root_Dieback.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pnd9tgud/)

I prefer small pots to large any day.  A well grown tree in a 1 gallon will establish quicker and take over that 6 footer in the 15 gal.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Woody08 on May 21, 2019, 11:33:42 PM
Hey guys,
My trips wednesday and I called atkins and a few nursery's around anaheim area and no one has the gem. Atkins says they'll be available in june.
Any other recommendations?


Call Atkins again and let them know your situation. They actually grow them nearby at their private growing grounds and probably have them available in the grow house but don’t make them available until they are a good 3 feet tall. Tel them you are traveling over 500 miles just for the tree, you’re an experienced grower/gardener, and you’re willing to take the risk if the tree doesn’t make it. Buy 2 or 3 just in case. Because they are a wholesale retailer, their prices are about half what you’d pay at a regular nursery.

Only problem is they have a waitlist, so if they’ve already promised all their gems then you’re out of luck there.


Another person to try would be David archer at Bonita creek nursery. That’s where I bought my gem from.

Last resort. You could try www.adamtripics.com (http://www.adamtripics.com). I’ve never tried them before but per their website they have gem avocados and are based out of Temecula on the way to Atkins. I don’t know their reputation though.

Best
K


Has anybody had an experience with www.adamtropics.com? (http://www.adamtropics.com?) I recently purchased a GEM avocado trees from them but I have not heard back from them. Are they a legit company or a scam?
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 22, 2019, 08:26:47 AM
Has anybody had an experience with www.adamtropics.com? (http://www.adamtropics.com?) I recently purchased a GEM avocado trees from them but I have not heard back from them. Are they a legit company or a scam?

Howdy!

I have a newly grafted GEM.  Way too young to take any wood to share.  It appears to be a super slow grower which is good for most Texans that don't have the outdoors benefit of growing in locales like SoCal.

Curious where are you located and how do you grow?
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Nicole on August 01, 2019, 12:11:52 AM
Yesterday we stopped at one of Fallbrook's nurseries (Subtropical Nurseries), and I got my Gem. They had it on different kind of rootstocks (on Zutano and on Dusa) Got mine on Dusa in 3 gal bag/ $32. So Happy! If someone still looking for this variety, here it is https://www.subtropicanurseries.com/ (https://www.subtropicanurseries.com/) I do not know if they ship it, but you can always write them and ask. Good Luck!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Seanny on August 01, 2019, 02:20:49 AM
You got a great deal!
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: hawkfish007 on August 01, 2019, 10:22:57 AM
Has anybody had an experience with www.adamtropics.com? (http://www.adamtropics.com?) I recently purchased a GEM avocado trees from them but I have not heard back from them. Are they a legit company or a scam?

Howdy!

I have a newly grafted GEM.  Way too young to take any wood to share.  It appears to be a super slow grower which is good for most Texans that don't have the outdoors benefit of growing in locales like SoCal.

Curious where are you located and how do you grow?

My GEM has been growing slow as well. I bought it on a salt tolerant rootstock in 1 gallon plastic bag from subtropical. I up potted it in a 15 gallon right away, I would say it grew about 6-8” so far. It is kept under 50% shade cloth.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Nicole on August 01, 2019, 10:51:22 AM
Here are a few pictures of my plant and a label..

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhz2TXhD/a.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhz2TXhD)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MfyCvjhs/b.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MfyCvjhs)
(https://i.postimg.cc/JGTLJjsg/c.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGTLJjsg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QFXFNQRy/viber-image-2019-08-01-07-32-09.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFXFNQRy)
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 02, 2019, 10:51:00 AM
On DUSA rootstock, ya'll did good.
Title: Re: SoCal - GEM AVOCADO + Recommendations
Post by: jtnguyen333 on August 03, 2019, 06:43:52 PM
I bought two GEM on DUSA rootstock from Eli of subtropica nursery as well.  The first one, I bought in March.  I bare rooted it and potted in my own mix of potting soil of sand, pumice, and peat.  I thinked that stressed the plant too much.  Then I transplanted into the ground and it stressed the plant even more.  Now, it looks like a bonsai plant.  I bought another GEM from Eli 2 months ago.  I didn't tried to bare root it this time.  I just transplant it to a 7 gallon plastic grown bag.  I filled the bag with DG, pumice, and peat.  I kept the original root ball mostly of coco mulch intact.  The plant has grown at least 6inches with new flush of growth.