The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: CTMIAMI on May 15, 2013, 09:08:10 AM
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Has any body seen a Gem Avocado fruit or tree for sale anywhere? It is a patented variety of the University of California.
The Tree and the Fruit
From the extensive plantations for testing carried out primarily in California and South Africa, it is known that avocado GEM is produced in a semi-compact shaped tree. The GEM typically grows in the inside of the tree, mostly in clusters, protecting the fruit from sunburn and wind damage. The tree's growth is compact, making it easier to manage, especially for plantations with high density. Also GEM avocado trees are less likely to "toggle" than Hass trees. This variety has favorable distribution sizes, being slightly larger than 'Hass'. Its skin changes from dark green to an attractive dark purple-black when ripe. With respect to the final quality of the fruit, an independent tasting panel in the United Kingdom called GEM avocado a eating better organoleptic quality than that in Hass.
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Carlos, Brokaw Nursery has an even newer Hass variety, called "Hass Carmen." Have you seen it on their website?
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This is the first time that I learn about it, noticeable good qualities and a lot of potential. If I learn anything new, you'll be the first to know.
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Carlos, Brokaw Nursery has an even newer Hass variety, called "Hass Carmen." Have you seen it on their website?
Yes I have seen it but nearly impossible to get one
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http://www.brokawnursery.com/images/files.pdf./Hass_Carmen.pdf (http://www.brokawnursery.com/images/files.pdf./Hass_Carmen.pdf)
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Jack you are in So. California can you get this tree?
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Actually Carlos, I'm in central CA between LA and SF. Nice rural area in the tourist destinations of Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, etc. But, headed down Monday to Santa Barbara/Ventura area and will check out nurseries for the Gem and Hass-Carmen. These two, along with Sir Prize, are patented so I'll get back to you.
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Actually Carlos, I'm in central CA between LA and SF. Nice rural area in the tourist destinations of Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, etc. But, headed down Monday to Santa Barbara/Ventura area and will check out nurseries for the Gem and Hass-Carmen. These two, along with Sir Prize, are patented so I'll get back to you.
Brokaw is Wholesale Only. But they open at 7 AM on Monday so they could probably tell you what nurseries in Santa Barbara and Ventura carry their trees. 805-647-2262.
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Actually Carlos, I'm in central CA between LA and SF. Nice rural area in the tourist destinations of Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, etc. But, headed down Monday to Santa Barbara/Ventura area and will check out nurseries for the Gem and Hass-Carmen. These two, along with Sir Prize, are patented so I'll get back to you.
I /quote]
I have been in the area of Hearst Castle, beautiful country.
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Actually Carlos, I'm in central CA between LA and SF. Nice rural area in the tourist destinations of Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, etc. But, headed down Monday to Santa Barbara/Ventura area and will check out nurseries for the Gem and Hass-Carmen. These two, along with Sir Prize, are patented so I'll get back to you.
I've been told that most of the Carmen's are sold to avocado farmers. Very few goes to the public.
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Actually, after talking with Brokaw today, the Hass Carmens are under contract to Westfalia who are planting them in many parts of the world. As to the wholesale quantity, it is 21 trees to growers with some allowance to previous clients. Brokaw will not have any GEM nor Hass Carmen available until Spring 2014. I decided to not have either in my avocado collection as they are patented and it would be difficult to avoid sharing scions with others. Hank Brokaw helped me set up my citrus many years ago with advice on rootstocks in our dune sand soil (citrange) and provided most of my citrus trees. They have always been great with help and information. And...Brokaw's stock is far superior to others, bar none. Good rootstock, care, excellent genes pay off.
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Who is Westfalia?
http://www.westfaliainfo.com/avocados.html (http://www.westfaliainfo.com/avocados.html)
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Recently had a number of GEM avocados. Taste was excellent. Like Hass but with a hint of something that makes it a bit stronger (bitterness?). I prefer Hass, but the GEM is quite good.
Interestingly, 3 of them had pits that were already split and a root growing out along the surface of the pit. Fast germinating.
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Carlos we can organize a group buy with one of our forum nursery owners , I will buy 3 .
Ed
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Hi Carlos,
This person has a semi-mature gem avocado tree. Maybe you can try to contact him and have him send you scions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q38tw-ZQPFk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q38tw-ZQPFk)
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GEM is a patented variety. Buy the tree from Brokaw or other legal sources like a local nursery. Developed through research at University of California and proceeds from sales are used for further research on avocado varieties. The South Coast Field Station (UCR) where many are planted out for evaluation is located on expensive real estate and costly to operate.
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I read somewhere that Brokaw will sell 100 trees , Maybe we can organize a group sale, And have one of our Forum Nursery Owners Place The Order, Like I Said , I will Take 3 ...
Ed
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Ed, last time I checked with Brokaw the number of trees for a wholesale purchase was 21. That would be easier to do. Might be worth a call.
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That is Awesome ! Lets do it Guys !..
Im Down, We just need one of our Forum Nursery owners to place the order , I can pre-pay for my 3 trees up front..
Thanks Ed
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I'm in too...
I'll go for 4 trees, been trying to get this variety for some time. This is great!
Thanks, Roberto
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Carlos we can organize a group buy with one of our forum nursery owners , I will buy 3 .
Ed
I'm growing it. Now seems to be a lot like Hass seems to suffer the same problems that has suffers is our climate here in So FL
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@carlos, sorry to hear you are having problem with gem, it looks like hass related avocados don't grow well in FL, what do you think the problem is? Too humid?
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I'm not sure what i is can be too much water in summer, humidity, hotter nights who knows........... :-\
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Sorry to hear the 'GEM' is not growing well for you Carlos, supposed to be excellent avocado, I have small tree many more years to fruit but in cooler climate with Ocean influence, time will tell as someone said! :-\
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Sorry I made a mistake I thought it was the Gwen, Actually the Gem is doing real well. I took pictures today. Nice fruit set for a first year top worked tree, It is a smooth skin avocado, foliage is nice to protect the fruit from the hot sun, the fruit hides inside the foliage. Very promising since it does not appear to suffer from the same issues other Hass types do here in Florida
(http://s18.postimg.cc/orn227m6d/IMG_0383.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/orn227m6d/)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/zfqt11w5h/IMG_0384.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/zfqt11w5h/)
(http://s18.postimg.cc/et23fqcqt/IMG_0385.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/et23fqcqt/)
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Great looking Tree/Fruit !
Good luck with the Gem !
Ed
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Carlos, please add Gem to your website in the "Under Evaluation" section. I'm really into following your progress with all the various varieties.
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Will work on it this week
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Glad to hear your Gem is doing good Carlos, hope it turns into a winner for you! ;) 8)
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Will work on it this week
Thanks, Carlos. I see it's included now. I hope GEM turns out to be the Hass for Florida--the real "Florida Hass!" I want to add one more avocado tree. I'm watching that Pinkerton, too.
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Will work on it this week
Thanks, Carlos. I see it's included now. I hope GEM turns out to be the Hass for Florida--the real "Florida Hass!" I want to add one more avocado tree. I'm watching that Pinkerton, too.
I hope so, I have a good feeling about this one. Will do frequent updates to keep everyone in the loop.
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Good looking!
FWIW, Gwen is Will Brokaw's favorite avocado meaning taste. I've read that on the web and he's told me personally. Mine is growing extremely well and the greenhouse temps are hitting 100F + with the current heat wave. It's a slow grower with rather weak wood though, at least for me as opposed to Reed which is very vigorous with wood you could use in boat building. :)
"I asked Will Brokaw about his favorite variety. After all, he's got access to so many. "I usually eat Hass during the spring and Gwen during the fall. But Gwen is my favorite. The Gwen really is."
He also likes the Reed, which, while delicious, is a very big avocado."
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/)
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Good looking!
FWIW, Gwen is Will Brokaw's favorite avocado meaning taste. I've read that on the web and he's told me personally. Mine is growing extremely well and the greenhouse temps are hitting 100F + with the current heat wave. It's a slow grower with rather weak wood though, at least for me as opposed to Reed which is very vigorous with wood you could use in boat building. :)
"I asked Will Brokaw about his favorite variety. After all, he's got access to so many. "I usually eat Hass during the spring and Gwen during the fall. But Gwen is my favorite. The Gwen really is."
He also likes the Reed, which, while delicious, is a very big avocado."
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/)
I guess it would be interesting to know if he likes GEM. We're pinning our hopes on that one for South Florida. Gwen may not be suitable for our climate.
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Call him up and ask him.
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Good looking!
FWIW, Gwen is Will Brokaw's favorite avocado meaning taste. I've read that on the web and he's told me personally. Mine is growing extremely well and the greenhouse temps are hitting 100F + with the current heat wave. It's a slow grower with rather weak wood though, at least for me as opposed to Reed which is very vigorous with wood you could use in boat building. :)
"I asked Will Brokaw about his favorite variety. After all, he's got access to so many. "I usually eat Hass during the spring and Gwen during the fall. But Gwen is my favorite. The Gwen really is."
He also likes the Reed, which, while delicious, is a very big avocado."
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/03/oh-the-avocados-youre-missing/274197/)
Gwen is my favorite California avocado as well -- when they sell it at the Brokaw farmers market stand, I get as many as I can.
I planted a tree of it last year, but I'm also finding it's a slow / weak grower.
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Gwen may not be suitable for our climate.
If you're as hot as what my Gwen is experiencing I don't see why not - 100F + most days for a few months. I thinks it's rare that even S. Florida hits the 100's, right? Town just north of me has been hitting 105-106F for a week or so. Dog days of summer are here. Thank God they're short lived.
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Call him up and ask him.
Going by their website, GEM is rated "Good" under the category of Taste, whereas Hass, Lamb Hass, Hass-Carmen, Reed, and Fuerte are all rated "Xlnt." And it seems Will considers Gwen "Super-Xlnt" or "the Best!"
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Since a lot of you are following the Gem I just up dated the page
http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gem-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gem-avocado.html)
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When the fruit gets sunburn, does that affect ripening and the quality of the flesh?
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yes eventually will drop off and or the area will get necrotic.
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Hello Carlos;
Let me know if in the future you can spare some Gem seeds , That tree is not going to be easy to but on the east coast..
Thanks Ed..
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I already have 3 avocado trees in my backyard. They are lamb hass, hass, and Ettinger which is flower type B just for pollination. I'm planning to get 2 more avocado trees maybe Gem and Hass carmen, so is there any news that i can buy those two in Orange County area ?
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I already have 3 avocado trees in my backyard. They are lamb hass, hass, and Ettinger which is flower type B just for pollination. I'm planning to get 2 more avocado trees maybe Gem and Hass carmen, so is there any news that i can buy those two in Orange County area ?
Orange County, California? (As opposed to Orange County, Florida.) Wouldn't you like something other than Hass-type fruit? Fuerte? Jan Boyce?
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Carlos, when do you think you'll be picking the first fruit from your tree? What do you estimate the season to be?
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Carlos, when do you think you'll be picking the first fruit from your tree? What do you estimate the season to be?
Hi, Carlos. Maybe you missed these questions. Could you comment?
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Sorry I did missed.
I'm not sure. In my prior experience these California Varieties that hang for over 12 months in the trees by the time month 11 comes around. They start dropping like flies. On the Gem I'm going to watch it. As soon as I see any darkening I will start picking . I have no idea when that is going to take place. I do keep a close eye on that tree.
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I know there are a few people following this variety. I just updated new info. http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gem-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gem-avocado.html)
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Wow! That fruit looks great, Carlos. How does it taste? I think my last avocado tree will be Gem, Gwen, or Holiday. Murashige looks good, too.
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I see on your website that Gem is not ripening well, but Pinkerton is. Please keep us informed regarding Gwen, Holiday, and Murashige, too. Thanks.
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NO the Gem is not ripening well. I'm disappointed. Now I'm looking towards the Gwen who is holding the fruit well. I will check into the Muragishe this week.
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It seems that the hass family of avocados are not doing well down here.
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Pinkerton comes from Hass, and it does okay. We'll see what happens with Gwen.
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Pinkerton comes from Hass, and it does okay. We'll see what happens with Gwen.
Pinkerton has Rincon in its parentage. Rincon is reputed to do very well in hot tropical climes.
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Pinkerton comes from Hass, and it does okay. We'll see what happens with Gwen.
Pinkerton has Rincon in its parentage. Rincon is reputed to do very well in hot tropical climes.
Hass x Rincon.
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Also, Carlos, any updates for Holiday avocado? How did it finish up 2015? How does it compare flavorwise to your favorite avocados?
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i WILL DO A HOLIDAY UPDATE PROBABLY TOMORROW. NOT A BAD CADO. BUT THERE IS A LOT BETTER AT THIS TIME. STILL HAS FRUIT ON THE TREE
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http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html (http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html)
THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE carmen hass avocado
We are primarily a wholesale nursery but open to the public.
Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm
Monday through Friday are wholesale only...
However,appointments may be scheduled upon availability for retail customers
I would love to have a couple trees but am on the east coast
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http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html (http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html)
THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE carmen hass avocado
We are primarily a wholesale nursery but open to the public.
Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm
Monday through Friday are wholesale only...
However,appointments may be scheduled upon availability for retail customers
I would love to have a couple trees but am on the east coast
Doesn't look like they ship. Can you grow avocado trees where you live? I see you're near Charleston. Was your area affected by the flooding which occurred some months back?
Carlos, still waiting on the Holiday and Murashige updates. Thanks.
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http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html (http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html)
THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE carmen hass avocado
We are primarily a wholesale nursery but open to the public.
Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm
Monday through Friday are wholesale only...
However,appointments may be scheduled upon availability for retail customers
I would love to have a couple trees but am on the east coast
Doesn't look like they ship. Can you grow avocado trees where you live? I see you're near Charleston. Was your area affected by the flooding which occurred some months back?
Carlos, still waiting on the Holiday and Murashige updates. Thanks.
Bonita Creek is a nice nursery but they don't have all the things they say they do on their website. (They had someone make them a website several years ago but have never been able to update it.) So you have to talk with them to find out what they actually have.
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Carlos--Gwen, Murashige, Holiday?
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http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html (http://www.bonitafruittrees.com/subtropical/avocado.html)
THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE carmen hass avocado
We are primarily a wholesale nursery but open to the public.
Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm
Monday through Friday are wholesale only...
However,appointments may be scheduled upon availability for retail customers
I would love to have a couple trees but am on the east coast
Doesn't look like they ship. Can you grow avocado trees where you live? I see you're near Charleston. Was your area affected by the flooding which occurred some months back?
Carlos, still waiting on the Holiday and Murashige updates. Thanks.
Bonita Creek is a nice nursery but they don't have all the things they say they do on their website. (They had someone make them a website several years ago but have never been able to update it.) So you have to talk with them to find out what they actually have.
lol. Was it Murahilin? :P
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Sorry guys, have been busy.
Just update the Gwen, Disappointed.
http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html)
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any update on gem carlos? thanks.
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Sorry guys, have been busy.
Just update the Gwen, Disappointed.
http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html)
That's too bad about Gwen. It looks like all the Hass-family avocados have similar issues in South Florida. I hope you can update Murashige and also provide final (2015) updates for Holiday and whether you recommend it or not.
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I have quite a few Gwen hanging, first harvest and one on the counter ripening. Will update.......
I'd give it another year Carlos, just to be fair. Your bland taste may be because of your fruit overload, fruit to canopy balance (Gwen does not bear a lot of foliage) and the fact that it's the first year for you. Did you drop any of the fruit like we discussed about 5 months ago?
Mark
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Sorry guys, have been busy.
Just update the Gwen, Disappointed.
http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html)
That's too bad about Gwen. It looks like all the Hass-family avocados have similar issues in South Florida. I hope you can update Murashige and also provide final (2015) updates for Holiday and whether you recommend it or not.
Short and sweet. Not recommending any
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I have quite a few Gwen hanging, first harvest and one on the counter ripening. Will update.......
I'd give it another year Carlos, just to be fair. Your bland taste may be because of your fruit overload, fruit to canopy balance (Gwen does not bear a lot of foliage) and the fact that it's the first year for you. Did you drop any of the fruit like we discussed about 5 months ago?
Mark
Hope to see how your ripens. There is no overload in my tree. Just the right amount. A shame can really be a late fruit.
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Monroe vs Sir Prize
(http://s17.postimg.cc/gn4khkda3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.cc/image/gn4khkda3/)
No comparison Monroe to the compost bin
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JF I'm just about ready to give up what grows well there does not grow here and vise versa
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Sorry guys, have been busy.
Just update the Gwen, Disappointed.
http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html (http://www.myavocadotrees.com/gwen-avocado.html)
That's too bad about Gwen. It looks like all the Hass-family avocados have similar issues in South Florida. I hope you can update Murashige and also provide final (2015) updates for Holiday and whether you recommend it or not.
Short and sweet. Not recommending any
Thanks!
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JF I'm just about ready to give up what grows well there does not grow here and vise versa
I agree. SoCal West Indian grown avocado are good here but why grow them if we have Hass type fruits.