Mark in Texas, that is heresy. It makes me sick to my stomach, when I also pass by new real estate development, on what used to be exclusive fruit tree fertile land.
I'm all for progress, but a right balance of development and rural areas is essential.
Also, I'm impressed that 'Lula' avocado grows well in Southern Texas, thanks for that info. I keep getting all the time more and more fond of the 'Lula' avocado cultivar. Thanks to your postings, and those of others, I've recently become aware that all kinds of different fruit can be grown in Texas. Who would have thought?
After living for a few years in the wonderful state of Louisiana (I was a young boy then), my family almost moved to the great state of Texas, to which we were greatly attracted to. But, partly due to the sub-tropical South Florida climate, we chose Miami, FLorida. No one in my family has had any idea of the wonderful fruit that could be grown in Texas. I love where I'm at right now, but a part of me wishes I had several lifetimes, in order to live in some different, favorite, locations.
Luisport, of the fruit trees that you mentioned, I'm only familiar with the 'Hass' avocado and the 'Kent' mango, since I have both fruit trees.
As you know 'Hass' avocado has been a worldwide hit, and the 'Kent' mango is a classic, quality cultivar. Those are two excellent choices. I think that you know what you're doing. And, although I don't know how they'll do in Portugal, I think that you're lucky to have '...69' (Steven Silva's) Forum postings and the fact that he also lives in Portugal, best of luck.
Green Thumb, you're absolutly right, the success that we've had, and God willing, that we will continue to have, could not have been possible without the contributions of Forum members and avocado experts such as Carlos, they have been and are essential to successfully filling the 'SFL-WAV.' I'm very optimistic that we'll successfully achieve our goal, but much work still needs to be done to fill the months of March, April and May, in the 'SFL-WAV,' and a little bit of luck wouldn't hurt either (it usually comes with hard work).
On a separate note, I read the article by Dr. Sauls that you posted. Although the Wilma avocado is trademarked, it's interesting that "it has demonstrated good cold hardiness," which makes me wonder about how appropriate it would be to fill the 'SFL-WAV.' Thank you for the article, very informative.
P.S. Your kind words of encouragement are very much appreciated, thank you.
CTMIAMI, the 'DuPoi' avocado that you gave me to try out finally ripened and I'd like to tell you what happened. Yesterday, I cut out a slice and it tasted good. Then, today after many hours of continuous work in my yard, I became hungry and decided to go straight for the remaining 'DuPoi' that was in the fridge. I was amazed, the same avocado that I had yesterday, yet the quality of the taste today blew me away. I could taste hints of garlic, onion, lemony and other kinds of nutty almondy flavors that I had not tasted yesterday, amazing. I just couldn't stop and I ate the whole remaining thing. It's incredible the effect that a little hunger can have on the taste buds. This reminds me of an article by Richard J. Campbell. The same thing happened to him, but with an 'Alphonso' mango that he had for the first time, under similar circumstances, while visiting India. Thank you for the 'DuPoi' avocado, a very interesting, fulfilling, tasty avocado cultivar.