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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Greg A on July 30, 2017, 01:41:39 PM

Title: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on July 30, 2017, 01:41:39 PM
Maybe first we can share which varieties we have in our yards?

Currently, I've got Reed, Lamb, Pinkerton, Holiday, Sharwil, Hass, Sirprize, and Fuerte.

Some of them I've deliberately planted in pairs, for example this Reed/Lamb pair at 7.5 feet apart:

(https://s11.postimg.cc/9bhnchdm7/IMG_20170724_082858.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9bhnchdm7/)

And this Hass/Sirprize pair at 7.5 feet apart:

(https://s1.postimg.cc/4bdn4b0sr/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4bdn4b0sr/)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on July 30, 2017, 09:20:13 PM
Mine are all in pots and boxes but after almost 7 years I will finally get to out them in the ground this year (along with about 150 other trees).

I have:
Hass
Fuerte
Holiday
Reed
Sharwil x 3, one in dusa rootstock
Jan Boyce
Green gold
Queen
Sir prize
Lamb hass
Pinkerton
Kahalu'u
Hellen
Herd
Day
Oro negro
GEM
Carmen x 2


I lost the following:
Jim bacon (great pollinator, worth getting a 5 gallon and just moving the pot around to which we tree needs pollinating, has kids of both types of flowers at midday)
Mexicola grande

I e hear mixed reviews on duke and haven't pursued it. Other than oro negro which I got from Florida, not sure of any of the Florida avocados or other Hawaiian types would make a welcome addition on a mitigradted tree (think I'm done with single avocado trees for now)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on July 31, 2017, 12:39:00 AM
Why pots? And how do you keep avocados happy in pots long term considering So. Calif.'s salty water?

Do you have any multi-graft avos now? Hard to keep them balanced? I've always thought of trying one.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on July 31, 2017, 05:46:27 AM
Pots because I started while in school living in apartments with limited backyard space and knowing I would have to move every few years.

I do get some salt burn on leaves but not too bad. Always thought it was a mix of water and aggressive fertilizing. When I backed off and started using more time release stuff the salt burn improved. I hardly get tip burn now and when I see it it's usually after a particularly hot day. The Hardest part of growing the avocados in pots  is the trunk burn in summer. I lost 2 feet from my sir prize last year and about a foot from  my Pinkerton . Both are much bushier now and growing like crazy but this year my sharwil in 15 gallon and about 7 feet tall lost most of its leaves and had significant burning about a month ago. Starting to push more leaves out now. Nabal  is growing slowly this year after painting the bark last year but no burn. Holiday I pruned too aggressively last year and this year looks like a poodle with fluffy segments of growth.
That's how I lost my other trees - bad burns in the summer.

I don't have any multigrafted avocados at this point but tried my hand earlier this year. Only graft that took was an Ardith and that died after the first flush. I think I'm satisfied with what I have otherwise and am now looking forward to putting them all in the ground. The house we bought has a 10 year old hass tree that looks pretty healthy with minimal fuss compared to what I used to with the potted trees. Only thing that is better with the pots is fertilizing - much easier to do with pots and a lot easier on my knees :-).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 31, 2017, 07:55:56 AM
That's a helluva collection CA Hockey.

Frankencado grafted last year - Pinkerton, Ardith, Sir Prize, Holiday.  Other trees in bottomless RootBuilder pots - Reed, Gwen, Oro Negro.  Lost my Sharwil.  Grafted all trees except for the Oro Negro.

Sir Prize - is it supposed to be this bumpy?  Spaugh's SP taken a few days ago has a smooth skin.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/xy6vze7bf/Sir_Prize_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xy6vze7bf/)

Grafted Reed is getting some size and bears well - about 9' H X 12' W.  I topped and it turned out screwy with a football goal shape, big hole in the middle.  Am trying to fill it in with a branch.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/hxy7cyq17/Reed_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hxy7cyq17/)

Last of the Reeds.  Been giving them away, eating them since May.   What an excellent fruit!

(https://s4.postimg.cc/sxw4ye515/Reed_Fruit_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sxw4ye515/)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 31, 2017, 01:37:45 PM
I've got 24 trees going and just looing for a jan boyce to finish the grove at 25 trees.

Hass x 6
Reed x 6
Pinkerton x 2
Holiday x 2
Sir Prize hass x 2
Lamb hass
Fuerte
Sharwil
Mexicola
Stuart
Bacon

Will take some pics next time I go see the trees.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 31, 2017, 01:42:59 PM
Mark, hers a nother shot of sir prizes on my tree.  They are a hass type so a little bumpy seems normal.  They have a little ridge on the side that goes away as they swell up.  They grow really fast and mature in just 7 or 8 months.  Thats a lot faster than some of the others.  I am pretty unimpressed with the strength and shape of the tree though. Hopefully that improves with age.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4330/35418496674_7443cf4cbb_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: wayne23 on July 31, 2017, 03:00:13 PM
I have a lamb hass and Sharwil.  Both are in 15 gal container.  Just haven't figured out how to share with my neighbors (plant next to the fence)   ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on July 31, 2017, 11:53:49 PM
Thanks- the bug caught me early and because I was growing in pots and had no clue what I was doing there was a lot of troubleshooting in the early years. Couldn't figure out why the plants weren't growing, or why they would drop leaves, or how to get fruit, etc. the troubleshooting was and still is the fun part. Lots of credit has to go to the YouTube videos made by several growers including Carlos.

When you multigraft, do you do it all at once? I can't get a straight answer for this (or maybe I've forgotten the answer...) I've asked around and it seems you can graft stonefruit all at once with reasonable rate of success. Can you multigraft mangoes and avocados all at the same time or do you divide it up by flush or season?

K
That's a helluva collection CA Hockey.

Frankencado grafted last year - Pinkerton, Ardith, Sir Prize, Holiday.  Other trees in bottomless RootBuilder pots - Reed, Gwen, Oro Negro.  Lost my Sharwil.  Grafted all trees except for the Oro Negro.

Sir Prize - is it supposed to be this bumpy?  Spaugh's SP taken a few days ago has a smooth skin.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/xy6vze7bf/Sir_Prize_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/xy6vze7bf/)

Grafted Reed is getting some size and bears well - about 9' H X 12' W.  I topped and it turned out screwy with a football goal shape, big hole in the middle.  Am trying to fill it in with a branch.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/hxy7cyq17/Reed_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hxy7cyq17/)

Last of the Reeds.  Been giving them away, eating them since May.   What an excellent fruit!

(https://s4.postimg.cc/sxw4ye515/Reed_Fruit_July30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sxw4ye515/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on August 01, 2017, 10:52:04 AM
You can graft all your Avocado water shoots at the same time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on August 03, 2017, 12:11:46 AM
"Sir Prize - is it supposed to be this bumpy?  Spaugh's SP taken a few days ago has a smooth skin."

Mark, I notice you keep wandering about the skin texture of your Sir prize. I posted a current photo of my fruit on the other post concurrent with this one, for your comparison. It case you missed it; let me repost it:

(http://i.imgur.com/Bm7VJdGl.jpg)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: fyliu on August 03, 2017, 12:17:41 AM
I see people mention growing in pots. If you're good you can fruit 200 avocados from a 15gal pot.

http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf (http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on August 03, 2017, 11:05:19 AM
Wow, thanks for posting link Fang 8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2017, 03:54:43 PM
Does anyone know if mid summer is acceptable time to do some grafting or is it too hot?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Cookie0208 on August 04, 2017, 01:09:15 AM
Guys, so if I only have a Haas, will I get fruit? Do I need to cover my Haas in my Bay Area 9B zone? It got down to 28 degree this past winter for couple days :-/.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2017, 07:43:44 AM
Mark, hers a nother shot of sir prizes on my tree.  They are a hass type so a little bumpy seems normal.  They have a little ridge on the side that goes away as they swell up.  They grow really fast and mature in just 7 or 8 months.  Thats a lot faster than some of the others.  I am pretty unimpressed with the strength and shape of the tree though. Hopefully that improves with age.

Thanks for the info!  I was wondering how long they took from blossom to harvest.  And yes right now the ridge if VERY pronounced.  It's like the stem is hanging on the side of the fruit at top.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2017, 07:46:08 AM
"Sir Prize - is it supposed to be this bumpy?  Spaugh's SP taken a few days ago has a smooth skin."

Mark, I notice you keep wandering about the skin texture of your Sir prize. I posted a current photo of my fruit on the other post concurrent with this one, for your comparison. It case you missed it; let me repost it:

(http://i.imgur.com/Bm7VJdGl.jpg)

Saw that Samu, thanks! 

Guess we need to decide which thread is THE avocado thread.  :D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2017, 10:33:34 AM
Mark, hers a nother shot of sir prizes on my tree.  They are a hass type so a little bumpy seems normal.  They have a little ridge on the side that goes away as they swell up.  They grow really fast and mature in just 7 or 8 months.  Thats a lot faster than some of the others.  I am pretty unimpressed with the strength and shape of the tree though. Hopefully that improves with age.

Thanks for the info!  I was wondering how long they took from blossom to harvest.  And yes right now the ridge if VERY pronounced.  It's like the stem is hanging on the side of the fruit at top.

 The bumps and the ridge will start to disappear when they get closer to full size.

If the ridges are still showing then you will need to wait until January or February to test your fruits would be my guess.  Your greenhouse is probably more comparable to someone on the coast or further north in CA.  I read a good article somewhere saying how the cooler coastal and northern/central CA locations take longer for avocados to mature and they also can hang a lot longer on the tree.   



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on August 04, 2017, 10:54:01 AM
spaugh, the biggest problem with grafting in Summer at you area is trying to keep scion's from frying in you heat!! You could cover graft's with white paper bag's with slits at top of bag so it doesn't get to hot but that would be your call. the other is having the right scion condition and growth forcing on rootstock! I've tried summer graft's but have found that percentage of takes goes down for me at any other time than around Jan-March. But that is for me in my cooler coastal area! Give it a try all you will lose is scion wood and maybe a branch. Good luck ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2017, 11:20:59 AM
spaugh, the biggest problem with grafting in Summer at you area is trying to keep scion's from frying in you heat!! You could cover graft's with white paper bag's with slits at top of bag so it doesn't get to hot but that would be your call. the other is having the right scion condition and growth forcing on rootstock! I've tried summer graft's but have found that percentage of takes goes down for me at any other time than around Jan-March. But that is for me in my cooler coastal area! Give it a try all you will lose is scion wood and maybe a branch. Good luck ;)

Thanks yeah its super hot here now.  I was partly asking in case anyone wanted scions.  I need to prune the bottom of my trees to get them off the ground and allow the sprinklers to cover a good area.  Figured I would offer wood if anyone wanted it.  And have been toying with the idea of doing a couple frankencado trees like Marks just for fun.

I am thinking about putting some mexicola branches on a bacon tree.  They seem to have very similar growth habits.  I think it would be nice to look at a big tree covered in little black fruit along with big green fruits.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 28, 2017, 09:09:44 AM
I am thinking about putting some mexicola branches on a bacon tree.  They seem to have very similar growth habits.  I think it would be nice to look at a big tree covered in little black fruit along with big green fruits.

According to anecdotal evidence I've been listening to for decades Stewart is even a better choice.  Whatever, that match should be really nice.

I've got a Oro Negro seedling ready for grafting.  Will wait until late winter when the buds start to swell on the Sir Prize and graft to it.  I think spring is the best time to graft anything, just as the buds are just beginning to swell indicating they are ready to rock.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: behlgarden on September 28, 2017, 10:26:02 AM
I am top working my Reed due to very poor production, same size two other trees, or grafted branches produce 10x more fruits than Reed, not sure if its my yard or others have same issue. I have grafted Jan Boyce and Pinkerton onto it, will keep one branch of reed intact.

what are the top 5 most productive and delicious cados in SO Cal?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on September 28, 2017, 11:21:18 AM
Behlgarden is the tree in the ground?  You were the guy with all the plants waiting to go into your new property?  If yes, you may want to leave the reed and get it planted first.  Reed may be the top producer pound per pound.  I have read of 80,000 lbs per acre on high density planting. 

Sir Prize and lamb hass also seem to be stud trees that set copious amounts of excellent fruits.

Sir Prize is super early fruit too, this years fruit will be ready in a few more months.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: behlgarden on September 28, 2017, 01:04:18 PM
no, I planted 15 gal plants 4 years ago. lamb hass and graft of sir price is holding over 100 cados. Reed each year produces a lot but drops and I end up with 5 to 10 only
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on September 28, 2017, 03:22:26 PM
sorry that was CA hockey with all the potted avocados.  I can only guess the reed tree may need more water if fruit drop is the problem and not fruit set.  Seems like they set way more fruit than the trees can support.

My reed dropped fruit last year when it didn't get enough water.  This year I have been doing more frequent watering and not a single fruit has fallen off.  I had to thin them out intentionally.  When its hot like this and dry, they water 2 or 3X a week.  Its been in the 90s, windy and 15% humidity here.  Been watering every 2 or 3 days. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on September 28, 2017, 10:01:53 PM
Behlgarden,
I'm also very surprised to hear your Reed isn't productive. I've never seen or heard of such a Reed. Can you post a picture? Where are you located?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 29, 2017, 10:19:58 AM
sorry that was CA hockey with all the potted avocados.  I can only guess the reed tree may need more water if fruit drop is the problem and not fruit set.  Seems like they set way more fruit than the trees can support.

My reed dropped fruit last year when it didn't get enough water.  This year I have been doing more frequent watering and not a single fruit has fallen off.  I had to thin them out intentionally.  When its hot like this and dry, they water 2 or 3X a week.  Its been in the 90s, windy and 15% humidity here.  Been watering every 2 or 3 days.

Interesting.  I too had a lot of fruit drop.  Out of a 100 or so they dropped about 60 the size of a golf ball.  I'll step up the watering.

Again, I can't imagine any avocado with a superior taste and  texture than a Reed.  I LOVE the thick rigid peel, makes for easy spooning.   New Sir Prize fruit looks great.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on September 29, 2017, 02:28:24 PM
Mark, you are a more seasoned gardener than myself so take this for what its worth.  You mentioned your fruit drop on your tree before, is that tree like the others in a semi potted/semi grounded type planting?  Only thought is if its in a above ground pot, the feeder roots are possibly not large enough to support a big crop.

  My trees that set a lot of fruit this year have been getting regular avo citrus food and I also did a single large dose of potassium sulfate and zinc sulfate to the trees early summer.  That and watering hard and trees are holding onto fruit and look really nice.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 01, 2017, 08:12:46 AM
Mark, you are a more seasoned gardener than myself so take this for what its worth.  You mentioned your fruit drop on your tree before, is that tree like the others in a semi potted/semi grounded type planting?  Only thought is if its in a above ground pot, the feeder roots are possibly not large enough to support a big crop.

Good point, but I really have no clue.  It's in a big pot, at least 36" diameter and the fact that the feeder roots are thick and fibrous due to the root tip pruning action of the system, would think it's sufficient to support it.   It gets a slow release 18-4-9 which may be too much N.  I have pot. sulfate, might hit it with that next summer.   The 8 trees are using alot of water.  I used 150 gals. of rainwater on them yesterday.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 01, 2017, 05:44:17 PM
Reason why you should always mulch avocados.  I tweeked my Reed's pot today by pulling away mulch and adding soil where need be...and other stuff.  Hard to see but blond feeder roots can be seen growing on top of the soil under a thick mulch of pine needles and leaves.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/9opxdi8etn/avocadoroots.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9opxdi8etn/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on October 01, 2017, 09:45:49 PM
YES! those tiny feeder roots are the source of your avocado health
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 02, 2017, 09:59:48 AM
YES! those tiny feeder roots are the source of your avocado health

You bet!  Creating that natural forest floor of humus is what it's all about.  All my avocado trees have a mat of healthy blond feeder roots right on top of the soil and under about 4-6" of mulch consisting of pine needles and their own leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on October 02, 2017, 09:27:00 PM
unfortunately i've no pine needles available here but i collect and treasure every single avocado leaf and i spread them gently around every tree covering them with some stone to prevent wind to wipe them away.
I've the same situation as yours, a thick net of creamy-colored feeding roots just under the leaves :-)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on October 03, 2017, 05:10:07 PM
If you're in California, what avocados are you eating from your yard now in early October?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on October 03, 2017, 05:49:24 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8wqho4a3kr/36905486-1_BD7-4_DBE-_A42_B-2_BDF8_B2_D765_E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8wqho4a3kr/)

These 3 varieties.  Assuming the left one is a Fuentes.  The other two not exactly sure.  Thought maybe middle was haas. But wife says it doesn’t taste like the ones she gets from the market.  It has a more pebbly skin.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on October 03, 2017, 09:15:33 PM

(https://s1.postimg.cc/8wqho4a3kr/36905486-1_BD7-4_DBE-_A42_B-2_BDF8_B2_D765_E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8wqho4a3kr/)

These 3 varieties.  Assuming the left one is a Fuentes.  The other two not exactly sure.  Thought maybe middle was haas. But wife says it doesn’t taste like the ones she gets from the market.  It has a more pebbly skin.
Did you mean Fuerte, rather than "Fuentes?"  Could middle one be Pinkerton?  It appears to have some Hass genetics (pebbly skin).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on October 03, 2017, 10:18:03 PM
I agree that the left one looks like it could be Fuerte, and the middle one could be Pinkerton, but the one on the right looks unfamiliar. Arc310, is it from a tree in your yard that you didn't plant? You're so lucky to have the varieties this month.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on October 04, 2017, 12:22:09 AM
@johnb51 - Fuerte yes. haha.

pinkerton hmm. i'll research more about it and compare some more pictures to see.

@gregA - yea...these are REALLY OLD trees....way older than i am now and the trunks i have to stretch to wrap my arms around some of them. had issues with some sprinklers and etc so it's taken a few years for it to start to recover again.

i'll go take some more pics of the 3rd one in more detail when i get back.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on October 04, 2017, 12:39:47 AM
The one on the far right looks like a Bacon.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 04, 2017, 09:36:41 AM
Pinkerton has a long neck, don't think that's a match for the insider.   Isn't it a bit early for Fuerte for you guys?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 04, 2017, 10:24:44 AM
Yes too soon for fuerte and pinkerton.  Have a lot sitting on my trees, too soon to pick them.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on October 04, 2017, 01:05:56 PM
Has anyone attempted to grow these with rooted cuttings rather than grafted trees? If so, what level of success did you have in terms of getting them to root, and how well did they do once established?

I'd like to attempt to do this myself, but want to make sure its viable before I go looking for cuttings to purchase.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on October 04, 2017, 09:14:12 PM
Rooting avocado cutting is difficult for my experience
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 04, 2017, 10:53:17 PM
Air layering is possible according to the interweb.  But most people just start a seed and graft onto it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 05, 2017, 10:24:50 AM
Rooting avocado cutting is difficult for my experience

....if not impossible.  Start a seed, graft on it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on October 05, 2017, 11:50:30 AM
I hope that Carlos in Homestead will follow up with Pinkerton and Green Gold unless Hurricane Irma destroyed his fruit.  These two could be important for Florida enthusiasts.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 05, 2017, 01:19:17 PM
I hope that Carlos in Homestead will follow up with Pinkerton and Green Gold unless Hurricane Irma destroyed his fruit.  These two could be important for Florida enthusiasts.

Carlos Pinkerton scions came from me and according to his latest reports they are promising in Homestead. The middle avocado is not Pinkerton may be Wurzt
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on October 05, 2017, 03:25:51 PM
Thanks! In that case I'll stick with grafting scions as my primary method. Still, I'd like to experiement with rooting cuttings and some folks in gardening group I run have had some success.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 06, 2017, 09:43:58 AM
I hope that Carlos in Homestead will follow up with Pinkerton and Green Gold unless Hurricane Irma destroyed his fruit.  These two could be important for Florida enthusiasts.

Carlos Pinkerton scions came from me and according to his latest reports they are promising in Homestead. The middle avocado is not Pinkerton may be Wurzt

JF I'm going to graft either a Sir Prize or Pinkerton on a fine Oro Negro rootstock next winter when buds begin to swell, coming out of dormancy.  If it was you, considering my limited real estate, which would you choose?  The Sir Prize so far is holding 4 pretty nice fruit (had 8, dropped some) for it's second year, is very vigorous and healthy.  Pinkerton is a bit of a runt in comparison.

I've tasted Pinkerton and love it.  Never tried Sir Prize.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 06, 2017, 11:26:06 AM
Pinkerton. This is a consistent top tier avocado can't say enough good things about it. Sir Prize is excellent ridiculous producer but every other year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 09, 2017, 09:02:13 AM
Pinkerton. This is a consistent top tier avocado can't say enough good things about it. Sir Prize is excellent ridiculous producer but every other year.

Thanks, Pinkerton it is.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 23, 2017, 07:45:58 PM
Was high of 118 and 1% humidity here today!  Hottest day of the year I believe. 

Went and looked at my avocados.  Trees look fine.  Watered yesterday.  Will hit them again tomorrow.  Interestingly the stewart, mexicola, bacon, pinkerton trees are starting to form buds.  Seems early to bloom but I guess its ok.  Early fruit set should mean mexican avocados by this time next year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on October 23, 2017, 10:02:04 PM
Yes, a nasty day indeed.

My Fuerte and Pinkerton are also pushing a couple of flower buds, not yet open. But my aunt lives about a mile from the ocean in San Diego County and her Fuerte was already in near full bloom last week. I was surprised to find that.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 23, 2017, 10:23:12 PM
The wind never really materialized here today but now its starting.  Its still 90 outside and the wind is starting to rip.  I just want to get through the next day and a half without any fires and no dropped fruit will be a plus.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 24, 2017, 09:15:24 AM
Was high of 118 and 1% humidity here today!  Hottest day of the year I believe. 

Huh? :-[  That's just crazy.  Is this the Santa Anna winds we read about?  Happy to know the trees are OK.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2017, 09:19:51 AM
The Santa Ana winds kicked in over night.  It was 79F outside around 10pm last night.  Woke up from the wind at 4AM and it was 90F outside!  Got hotter overnight.  Wind is kicking now and its going to be a rough day.  In about 12 hours from now, the wind will die down and temps will drop.  Fingers crossed no fires break out.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2017, 09:25:42 AM
The sun is almost up, just went to look at the trees.  They are getting a beat down already.  Its crazy windy and not even hot yet. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 24, 2017, 09:31:37 AM
The sun is almost up, just went to look at the trees.  They are getting a beat down already.  Its crazy windy and not even hot yet.

Man, that just sucks.   Seems almost every state has their weather challenges and you folks sure have yours.  Based on past posts you have an ample supply of water just in case of fire danger.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 24, 2017, 09:50:36 AM
Just thought of a great solution - Surround, a sprayable kaolin clay product.  I have sprayed my south facing trees with it to prevent sunburn as the sun sinks to the south shining thru a dropped down 4' High vent.  Some commercial folks use it to shade their grapes in summer heat, like Arizona and New Mexico.  Got a 25# bag from Consumer Protection Services.  You may have a branch near you. They ship.

Add a surfactant and just coat your trees top to bottom until their white.  May take 2 sprays or up the dose.

https://www.groworganic.com/media/pdfs/pmb380-b.pdf (https://www.groworganic.com/media/pdfs/pmb380-b.pdf)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2017, 10:11:50 AM
Right now I got both pumps running and moving as much water as I can onto my plants and into my tank.  Looks like a fire is burning south of the city near tijuana.  Nothing near here.  Going to move my baby plants in my garage and pack my valuables and be ready to bug out. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2017, 11:24:09 AM
The Fuerte and hass trees are looking a little parched but Reed trees absolutely take this heat and low humidity in stride.  Every time the Reed trees look perfect after a heat spell.  Good news not a single dropped fruit in sight so aparently all the trees can take it if watered.  Some look worse for a day or 2 but they all perk right back.

Heres a fuerte looking a little battered and a baby reed tree looking perfectly happy.  I would say guys in AZ and NV should be growing Reed.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4498/37193557664_cae187fc7b_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4443/37872256112_372f705868_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 24, 2017, 05:42:36 PM
very healthy looking trees Brad. We are starting our West Indian avocado season in a few week great Christmas cados. Ismael did not work in Homestead Florida as Carlos says.... the reason it works in Southern California is because it hangs on the tree for long time 


(https://s1.postimg.cc/930gpd9jgb/IMG_8203_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/930gpd9jgb/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/5fux1uh6ez/IMG_8204_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5fux1uh6ez/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2017, 07:26:54 PM
Never tried an indian type avocado.  Is it worth growing?  Whats it like?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ibliz on October 25, 2017, 02:27:48 AM
Iam thinking of starting an avocado collection by getting budwood overseas. The transit usually will take around 7 days. Will any of the  budwood  survive ? Please enlighten me..
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: igrowmangos on October 25, 2017, 08:41:36 AM
All these cado trees got me wondering why in the world I can't seem to get one to take off. They all end up drying out after a while and eventually I pull them due to lack of growth. May be I need to quit because I have spent 100's of dollars trying. Zone 9B. Orlando. I have done all I could even mound planting and babying them. SMH.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 25, 2017, 09:17:20 AM
Iam thinking of starting an avocado collection by getting budwood overseas. The transit usually will take around 7 days. Will any of the  budwood  survive ? Please enlighten me..

If you have any degree of heat during transit, forget it.  Overnight or something like 2 day would be an (very expensive) option and the inclusion of a frozen gel pak would be wise.   Then there is customs, inspections, etc.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 25, 2017, 01:57:14 PM
Never tried an indian type avocado.  Is it worth growing?  Whats it like?

Damn right it’s worth growing! good complement to our superior Hass type avocados. Ismael grown here is sweet and oily pairs well with Caribbean cuisine
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on October 25, 2017, 09:26:11 PM
Who among you in SoCal has used West Indian type seeds for rootstock?  I remember JF has suggested it.  I wonder how it does in a variety of microclimates -- coastal vs. foothills vs. inland.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 26, 2017, 12:38:53 AM
Brad here is a pix of Ismael from last year

(https://s1.postimg.cc/6g16ogv2uj/IMG_2754.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6g16ogv2uj/)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/5urj2611zf/IMG_2755.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5urj2611zf/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 26, 2017, 10:00:53 AM
Who among you in SoCal has used West Indian type seeds for rootstock?  I remember JF has suggested it.  I wonder how it does in a variety of microclimates -- coastal vs. foothills vs. inland.  Any thoughts?

I have and have tremendous success.  If you have hard water, high in bicarbs of Mg and Ca, it's a good choice. 

Sir Prize coming along nicely.  Newly grafted Frankencado set 8 Sir Prize, I dropped four.  Still a beast!

(https://s1.postimg.cc/7em5l0wwl7/Sir_Prize_Oct25_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7em5l0wwl7/)



(https://s1.postimg.cc/3p6xt7kd8r/Sir_Prize_Oct25.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3p6xt7kd8r/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 26, 2017, 11:36:57 AM
How long does the indian fruit sit on the tree?  What month do you pick it? 

On a different subject I had a deer in my orchard in the last few days.  I had left the gate open accidentally one night a few days ago.  Not sure if thats how/when it got in.  Hopefully it was than and not it jumping in.  That deer couldnt figure out how to get out and trampled my deer fence.  Wasnt a big deal, had to restaple a 10ft section back up. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on October 27, 2017, 12:10:11 AM
Glad to see you are having success with your cado graftings, Mark!

I especially interested in following your Sir prize variety, will be interested to see until when the fruits needed to stay hanging on the tree before ready for harvesting.  If they stay till March/April 2018, then I am afraid the tree won't have time to flower and bearing fruits again next year (2018)...thus, this would make this tree an alternate bearing one, won't it?

FYI, my 10 ft tree had a couple of fruits in 2015 that I picked in December that year (much too early per JF: I agree, tasted bland), no flowers in 2016 for some reason, this year 2017 have some fruits hanging, along with few others from different variety scions...

Btw Spaugh, your avo trees look very healthy, glad they survive last week's Santa Ana's wind with no damage...!

Curious to find out if this Sir prize variety is indeed an alternate bearing tree, anyone has some opinion to share? Thanks!

My Sir prize:
(https://i.imgur.com/tikJBXMl.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on October 27, 2017, 01:10:41 AM
Well, upon rereading this thread again, there on page 2:reply no. 49; JF already said that this "Sir prize is excellent ridiculous producer but every other year."

Something to think about folks, when planting this variety.

Now, I need to go back to my drawing board, maintaining some of the Sir prize main trunk, and adding/combining with more varieties on this same tree...hope this will work!

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 27, 2017, 09:02:41 AM
Thanks Samu.  Thanks to the kind generousity of a member I'm doing well with his scions.  Keep in mind I'm in a totally different clime than you.  I bet these fruits won't ripen until late winter with some of that being because of the low canopy mass to fruit ratio.  While folks in Florida are harvesting Oro Negro come November, mine are best come late Feb. and March.  My ON tree's foliar mass is heavy too.

Interesting about the alternate thingie, just looked at an OLD profile of popular Ca. avocado fruits.  I had made a note about it years ago re Sir Prize.  Frank is spot on, again.   ;)

(https://s1.postimg.cc/15cz5ljqbv/Avocado_Varieties_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/15cz5ljqbv/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 27, 2017, 11:29:20 AM
Avocado blooms grow on new vegetative growth tips.  When a tree is loaded with fruits it puts more energy into the fruit than doing new flushes.  Then you get a weak fruit set following a heavy fruit year.  Solution, thin your fruit set for a more even year to year crop.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: raiders36 on October 27, 2017, 04:27:56 PM
Samu FYI, my 10 ft tree had a couple of fruits in 2015 that I picked in December that year (much too early per JF: I agree, tasted bland), no flowers in 2016 for some reason, this year 2017 have some fruits hanging, along with few others from different variety scions...

I'm on the same page with you. One of my Sir Prize is the same size as your. Had very little flowers but manage to have 2 fruits. Hopefully over time the flowering increase 100,000 folds (hope it will be ridiculously as the Lamb). The Sir Prize is a really fast grower which I'm very fond of. My (2) 5 gal second year in the ground are like 5ft already. I think they will hit 10 ft next year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on October 27, 2017, 05:58:24 PM
Hi, thanks for that chart, Mark! Your scribbling on it actually made that an even more valuable one!  :D  Looks like Reed and Pinkerton are good choices for us home growers, huh? Okay, I'll be hunting for some more cado scions come Jan/Feb !

Spaugh, yeah, I read somewhere that one can attempt to "guide" the tree so that it won't go to the alternate bearing mode, but I forgot how or what the successful rate would be; so I will try your suggested thinning method and see what happens...

Hi Raiders, yes., it's fast upright growers,  -as Mark's chart and my tree indicates- .
On fruiting "year", you  may want to do lots of thinning and/or give extra limb support, as I recall Frank's large tree limb broke due to abundant of fruits weight about 2 years ago.

So, if this is ok, along with alternate bearing tendency of this Sir prize, then that's fine. But, I prefer to have a consistent yearly fruiting one, so I'll probably do a partial top worked on mine, keeping just a couple of Sir prize's at the lower branches...

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 28, 2017, 10:21:03 AM
Welcome Samu!

I think most any tree will go alternate to a major or minor degree if it's holding a lot of fruit just prior and during the blooming and fruit set period.  Seen it first hand with citrus.  I tend to let my blood oranges hang up to late March.  Really affects fruit set.   Tree says to itself, "self, why should I worry about next year children when we have all these kids ready to drop and carry on now?" 

My Reed may have had a heavy summer fruit drop due to the tree still holding a lot of last year's fruit.  Didn't harvest the last ones until Sept.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on October 28, 2017, 10:30:15 AM
To add to Mark’s comments, Guatemalans bloom and set fruits while holding a crop. Perfect example is my Holiday. It is holding fruits now it will bloom in January and set more
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 28, 2017, 10:34:43 AM
To add to Mark’s comments, Guatemalans bloom and set fruits while holding a crop. Perfect example is my Holiday. It is holding fruits now it will bloom in January and set more

Yep, it's that 18 mo. cycle, mas o menos.  Harvesting Guatemalans in March is a bit early however the Reeds I've picked in June were really good.

Never knew Holiday aka XX3 was a sport of Reed until recently.  No wonder folks love it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on November 05, 2017, 10:45:01 PM
Anyone notice their Sir-Prize getting more tip burn than other varieties? I have about ten varieties, and every year my Sir-Prize has the worst tip burn. I'm certain I water it as much as my other trees, so I'm wondering if it's the scion or the rootstock of this particular tree that's susceptible.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Seanny on November 06, 2017, 10:14:03 AM
My Reed got tip burn after 2 Santa Ana winds.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2017, 03:15:59 PM
Finally getting to pick some avocados.  We have been avoiding store avocados waiting for our trees to start putting out.  Today I picked a Sir prize, fuerte, and bacon.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4551/38554172962_043f3a977c_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 22, 2017, 04:54:24 PM
Nice, but doesn't Sir Prize turn black on the tree first?  Am new to this one reason why I ask.  Mine are:

(https://s7.postimg.cc/peg1fyh5j/Sir_Prize_Nov11.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/peg1fyh5j/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2017, 05:02:18 PM
I dont know either Mark, its new to me too.  My tree is only 2 years in the ground.  We got 3 or 4 of them last year and they were picked green and tasted good.  Mine do not appear to be turning color at all, they are just swelling up bigger.  Im guessing they will just keep growing for many more months and not change color but who knows.  There are a lot on the tree so I will try and let some go until March or April and see if they start turning black.

This one I picked was the first one this year so I will follow up in a week when we cut in and let you know how it was.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2017, 05:18:29 PM
Check out this video Mark, this was shot in early December.  He talks about Sir Prize in the second half.  All of the fruits he picked up at market are green.  I am going to go out on a limb and say your fruits are done and you wait to long they will be done done done.  If it was me I would pick one and see.   Since you are not in CA, you tree may think its further into winter and its time to finish sooner than here because of lower temps.  But that is just my guess.  Its 105F here right now by the way.

Check this video out.
https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE (https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on November 22, 2017, 07:40:08 PM
Yes, sir Prize has to turn black. Brad, that one had a long way to go
(https://s17.postimg.cc/5aa3uar0b/0_B41495_B-8_EC7-41_AC-8_A4_F-8_DB51_D8134_D6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5aa3uar0b/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 22, 2017, 08:31:13 PM
Thanks,  We are getting desperate here.  They can all go longer but the avocados at the store are junk.  I don't want to wait for it to turn black!   :-[  But we will wait...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 23, 2017, 09:09:03 AM
Thanks for clearing that up Frank.

Yeah, been following your temps.  LA hitting 95F, you 105F??????   ???

The Hass we get are all from Mexico and yes they are crap.  I love avocados but the only ones I find that are somewhat decent are from Sam's Club.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 23, 2017, 09:16:42 AM
Check this video out.
https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE (https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE)

Oh boy, if it aint Chris from Growquest, hah!  That video was shot in 2013.  I wonder if he's out of jail yet, or still living considering how many he's ripped off?

Also, it's Hass aka H-ASS, not Hoz!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 23, 2017, 10:18:54 AM
Haha I heard some stories or maybe read the comments on growquests scams.  He still has good videos even if he is a scam artist.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on November 23, 2017, 11:27:14 AM
Check this video out.
https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE (https://youtu.be/BY6CNEkXYGE)

Oh boy, if it aint Chris from Growquest, hah!  That video was shot in 2013.  I wonder if he's out of jail yet, or still living considering how many he's ripped off?

Also, it's Hass aka H-ASS, not Hoz!

I was one of his victims, $75 for a Holiday avocado tree he promoted in Youtube but that he never deliver, only promises...! Glad to know he was jailed, he deserved it!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on November 23, 2017, 12:56:28 PM
When Brokaw's avocado stand has Sir Prize fruits they're green and still taste pretty good.  I guess they pick them green for ease of handling...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on November 23, 2017, 02:21:56 PM

Oh boy, if it aint Chris from Growquest, hah!  That video was shot in 2013.  I wonder if he's out of jail yet, or still living considering how many he's ripped off?

Also, it's Hass aka H-ASS, not Hoz!

GrowQuest Growers: Guilty plea to felonies by owner of online nursery
http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/30153/GrowQuest_Growers:_Guilty_plea_to_felonies_by_owner_of_online_nursery.html (http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/30153/GrowQuest_Growers:_Guilty_plea_to_felonies_by_owner_of_online_nursery.html)

Update: Christopher Morgan Gilcrest is now out of prison and in Lancaster, California doing business as Earth Stone and Rock.
https://eclecticprogressive.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/chris-gilcrest-of-growquest-growers-is-a-fraud/ (https://eclecticprogressive.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/chris-gilcrest-of-growquest-growers-is-a-fraud/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on November 23, 2017, 02:37:58 PM
If you pick sir Prize green they are bland and lack oil. I’ve tasted hundreds of the cados. I’d wait until they color for optimum flavor....the longer the hang on the tree the better they taste
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 23, 2017, 04:37:05 PM
Whats the typical season start and end for sir prize JF?  My tree is loaded even after thinning twice.  They are swelling up and the tree is falling over.   I'd like to get some of them off sooner then later.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 24, 2017, 08:56:22 AM
GrowQuest Growers: Guilty plea to felonies by owner of online nursery
http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/30153/GrowQuest_Growers:_Guilty_plea_to_felonies_by_owner_of_online_nursery.html (http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/30153/GrowQuest_Growers:_Guilty_plea_to_felonies_by_owner_of_online_nursery.html)

Update: Christopher Morgan Gilcrest is now out of prison and in Lancaster, California doing business as Earth Stone and Rock.
https://eclecticprogressive.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/chris-gilcrest-of-growquest-growers-is-a-fraud/ (https://eclecticprogressive.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/chris-gilcrest-of-growquest-growers-is-a-fraud/)

Yep. He was convicted in June 2015 and the prosecutors expected a year sentence. Sure sure enough, July 2016 and he’s registered several domain names and is now shilling landscape gravel. Looks like he’s up to his old tricks by having multiple pages on Houzz with stolen photos.......

Wow!  I was actually kidding or rather speculating about him going to jail. Nice to know he served time.  I remember reading death threats against the turd about 8 years ago from quite a few folks that got ripped off.  One lady even video taped his "operations" which was nothing more than an empty driveway.  He turned it around and said he was going to "kill" the stalker who taped him as a poser and a shyster.  His online website of avocado trees was very nice, too good to be true of course.

Mark
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 24, 2017, 09:03:27 AM
I was one of his victims, $75 for a Holiday avocado tree he promoted in Youtube but that he never deliver, only promises...! Glad to know he was jailed, he deserved it!

Sorry to hear that.  Another one you've got to be careful of is Top Tropical.  I try to find out someone's rep before ordering and Dave's Garden is a good source.  LOT's of negative and neutrals on TT.  https://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/2785/
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on November 24, 2017, 01:16:10 PM
Thanks for the heads up Mark! I’ve had bought a few trees
from Toptropicals, my experience with them has been good -so far-
one time they sent a replacement tree for a  dead one even
after a few days in my possession...


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 25, 2017, 08:29:13 AM
Thanks for the heads up Mark! I’ve had bought a few trees
from Toptropicals, my experience with them has been good -so far-
one time they sent a replacement tree for a  dead one even
after a few days in my possession...

Question is, why are they selling you a dead tree in the first place?  :D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on November 25, 2017, 10:42:04 AM
I don't think the young tree was dead when they shipped it, but possibly unhealthy
when it arrived due to heat (Summer time) inside the box..., and I wasn't able to
rejuvenate the tree to recover from it...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: 9B in Brazil on November 25, 2017, 10:49:31 PM
So my 30 yo avocado lost all it's leaves this past winter in Brazil, and it never came back.  Not sure what caused its demise, but I want to plant some new ones.  I still have a small avocado about 8 feet tall that I want to top work as it was just a seedling.  Because of my heavy rainfall and humidity, I think the Florida avocados would do better in my climate.  Can anyone shed some light on this and maybe suggest which cultivars I should graft?  My temperatures rarely go below freezing, but it still is possible.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: OCchris1 on November 27, 2017, 02:44:13 AM
My only real beef with TT's is that my fruiting "LZ" is not LZ....I've planted the seeds and they are Mono not Poly like everyone states. I mean, it looks like LZ pics but the seeds are mono. That, and they're trees are have been Anthracnosed-big time. Chris
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: OCchris1 on November 27, 2017, 02:45:31 AM
My apologies for the hijack. Carry on. Chris
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 02, 2017, 11:00:32 AM
Follow up on my green sir prize.  It turned black and got soft and tastes great.  Yes it will get better but its better than anything we can get at the store or market.  Notably better than the bacon and fuertes we have been eating.  We will continue to pick them every few weeks to see how they progress.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4518/37900819575_fb0fb198b8_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 03, 2017, 09:44:55 AM
Follow up on my green sir prize.  It turned black and got soft and tastes great.  Yes it will get better but its better than anything we can get at the store or market.  Notably better than the bacon and fuertes we have been eating.  We will continue to pick them every few weeks to see how they progress.

Nice job!  Your opinion, I have one that is about 90% black.  Time to pick?  I only let this new tree hold 5 so don't have much wiggle room for experimenting.  The few Holiday I left are huge.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 03, 2017, 12:10:40 PM
I would pick it. 

Great avocado, soft and spreadable and peels super easy.  Let it get nice and soft.  The skin is thin so they get wrinkly and flat spots from sitting on the counter.  Its ok, just let it get really soft even if it starts looking a bit over done

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on December 03, 2017, 05:25:19 PM
Mark,
Are the avocados in your greenhouse hand-pollinated or pollinated by insects?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on December 03, 2017, 05:33:44 PM
Mark
I would be patient , whats the hurry, let it hang on the tree as long as it can for full flavor. Believe I’ve been harvesting sir Prize for a while and you want to wait.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 04, 2017, 09:59:12 AM

One is about 95% black.   OK, will let it hang. There's no rush.  Was even thinking about letting one drop just to see what that's all about.

(https://s7.postimg.cc/41uunwkjr/Sir_Prize_Dec4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/41uunwkjr/)

All my greenhouse fruit is pollinated by hundreds of visiting pollinators Greg. Every kind of specie of bee, moth, butterfly, wasp, and some really wild looking flies.  Flies really like the Gwen cado for some reason.  Perhaps ol Gwen needs a shower.  8)
 
(https://s7.postimg.cc/tyfc92z5z/Flieson_Gwen_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tyfc92z5z/)

Wow, Holiday is a big fruit.  One on the right has gotta be going on 2 pounds.  I'll let them go for another 8 mos.

(https://s7.postimg.cc/alt1giwc7/Holiday_Dec-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/alt1giwc7/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on December 04, 2017, 10:15:09 AM
Thanks Mark. Speaking of Gwen, mine is flowering right now, more and earlier than any of my other avocado varieties. Same for you?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on December 04, 2017, 10:18:58 AM
Mark

Yea, let them drop those look ready but if they want to hang on let them. Holiday is a good size fruit but production has been inconsistent for me. I’m patient so I’ll just let the tree mature since it does take too much space.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 05, 2017, 08:40:49 AM
Thanks Mark. Speaking of Gwen, mine is flowering right now, more and earlier than any of my other avocado varieties. Same for you?

Because of our rather cold winters nothing but a key lime flowers until spring.  We've got a chance of snow come Wednesday night!   YESSSSSSSSSSSS!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 05, 2017, 08:47:25 AM
Mark

Yea, let them drop those look ready but if they want to hang on let them. Holiday is a good size fruit but production has been inconsistent for me. I’m patient so I’ll just let the tree mature since it does take too much space.

I also use skin gloss as an indicator.   Have never noticed but I'm wondering if another indicator might be some lignifying (woodiness) of the stem peduncle right next to the fruit.  With grapes good hang time, maturity, is often indicated by browning, lignifying, of the cluster peduncle along with other factors - brown seeds that crunch in the teeth, brix of 22* plus, etc.  I bet there is a difference in seed coat color for many fruit too.

It's my understanding that Holiday (being a sport of Reed) needs a good 14 - 18 mos. of hang time.  Am shocked as to how fast the Sir Prize matured from a blossom set in Feb./March. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 07, 2017, 10:28:52 AM
Wind has been beating my trees up the last few days.  Here we are in December and have wildfire conditions and santa ana winds.  Went to look at the damage to the trees and had some hass fruit laying on the ground.  Everything else is hanging tight.  Snapped some photos of the fruits we are patiently waiting for.

Hass next to holiday
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4583/24981077108_2569fc8407_b.jpg)

Reed balls
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4527/37966564485_87c083f688_b.jpg)

Pinkerton
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4544/38853690031_d905e597af_b.jpg)

Green sirprizes
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4531/24028955067_31da7648ff_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on December 07, 2017, 01:44:37 PM
Wow, you Spaugh and Mark got very desirable collection of Avocado varieties!
Congratulations on successfully growing and nursing them;
I see lots of guacamole there... :D
Meanwhile, my Sir prize fruit is also darkening maybe about 70%
as of last week, so you guys will be ahead of me...

(https://i.imgur.com/dA0vq7Ml.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 07, 2017, 01:55:52 PM
The strong santa ana wind is knocking fruit off my trees today.  Sadly these would have been much closer to ready in 3 or 4 months.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4580/24032172107_e6046da5c8_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 08, 2017, 09:11:46 AM
The strong santa ana wind is knocking fruit off my trees today.  Sadly these would have been much closer to ready in 3 or 4 months.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4580/24032172107_e6046da5c8_b.jpg)

Based on what we're witnessing on the news, you're lucky you have a home.  It just makes us sick to see what's going on in SoCal.

Having said that, the fruit look amazing.

Way to go Sam!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on December 10, 2017, 10:42:24 PM
Check out this article that talks of seedless avocados. Do you think they're referring to Fuerte cukes? And my gosh, do the Brits really find it that challenging to cut open an avocado that has a seed?

http://amp.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/cocktail_avocado_promoted_as_safer_version_by_british_grocer_selling_them.html (http://amp.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/12/cocktail_avocado_promoted_as_safer_version_by_british_grocer_selling_them.html)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 14, 2017, 12:47:24 PM
Was worried these hass fruits that got knocked off in the winds would not ripen but they are excellent.  Better than the fuerte, bacon and sir prize fruits for december(same year fruits).  Better than store cados.
 Cant complain...  The trees are still loaded with fruit but about 20 of them got blown off 1 hass tree. 

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4738/24193445177_eb268a46b9_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: simon_grow on December 14, 2017, 06:16:04 PM
Amazon harvest Spaugh, time to make avocado smoothies!

Simon
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on December 15, 2017, 09:29:43 PM
Ismael 3lb west Indian avocado creamy and sweet a holiday treat
(https://s17.postimg.cc/50cf88wfv/IMG_9598.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/50cf88wfv/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 17, 2017, 07:32:15 AM
Ismael 3lb west Indian avocado creamy and sweet a holiday treat
(https://s17.postimg.cc/50cf88wfv/IMG_9598.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/50cf88wfv/)

Damn, speaking of a branch breaker!

With a very gentle tug pulled my first Sir Prize yesterday. Can't wait....
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on December 17, 2017, 11:04:25 AM
WOW Spaugh and Frank you guy's have posted pic's of some of the biggest avo's I've seen since last time in Hawaii, thanks for posting love to see when folks can grow excellent avocado's 8) 8) ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on December 17, 2017, 12:20:32 PM
Here is 3.5lb Ismael next to a 2lb campus ...... best Christmas avicado it wipes the floor with bacon
(https://s33.postimg.cc/p39gvsst7/51_C9_C2_FE-_B19_C-46_AA-_AEB1-538258449_AE2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p39gvsst7/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/oqi2pmi97/A42_E784_C-6_DF3-4_EE9-9698-7_EDA24_D01556.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oqi2pmi97/)

Creamy, sweet not watery and easy peel

(https://s17.postimg.cc/wlarfte17/BC0_FAD5_B-0_BAC-4856-83_D8-89119_E155_C20.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wlarfte17/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Sayan128 on December 18, 2017, 09:35:15 PM
I just bought a “dwarf hybrid”avocado from
Home Depot. Then I noticed on my way home that it was actually grown from a seed as the bottom had a split open pit where the stem came out. What are my chances of having gotten one that actually will fruit? I’ve been waiting to get my hands on a GEM avocado for the past half a year but still haven’t gotten lucky so I caved today when I saw it...now hoping I won’t refret growing this thing!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on December 18, 2017, 10:39:49 PM
I think what you need to observe is whether it has a "graft line", usually about few inches above the soil surface. If that's positive, then you know it's grafted tree, and with the seed showing, this is what you want, because you'll have s tap root growing under that seed; resulting in generally faster and stronger growing tree.  (As compared to air layered tree without a tap root).

I am surprise if Home Depot is selling seedling avocado or cherimoya. But on mango, I read that they sell Manila seedlings from Lavern's nursery...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 18, 2017, 11:06:21 PM
The HD trees are grafted on zutano seedling rootstock.  The tag may say who grew it but most likely "wurtz" aka "little cado" aka "dwarf" from laverne nursery.

They have them at lowes too.  It should set fruit in a year or 2 if all goes well at its new home.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 20, 2017, 10:06:57 AM
First Sir Prize, and the flavor is NOT good plus there's internal issues. 10.15 oz. Texture is fine but the taste is almost like the crappy Tex-mex or Brogdon.  Having said that I know it's my fault for letting the newly grafted Frankencado hold too much fruit, five for the Sir Prize branch.  This one fell off in my hand and only took 2 days to soften on the counter.  The skin is very thin, much like a pure Mex making it impossible to spoon or peel without making a mess.  I hope it improves with age as everything I've read over the years both from growers and university pros say it's 'excellent'.

This half was treated with juice from a fresh key lime 2 days ago, placed in a baggie in fridge.  There were gray spots when first cut.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/7zyep1w3p/Sir_Prize_Fruit_Dec18.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7zyep1w3p/)


(https://s10.postimg.cc/3s3mge2et/Sir_Prize_Fruit_Dec18_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3s3mge2et/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 20, 2017, 10:41:49 AM
Thats a bummer.  Are there more on there Mark?  Seems like that one was past prime.  Maybe get the others off asap.  I would pick 1 green and try next year.  Or as soon as it starts turning color.   Avocados can get over ripe and get a rancid flavor.

The peels on SP come off really easy.  You can quarter it and they peel right off.  Should not be a mess to prepare.   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 21, 2017, 09:45:55 AM
Thats a bummer.  Are there more on there Mark?  Seems like that one was past prime.  Maybe get the others off asap.  I would pick 1 green and try next year.  Or as soon as it starts turning color.   Avocados can get over ripe and get a rancid flavor.

The peels on SP come off really easy.  You can quarter it and they peel right off.  Should not be a mess to prepare.

Tried to pull off yesterday, it wouldn't budge. It's black.  Will get it off today Brad.  That leaves for more hanging though.  Nice to know the thin skin is not typical as that would be a deal killer for me.

BTW, one grower made this comment about the fruit profile.  Comments?

Thin skin is definitely not typical. It is medium thick (like Hass) and relatively easy to peel. It is not a shell (like Reed) nor is it stuck to the flesh (like Mexican varieties). The shape of the avocado looks right. But one thing that I am finding it hard to make out from the picture: Sir Prize is very distinctive in that the stem end of the avocado has these funny 'ridges'. They are not incredibly pronounced, but when you compare them to other avocado shapes they are very obvious and distinctive. The ridges are at the stem end, and run axially and cover the top 1/4-1/3 of the fruit.
 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 21, 2017, 12:22:50 PM
The skin on mine are extra thin.  But it just about falls off of long sliced pieces.  Very easy to prepare.  Just use a knife instead of a spoon.

Also, no need to treat with lime juice, Sir Prize doesn't oxidize.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mugenia on December 21, 2017, 12:37:57 PM
Folks,

What is the Aravaipa avocado? A bunch of Arizona YouTubers are hawking this fruit like crazy. I am curious if there's anything special about it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on December 21, 2017, 01:47:29 PM
It's because it's one of the few avocados that will grow in Arizona. At least that's what I've gathered from those YouTube videos. I've never tasted the actual avocado.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 27, 2017, 10:28:46 AM
The skin on mine are extra thin.  But it just about falls off of long sliced pieces.  Very easy to prepare.  Just use a knife instead of a spoon.

Also, no need to treat with lime juice, Sir Prize doesn't oxidize.

2nd Sir Prize and you were right, it is excellent - perfect creamy texture like a stick of butter, complex, rich. The only drawback is a thin skin that tends to stick to the meat.  Hope that changes with tree age. Key (for me) is to pick it with just a bit of skin green haze, about 95% black and not let it ripen more than 3 days on the counter. It's a keeper, just delish!

(https://s17.postimg.cc/uz31y7zt7/Sir_Prize_2nd_One_Dec_26.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uz31y7zt7/)


(https://s17.postimg.cc/gjpqd370r/Sir_Prize_2nd_One_Dec_26_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gjpqd370r/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on December 27, 2017, 03:31:30 PM
I envy you Spaugh and Mark, my ripening Sir prize (above photo) was gone
during the big Santa Ana wind recently: probably already devoured by rats...!
Oh well, waiting for the next ones to ripen up...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: boxturtle on December 27, 2017, 04:17:35 PM
nice! is reed pretty slow growing?  I got mine planted in a flower bed and it's been growing pretty slow what's a good fertilizer regiment for them?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 27, 2017, 05:56:00 PM
Nice one Mark,  weird your skin is sticking.  It peels right off mine.  My fuertes stick like you are saying though.  I picked another green Sir Prize and its on the counter now.  They are all still green.  Had a bacon get over ripe.  Been eating hass, bacon, fuerte, and 2nd Sir Prize is coming. 

Samu, thats a bummer, I had lots of hass knock off in the santa anas.  It seems the key is to water water water for that weather.

Boxturtle Reed is a medium fast grower.  They grow pretty fast if they arent holding fruits. If its in full sun it should hit its stride next summer.

 I quit fertilizing back in September but its been so hot they could use a feeding probably.  Any citrus/avocado food will work.  Usually hit them every few months with a few handfulls of fertilizer on the mulch and then water it in.  Was hoping we would get some rain soon to leach out the soil but its not looking like much rain this winter.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 28, 2017, 11:19:01 AM
Reed is very vigorous for me and a must-have in your collection.  Sir Prize has a bit different fruit character, both really sooooooo fine.   Oro Negro is good perhaps a 6.5 out 10 rating.  My Gwen is a true runt and another very good fruit.  Very productive such that it needs thinning.

Against the grain I use a 12 mo. encapsulated 18-4-9 with micros.  I might tweek it come late fall with a Peters 20-3-19.

Brad, try letting it go black and then pick immediately.  Would like to know if yours ripen ultra fast.  That first one I picked could have been cut in only 2 days for a better quality fruit.  Have 3 more hanging with one on the counter coming in at 12.0 oz.  This is fun!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 28, 2017, 12:29:14 PM
Reed is very vigorous for me and a must-have in your collection.  Sir Prize has a bit different fruit character, both really sooooooo fine.   Oro Negro is good perhaps a 6.5 out 10 rating.  My Gwen is a true runt and another very good fruit.  Very productive such that it needs thinning.

Against the grain I use a 12 mo. encapsulated 18-4-9 with micros.  I might tweek it come late fall with a Peters 20-3-19.

Brad, try letting it go black and then pick immediately.  Would like to know if yours ripen ultra fast.  That first one I picked could have been cut in only 2 days for a better quality fruit.  Have 3 more hanging with one on the counter coming in at 12.0 oz.  This is fun!

I will try it if they ever turn black.  They are fully green still here.  Not sure what the hold up is.  Maybe because its still 80F outside.  Im hanging out in shorts and sandals still.  My oranges are not turning orange yet either.  Usually they are ready now. 

I got a 50lb bag of osmocote pro 8-9 month 19-5-8 sitting on the shelf.  I may try some of that on my in ground trees this coming spring.  I like the time release for potted plants a lot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: boxturtle on December 28, 2017, 05:28:44 PM
thanks yeah I hoping its not the june bug grubs  that slowing it down :( I tried milky spores and nanotodes hope it works
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on December 31, 2017, 10:09:36 AM
I will try it if they ever turn black.  They are fully green still here.  Not sure what the hold up is.  Maybe because its still 80F outside.  Im hanging out in shorts and sandals still.  My oranges are not turning orange yet either.  Usually they are ready now. 

I got a 50lb bag of osmocote pro 8-9 month 19-5-8 sitting on the shelf.  I may try some of that on my in ground trees this coming spring.  I like the time release for potted plants a lot.

Yeah, you're on the warm and dry side unfortunately.  Crazy weather, a La Nina climate anomoly according to the all time expert, Joe Bastardi.  As I speak it's Game On in the Texas hill country with temps at 35F now and dropping, 3 nights in the teens starting tonigh, 6 days of below freezing temps.  Topped off the greenhouse propane tank, wrapped outdoor citrus, etc. 

Let r rip......
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on January 02, 2018, 12:28:43 PM
Here is one of the best cado in season, can get enough.
Ismael like butter not watery despite its West Indian  linage
(https://s14.postimg.cc/68h6igckd/8_B69696_C-24_A5-44_A7-9996-09_C14_ABEF401.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/68h6igckd/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/8ebhcmvct/C6504_D3_B-_E367-4_DF3-_B31_E-793_FECD16_A1_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8ebhcmvct/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on January 05, 2018, 10:12:46 AM
Here is one of the best cado in season, can get enough.
Ismael like butter not watery despite its West Indian  linage
(https://s14.postimg.cc/68h6igckd/8_B69696_C-24_A5-44_A7-9996-09_C14_ABEF401.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/68h6igckd/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/8ebhcmvct/C6504_D3_B-_E367-4_DF3-_B31_E-793_FECD16_A1_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8ebhcmvct/)

Nice and simply amazing that it's not watery which is a real turn off for me.  Speaking of W. Indies lineage Carlos mailed me some Catalinas and Monroes which we were really enjoyed.

Harvested my third Sir Prize and it was the excellent - VERY creamy, tasty, peeled quite easy.  I picked it with just a spot of green and instead of taking 3 days on the counter like the others this one took about 9 days.  Nice size too - 12.0 oz.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/cqorv7s9h/Sir_Prize_Jan4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cqorv7s9h/)

(https://s10.postimg.cc/q909kroid/Sir_Prize_Jan4_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/q909kroid/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 30, 2018, 11:41:53 AM
Went and checked the trees out this morning.  We had a santa ana event and the trees got blasted a bit this weekend.  No damage or lost fruits thankfully.  Noticed my pinkerton tree already has started setting fruit.

Most of the trees are in full bloom. 

(https://s14.postimg.cc/4iz3ao0b1/20180130_080738.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4iz3ao0b1/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/4iz3ankvh/20180130_081022.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4iz3ankvh/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sidney on January 30, 2018, 04:35:16 PM
I have Lula,Oro Negro, Day and Brogdon.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on January 30, 2018, 09:52:46 PM
Too many Santa Ana events this past year.

I lost >90% of my stone fruit fruitlets in April. I finally got to taste my royal Lee and Minnie royal cherries - all 2 of them that I could salvage. No pluerries, cherry plums, only 3 splash Pluto’s, can’t remember the others but total loss.

Then end of September had Santa Ana winds wind burn most of my avocados as they are in pots. Still recovering with lots of TLC

Then the past 2 weekends I have done more than 40 graftso including multiple avocado and stone fruit. Next day we have Santa Ana’s for 2 days.  Hopefully something takes.

My pinkertons are in bloom but I’m missinge bees this year. I don’t see too many around the yard.

K
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 31, 2018, 12:13:48 AM
Time to get a bee hive!  Your neighbors will love it.   :)

Theres a fued between one of my neighbors who has 5 bee hives and the other who has a pool.  Pool guy and his guests were getting stung in the pool by all the bees that drink it.  The bees are welcome at my house, I have lots of fruit trees and no pool.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on January 31, 2018, 07:42:27 AM
Spring pollinators for me are not just bees, many are flies!  Also have moths, butterflies, red wasps.  Millions of bees (bee hives) were lost to the flooding by Hurricane Harvey.  We even have bees foraging in December.   If you leave a can of Cola around they will set up house in and on it.

There were about 8 flies feeding at this small section of Gwen avocado blossoms (RIP).  :D 

(https://s10.postimg.cc/jruvfc1p1/Flieson_Gwen_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jruvfc1p1/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on January 31, 2018, 08:35:49 AM
Too many Santa Ana events this past year.

I lost >90% of my stone fruit fruitlets in April. I finally got to taste my royal Lee and Minnie royal cherries - all 2 of them that I could salvage. No pluerries, cherry plums, only 3 splash Pluto’s, can’t remember the others but total loss.

Then end of September had Santa Ana winds wind burn most of my avocados as they are in pots. Still recovering with lots of TLC

Then the past 2 weekends I have done more than 40 graftso including multiple avocado and stone fruit. Next day we have Santa Ana’s for 2 days.  Hopefully something takes.

My pinkertons are in bloom but I’m missinge bees this year. I don’t see too many around the yard.

K
So have the Santa Ana winds increased in frequency and intensity in recent years? 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 31, 2018, 11:45:32 AM
The last 6 months or so have been bad because it was a hot summer and no rain hardly since March of 2017.  I think we had 1 storm a few weeks ago that made 2 or 3 inches.  Thats like 8 or 9 months it rained once.  That makes the wind particularly dry.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on January 31, 2018, 11:11:14 PM

So have the Santa Ana winds increased in frequency and intensity in recent years? 
[/quote]

I have only been paying attention the last few years and last year was definitely  the worst.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 16, 2018, 04:15:31 PM
Went and looked at my trees today.  One of my sir prize trees had its first black fruit.  Its still hard.  Glad I checked on them, will report back on quality black on tree vs green on tree.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4765/40306028011_f2025072eb_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on February 16, 2018, 05:20:25 PM
Nice harvest there, Spaugh!

I picked my first darkened Sir prize on Jan 29; your entry above reminded me that I had one picked already that I stashed in the fridge and I just tasted it now: Hmm..., smooth, full of flavor and just enough oil content it seems. Also, the seed is relatively small, and it's skin does not stick to the meat, and the meat is easily separated from the fruit's skin using a spoon, even though the skin is on the thin side.Much different than the only I had last season; when I picked it in December: it was bland, tasteless ...

Obviously; December was way too early to pick this variety in SoCal; I guess the darkening of the fruit is a good indication of it being ready to be picked, huh?

(https://i.imgur.com/wyZLF7Tl.jpg)

Hope you enjoy yours, Spaugh! Too bad that Mark from Texas is unable to joint our Sir prize tasting experience...holler on me when you are ready to do some grafting, Mark!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on February 17, 2018, 07:28:02 AM
Way to go Samu!

Too bad that Mark from Texas is unable to joint our Sir prize tasting experience...holler on me when you are ready to do some grafting, Mark!

Oh, but I have, on a Frankencado that was grafted 2016.  I let that branch hold 7.  Got some really nice fruit.  Now, whether or not it's alive is debatable.  The Reed and Gwen are, which is a frickin' miracle.  Remember Reed is a frost tender Guatemalan strain and my greenhouse hit 18F.  For how long I don't know.  Looks pretty sad but all the citrus is alive too, yay!

Sir Prize:

(https://s10.postimg.cc/3mfnoda79/Sir_Prize_2nd_One_Dec_26.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3mfnoda79/)

Dec. 4

(https://s10.postimg.cc/c4p3sq3v9/Sir_Prize_Dec4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/c4p3sq3v9/)

Took this shot yesterday.  With my recent pruning this house is pretty damn bare.   We have a scion exchange next Saturday so I'll be getting seedling stock then and other goodies.   That beautiful Reed on the right was 10' X 10' 

(https://s10.postimg.cc/uljijbmbp/Greenhouse_Feb15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uljijbmbp/)

Guacamole' anyone?  This is a fraction of the avocados I lost.  The others are on a burn pile, kitchen counter, or seeds stuck with toothpicks sitting in water.  I did get to eat a few Oro Negro but being a month early they were only fair in taste.  Texture was incredible, skin like hard leather which I like.  I lost a nice crop of Holiday, Reed, Oro Negro, Gwen and a few strays like Ardith.

(https://s10.postimg.cc/dl0mat9c5/Greenhouse_Feb15_6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dl0mat9c5/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on February 17, 2018, 07:31:40 AM
Foliar nubs on Reed.


(https://s10.postimg.cc/7wubk351h/Greenhouse_Feb15_3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7wubk351h/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on February 17, 2018, 11:26:03 AM
Glad to see those nubs!
I supposed you are now working on getting the alarm installed, Mark? Have fun!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on February 18, 2018, 09:04:03 AM
Glad to see those nubs!
I supposed you are now working on getting the alarm installed, Mark? Have fun!

Yeah, am pretty happy about it Sam.  Still having trouble finding a source for White Sugarloaf.  Will order a temp alarm system to add to my Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 system.  Great weather station BTW.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on March 04, 2018, 06:18:07 PM
I’ve only been living in the area for the past 4 years but will say that this last year was the worst of the 4. Time will tell. Maybe some of the others who’ve lived in the area longer can speak to any trends they’ve noticed. I know about 10 years ago my parents had hurricane force winds (70-80) mph in the hills in Pasadena, completely defoliated and wind burnt many of their trees.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 31, 2018, 06:43:35 PM
Didnt water my trees for a while and found a few dropped fruit today.  My holiday dropped 2 big boys.  And a few hass fell off.  The Sir Prizes were black and were picked.  Still have a lot of Sir Prize that will need to be picked and eaten soon.  Gave the trees an extra squirt of water today.


(https://s17.postimg.cc/vsznihqgr/20180331_152423.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsznihqgr/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on March 31, 2018, 07:33:49 PM
Nice harvest Brad you got it going on for sure!!  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: pineislander on March 31, 2018, 07:54:10 PM
I'm in Florida but have quite a few trees which are variety unknown. As fruit develops I'll post some pics to try and identify them.
This was the earliest, three trees which are very compact, short and small leaved compared to all other trees I have. Anyone care to venture a guess on the variety?


(https://s18.postimg.cc/x9l2w1oat/DSC01293.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x9l2w1oat/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 31, 2018, 09:21:59 PM
Nice harvest Brad you got it going on for sure!!  ;)

Thank you!  We are enjoying our returns for all the work we put in.  My friends and family always want to sample the goods.  One of our friends calls them the spavocados.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on March 31, 2018, 10:25:31 PM
My last 2 Sir prizes dropped this morning:
(https://i.imgur.com/jJaCuvUm.jpg)

Sorry Pineislander, no idea of what your variety is, but your tree
looks so healthy with of all green leaves. All my older leaves
are green/brown combo..., I suspect was due to our hard water,
and hardly taking any rain water... (SoCal drought).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 01, 2018, 07:52:55 AM
Didnt water my trees for a while and found a few dropped fruit today.  My holiday dropped 2 big boys.  And a few hass fell off.  The Sir Prizes were black and were picked.  Still have a lot of Sir Prize that will need to be picked and eaten soon.  Gave the trees an extra squirt of water today.


(https://s17.postimg.cc/vsznihqgr/20180331_152423.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsznihqgr/)

Very nice harvest!

Does the taste of the Holiday live up to all the hype?   As you know I lost mine in the Jan. 17 freeze, one fruit hung on for about a month, the stem dried up and I tried it.  Even though it shriveled a bit it wasn't half bad regarding flavor in spite of it needing another 7-8 mos. hang time.  Holiday is certainly an attractive fruit too.

Jan. 25

(https://s9.postimg.cc/5oc5t5pt7/Holiday_Jan25.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5oc5t5pt7/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 01, 2018, 09:54:18 AM
Didnt water my trees for a while and found a few dropped fruit today.  My holiday dropped 2 big boys.  And a few hass fell off.  The Sir Prizes were black and were picked.  Still have a lot of Sir Prize that will need to be picked and eaten soon.  Gave the trees an extra squirt of water today.


(https://s17.postimg.cc/vsznihqgr/20180331_152423.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vsznihqgr/)

Very nice harvest!

Does the taste of the Holiday live up to all the hype?   As you know I lost mine in the Jan. 17 freeze, one fruit hung on for about a month, the stem dried up and I tried it.  Even though it shriveled a bit it wasn't half bad regarding flavor in spite of it needing another 7-8 mos. hang time.  Holiday is certainly an attractive fruit too.

Jan. 25

(https://s9.postimg.cc/5oc5t5pt7/Holiday_Jan25.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5oc5t5pt7/)

I dont know Mark, I have 2 holiday trees both 2 years old.  Havent tried the fruit yet.  One aborted the fruits yesterday, the other one is still holding 2 fruits.  It sucks, I should have been watering more.  It got in the mid 80s with wind the last few days and I made the mistake of not watering.  Our soil drains really fast and doesnt hold much moisture.  Its all rock and sand.  Heres a photo of one of the holiday trees.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/wv13sm67v/20180326_111542.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wv13sm67v/)

We ate a bunch of pinkertons in the last few weeks.  Thats an excellent tasting fruit.  Everyone in the house agreed that was really fine tasting avocado.  I have to be honest though, so many of these trees make good fruit but overall they have sone weaknesses compared to hass.  Hass tastes great, bears heavy, grows fast, hangs on the tree forever...  hard to beat it.

Pinkerton
(https://s17.postimg.cc/tbf62wye3/20180328_074248.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tbf62wye3/)

Not sure if you can see her but I caught bambi eyeing my avocados through the fence the other morning.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/aaabnbmcr/20180329_065446.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/aaabnbmcr/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 02, 2018, 10:26:36 AM
Deer looks cool.  Me and a lot of others deer fence.   I've got 14 acres protected.

Does the neck of the Pinkerton turn ripe before the rest of the body? 

Fine looking Holiday.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on April 02, 2018, 10:46:24 AM
No it ripens perfectly even delicious  avocado
(https://s17.postimg.cc/v9hp6kl0r/53_F3_FF29-6994-47_F5-84_A3-_A4_D09_D4_AD403.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v9hp6kl0r/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 03, 2018, 07:51:59 AM
No it ripens perfectly even delicious  avocado
(https://s17.postimg.cc/v9hp6kl0r/53_F3_FF29-6994-47_F5-84_A3-_A4_D09_D4_AD403.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v9hp6kl0r/)

Looks delish!  I've bought Pinkerton fruit mail order.  They are really fine.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on April 05, 2018, 01:24:51 AM
Does reed bloom for you guys in socal yet? New to reed, it's holding lots of fruits this year and hesitant to flower. All other trees are in frantic bloom and I start to worry I may not get many reeds next year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: BestDay on April 05, 2018, 01:28:13 AM
My small Reed is just starting to bloom now and dropping it's fruit from last year.

Bill
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Seanny on April 05, 2018, 02:10:25 AM
My young Reed is blooming. I see a couple of tiny fruits. It's not holding  any fruits from last year.

My neighbor's Hass bloomed 1st week of March last year, earlier than my Reed. There were no fruits on the Hass.
This year, with fruits still holding, it's beginning to bloom.

So your Reed should bloom a bit later when it's holding fruits.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 05, 2018, 10:08:10 AM
Reed blooms last and self pollinates.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 05, 2018, 10:49:32 AM
Reed blooms last and self pollinates.

Yep.  The only one that blooms (or did) with Reed was my Oro Negro, which I'm going to top work.  Rootstock is putting off nice shoots.

Speaking of Reed, it's coming back with a vengeance.  I left 4 shoots go and some are as big as my thumb.  Is this crazy or what????  My greenhouse hit 18F, this is pure Guatemalan, not supposed to be cold hardy at all and it's not only alive but going nuts!

Mother nature never ceases to amaze me.  My "dead" pineapple plants are pushing pups, etc.

March 31. It's a foot taller now.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/tvvfgqjat/Reed_March31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tvvfgqjat/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 05, 2018, 11:10:05 AM
Reed blooms last and self pollinates.

Yep.  The only one that blooms (or did) with Reed was my Oro Negro, which I'm going to top work.  Rootstock is putting off nice shoots.

Speaking of Reed, it's coming back with a vengeance.  I left 4 shoots go and some are as big as my thumb.  Is this crazy or what????  My greenhouse hit 18F, this is pure Guatemalan, not supposed to be cold hardy at all and it's not only alive but going nuts!

Mother nature never ceases to amaze me.  My "dead" pineapple plants are pushing pups, etc.

March 31. It's a foot taller now.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/tvvfgqjat/Reed_March31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tvvfgqjat/)

It should be 8ft tall by September
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 05, 2018, 11:56:28 AM
Wow, those sprouts look so eager to reach the sky...! :D
Are you going to let Reed be Reed or make it a cocktail tree?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on April 05, 2018, 03:27:26 PM
Reed blooms last and self pollinates.

Even though reed does not have the "alternate bearing" reputation, I was still a little concerned. Thank you. Anxious to taste my first properly ripened reed.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 06, 2018, 09:32:22 AM
Wow, those sprouts look so eager to reach the sky...! :D
Are you going to let Reed be Reed or make it a cocktail tree?

Gonna let it be.  We love Reed and with age the fruit should only get better.  I watered yesterday morning and I swear by the afternoon it was 3" taller.  I've got leaves a foot long now!  I've got shoots growing on 3 other old and large rootstocks.  Will use that wood to graft too.

BTW, did my second innoculation with VAM on all stock in the greenhouse.  Need to start a thread on it.  I innoculated everything on the farm with a endo/ecto mychorrizial product.  Vineyard which requires VAM is on steroids.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/fawh9et91/VAM.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fawh9et91/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 06, 2018, 10:20:45 AM
Wow, those sprouts look so eager to reach the sky...! :D
Are you going to let Reed be Reed or make it a cocktail tree?

Gonna let it be.  We love Reed and with age the fruit should only get better.  I watered yesterday morning and I swear by the afternoon it was 3" taller.  I've got leaves a foot long now!  I've got shoots growing on 3 other old and large rootstocks.  Will use that wood to graft too.

BTW, did my second innoculation with VAM on all stock in the greenhouse.  Need to start a thread on it.  I innoculated everything on the farm with a endo/ecto mychorrizial product.  Vineyard which requires VAM is on steroids.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/fawh9et91/VAM.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fawh9et91/)
You could hit your tree with a sprinkle of urea if you want to see it really explode.  Just be sure to water it and leach it between applications so it doesnt accumulate and burn the tree.  A little urea goes a long way on a fast growing avocado tree.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avinsmith on April 07, 2018, 08:20:20 AM

(https://s17.postimg.cc/i3aodfsqj/IMG20180406104424.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i3aodfsqj/)
We import almost type of avocado . But now 034 avocado still on Top market of Viet Nam
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 07, 2018, 03:54:32 PM
You could hit your tree with a sprinkle of urea if you want to see it really explode.  Just be sure to water it and leach it between applications so it doesnt accumulate and burn the tree.  A little urea goes a long way on a fast growing avocado tree.

Yeah, that would work.  Even more of a N kick is UAN.  Your local feed stores should stock it in bulk.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 08, 2018, 01:40:24 AM
Hi Mark, is it OK to to water the trees with the regular Municipal water when you inoculate the roots with mycorrhizae?
(Amazon seller's note says not to use chlorinated water).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 08, 2018, 09:28:55 AM
Hi Mark, is it OK to to water the trees with the regular Municipal water when you inoculate the roots with mycorrhizae?
(Amazon seller's note says not to use chlorinated water).

Have no clue.  I'll ask Dr. Faust, owner.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on April 08, 2018, 04:10:14 PM
Hi everyone

So we have this hass avocado tree where we have a hard time figuring out when it’s ripe or not. It’ll turn black on the outside but the inside is still pretty hard. And also quite bland.

So I’m not sure what’s the issue. Not enough water? Need more fertilizer? Thanks!

(https://s9.postimg.cc/udjocjm57/1_B3_FE540-_D14_D-4867-_BE58-51_BAC0_BFBC9_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/udjocjm57/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 08, 2018, 05:23:19 PM
Hi everyone

So we have this hass avocado tree where we have a hard time figuring out when it’s ripe or not. It’ll turn black on the outside but the inside is still pretty hard. And also quite bland.

So I’m not sure what’s the issue. Not enough water? Need more fertilizer? Thanks!

(https://s9.postimg.cc/udjocjm57/1_B3_FE540-_D14_D-4867-_BE58-51_BAC0_BFBC9_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/udjocjm57/)

Let it hang on the tree longer
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on April 08, 2018, 06:32:39 PM
Hi everyone

So we have this hass avocado tree where we have a hard time figuring out when it’s ripe or not. It’ll turn black on the outside but the inside is still pretty hard. And also quite bland.

So I’m not sure what’s the issue. Not enough water? Need more fertilizer? Thanks!

(https://s9.postimg.cc/udjocjm57/1_B3_FE540-_D14_D-4867-_BE58-51_BAC0_BFBC9_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/udjocjm57/)

Let it hang on the tree longer

thanks for the advice. i'll leave the ones on the trees for a bit longer. I had thought they were done since the tree is flowering again.

from what i've read...haas season here in socal is around feb to july?

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 08, 2018, 06:47:12 PM
Seed looks big for hass.  Is it a hass for sure?  Hass is in season and will keep getting better for many more months.  You are letting them sit on the couter and get soft too right?  It might take a week or more to get ripe after picking it.

 Avocado trees can hold fruit while blooming and fruit setting the next crop.  Its ok, just let them hang.  Some avocados take 18 months on the tree.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on April 08, 2018, 08:17:21 PM
Wow, are you sure that's a Hass tree you have? Did you get it from a Nursery or ? Hass usually as a smaller seed, could be seedling maybe?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on April 08, 2018, 10:11:38 PM
My friend was wondering why her hass fruits take forever to ripen, I told her the fruits ripen off the tree and should be in season now. She happily went ahead to pick ALL the fruits, and I almost got a heart attack seeing so many fruits in bright green ---- I did not know hass fruits stay green on the tree, and turn to dark color AFTER picking.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 08, 2018, 10:22:13 PM
When hass fruits are starting to get a decent oil content they turn dull green and then darkish green almost black on the tree.  If they are bright green they need more time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on April 09, 2018, 01:20:42 AM
Wow, are you sure that's a Hass tree you have? Did you get it from a Nursery or ? Hass usually as a smaller seed, could be seedling maybe?

this is from my parent's backyard. super old tree...decades old....

When hass fruits are starting to get a decent oil content they turn dull green and then darkish green almost black on the tree.  If they are bright green they need more time.

i'm not 100% sure it was a haas. the skin is super pebbly...but i'll try to take another pic of one that isn't as black as that.
thanks spaugh for the tips. i'll leave the remaining ones on the tree longer and see how that goes.

i've been picking them based on size and not color. :P

oh! i just realized that i had posted once about what type they were but we couldn't pinpoint exactly what they were. the avocado above is the middle one.

(https://s9.postimg.cc/klv8vae97/avocados.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/klv8vae97/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 09, 2018, 01:39:42 AM
I remember your post now.  It looks like a hass type but seed looks larger than normal hass.  Maybe gwen hass or just a hass seedling.  Is the tree fairly small for its age? 

You should let some fruit hang on the tree through summer to figure out when is the best time to pick them.  Its ok to let them hold this years and next years fruit at the same time.

(https://cdn2.curejoy.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Types-of-avocado-e1475056373276.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on April 09, 2018, 01:49:31 AM
I remember your post now.  It looks like a hass type but seed looks larger than normal hass.  Maybe gwen hass or just a hass seedling.  Is the tree fairly small for its age? 

You should let some fruit hang on the tree through summer to figure out when is the best time to pick them.  Its ok to let them hold this years and next years fruit at the same time.

(https://cdn2.curejoy.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Types-of-avocado-e1475056373276.jpg)

oh that helps! the tree has been around the same size for a looong time. i can't wrap my arms around the trunks of the trees....although back in 2012-14 it looked like it was about to die but has now come back. i did find some pictures of avocados i had picked from that tree and those were from july so i'm still early then compared to when i had picked most of them last year. but i'll pay more attention to the colors this time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 09, 2018, 09:12:19 AM
Hi Mark, is it OK to to water the trees with the regular Municipal water when you inoculate the roots with mycorrhizae?
(Amazon seller's note says not to use chlorinated water).

Response:

Not a real problem.  if spraying city water could kill fungi, they would be using it all over the place. chlorinated water the chlorine is volatile and goes off or combines in the soil with something to form a chloride ion.  I never heard that this could be an issue with any fungi. I think they water mushrooms with chlorinated water to control bacteria disease.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 09, 2018, 09:21:50 AM
Hello everyone! There are any variety that start to give fruit sooner? Thank's!  ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 09, 2018, 11:25:38 AM
Reed blooms last and self pollinates.

Yep.  The only one that blooms (or did) with Reed was my Oro Negro, which I'm going to top work.  Rootstock is putting off nice shoots.

Speaking of Reed, it's coming back with a vengeance.  I left 4 shoots go and some are as big as my thumb.  Is this crazy or what????  My greenhouse hit 18F, this is pure Guatemalan, not supposed to be cold hardy at all and it's not only alive but going nuts!

Mother nature never ceases to amaze me.  My "dead" pineapple plants are pushing pups, etc.

March 31. It's a foot taller now.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/tvvfgqjat/Reed_March31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tvvfgqjat/)
Hi Mark, it's excellent to see the prize of your Avocado plants popping back with such fervor after being so heavily smitten in the winter.  Did any of your other avocado trees recover?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on April 09, 2018, 02:03:19 PM
When hass fruits are starting to get a decent oil content they turn dull green and then darkish green almost black on the tree.  If they are bright green they need more time.

My other friend's hass is in season now, much darker green color.
This friend has a young tree and fruiting for the first or second time. I suspect it takes longer to ripen them.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 09, 2018, 03:33:20 PM
Hi Mark, is it OK to to water the trees with the regular Municipal water when you inoculate the roots with mycorrhizae?
(Amazon seller's note says not to use chlorinated water).

Response:

Not a real problem.  if spraying city water could kill fungi, they would be using it all over the place. chlorinated water the chlorine is volatile and goes off or combines in the soil with something to form a chloride ion.  I never heard that this could be an issue with any fungi. I think they water mushrooms with chlorinated water to control bacteria disease.


Thank you Mark, for taking the extra effort and time to get the answer!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 09, 2018, 03:51:56 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/EeKdfvbl.jpg)
I have in ground 12 inches high seedling with Fuerte scion on it, grafted Jan 24; now it's blooming! (the scion is from my neighbor's very mature large tree).
I know I can't allow this to continue, should I pug it when and where?

Thanks...still learning!  :)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on April 09, 2018, 04:17:52 PM
Luisport,

Of the varieties I grow and feel like I know well enough, Gwen and Pinkerton seem most precocious.

And I'm also thinking of the trees not being in especially great pollination conditions, like with many bees and near opposite-type varieties. (In those conditions, it's harder to say how precocious a variety is on its own.)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 09, 2018, 05:54:16 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/EeKdfvbl.jpg)
I have in ground 12 inches high seedling with Fuerte scion on it, grafted Jan 24; now it's blooming! (the scion is from my neighbor's very mature large tree).
I know I can't allow this to continue, should I pug it when and where?

Thanks...still learning!  :)

Dont pug it.  Its only a foot tall! Just let it grow.  Remove the flowers if you want, its going to be done flowering in a month anyway.  And remove any branches on the rootstock.

Fence looks pretty close by for a fuerte there Samu.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 09, 2018, 08:53:30 PM
I probably should treat this like growing mango in SoCal: "Plant a seed, then graft after it's ready to bear fruits", or else I would be dealing with this bloom every year, holding up the growth. (Idea from Simon). I now realize that it's not a good idea to graft this little seedling that early.

So, I tend to remove the graft (only set me back 2 months), let the rootstock grow bigger, then regraft something like Reed and Pinkerton combo on it.
Yes, it looks darn close to the fence from the photo, but it's got about 3 feet distance, and I'll probably change the cultivar to Reed/Pinkerton combo instead...
Thanks for your response, Brad!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 09, 2018, 10:49:22 PM
NO!  Just let it grow.  The blooms will not slow it down.  This happens on all nursery stock avocado trees.  Its going to stop blooming and grow hard until november.   Its better to get the graft where you have it.

If you want a different cultivar thats another story.  You should still get the graft down low and forget about the blooms.  Avocados dont grow much if anyduring winter anyways, they just bloom.  Its not going to stunt the tree.



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 10, 2018, 12:59:33 AM
Agree with Brad. Very normal to have blooms and then from center of blooms you will have leaves growing.

Fuerte bears every other year and tends to spread out btw.

Unlike mango, if you remove the flowers more won’t spring up in their place. So you could pick them off but honestly the vast majority of flowers won’t set fruit, and for something this small it’s not going to set or hold fruit unless you really babied and hormoned the hell out of it 🧐.

I’ve attaches 2 photos of some of my recent grafts. First is nimlioh with flowers as first push and then thin stalk of vegetative growth with leaves from where the flowers originated.

Second is of yamagata. There are 2 buds, both of which produced flowers, and one has obvious leaves coming from it while the second bud is just starting to push leaves.

K


(https://s14.postimg.cc/bud2mqt99/image.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bud2mqt99/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/tx65e074d/14632491-_D667-4103-_BB18-_C61_B1_C84_E0_AC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tx65e074d/)

(https://s14.postimg.cc/nw8ggxzxp/AB33_F944-5_EE2-4_A5_B-95_A4-660_CD43_F73_CC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nw8ggxzxp/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 10, 2018, 01:18:14 AM
Hello everyone! There are any variety that start to give fruit sooner? Thank's!  ;D


For good quality fruit and early fruiting, Pinkerton gives tons of flowers at an early age and does so every year.

If you don’t care about high oil content quality,then get  mexicola, Jim bacon, zutano. These all flower early with many blooms. Carmen Hass reportedly tastes like hass but flowers 2-3 times per year, although you would have to keep track of which fruit belonged to which bloom period to make sure you’re picking them at peak flavor. Supposedly fruit from the third crop don’t taste very good if the tree is carrying fruit from the first 2 crops, but I haven’t had my tree long enough to test this.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 10, 2018, 05:03:52 AM
Luisport,

Of the varieties I grow and feel like I know well enough, Gwen and Pinkerton seem most precocious.

And I'm also thinking of the trees not being in especially great pollination conditions, like with many bees and near opposite-type varieties. (In those conditions, it's harder to say how precocious a variety is on its own.)
Thank you very much!  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2018, 08:02:42 AM
Hi Mark, it's excellent to see the prize of your Avocado plants popping back with such fervor after being so heavily smitten in the winter.  Did any of your other avocado trees recover?

That Reed is now another foot tall.   Gwen is pushing good wood.  My Oro Negro and cocktail tree of Pinkerton, Ardith, Sir Prize and Holiday are pushing Waldin rootstock.   Really pisses me off as I would have had a really good crop of them all this year.   

Been a grafting fool with a cherimoya cocktail tree pushing 3 varieties, got Stewart scions on 2 Fantastic rootstocks and one Stewart on a Bacon.  I was told by the fella who gifted me the Stewart that's it's better than Hass in tasted.   Whatever, been wanting this one for decades as an outdoor tree.  Can any one confirm the quality of Stewart?  Have not heard one bad thing about it.

Sam, I'll second what's been said about the Fuerte location - it belongs to your neighbor almost as much as it belongs to you.  Is he/she OK with it, or do they know?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2018, 08:04:46 AM
Second is of yamagata. There are 2 buds, both of which produced flowers, and one has obvious leaves coming from it while the second bud is just starting to push leaves.

Have you tasted Yamagata fruit?  What about Nishikawa?  Had the latter, lost it.   It was a Top Tropical tree....nuff said.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on April 10, 2018, 02:05:57 PM
NO!  Just let it grow.  The blooms will not slow it down.  This happens on all nursery stock avocado trees.  Its going to stop blooming and grow hard until november.   Its better to get the graft where you have it.

If you want a different cultivar thats another story.  You should still get the graft down low and forget about the blooms.  Avocados dont grow much if anyduring winter anyways, they just bloom.  Its not going to stunt the tree.
Agree with Brad. Very normal to have blooms and then from center of blooms you will have leaves growing.

Fuerte bears every other year and tends to spread out btw.

Unlike mango, if you remove the flowers more won’t spring up in their place. So you could pick them off but honestly the vast majority of flowers won’t set fruit, and for something this small it’s not going to set or hold fruit unless you really babied and hormoned the hell out of it 🧐.
Always learning something new!

Sam, I'll second what's been said about the Fuerte location - it belongs to your neighbor almost as much as it belongs to you.  Is he/she OK with it, or do they know?
OK, I hear you, I'll move it to different location. Thanks everyone!

 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 19, 2018, 06:52:09 PM
Here some more sir prize, hass, and a pinkerton.  The Sir Prize has really improved in the last month.  April is a good time to pick them, the flesh gets really dense and buttery.  Im going to try and let the few remaining ones hang util June if possible.


(https://s31.postimg.cc/cocm25zl3/20180419_112821.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cocm25zl3/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 20, 2018, 01:23:26 AM
Second is of yamagata. There are 2 buds, both of which produced flowers, and one has obvious leaves coming from it while the second bud is just starting to push leaves.

Have you tasted Yamagata fruit?  What about Nishikawa?  Had the latter, lost it.   It was a Top Tropical tree....nuff said.


Hi Mark

Sorry I didn’t respond earlier. I haven’t tried any of the fruit. Hopefully I’ll have something to show for it in a couple of years.

🤗
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 20, 2018, 08:06:08 AM
Here some more sir prize, hass, and a pinkerton.  The Sir Prize has really improved in the last month.  April is a good time to pick them, the flesh gets really dense and buttery.  Im going to try and let the few remaining ones hang util June if possible.


(https://s31.postimg.cc/cocm25zl3/20180419_112821.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cocm25zl3/)

Looks fantastic.   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on April 21, 2018, 01:48:29 AM
Hi all, I am looking for avocado recommendation in Socal. What variety tastes good for September thru December?

On my tree, Fuerte (December-April) and Reed (May-September) are dominant, followed by Jan Boyce (December-January-ish despite what online sources say), Sharwill (grows too slowly to count), and small graft of suspected Mexicola's season is yet to be seen (allegedly 2 harvests, July and January).

I guess holiday is an obvious choice, but I somehow heard it does not produce that well?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 30, 2018, 05:17:10 PM
It's bacon, so nothing to get overly excited over but still an impressive fruit set.  Look's like it will hold a good share of those.  The other trees look like heavy fruit set also but not quite as far along yet. 

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/944/40001798730_168ff076c1_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 01, 2018, 03:50:17 AM
I'm really IMPRESSED to see the fruit set you can get with your trees!
I consider myself LUCKY when my avocado tree sets ONE fruit every 10 flower panicles!  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2018, 12:58:03 PM
I'm really IMPRESSED to see the fruit set you can get with your trees!
I consider myself LUCKY when my avocado tree sets ONE fruit every 10 flower panicles!  ;)

I actually do very little for the trees.  My neighbors have honey bee hives that do all the work.  I was surprised by this year's fruit set also.  Will post more pic's of all the trees in a few weeks when the others catch up.

One of my neighbors got a mason bee hive.  It's just little bamboo shoots.  Apparently those bees are 100X more productive than standard honey bees.  I have seen a few of these bees hanging around  here doing work.  A very small mason bee hive could house a lot of very powerful bees.  Something any homeowner backyard gardener can get super cheap.  They sell on amazon and it's something you could easily make.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on May 01, 2018, 02:28:37 PM
I must have 100 thousands fruitlets at all different stages on one of my Sir Prize....I’m lucky if 400-500 hundred cross the finish line.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 01, 2018, 09:08:34 PM
BEES are the key!
I know pollination is the crucial stage and in my case everything is more difficult since only 2 trees  are flowering and they are far from each other....i will try to find a bees hive for my garden
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2018, 11:14:42 PM
BEES are the key!
I know pollination is the crucial stage and in my case everything is more difficult since only 2 trees  are flowering and they are far from each other....i will try to find a bees hive for my garden

Get a carpenter bee nest.  They are really small and easy to make.  Honey bees are more complicated.  I searched "carpenter bees of Phillipines" and it looks like they use carpenter bees to pollinate passionfruit there.  So if you make a carpenter bee hive, they should come live there.  It's worth a try.  Much easier than dealing with honey bees.

You may be able to get carpenter bees by just drilling holes in a piece of wood.  Look it up, I haven't made one but they sell simple bamboo ones at the store.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Wenz on May 01, 2018, 11:22:31 PM
hii, greeting

i'm newb on avocados, only a few variety like marcus, hass, yamagata,and some local variety..i live in tropical climate

any suggestions for large type variety with the best taste among them?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 02, 2018, 05:02:21 AM
BEES are the key!
I know pollination is the crucial stage and in my case everything is more difficult since only 2 trees  are flowering and they are far from each other....i will try to find a bees hive for my garden

Get a carpenter bee nest.  They are really small and easy to make.  Honey bees are more complicated.  I searched "carpenter bees of Phillipines" and it looks like they use carpenter bees to pollinate passionfruit there.  So if you make a carpenter bee hive, they should come live there.  It's worth a try.  Much easier than dealing with honey bees.

You may be able to get carpenter bees by just drilling holes in a piece of wood.  Look it up, I haven't made one but they sell simple bamboo ones at the store.

Sounds extremely interesting!
i will give a try, thanks for the brilliant idea :-)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 02, 2018, 07:21:27 AM
BEES are the key!

And flies.   Must have hundreds like this one on a Gwen.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/ugm4scjv9/Flyon_Gwen.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ugm4scjv9/)

There's 8 on this small flower cluster.  It's really bad when your avocado trees stink enough to attract flies.   ::)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/96yihjtat/Flieson_Gwen_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/96yihjtat/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: owenismo on May 04, 2018, 11:44:37 PM
Do you guys know what kind of dwarf avocado is at Lowe's? I would like to get a GEM avocado. I figured out my soil is clay, so I would have to grow it in a 15 gallon or raised planter. Not having any luck coming across GEM. Any other dwarf suggestions that you guys think is good tasting and abundant of fruit? Or should I just get the lowe's dwarf.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: OCchris1 on May 05, 2018, 02:44:23 AM
Did someone take a shit under your tree to get the flies Mark? ;) I've never seen a fly in my yard on a flower. Good luck to you...I know you had a rough winter. Chris
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 05, 2018, 09:12:49 AM
Did someone take a shit under your tree to get the flies Mark? ;) I've never seen a fly in my yard on a flower. Good luck to you...I know you had a rough winter. Chris

Not that I know of. 

I have some really strange pollinators, 100's of them at any given time.  Those are houseflies, have others that have that shiny blue butt....so purty!  Bees, moths, butterflies.  Being in the country helps.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 05, 2018, 10:40:53 AM
Did someone take a shit under your tree to get the flies Mark? ;) I've never seen a fly in my yard on a flower. Good luck to you...I know you had a rough winter. Chris

Not that I know of. 

I have some really strange pollinators, 100's of them at any given time.  Those are houseflies, have others that have that shiny blue butt....so purty!  Bees, moths, butterflies.  Being in the country helps.

I have the little flies on my flowers too mark.  You aren't alone.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 05, 2018, 12:07:21 PM
Do you guys know what kind of dwarf avocado is at Lowe's? I would like to get a GEM avocado. I figured out my soil is clay, so I would have to grow it in a 15 gallon or raised planter. Not having any luck coming across GEM. Any other dwarf suggestions that you guys think is good tasting and abundant of fruit? Or should I just get the lowe's dwarf.

It's a Wurtz aka "little cado" aka dwarf cado.  That's the best one to grow in a container.  I would use a 25 or 40 gallon container though.  15G container is still small evendors for a dwarf tree.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 05, 2018, 01:28:50 PM
Did someone take a shit under your tree to get the flies Mark? ;) I've never seen a fly in my yard on a flower. Good luck to you...I know you had a rough winter. Chris
I read somewhere that you can spray a low honey/water solution on and near the undersides of the avocado flowers to attract pollinators.  My yard is fully abuzz with honey bees (and a couple bumble and hummingbird), but they stay clear of the Avocado focusing on the lavender, citrus, apple and peach in that order.  They also ignore my tomato flowers, so long ago I took to using a vibrating toothbrush to pollinate the toms, which led to over fruiting.  Now, I'm more lazy and leave it to the wind.

So I tried the honey on my Fuerte when it was in heavy bloom a few weeks back, and the tree was attacked by every fly and other type of nasty bug with wings in the area, though still no bees.  Regardless, it seemed to set a lot of fruit.  The problem is I doubt any will hold on.  There's still probably 50 small 1-2cm fruit on the tree, but they aren't very green.  Most seem to be turning brown (sunburn?).  I need to figure out what I'm going to do with these three potted avocado trees I've got.  Right now, they've nearly dropped all of their leaves from last year.  I'll probably post on them in another thread I had opened on the topic.  Good luck with the flies.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 05, 2018, 01:49:45 PM
Avocados shed their leaves this time of year and will flush new leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 05, 2018, 03:37:20 PM
Avocados shed their leaves this time of year and will flush new leaves.
Hi Spaugh-

I know that the CA, particularly Northern CA, avocado trees will drop leaves in Spring and push out a new flush of growth.  But I wonder if your trees have dropped as many leaves as have mine.

Here's a picture of the trees from a while back when I was worried about the yellowing leaves:
(https://s31.postimg.cc/yscawrj7r/20171101_094254_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yscawrj7r/)

Here's what they look like today.  They've dropped 50% of the leaves over the past week (probably more):

(https://s31.postimg.cc/s35rgkq47/20180505_114733.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/s35rgkq47/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/foizgbqx3/20180505_114741.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/foizgbqx3/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/ez073yinr/20180505_114814.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ez073yinr/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/owb7x0347/20180505_114822.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/owb7x0347/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/3zezsbxdj/20180505_114829.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3zezsbxdj/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/ytm8q1nkn/20180505_114935.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ytm8q1nkn/)

One of the reasons I'm concerned with such a heavy leaf drop is that it exposes the entire tree, trunk, branches, fruitlings and all to sunburn.  The fruit set on my Fuerte seem to be cooking in the sun:

(https://s31.postimg.cc/j9euzdvev/20180505_114855.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/j9euzdvev/)

(https://s31.postimg.cc/4q7pxz9zr/20180505_114918.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4q7pxz9zr/)

In the end, I'm probably just fighting a losing battle with these trees stuck in their constricting pots.  If they fail to hold any viable fruit this early season, I'll probably cut them to stumps, topple the 500lb pots, pull them out, root-prune and then try and re-pot in expandable RBII containers; maybe top-work a few.  I don't like having such unhealthy, unfruitful trees.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: owenismo on May 05, 2018, 04:46:20 PM
Do you guys know what kind of dwarf avocado is at Lowe's? I would like to get a GEM avocado. I figured out my soil is clay, so I would have to grow it in a 15 gallon or raised planter. Not having any luck coming across GEM. Any other dwarf suggestions that you guys think is good tasting and abundant of fruit? Or should I just get the lowe's dwarf.

It's a Wurtz aka "little cado" aka dwarf cado.  That's the best one to grow in a container.  I would use a 25 or 40 gallon container though.  15G container is still small evendors for a dwarf tree.


Thanks Brad, do you think I should wait it out and try and get a GEM or do you think the Wurtz fruit is pretty good. Cuz I dont see Wurtz or Little Cado on your guy's list. GEM is also somewhat dwarf correct?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on May 06, 2018, 01:17:13 AM
Did someone take a shit under your tree to get the flies Mark? ;) I've never seen a fly in my yard on a flower. Good luck to you...I know you had a rough winter. Chris

Not that I know of. 

I have some really strange pollinators, 100's of them at any given time.  Those are houseflies, have others that have that shiny blue butt....so purty!  Bees, moths, butterflies.  Being in the country helps.

I have the little flies on my flowers too mark.  You aren't alone.

I also had* flies and bees all over my trees.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/c4aur2245/IMG_3989.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/c4aur2245/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/ngng8uiit/Screen_Shot_2018-04-11_at_9.35.28_PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/ngng8uiit/)

(https://s18.postimg.cc/7ieqitbh1/Screen_Shot_2018-04-11_at_9.38.22_PM.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/7ieqitbh1/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 06, 2018, 08:31:49 AM
Avocados shed their leaves this time of year and will flush new leaves.
Hi Spaugh-

I know that the CA, particularly Northern CA, avocado trees will drop leaves in Spring and push out a new flush of growth.  But I wonder if your trees have dropped as many leaves as have mine.

Not Brad but my two cents.....that's not normal.  If they're being replaced in mass by new leaves then not so bad.  I would definately pop one out of the pot to inspect the root system.  When you have that kind of problem the root system is the usual suspect.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 06, 2018, 11:09:10 AM
z_willus_d, They are ready to go in the ground. That will make them happy. It's an uphill battle keeping them alive in pots another year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 06, 2018, 11:12:40 AM
I have big trees with 0 leaves completely covered in flowers.  It's totally normal.  They flush hard shortly after.  It happens every year.  They don't all do it as abruptly but they all shed leaves and do new flush in spring.  I have 6 hass trees and they seem to do it the most pronounced.  When they do it, they should be flowering.

But I do agree, putting in ground would be best for them. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 06, 2018, 11:50:10 AM
Do you guys know what kind of dwarf avocado is at Lowe's? I would like to get a GEM avocado. I figured out my soil is clay, so I would have to grow it in a 15 gallon or raised planter. Not having any luck coming across GEM. Any other dwarf suggestions that you guys think is good tasting and abundant of fruit? Or should I just get the lowe's dwarf.

It's a Wurtz aka "little cado" aka dwarf cado.  That's the best one to grow in a container.  I would use a 25 or 40 gallon container though.  15G container is still small evendors for a dwarf tree.


Thanks Brad, do you think I should wait it out and try and get a GEM or do you think the Wurtz fruit is pretty good. Cuz I dont see Wurtz or Little Cado on your guy's list. GEM is also somewhat dwarf correct?

I haven't tried either fruit and am not growing either.  If I see those types I will pick them up and grow them soon.  The GEM may be a smallish tree but I don't think it's a container tree.  Wurtz, based on what I've read is the only true dwarf avocado that would be OK in a pot.  You should really still use as large of a pot as possible.  15gal is not going to produce much fruit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on May 06, 2018, 12:47:24 PM
Brad's comments about zero leaves this time of year applies up here in San Luis Obispo County too.  A drive down to Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties will show the same.  Most trees will have some leaves still, but are at their annual replacement.  Most year-old leaves show the effect of salt burn on the tips and more.  Our water is transpired through the leaves, but the salts stay behind causing that effect. A bit of whitewash might be needed.  In a month new leaves will be doing their job until next year.

As to GEM, my GEM is from Brokaw, on their rootstock, but a poor grower relative to other avocados.  It is not only a slow grower, but lanky and generally weak.  It does produce a decent amount of avocados of good quality.  I think other avocados would do better as "dwarfs" or with annual pruning.  It will continue to occupy its spot as it has been for 5 years, but if space is needed, it's gone.  Really hard to get 5 years ago, had to call in some favors.  Maybe not worth it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 06, 2018, 01:22:11 PM
I have big trees with 0 leaves completely covered in flowers.  It's totally normal.  They flush hard shortly after.  It happens every year.  They don't all do it as abruptly but they all shed leaves and do new flush in spring.  I have 6 hass trees and they seem to do it the most pronounced.  When they do it, they should be flowering.

But I do agree, putting in ground would be best for them.
Hi Bush2Beach, Brad, Jack- I have no ground to lend these trees.  The ground beneath them is riddled with the roots from the neighbors' 12 year old plum and pear trees.  Do you think the trees will actually die in their pots if properly watered and fertilized?  As I wrote, the plan will be to dry out the soil, topple them, prune a bunch of their lower and side roots, decapitate (maybe in a different order) and re-pot in an expandable container.  Now that does sound like a tall hill to climb for mediocre avocados that may never show, but I don't see an alternative.  These trees dropped leaves starting at flowering and again at new growth flush last year and the years before, but for some reason it seems more pronounced this year.

Thanks for the advise.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 06, 2018, 02:40:08 PM
If it was me, I would go to harbor freight and buy a 11 amp jackhammer.  And I would get some root barrier material.  Then I would dig some huge holes right where the neighbors roots are in YOUR yard.  Dig em right out down a couple feet deep and 3 or 4 ft wide.  If you can get a mini excavator in the side there, I'd rent one of those instead of the jackhammer and have that suckered dug up pronto.

 Then I'd line the property line with the root barrier.  And plop my trees in MY holes on MY property.  If the neighbors trees suffer, oh well. 

Sorry if that upsets people.  I wouldn't do it to be a jerk.  Just that you have precious space and you want to grow stuff.  I wouldn't let the neighbors tree roots stop me if I was in that situation. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 06, 2018, 10:49:33 PM
I agree 1000%  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: owenismo on May 07, 2018, 12:48:18 AM
Thanks for the input Jack and Brad. I will probably try and plant the little cado in the ground after I dig a huge hole. The clay soil here sucks. I will probably look for another spot if I find a GEM or something of that nature. I have a few Hass and Fuerte but they are all in pots because they won't be able to survive the clay soil
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 07, 2018, 01:19:46 AM
I went and looked at my trees today.  They aren't completely leafless but several of them have dropped most leaves and are in fruit set stage still.  Others have already flushed and have all new leaves.  The trees won't get cooked, they will flush before summer hits hard.  It was in the 90s here today and I am not at all concerned about sun exposure. 

Here's a young reed and a hass tree that have dropped leaves but not flushed yet.  The trees are using the energy from last year's leaves to make flowers and set fruit.  They look like a mess now but will look perfectly green in a month.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/950/41900037052_e23e28166f_b.jpg)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/905/41044701925_5e83941ce5_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 07, 2018, 02:53:25 AM
So it's normal my avocado who has fruitlets of about a walnut size has about 60% of leaves yellowing and falling down?
the lower portion of the tree with less fruits looks still green
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 07, 2018, 07:59:38 AM
Thanks for the input Jack and Brad. I will probably try and plant the little cado in the ground after I dig a huge hole. The clay soil here sucks. I will probably look for another spot if I find a GEM or something of that nature. I have a few Hass and Fuerte but they are all in pots because they won't be able to survive the clay soil

Don't dig a hole, plant in a raised bed or 16" high mound.  Avocados have a shallow but very wide root system.  They also benefit from a thick mulch.  The fine white roots can be found right under that mulch at ground level.  Here's a shot of a very young but bearing, Don Gilloughy avocado using 2 layers of cinder tree rings.  Grew like a weed.  Native soil was a high pH calcareous black clay gumbo.  Water source was hard with a high TDS too.  Notice the quality of the leaves - no burn.  This was 15 years ago.  I moved and the new owners killed it.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/amqbi281x/Avocados_On_Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/amqbi281x/)

Fruit had a necky profile like a Pinkerton.

(https://s18.postimg.cc/n1d3ilx1x/Avocados_On_Tree8-13-04_Closeup.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/n1d3ilx1x/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 07, 2018, 08:06:12 AM
Looks great Brad.  FWIW if any of you do have a problem with sunburn reach for the Surround wettable powder first.  About a TBSP or two in a gallon and you'll have a nice white cover that's pretty darn rain fast.  Easy peasy.....  It also a good pesticide.  3 coats and hard to control pests like the gray leaf footed stinkbug won't bother your fruit.  http://novasource.com/home/products/surround/ (http://novasource.com/home/products/surround/)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bitterlick on May 07, 2018, 10:57:30 AM
Hello:

I did post a separate thread on this, but can anyone opine on the Oro Negro or the Wurtz avocado trees? We have tried--and loved--the Oro Negro, but our space is limited and we do not have room for a 30ft tree with an enormous canopy. Thus we are considering the Wurtz. How is the flavor of the Wurtz? Can the Oro Negro be pruned and confined to a height of 15ft or so, and a diameter of 10ft?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 07, 2018, 02:37:14 PM
Brad, I appreciate you sharing your pics.  You've got a beautiful hillside landscape in the background there.  Short of the density of healthy flowers showing in your trees, I'd say my trees look similar to yours in terms of old leaf drop and new leaves pushing out.  It looks like you've managed to keep your trees short and stout.  Do you prune, and if so when are you pruning.  I pruned these three trees of mine just before flowering (well the Fuerte had already set the flower buds, but not yet opened them).  I cut back the trees by several feet in height.  I've read pruning a tree will result in a commensurate loss in root mass, but maybe that's not such a bad thing in the containers.  I don't think it's an ideal time to prune just before winter, since we can expect a lot of the growth on the periphery to take the most cold damage.  That's good candidate wood for pruning in late Winter/Early Spring, no?

As for the Jack-Hammer and root barrier idea, I had considered it (and I do have a nice Jack-hammer), but my property rests on a hill of a kind of breccia which is a mixture of lava-flow cement and boulders of various sizes.  They Civil Engineer I purchased it from indicated explosives would be required for any significant "digging down."  I've managed to excavate small holes and trenches here and there, but it's really an intense effort.  The top foot of top-soil/sand, decomposed detritus is where the neighboring fruit trees run amok.  I think it will be very hard to block them out entirely.  Finally, I have some idea of moving and with trees in the mid/late 5-10 year time-frame.  I know it makes little sense to transport mature avocado trees, but I also know that investing too much into a garden paradise will be a mental block for me in moving on.  At any rate, I'd really love to find a way to produce 5, 10, 20 avocados in a pot and keep a tree or two alive indefinitely.  I view it as a kind of challenge.  That's why I embarked on the project described in this thread:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.0)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 07, 2018, 02:40:50 PM
Thanks for the input Jack and Brad. I will probably try and plant the little cado in the ground after I dig a huge hole. The clay soil here sucks. I will probably look for another spot if I find a GEM or something of that nature. I have a few Hass and Fuerte but they are all in pots because they won't be able to survive the clay soil

Don't dig a hole, plant in a raised bed or 16" high mound.  Avocados have a shallow but very wide root system.  They also benefit from a thick mulch.  The fine white roots can be found right under that mulch at ground level.  Here's a shot of a very young but bearing, Don Gilloughy avocado using 2 layers of cinder tree rings.  Grew like a weed.  Native soil was a high pH calcareous black clay gumbo.  Water source was hard with a high TDS too.  Notice the quality of the leaves - no burn.  This was 15 years ago.  I moved and the new owners killed it.

Fruit had a necky profile like a Pinkerton.

That's a lovely tree yo uhad there Mark.  Did it get some protection or shade from an overarching tree?  I have a front-yard that's sparse with just a lawn into which I'm thinking of planting an avocado tree, or two, or three.  Maybe I'll transplant the Fuerte next Spring if I can't get any of my Duke from Oroville grafts to take.  If I do plant out front, I'll definitely setup a raised bed similar to what you have there, but likely without the cemented bricks (that's a skill beyond me).  Too bad they lost the tree.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 07, 2018, 03:08:54 PM
That's a lovely tree yo uhad there Mark.  Did it get some protection or shade from an overarching tree?  I have a front-yard that's sparse with just a lawn into which I'm thinking of planting an avocado tree, or two, or three.  Maybe I'll transplant the Fuerte next Spring if I can't get any of my Duke from Oroville grafts to take.  If I do plant out front, I'll definitely setup a raised bed similar to what you have there, but likely without the cemented bricks (that's a skill beyond me).  Too bad they lost the tree.

Got a little shade from an adjacent tree part of the day.  If memory serves me correct that tree was only about 2 years old there.  Got it by mail about 3' tall.

Same here, concrete skills suck.  First try at mudding.  Ended up running a band around the base.

Check out this expansion I did yesterday to an Oro Negro pot.  It's now 100 gallons!  Oh my broken back.  :-\ Took about 3/4 of a tractor bucket just to backfill the 4" space around the perimeter.  Avocado seedlings on the left, recovering citrus in the back, new rectangular 6' W pitaya bed in the rear left.  Sharwil, Jan Boyce, Pinkerton and GEM scions should arrive within the hour via USPS.  Will top work this Oro Negro, completely change it over.  its' OK fruit.  Not great like Reed.

(https://s7.postimg.cc/kcznkwp7r/Pot.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kcznkwp7r/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 07, 2018, 03:41:47 PM
Brad, I appreciate you sharing your pics.  You've got a beautiful hillside landscape in the background there.  Short of the density of healthy flowers showing in your trees, I'd say my trees look similar to yours in terms of old leaf drop and new leaves pushing out.  It looks like you've managed to keep your trees short and stout.  Do you prune, and if so when are you pruning.  I pruned these three trees of mine just before flowering (well the Fuerte had already set the flower buds, but not yet opened them).  I cut back the trees by several feet in height.  I've read pruning a tree will result in a commensurate loss in root mass, but maybe that's not such a bad thing in the containers.  I don't think it's an ideal time to prune just before winter, since we can expect a lot of the growth on the periphery to take the most cold damage.  That's good candidate wood for pruning in late Winter/Early Spring, no?

As for the Jack-Hammer and root barrier idea, I had considered it (and I do have a nice Jack-hammer), but my property rests on a hill of a kind of breccia which is a mixture of lava-flow cement and boulders of various sizes.  They Civil Engineer I purchased it from indicated explosives would be required for any significant "digging down."  I've managed to excavate small holes and trenches here and there, but it's really an intense effort.  The top foot of top-soil/sand, decomposed detritus is where the neighboring fruit trees run amok.  I think it will be very hard to block them out entirely.  Finally, I have some idea of moving and with trees in the mid/late 5-10 year time-frame.  I know it makes little sense to transport mature avocado trees, but I also know that investing too much into a garden paradise will be a mental block for me in moving on.  At any rate, I'd really love to find a way to produce 5, 10, 20 avocados in a pot and keep a tree or two alive indefinitely.  I view it as a kind of challenge.  That's why I embarked on the project described in this thread:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.0 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.0)

Lots of challenges it sounds like.  Bad soil is a bummer.  Where I grew up in stockton it was rich black clay soil.  Doesn't drain well but was super rich soil.  My place down here is all decomposed granite.  Super good for growing stuff.  I can dig a hole and fill with 10 gallons of water and it drains down in 10 minutes.

For trimming, a little haircut anytime of the year is fine.  If you want to do major pruning it might be best in fall if you will be exposing a lot of wood.  Or early summer would be fine if not exposing a lot of wood.  To be honest I just prune whenever it needs it.  You just need to keep in mind the flowers grow on new growth.  So if you cut in early summer, the new growth can form where the cuts are made and can set fruit next spring.  If you cut during fall and winter, those areas won't be able to set fruit.

The tree in the photo is only a couple years old.  I topped it a little to make it wide and not tall.  I prune the trees for the first few years to shape and then let them go.  I have only been here 4 years so nothing I have is very old. 



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 07, 2018, 03:47:31 PM
That's a lovely tree yo uhad there Mark.  Did it get some protection or shade from an overarching tree?  I have a front-yard that's sparse with just a lawn into which I'm thinking of planting an avocado tree, or two, or three.  Maybe I'll transplant the Fuerte next Spring if I can't get any of my Duke from Oroville grafts to take.  If I do plant out front, I'll definitely setup a raised bed similar to what you have there, but likely without the cemented bricks (that's a skill beyond me).  Too bad they lost the tree.

Got a little shade from an adjacent tree part of the day.  If memory serves me correct that tree was only about 2 years old there.  Got it by mail about 3' tall.

Same here, concrete skills suck.  First try at mudding.  Ended up running a band around the base.

Check out this expansion I did yesterday to an Oro Negro pot.  It's now 100 gallons!  Oh my broken back.  :-\ Took about 3/4 of a tractor bucket just to backfill the 4" space around the perimeter.  Avocado seedlings on the left, recovering citrus in the back, new rectangular 6' W pitaya bed in the rear left.  Sharwil, Jan Boyce, Pinkerton and GEM scions should arrive within the hour via USPS.  Will top work this Oro Negro, completely change it over.  its' OK fruit.  Not great like Reed.

(https://s7.postimg.cc/kcznkwp7r/Pot.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kcznkwp7r/)
That's some large container you've got there.  I can see you've expanded it at least once before (tie-wraps).  I like the rectangular expandable setup you show in the back left-hand of the pic.  If you don't mind, please document your top-working process with some pics, before/after, and a visual progression of their healing process over the coming months.  I'd love to see how you work those water-sprouts.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 07, 2018, 06:31:25 PM
If you don't mind, please document your top-working process with some pics, before/after, and a visual progression of their healing process over the coming months.  I'd love to see how you work those water-sprouts.

Thanks!

Don't mind a bit, kicker is the scions received today are a poor match girth wise for the shoots so they're probably going on 6 seedlings I have in pots, unless I do side veneer grafting.  Will see.......

Have grafted to 7 shoots from a Mallika and all those Zill varieties took and grew like crazy.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 08, 2018, 12:06:29 AM
If you don't mind, please document your top-working process with some pics, before/after, and a visual progression of their healing process over the coming months.  I'd love to see how you work those water-sprouts.

Thanks!

Don't mind a bit, kicker is the scions received today are a poor match girth wise for the shoots so they're probably going on 6 seedlings I have in pots, unless I do side veneer grafting.  Will see.......

Have grafted to 7 shoots from a Mallika and all those Zill varieties took and grew like crazy.
Did you grow the six potted seedlings yourself off of used avocado seeds, and if so what variety?  How long did they take from start to what you have now?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 08, 2018, 08:58:02 AM
Did you grow the six potted seedlings yourself off of used avocado seeds, and if so what variety?  How long did they take from start to what you have now?
Thanks.

Yeah, harvested from fruit that froze during our Jan. freeze.  Seedlings of Reed, Oro Negro, Sir Prize.  I dumped about 200 immature fruit. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 14, 2018, 12:01:09 AM
I was visiting my wife's aunt's house for a Mother's day get together in the midtown area of Sacramento, CA.  I walked into the backyard and encountered a beautiful, wildly trained Avocado tree loaded with small fruitlets.  She said it's been there for many years, and that she's never harvested fruit from it.  It's not regularly watered, though it seems to be fine, and it is never given fertilizer.  This just goes to show that a well established, healthy tree can overcome cold temps, as I know this spot was freezing for a week over the past Winter.  It looks like a Hass to me, but I don't really know.
(https://s9.postimg.cc/vdla8p8x7/20180513_180116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vdla8p8x7/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/zb8jxj3a3/20180513_180126.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/zb8jxj3a3/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 14, 2018, 04:02:50 PM
It was below 32 Degree's for 1 week in Sacramento area this winter?
There's large mature Citrus around Sac so I planted a White Sapote 15 Gallon last Fall east of downtown and It's looking good.
Slight micro climate changes and indicators in different neighborhoods.. Seen any Citrus in Roseville yet?

I was visiting my wife's aunt's house for a Mother's day get together in the midtown area of Sacramento, CA.  I walked into the backyard and encountered a beautiful, wildly trained Avocado tree loaded with small fruitlets.  She said it's been there for many years, and that she's never harvested fruit from it.  It's not regularly watered, though it seems to be fine, and it is never given fertilizer.  This just goes to show that a well established, healthy tree can overcome cold temps, as I know this spot was freezing for a week over the past Winter.  It looks like a Hass to me, but I don't really know.
(https://s9.postimg.cc/vdla8p8x7/20180513_180116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vdla8p8x7/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/zb8jxj3a3/20180513_180126.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/zb8jxj3a3/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 14, 2018, 04:40:14 PM
Right up the hill in Newcastle, they have hills upon beautiful hills of citrus farms, mainly planted to Satsuma Mandarins.  Citrus does quite well here, except for the occasional freeze, where some varieties require protection.  I ran C9 Christmas lights over my potted citrus, and I only saw some slight die-back on the young new shoots that were pushing out from a Late Fall pruning.  At my place, I measured down to 18F on one night, and we had at least 5 days below 32F.  I assume it hit Sacramento similarly, though the rivers there have a way of buffering the temps somewhat.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 14, 2018, 04:55:14 PM
I live just north of sacramento and grew up in the auburn/lincoln area. Tons of citrus! seems to do just fine out here with some love when they're young.
I live now in suburbia, feather river to the east, houses to north and west and sierra gold nursery / orchards to my south. stone fruits and nuts are the most common but theres very large citrus here doing great, as well!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 14, 2018, 05:18:43 PM
Yesterday, walking through Capitol park in central Sacramento, I came across a gigantic, stately Orange tree loaded with Oranges (at least those out of reach).  It had a placard that read "Largest North America (or was it US) Valencia Orange."  The trees in Capitol park, including citrus, are very impressive to see (if you've got your tree eyes open).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 28, 2018, 12:44:24 PM
Mark heres some photos of the tree flushes and fruit set so I don't derail the jamie rose thread.  Took these photos today.

stewart flush
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/890/40603416590_8599ee7634_b.jpg)

stewart new fruit
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/878/42361365302_efacd040b7_b.jpg)

stewart
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/881/27540788467_703f810c22_b.jpg)


mexicola flush
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1751/41508827905_df281c0319_b.jpg)


reed flush
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1757/42361374372_10278bfe22_b.jpg)



New gwen tree.  I saw another thread where someone said to shade avocado trees until they are 5ft tall.  This is unnecessary.  They need full sun to grow and gain vigor.  Even here in the hottest area of san diego they can take full sun as babies.  This seed was planted in January and grafted a couple months ago.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1751/40603435570_c894011ce4_b.jpg)


Jan Boyce new tree, same thing, no need to baby them.  They need lots of sunshine to grow.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1724/42361382262_280f2babe0_b.jpg)


Bacon Flush and tree
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1741/40604195980_21d3a69bc0_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1723/41509687765_722cf7a60e_b.jpg)


This is 2 separate Kahaluu grafts.  The top is from Hawaii, the bottom from someone in CA.  Not sure if one is fake or what.  The bottom one looks like a zutano flush, maybe they gave me rootstock instead of good wood?
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1758/41509700275_d736483d8d_b.jpg)


Holiday
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1748/41689064124_313b211450_b.jpg)



Ardith baby
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1743/42362326052_289c0f71fd_b.jpg)


Nabal baby
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/882/42412435221_b6ebe1376d_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on May 28, 2018, 01:44:53 PM
Mark heres some photos of the tree flushes and fruit set so I don't derail the jamie rose thread.  Took these photos today.

THANKS!  Great photos!!  Looks like you need a Jamie Rose tree to test.  ::)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on May 28, 2018, 01:49:21 PM
Your trees look very healthy, thanks for posting them Brad!  my avocado young leaves look decent now, but usually by mid Summer or so, browning starts  near the outer edges of the leaves. I think my city water is too hard for avocados, but seems ok for other trees...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 28, 2018, 03:17:09 PM
Mark heres some photos of the tree flushes and fruit set so I don't derail the jamie rose thread.  Took these photos today.

THANKS!  Great photos!!  Looks like you need a Jamie Rose tree to test.  ::)

I will grow it.  From your pics both the fruit and leaves look pretty hass like.  Maybe its a hass seedling or already named hass type. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: socal10b on May 28, 2018, 03:30:44 PM
Very nice collection of avocado trees, everything looks super healthy good job Brad. 👍
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on May 28, 2018, 08:27:02 PM
Mark heres some photos of the tree flushes and fruit set so I don't derail the jamie rose thread.  Took these photos today.

THANKS!  Great photos!!  Looks like you need a Jamie Rose tree to test.  ::)

I will grow it.  From your pics both the fruit and leaves look pretty hass like.  Maybe its a hass seedling or already named hass type.

I wished I had picked up another tree for trade.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on May 28, 2018, 08:52:23 PM
Hi Brad, on your last photo, is that the adjustable 90 degree sprinkle head you mentioned previously? If so, could you do a close up photo on it or if you would post the link? Thanks Brad, still looking for a better way to irrigate my trees and roses too...😀
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 28, 2018, 11:33:59 PM
Yeah the 90 degree quarter circle sprinkler head is adjustable and you can use these two threaded elbow pieces to wobble the head any way you want it.  You can put a third one on there to get really creative with the spray pattern.  2 seems good enough though.

Member Shaneatwell turned me onto the 90 degree black elbows.  You can use those to wobble any sprinkler head.  For avocados I like it.  Especially since the ground is not flat here. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1738/42372085072_12aa708c52_b.jpg)

I have 2 different heads I use.  For avocado its the quarter circle sprayers, for everything else its an adjustable 8 stream micro sprinkler.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1752/41699597974_de5d02f660_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 29, 2018, 04:23:17 AM
I really love your trees Brad!  :)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 29, 2018, 07:51:39 AM
Yep, just incredible.  Thanks for sharing.  Your gardening skills aside, you must have some really nice soil.  What you showed a while back looked great.

Regarding shading young avocado trees I have a Californian farm ag instruction sheet, Leaflet 2904, Sept. 1983, on growing avocados in the hot Joaquin valley.  They insist that the trees should be shaded for a year.  Really depends on your location and climate I think.  I planted a young Joey tree here in Texas and didn't shade it. It did fine.  So, hoo nose?  If one chooses to shade/paint then there's no easier solution than to spray them with Surround, a kaolin clay.

Here's a field shot from that publication showing newly planted trees wrapped in burlap:

(https://s15.postimg.cc/hi1uybwbr/Avocado_Orchard.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hi1uybwbr/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 29, 2018, 08:14:27 AM
Mark heres some photos of the tree flushes and fruit set so I don't derail the jamie rose thread.  Took these photos today.

stewart flush
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/890/40603416590_8599ee7634_b.jpg)
mexicola flush

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1751/41508827905_df281c0319_b.jpg)

Appreciate these pix but now I'm totally confused!  I've been going by the attached chart in lieu of not having personal experience with Mexicola and Stewart.  This is from THE go-to book on avocados, Avocado: Botany, Production and Uses  http://ucavo.ucr.edu/General/WhileyBook.html (http://ucavo.ucr.edu/General/WhileyBook.html)    What I noticed is your new Mexicola leaf flush has no red, Stewart does.  I may have kicked an ant bed in our Facebook fruit growing group for nothing.   :-\  I remember my Joey having no red tint to the leaf flush though.  Innocent, ignorant mistake on my part, crap! 

(https://s15.postimg.cc/d19hz82jr/Avocado_Characteristics.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/d19hz82jr/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 11:08:09 AM
Yep, just incredible.  Thanks for sharing.  Your gardening skills aside, you must have some really nice soil.  What you showed a while back looked great.

Regarding shading young avocado trees I have a Californian farm ag instruction sheet, Leaflet 2904, Sept. 1983, on growing avocados in the hot Joaquin valley.  They insist that the trees should be shaded for a year.  Really depends on your location and climate I think.  I planted a young Joey tree here in Texas and didn't shade it. It did fine.  So, hoo nose?  If one chooses to shade/paint then there's no easier solution than to spray them with Surround, a kaolin clay.

Here's a field shot from that publication showing newly planted trees wrapped in burlap:

(https://s15.postimg.cc/hi1uybwbr/Avocado_Orchard.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hi1uybwbr/)

I don't know, if you plant them when its not 100 out they should have enough time to flush and shade themselves from the sun on the bark.  paint works also.  I grew up in the san juaquin valley, its every bit as hot where I live not if now hotter.  Accumulated heat units per year are much higher here.  Central valley is not known for growing avocados either.   There are very few if any groves up that way.  Heres a breakdown of where they are grown in CA

(https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/sites/default/files/2016-17-UpdatePiebyArea.png)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on May 29, 2018, 12:12:11 PM
Brad, thanks for that photos on your sprinkler head set up; yes,
I can see, with tandem 90 degree angle treaded pieces the head can be aimed to just about every directions. Glad that you found this system works fine on your avocado trees growing on your slope without run offs...

By the way, between you and Mark, I notice both of you have lots of resources in your possession, just to show how serious you guys are in this avocado growing endeavor, so thanks to both of you for sharing those to us, the little avocado home growers... ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 12:29:45 PM
Yep, just incredible.  Thanks for sharing.  Your gardening skills aside, you must have some really nice soil.  What you showed a while back looked great.

Regarding shading young avocado trees I have a Californian farm ag instruction sheet, Leaflet 2904, Sept. 1983, on growing avocados in the hot Joaquin valley.  They insist that the trees should be shaded for a year.  Really depends on your location and climate I think.  I planted a young Joey tree here in Texas and didn't shade it. It did fine.  So, hoo nose?  If one chooses to shade/paint then there's no easier solution than to spray them with Surround, a kaolin clay.

Here's a field shot from that publication showing newly planted trees wrapped in burlap:

(https://s15.postimg.cc/hi1uybwbr/Avocado_Orchard.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hi1uybwbr/)

Soil is good, its void of organic matter and nutrion though.  Its just very heavy rocky sandy soil.  Good for anchoring in a tree and good at draining.  It needs mulch and fertilizer to really grow things.  When I say heavy I mean it literally weighs a lot.  You fill a five gallon pot with it and it feels like a bucket of lead.

Funny story this article reminded me of.  Where I grew up in san juaquin county we had a small lake in our yard.  Around 1985 or 1986 we had a really cold winter and the lake froze over hard.  Probably and inch of ice on it.  I would not be surprised if those avocados in that picture died off from that winter. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 29, 2018, 12:52:05 PM
Yep, those avocados are gonners. 

Interesting that the "north" has more groves than the south.

Glad to share the info Samu.  20 years ago I was considering getting into the avocado biz commercially.  I have accumulated a file that would choke a horse.  Have 20 collectors books on grapes and winemaking too, like T.V. Munson's book.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 12:56:20 PM
Brad, thanks for that photos on your sprinkler head set up; yes,
I can see, with tandem 90 degree angle treaded pieces the head can be aimed to just about every directions. Glad that you found this system works fine on your avocado trees growing on your slope without run offs...

By the way, between you and Mark, I notice both of you have lots of resources in your possession, just to show how serious you guys are in this avocado growing endeavor, so thanks to both of you for sharing those to us, the little avocado home growers... ;)

You are welcome.  I didnt get down to the avocados to take a photo but snapped one of the stone fruit micro sprinkler.  These I use on every tree except avocado.  They would probably work well on them too.  You can swap them out for the little spinning sprinklers also.  My problem with the spinners is they throw really far and dont flow enough water when adjusted to a smaller circle.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1733/28562290528_52cde0d287_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 02:33:30 PM
Yep, those avocados are gonners. 

Interesting that the "north" has more groves than the south.

Glad to share the info Samu.  20 years ago I was considering getting into the avocado biz commercially.  I have accumulated a file that would choke a horse.  Have 20 collectors books on grapes and winemaking too, like T.V. Munson's book.

Yeah I didnt get the north vs south thing either.  Its all in the southern half of the state.  My place is about where the "n" is in san diego.

Avocado production has until recently been highest in SD county.  With the droughts lots of acres have been stumped out.  Water prices are higher in SD than ventura so they are now the biggest producers in the US.  Luckily I don't have to deal with that problem. 

(https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com/sites/default/files/GC2016_DistrictMapv3_0.png)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on May 29, 2018, 02:49:42 PM
Yep, those avocados are gonners. 

Interesting that the "north" has more groves than the south.

Glad to share the info Samu.  20 years ago I was considering getting into the avocado biz commercially.  I have accumulated a file that would choke a horse.  Have 20 collectors books on grapes and winemaking too, like T.V. Munson's book.

Maybe North San Diego County vs. South San Diego County.  ???

UPDATE: It is Northern Districts vs. Southern Districts.  My guess Districts 1 & 2 are South.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 29, 2018, 03:17:58 PM
There is 50-100 year old Avocado tree's all over Santa Cruz and 1 commercial farm I know of, I mention for fact only not recommendation , " Abounding Harvest"  ::)

Huge MacNuts in SC too, but not surprised we are not represented on the Map. I think that map is 1/2 truth accurate on the most general of scales.

 California Avocado demission seems like a glorified Guacamole lobbyist group.

Cost of land where they grow well often makes a new investment into the Avocado Orchard game not that smart, unless your banking on long term, and then one good freeze and your screwed.

I've been solely managing a 10 year old Avocado and Citrus Orchard here on about 1 acre. Growing well except idiot landowners keep cutting off the water at all the wrong times and now they sliced up my irrigation lines to install a new 2" main to feed their stupid 5 acres of grapes they just put in. California does not need 1 more stupid grape vine planted anywhere! You see them everywhere in CA spreading like a legal pot growing cash cow.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on May 29, 2018, 03:30:55 PM
There is 50-100 year old Avocado tree's all over Santa Cruz and 1 commercial farm I know of, I mention for fact only not recommendation , " Abounding Harvest"  ::)

Huge MacNuts in SC too, but not surprised we are not represented on the Map. I think that map is 1/2 truth accurate on the most general of scales.

 California Avocado demission seems like a glorified Guacamole lobbyist group.

Cost of land where they grow well often makes a new investment into the Avocado Orchard game not that smart, unless your banking on long term, and then one good freeze and your screwed.

I've been solely managing a 10 year old Avocado and Citrus Orchard here on about 1 acre. Growing well except idiot landowners keep cutting off the water at all the wrong times and now they sliced up my irrigation lines to install a new 2" main to feed their stupid 5 acres of grapes they just put in. California does not need 1 more stupid grape vine planted anywhere! You see them everywhere in CA spreading like a legal pot growing cash cow.

Interesting about the orchard there.  I'm surprised irrigation is needed in Santa Cruz for a 10 year old orchard -- you get a seemingly-perfect amount of rain for avocados to live off of once established.

Brokaw has a big orchard in the Soledad area (and I assume they're not the only ones) that is also not reflected in the chart...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on May 29, 2018, 03:38:32 PM
Hi Brad

Have you had any issues with mulch being against the bark? Looks like your trees are doing really well so I assume no problems, but I’ve heard from others time and again to give some clearance to the main trunk.


K
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 29, 2018, 04:07:05 PM

Avocado tree's really like water in my experience. Especially during fruit set and formation. I watered all last year and have been eating and giving away Avo's since January.
NO irrigation yet this year and they are starting to look droopy and sad on the new growth, as fruit set set's in.
This Orchard has 6- 10 foot deep loam .
Drought was not kind to established groves in SD county.
I don't believe in not watering mature Avocado tree's with they way we know the root systems grow.
The Bonny Doon and other mature tree's in Santa Cruz are planted on Clay where I hit standing water at 18" during peak drought so the water table and subsurface water matter. This is my theory on why you see mature tree's in the Bay with loads of fruit and no irrigation. The water table is high enough that they can get away with it. Like the Greenway should be.


There is 50-100 year old Avocado tree's all over Santa Cruz and 1 commercial farm I know of, I mention for fact only not recommendation , " Abounding Harvest"  ::)

Huge MacNuts in SC too, but not surprised we are not represented on the Map. I think that map is 1/2 truth accurate on the most general of scales.

 California Avocado demission seems like a glorified Guacamole lobbyist group.

Cost of land where they grow well often makes a new investment into the Avocado Orchard game not that smart, unless your banking on long term, and then one good freeze and your screwed.

I've been solely managing a 10 year old Avocado and Citrus Orchard here on about 1 acre. Growing well except idiot landowners keep cutting off the water at all the wrong times and now they sliced up my irrigation lines to install a new 2" main to feed their stupid 5 acres of grapes they just put in. California does not need 1 more stupid grape vine planted anywhere! You see them everywhere in CA spreading like a legal pot growing cash cow.

Interesting about the orchard there.  I'm surprised irrigation is needed in Santa Cruz for a 10 year old orchard -- you get seemingly-perfect amount of rain for avocados to live off of once established.

Brokaw has a big orchard in the Soledad area (and I assume they're not the only ones) that is also not reflected in the chart...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 04:11:56 PM
I dont know Jonah, I dont think the avocado commission meant to leave you off the map intentionally.

Khalid, theres not much mulch against my trees.  Less than 1 inch.  I dont pile it up around the trunks.  Its easy enough to just not put it right on the trunks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 29, 2018, 05:24:50 PM
Khalid, theres not much mulch against my trees.  Less than 1 inch.  I dont pile it up around the trunks.  Its easy enough to just not put it right on the trunks.

Curious, you guys that mulch avocados, which is a requirement for avocado especially, do you see fine white feeder roots just below the mulch?   I do.   

Spaugh, what photo service do you use?  It's really nice compared to the forum's choice.

Speaking of big stick wielding giants, when I spoke to CALAVO many years ago, asking questions and revealing my tentative commercial intent, I got hold of some yahoo on the phone that said something to the effect, "you can't do that!"  It was like I was breaking some holy law regarding who can and who can not grow their precious fruit.

Years ago, the big boyz California lobbying efforts to keep Hawaiian grown Sharwil out of the States using a trumped up ruse that the fruit was infested with a deadly beetle was a hoot.   ;D

Years ago I talked to a big avocado commercial grower and shipper who said he was getting out.  He was fed up with the heavy handed California govt. bullshit.  Texas is getting a big influx of you guys because of it.  Around me which is peach, wine, and grape country....we're getting a lot of former Californian vineyard managers/owners.   One of my buddies hired a microbiologist who moved here from Ravenwoods winery, Sonoma. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 29, 2018, 06:45:18 PM
Hey mark, white roots, yes.  They better be or the tree is unhappy.  Photo site is flickr.com it costs 30 or 40 a year.  Had it forever and am stuck with it now.  Works good but there may be others that are free.  We put all our photos on it.  Makes sharing easy.

CA laws and bullshit, yes lots of it.  Key is to live outside of the normal areas.  Where anything goes and no one is paying attention.  Never had anyone bug me about anything out here.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on May 29, 2018, 07:05:40 PM
Can you expect the California Avocado Commission (https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com (https://www.californiaavocadogrowers.com)), a group for profit, to care about other non-member Avocado growers?


(https://s15.postimg.cc/qhy6tpbif/Calif_Avocado_Sales.png) (https://postimg.cc/image/qhy6tpbif/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on May 29, 2018, 07:09:41 PM
There is 50-100 year old Avocado tree's all over Santa Cruz and 1 commercial farm I know of, I mention for fact only not recommendation , " Abounding Harvest"  ::)
Huge MacNuts in SC too, but not surprised we are not represented on the Map. I think that map is 1/2 truth accurate on the most general of scales.
California Avocado demission seems like a glorified Guacamole lobbyist group.
Cost of land where they grow well often makes a new investment into the Avocado Orchard game not that smart, unless your banking on long term, and then one good freeze and your screwed.
I've been solely managing a 10 year old Avocado and Citrus Orchard here on about 1 acre. Growing well except idiot landowners keep cutting off the water at all the wrong times and now they sliced up my irrigation lines to install a new 2" main to feed their stupid 5 acres of grapes they just put in. California does not need 1 more stupid grape vine planted anywhere! You see them everywhere in CA spreading like a legal pot growing cash cow.

See Map on this link: https://www.californiaavocado.com/the-california-difference/our-growers (https://www.californiaavocado.com/the-california-difference/our-growers)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on May 29, 2018, 11:30:59 PM
Hehehehehe . I'm not complaining.  8)
Like your saying " Out of sight , out of mind" .
I don't want to meet or see  any Avocado delusioner's. ;)


I dont know Jonah, I dont think the avocado commission meant to leave you off the map intentionally.

Khalid, theres not much mulch against my trees.  Less than 1 inch.  I dont pile it up around the trunks.  Its easy enough to just not put it right on the trunks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 30, 2018, 12:26:58 PM
I'll have a talk with the commision and have them rectify the situation.

I went to look at my trees this morning and my reed tree is dropping fruit.  Sucks, I should have thinned them down a bit the trees are too young to hold so many fruits.   One tree still has a bunch on it but dropping them.  Every year the fruit stick a little longer.    Wish they would stay on another couple months, the oil is just OK at this point.  The hass are really nice.  And I picked the last sir prize, that should be great.  My neighbors think the reeds are good at least. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1736/41733097334_e95ceeaa0d_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1727/41553868895_cab16892f2_b.jpg)



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: edzone9 on May 30, 2018, 12:35:29 PM
Dang they look Yummy!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 30, 2018, 12:43:49 PM
Too bad theres no brix meter for avocado oil.  These reeds are good but they are not really perfectly ripe yet.  I may cull half of the remaining ones in hopes the rest will hang another couple months.  Should have done it 10 months ago.  Defintwly will be thinning trees this year around August.

My neighbor has a cold smoker bbq he smokes meat and cheese with.  He said he is going to try and smoke some of my avocado for the hell of it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 30, 2018, 02:39:41 PM
Hey mark, white roots, yes.  They better be or the tree is unhappy.  Photo site is flickr.com it costs 30 or 40 a year.  Had it forever and am stuck with it now.  Works good but there may be others that are free.  We put all our photos on it.  Makes sharing easy.

CA laws and bullshit, yes lots of it.  Key is to live outside of the normal areas.  Where anything goes and no one is paying attention.  Never had anyone bug me about anything out here.

1. Thanks

2.  Sounds like a winner.  City peeps like you and me don't have it so good.  I have so much freedom it's ridiculous, resources too.  My 1 HP well pump costs pennies per day to run.  If I want to run it full bore on my lawn or field I can.  Will say this again, there's nothing as fine as a Grundfos Constant Water Pressure system, #301.  Get rid of all the crap that comes with the tank and such and go with a Grundfos come time to change it out.  With the touch of a button I can zoom from 40 PSI to 100 PSI.  On board diagnostics, variable motor like your drill.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 30, 2018, 02:41:58 PM
Like your saying " Out of sight , out of mind" .

"It's much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission."
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 30, 2018, 02:44:40 PM
Too bad theres no brix meter for avocado oil.

Carlos to the rescue.  https://www.myavocadotrees.com/dry-weight-measurement-in-florida-avocados.html (https://www.myavocadotrees.com/dry-weight-measurement-in-florida-avocados.html)

re: the cut Reeds.  You really know how to hurt a guy.   :D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 30, 2018, 07:55:29 PM
My neighbor smoked half a reed today, it was actually really good.  Wasnt sure what to expect.  Next we are going to salt it and quarter it and use avocado oil on it and smoke longer then top with mozzerella cheese and tomato.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1757/41740068444_2dde784538_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 31, 2018, 08:21:14 AM
Never tried avocado on the grill.  Have done lemon halves and thick slices of fresh pineapple which are delish.

One of these days am gonna try avocado pickles.  Simple enough.  https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54123/avocado-pickles-recipe/ (https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54123/avocado-pickles-recipe/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 04, 2018, 01:01:41 PM
Planted 6 more avocados and 2 cherimoya/atemoya crosses this weekend. Im really trying to push the limits on how fast I can plant a seed in a 2 gallon pot, graft it, then let it push a little and plant out in the grove in full sun.  Planted 2 x jan boyce, mex grande, carmen hass, daily, green gold.  The mex grande and carmens were grown from seed 4 or 5 months ago and grafted a couple months ago.  So around 5 months from seed in pot to grafted tree in orchard.  My biggest concern is that an animal will eat them.  Because they were not heavily rootbound, I expect these to grow significantly in the next 2 to 3 months.  The holes were dug the size of the pots, plant dropped in, back filled with native soil.   They got a top dressing of compost then a top dressing of mulch and thats it.  In a month they will get a very small dose of avocado/citrus food.

Mex grande
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1726/41661336125_0bffaceeef_b.jpg)


Carmen
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1730/40754525140_9b078fe66e_b.jpg)


(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1735/40754520810_05d0177e61_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 04, 2018, 01:22:33 PM
I even got my wife to mulch the new trees :-* ;D

Trust me this is hard work here going up and down the hills.  My wife is a real champ, she comes and does mulches for exercise occasionally.  I got to take a break and hold the baby while mom knocked out some mulching...

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1735/42563194881_90686ea705_b.jpg)

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1758/40755132890_cb682083ba_b.jpg)


(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1738/41662052635_32384791c4_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on June 04, 2018, 01:43:45 PM
So happy for you to ser this, Brad!
When the family helps -especially the spouse- things are
a whole lot easier around the house...  :D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on June 05, 2018, 05:14:59 PM
Your trees look fantastic!
My Holiday seems to be suffering from root rot :( The wife got a little water happy...
Hass and lamb-hass are doing great, as was the holiday before It turned all brown and the top withered up. Looks like it may be a goner.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 05, 2018, 08:50:40 PM
Kris, that's too bad about the Holiday.  Sounds like yours is shriveling back like my own two from Green Acres.  You know something is wrong when you are getting 90-110F degree days and still you haven't been able to water your Avocado plant for 2-3 weeks because its soil is still "wet."

Brad, your pics above are lovely.  I can't help bus feel envious as too how unmolested that foliage looks.  I'd say 4 out of 5 of the new flush from my avocado trees are riddled with holes from some leaf eating critters.  1 in 5 is eaten to total evanescence - just a frame of a leaf left.  I'm organic mostly, so the sprays I'm using must not matter to these leaf hoppers. (I presume that's what's munching down on them.)  Sorry to hear about the overload of fruit leading to premature drop, though you have to admit that has got to be a "1st world problem."

Keep the pics flowing - they're encouraging through the eyes.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 05, 2018, 09:09:43 PM
Kris, that's too bad about the Holiday.  Sounds like yours is shriveling back like my own two from Green Acres.  You know something is wrong when you are getting 90-110F degree days and still you haven't been able to water your Avocado plant for 2-3 weeks because its soil is still "wet."

Brad, your pics above are lovely.  I can't help bus feel envious as too how unmolested that foliage looks.  I'd say 4 out of 5 of the new flush from my avocado trees are riddled with holes from some leaf eating critters.  1 in 5 is eaten to total evanescence - just a frame of a leaf left.  I'm organic mostly, so the sprays I'm using must not matter to these leaf hoppers. (I presume that's what's munching down on them.)  Sorry to hear about the overload of fruit leading to premature drop, though you have to admit that has got to be a "1st world problem."

Keep the pics flowing - they're encouraging through the eyes.

According to this website neem oil will work for leafhoppers if you do soil drenches. I use neem spray on my small trees for aphids.  If I had your problem I would try neem soil drench.

https://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html (https://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 05, 2018, 11:02:13 PM
Kris, that's too bad about the Holiday.  Sounds like yours is shriveling back like my own two from Green Acres.  You know something is wrong when you are getting 90-110F degree days and still you haven't been able to water your Avocado plant for 2-3 weeks because its soil is still "wet."

Brad, your pics above are lovely.  I can't help bus feel envious as too how unmolested that foliage looks.  I'd say 4 out of 5 of the new flush from my avocado trees are riddled with holes from some leaf eating critters.  1 in 5 is eaten to total evanescence - just a frame of a leaf left.  I'm organic mostly, so the sprays I'm using must not matter to these leaf hoppers. (I presume that's what's munching down on them.)  Sorry to hear about the overload of fruit leading to premature drop, though you have to admit that has got to be a "1st world problem."

Keep the pics flowing - they're encouraging through the eyes.

According to this website neem oil will work for leafhoppers if you do soil drenches. I use neem spray on my small trees for aphids.  If I had your problem I would try neem soil drench.

https://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html (https://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html)
Neem as a foliar spray regular organic regiment, but I haven't tried soil drenching much with it.  I have tried neem cake/meal, which seemed to work well on the garden in the past, but it's costly and tedious to keep up as a kind of mulch.  If one treated all the tree pots with a neem drench, I'd think it might work for the plants there, but those hopping/flying leaf-hoppers would just come from the field a few feet down.  As I walk through grass or just in the surroundings, I see 100's of these things scatter in my wake.  I think I might just have to learn to live with them.  I do enjoy turning the porch light on in the early night and zapping them with my handheld bug zapper from Walmart.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 05, 2018, 11:12:37 PM
Of the three older containerized trees I mentioned earlier in the thread, the Fuerte and I believe Mexicola have set and held (to date) two each about thumbnail-sized fruit.  The Fuerte had probably 100 fruit earlier in the year, but they all dropped, as they did last year.  Besides the two larger sized fruit on the Fuerte, it has about five much smaller fruit hanging on, but I suspect they're just late to drop.  The Bacon didn't set any fruit sadly.  Here are some pics.

Fuerte:
(https://s22.postimg.cc/qtg41vf31/20180605_182326.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qtg41vf31/)

(https://s22.postimg.cc/4hib8i34d/20180605_182603.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4hib8i34d/)

(https://s22.postimg.cc/a5olzemwd/20180605_183059.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a5olzemwd/)

Mexicola (or perhaps I have it mixed up with Bacon):

(https://s22.postimg.cc/jg0q2g56l/20180605_182514.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jg0q2g56l/)

(https://s22.postimg.cc/kv2ar6lp9/20180605_183149.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kv2ar6lp9/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 05, 2018, 11:34:10 PM
You can get 5000 ladybugs for 10$ at a decent nursery.  They would probably put a huge dent in the leaf hopper population in no time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on June 06, 2018, 01:04:40 AM
My gardens getting chewed up too. Birds, bugs, some thing eating my pepper plant tops. The whole shebang. Neem and peppermint oil aren't cutting it. :(
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 06, 2018, 11:17:18 AM
Sorry to hear that Kris.  They have destroyed my small eggplant, damaged the peppers, but they leave the tomatoes alone.  I've not had this much of an issue on the eggplant in the past.  Here's a pic of about half of my tomato plants.  They were slow to start this year, but the cooler early Spring helped with fruit set and growth.  Thrips are usually the main pest for the tomatoes (they destroy flowers); and, of course, the various races of F and V in this area.  For aphids, I've had good results with sequential applications of a Neem-related(azadirachtin) product, AzaMax.  It's slow to work, but once it kicks in they don't recover for a couple months.  I find the soaps and oils tend to damage the leaf foliage of annuals.  I hope your garden pulls through.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/yh3xmngot/20180605_183727.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yh3xmngot/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on June 06, 2018, 02:12:05 PM
Have you had any success rejuvenating your avocados?
I'm contemplating removing my holiday from its pot and letting the root ball dry out a bit. I've read that this has had some success in the past for people.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 06, 2018, 03:04:04 PM
Kris- the jury is still out on the the outcome of my rejuvenation efforts.  First (2 weeks or so back), I actually "re-potted" all seven of my RootBuilderII [expandable container] housed avocado trees.  I amended the peat/cocohull heavy soil/grow-medium with Decomposed Granite.  While doing this, I kind of ripped up the roots, which were showing a lot of rot.  I assume that process wasn't easy on the plants.  This past weekend, I tried the Hydrogen Peroxide "drench" that LaidBackDood suggested.  Next time I pull one of these plants, it's to toss it in the garbage.  I'd like to know if your exposing the roots to air helps.  Seems like it would cause the outer roots to die back, but maybe that's a salve for the impending rot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 06, 2018, 04:45:23 PM
These avocados that are struggling for you guys, are they getting 8+ hrs of sun?  Are they in full sun or shade cloth or?  Best way to get an avocado to grow is lots of sun.  A full days worth is important.  I wouldnt use any shading or shade cloth either unless its triple digit temps there.  Digging them up and messing with the rootball is not going to help.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on June 06, 2018, 06:07:55 PM
I'm 100% sure My holiday was over watered. It was doing fantastic until my wife started watering in the mornings as we hit 100 degree temps.
Hass, and lamb-hass are still doing good and I will be keeping a closer eye on the watering they receive. I'm going to drill some more holes in to my pot for the Holiday when I'm off work tonight, I believe the holes may be a bit inadequate as I am growing some raspberries in an identical pot (Though smaller) that is retaining a lot of water too.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on June 10, 2018, 12:11:09 AM
Here are some Avocados that I harvested today.  From Left to right Hass, Reed Seedling, Wurtz aka Little Cado.  I have already picked a couple of 1+ pound Reed Seedling Avocados and they have a nice creamy flavor and are easy to peel.  The seed is rather large but there is a decent amount of flesh on a large fruit. Now I will need to do a taste test along with a Reed to see how they compare.  It has only taken about 10 years from planting to harvest but the tree has at least 150 fruit on it most in the 12-14 ounce size.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/g1e5v2gxn/Harvested_Today.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g1e5v2gxn/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/i5yiw835n/Reed_Seedling.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i5yiw835n/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 10, 2018, 08:36:40 AM
Nice score Dylan.

How about 5 "rare" Reed avocados shipped to your door in a gift box?  Cost plus shipping ONLY $76.   ;D

http://www.californiaavocadosdirect.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-48 (http://www.californiaavocadosdirect.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-48)

Are people really that hard up?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2018, 10:27:17 AM
I'm doing it wrong.  My wife has been selling them at work for 2$ a piece.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 10, 2018, 03:00:03 PM
I just purchased two Reed from the local Whole Foods market - $3.50 each.  I've probably had Reed in the past, but I hadn't in recent years.  The avocados seemed hard, so I left them out for a day.  The first I tried had the consistency of warm margarine from the Diner plate (the one under a glass dome at room temp).  There were also small bits of something like course sand near the peel.  Overall, I really didn't enjoy the avocado, nor my wife.  I'll try the 2nd to see if it's the same.  The consistency of the avocado was very mushy and a bit too watery.  I hope these two examples are just a case of premature harvesting, since I hope to grow a Reed someday.  BTW, these were marked as Del Rey producer.

I saved the seed.  Would it work well as a rootstock, or should I wait for a Bacon or Zutano?  Anyone else purchased store-bought Reed fruit that was substandard?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2018, 04:55:06 PM
I got them at the local farmers market in the past and they  are excellent.  Havent seen them at the grocery.  The skin is thicker than most avocados so as soon as it gives its ready.  The grit is from the peel.  If you just dont scrape it it wont come off.  They are a bit early to be selling at the stores unless they want to put people off and not have them buy more.  If you want me to send you some good ones in a month I will.  Can probably fit half a dozen in a medium flat rate box.

They are without a doubt one of the best avocado there is.  Not watery, its super high oil content by end of summer.  You will not be disappointed to grow them.  Only caveat is they may take forever to get ripe on the tree in northern CA.  A smaller mexican avocado is probably a better place to start.

Reed seeds are good for rootstock.  They grow vigorous once thry get going.  Zutanon and bacon are in season 6 months ago, I wouldnt bother waiting for them, you can always start more later. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 10, 2018, 05:01:09 PM
I got them at the local farmers market in the past and they  are excellent.  Havent seen them at the grocery.  The skin is thicker than most avocados so as soon as it gives its ready.  The grit is from the peel.  If you just dont scrape it it wont come off.  They are a bit early to be selling at the stores unless they want to put people off and not have them buy more.  They are without a doubt one of the best avocado there is.  Not watery, its super high oil content by end of summer.  You will not be disappointed to grow them.  Only caveat is they may take forever to get ripe on the tree in northern CA.  A smaller mexican avocado is probably a better place to start.

Reed seeds are good for rootstock.  They grow vigorous once thry get going.  Zutanon and bacon are in season 6 months ago, I wouldnt bother waiting for them, you can always start more later.
Thanks for the info.  I wasn't too put off by the grit, and I could see that it came from scraping the peel too enthusiastically.  I'm familiar with the stuff, but I'm not sure if its indicative of the fruit maturity or just something you'll find.  I've not given up on the Reed, but I do think they picked these fruit too soon.  I'll go ahead and try and root the seeds for use as RS, and maybe I can leave a branch of the original to see if it survives the 10+ years to maybe set fruit down the road.  On second thought, that's probably a bad idea.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2018, 05:04:55 PM
Yeah the grit is normal.  You can just slice in pieces and peel it instead of spoon.

You were too fast and I edited my post.  I can send some proper reeds in July or if you really want to blown away try them late August.

Several people came back and told my wife that the reeds we sold them were the best avocados they have ever had.  And they are just now getting ripe.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 10, 2018, 05:24:32 PM
Thanks Brad.  I think I saw you sell scion wood, right.  I need to order some varieties for grafting once I have the Rootstock built up.  Or maybe you'll start an online nursery business that ships young Avocado trees, and I can just purchase the finished product.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2018, 05:33:33 PM
Scions are not a problem.  I am going to grow a few small trees to ship to people.  It just takes forever to grow them.   Is that what kind you want reed?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on June 10, 2018, 06:52:42 PM
If I remember correctly in past years I have seen Reeds at the 99 cent store.  Paying several dollars or more than $10 for an avocado seems excessive.

Would prime Reed season be in September or October or do the trees drop their fruit before then?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 10, 2018, 11:42:44 PM
If I remember correctly in past years I have seen Reeds at the 99 cent store.  Paying several dollars or more than $10 for an avocado seems excessive.

Would prime Reed season be in September or October or do the trees drop their fruit before then?

Thats probably prime time for Santa Barbra grown reeds.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 11, 2018, 07:52:12 AM
I just purchased two Reed from the local Whole Foods market - $3.50 each.  I've probably had Reed in the past, but I hadn't in recent years.  The avocados seemed hard, so I left them out for a day.  The first I tried had the consistency of warm margarine from the Diner plate (the one under a glass dome at room temp).  There were also small bits of something like course sand near the peel.  Overall, I really didn't enjoy the avocado, nor my wife.  I'll try the 2nd to see if it's the same.  The consistency of the avocado was very mushy and a bit too watery.  I hope these two examples are just a case of premature harvesting, since I hope to grow a Reed someday.  BTW, these were marked as Del Rey producer.

I saved the seed.  Would it work well as a rootstock, or should I wait for a Bacon or Zutano?  Anyone else purchased store-bought Reed fruit that was substandard?

Not typical of Reed at all.   It's still early for them for starts.

Regarding your repotting and messing with their roots - avocados hate to be repotted.  Many times I'll sacrifice a pot by slitting down each side and carefully lifting out the rootball placing into the hole.

I've got quite a few grafts on Reed seedlings now.  Most haven't pushed yet. 

(https://s15.postimg.cc/kin0vgmd3/Reed_April.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kin0vgmd3/)

Reed is considered by many the best in the states.

5 "rare" Reeds shipped for only $76!  Get 'em while you can.

http://www.californiaavocadosdirect.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-48 (http://www.californiaavocadosdirect.com/products/product.aspx?pid=1-48)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 11, 2018, 11:53:06 AM
Hi Mark, the roots in 7 out of 9 of those pots were bound and rotting when I got them from the nursery.  How bound up varied from plant to plant, but nearly all had a good amount of brown, dead root matter.  I actually did as you described with several of the plants and cut the pot down the sides, but honestly I found that it was hard not to slice through some of the roots in doing this with my box cutter,  and it was surprisingly difficult to actually extricate the plant in this manner, so I came to the conclusion that for these root bound plants it was just easier to pull them out cleanly from the pot as a unit.  I've gotten different opinions on whether it's best to shred and remove the dead root matter at planting or go to any length not to disturb the roots.  On my initial plant, I left the roots totally untouched, but then when I re-potted, I noticed there was a kind of boundary delimited by the original pot outline and the 2-3" of expansion "soil."  It seemed the good roots were mostly trapped inside the dead.  I only saw a few good roots growing out in a downward direction.  So I decided to rip-up and remove the dead roots there.  I'm sure some healthy roots suffered with that move.  I'm still hoping they can recover.  I'm looking for the day when these plants start to draw on the water held by the soil, and I can actually begin to water them again and add that so important mulch layer back.  I've planted avocados in the past and didn't have any of these types of issues, but I think the combo of less than healthy plants and perhaps too much peat and cocohull in my grow medium has led to my issues this time round.  I'll keep at it, and try to remember these setbacks for next time.

I can't imaging I'd ever spend $75 on five avocados here in California.  Better to take a SouthWest flight down south and gather 50 at $2 a piece.  It is worth noting that they have a deal now and have reduced the price by half.  I sliced open the second Reed from WF yesterday.  It was slightly better, but still not a great specimen.  It's like they picked it early but the fruit is actually starting to go bad from age.  I'll look forward to trying a better example in the future.  Where have you been posting (or have you) the progress on all your avocado grafting there in the greenhouse?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on June 11, 2018, 02:25:01 PM
My Mexicola Grande, Fuerte, and Aravaipa are all doing well, especially considering that the temps have hit triple digits here in Vegas as of last week. Solid leaf growth with a decent amount of swelling buds on the nodes. They still look spindly from dropping a lot of foliage once winter ended, but I'm hoping they'll fill out nicely.

All are in large containers, and the Mexicola and Fuerte are under a shade tree with lots of wood mulch in the containers, and leaf mulch on the ground to help add some humidity to their little microclimate.

Keeping an eagle eye on their watering since they seem to be retaining water well, despite the high temps. All previous avos I had died from root rot due to overwatering during the hottest parts of the summer.

Also planted some beans in the containers to help put some more nitrogen in the soil and soak up some of the extra soil moisture.

(https://s15.postimg.cc/gasp5s4cn/20180605_173652.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gasp5s4cn/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 11, 2018, 04:14:14 PM
Fygee, how much light are all those potted plants you showed getting in a day.  They look like they're well shaded, which probably helps with the 100F+ temps, but may stunt growth for the Avocados in the long run.  Will you be planting them in ground soon?  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on June 11, 2018, 04:51:07 PM
They're getting mostly shade with some brief late afternoon sun. The sun here is way too intense for avocado trees this young, so mostly shade is the only option until they get a couple years in to grow some protective bark, root out to take in more moisture, and leaf out to provide adequate trunk/branch protection. Stunted growth is expected and an acceptable sacrifice to keep them alive and the trunk unburnt. This is the method Don Olson from Shamus/Greenlife recommends, and others in Arizona have had success with it.

I'm going to carefully move them into large Rootbuilder sacks/pots once the current leaf nodes grow out, but they won't be going in the ground for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately I have a small yard and have to make do with the space I have, which means a lot of container growing. That and if they manage to survive a couple years (they're about nine months old since they were purchased), I want to make sure I can take them with me when I eventually move into a place with a bigger yard.

I also have some seed grown ones that I'm experimenting with by exposing them more to our sun, heat, and crap native soil. If they do well, then I'm going to attempt to graft scions and and see how they do.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 11, 2018, 08:07:11 PM
They're getting mostly shade with some brief late afternoon sun. The sun here is way too intense for avocado trees this young, so mostly shade is the only option until they get a couple years in to grow some protective bark, root out to take in more moisture, and leaf out to provide adequate trunk/branch protection. Stunted growth is expected and an acceptable sacrifice to keep them alive and the trunk unburnt. This is the method Don Olson from Shamus/Greenlife recommends, and others in Arizona have had success with it.

I'm going to carefully move them into large Rootbuilder sacks/pots once the current leaf nodes grow out, but they won't be going in the ground for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately I have a small yard and have to make do with the space I have, which means a lot of container growing. That and if they manage to survive a couple years (they're about nine months old since they were purchased), I want to make sure I can take them with me when I eventually move into a place with a bigger yard.

I also have some seed grown ones that I'm experimenting with by exposing them more to our sun, heat, and crap native soil. If they do well, then I'm going to attempt to graft scions and and see how they do.

Nice project, good luck with this.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 20, 2018, 12:35:18 AM
Finally got around to taking photos of my Avos. It’s been a lot of hard work and patience to baby most of them and get them going.

Lots of photos so please bear with me as I figure out how to upload so many images...

There are a couple of repeats (noted) and photos of other trees I accidentally placed in and am not sure how to remove as it was very difficult to get these done. (sorry)

Pinkerton
(https://s15.postimg.cc/aqzlxo85j/04233528-9263-4_F2_B-9_E12-_E052_EBD645_E6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/aqzlxo85j/)

choquette + rootstock adjacent
(https://s15.postimg.cc/dwk7oethz/41_A48190-8390-4_E63-_AFFF-123_F5_A645797.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dwk7oethz/)

repeat picture of pinkerton
(https://s15.postimg.cc/jyrueczs7/5_DAD1_C2_C-6918-4448-_B0_D0-4_A89_AE5_D04_FA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jyrueczs7/)

GEM
(https://s15.postimg.cc/4q1x0pgfb/746_D1752-_B97_B-4_C48-_B5_DC-_B14_BAE06_E837.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4q1x0pgfb/)

Nabal
(https://s15.postimg.cc/9by18xjx3/839_DA2_AA-271_C-4015-8898-40_E02_E7_B9911.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9by18xjx3/)

Sharwil or JB (tag from epicenter lost, I don't share this budwood because I can't verify cultivar at this time)
(https://s15.postimg.cc/wq60kvwpj/CF6_ACE5_D-1864-4768-834_F-19428698_BF43.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wq60kvwpj/)

Carmen (ebay -- because I don't necessarily trust the origin of this tree, I also don't share this budwood without at least warning the other party)
(https://s15.postimg.cc/40j4o8d9z/D8_C568_B8-_D82_A-4841-_B725-9_FAAA83_C8829.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/40j4o8d9z/)

Bacon on Duke 7
(https://s15.postimg.cc/8z6n2qehz/F76_E3_CA0-_B967-41_D4-_A7_D0-_BEB0_BEE968_EB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8z6n2qehz/)

party time
(https://s15.postimg.cc/f04bzv69z/0_AF9_D92_B-_AA45-4_E69-9347-001022_DF0_E47.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/f04bzv69z/)

Bob
(https://s15.postimg.cc/oxfcsyvw7/52_A54708-583_C-484_E-_AB8_B-08_BCAB31_F8_FF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oxfcsyvw7/)

shindler
(https://s15.postimg.cc/grxauss7r/68_B53_C0_C-3531-49_D0-_A871-7_F2_A95_A23347.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/grxauss7r/)

reed
(https://s15.postimg.cc/ullnjrks7/B485_C056-_E75_B-4_AF7-9_CE4-_E6922458_D43_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ullnjrks7/)

choquette (a different tree)
(https://s15.postimg.cc/kbj8kifh3/B9_AA6_B04-6_DEC-4_A00-_B03_C-4925_BB276589.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kbj8kifh3/)

Daily 11
(https://s15.postimg.cc/ae87rkah3/D0_C68023-5_FB2-422_A-_BA00-_CBD928_E29534.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ae87rkah3/)

repeat picture of party time
(https://s15.postimg.cc/oxfcsy113/FA646_B82-7_FE7-455_A-_B925-1_F89_AB7_D1924.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oxfcsy113/)

colleen davis
(https://s15.postimg.cc/lqkt9c3qf/FB1_B2091-_FB47-450_E-_A905-4504_DEAD7560.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lqkt9c3qf/)

hellen
(https://s15.postimg.cc/52tb6wluf/0662_D630-8090-418_C-_A158-_ADC8_B90_EACA3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/52tb6wluf/)

weird bug on mango. not sure if beneficial or harmful
(https://s15.postimg.cc/hhg376vc7/503_CF74_A-749_D-4_CDB-_A639-14648100_FA23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hhg376vc7/)

reed on toro canyon
(https://s15.postimg.cc/m3c7fhr53/94_C1_D16_F-4_C44-43_CC-_A30_C-_F7_B927_D745_DA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m3c7fhr53/)

sharwil on dusa
(https://s15.postimg.cc/bt9sg8tjr/9713_A1_D6-7_B0_A-4_E76-_AC08-_F0_BA6_E3_E799_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/bt9sg8tjr/)

rootstock with multiple grafts that failed during transplant period. only mantequilla graft still alive
(https://s15.postimg.cc/l120x18cn/9_D106284-_D9_C6-4_C15-8_D99-966_A8_B79936_E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/l120x18cn/)

fuerte
(https://s15.postimg.cc/3nrqi5i6f/A92_D89_BD-_E024-41_CE-_B67_D-_C2_ACE60931_C3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3nrqi5i6f/)

dead carmen hass obtained from bonita creek nursery, died during transplant when half of roots were sheared off by a shovel.
(https://s15.postimg.cc/4q1x0ot9z/B158_EC5_C-_ACEC-4_E76-_BA4_C-_F3_F094953745.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4q1x0ot9z/)

queen
(https://s15.postimg.cc/iwhnvxz07/D962_BD90-20_A8-45_C3-8179-3_A77_B786_FB44.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iwhnvxz07/)

GEM
(https://s8.postimg.cc/59av7k0j5/4_D246866-35_AD-43_CF-9_FCA-_F1_F9_FC4_B6_DAC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/59av7k0j5/)

multi-mulberry
(https://s8.postimg.cc/5akt0ehm9/51275_E53-13_D6-4_F1_A-_A4_DD-_EF87_C9_C3_E4_D0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5akt0ehm9/)

Herd
(https://s8.postimg.cc/lycb2wk3l/5_B7_B85_C7-_C7_E4-48_C0-_A4_DB-_E15341_D9822_E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lycb2wk3l/)

White Pakistan mulberry
(https://s8.postimg.cc/z2hvfkwpt/8_E34_E770-7576-4364-9_DFA-_D358_AA6_E8_EB3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z2hvfkwpt/)

green gold
(https://s8.postimg.cc/z17xmq7wx/AA1_EF148-_BE96-4_C9_E-_B0_F0-5_FBD5_FA0_CB91.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z17xmq7wx/)

edranol
(https://s8.postimg.cc/y07ox166p/B79_A0_A30-_AF6_E-4_CFE-_B7_EA-18007_FFDA0_CD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y07ox166p/)

nimlioh
(https://s8.postimg.cc/jh0jvn7wx/E4_B9_BAB7-3692-4_ABD-_A493-85992819_C0_D0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jh0jvn7wx/)

pinkerton # 2
(https://s8.postimg.cc/kw24kgw69/03_A8_B40_E-2244-4814-_A811-_F4626_D016_A78.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kw24kgw69/)

Kahaluu
(https://s8.postimg.cc/y07ox63nl/701_F2048-_DBA6-463_E-8_CD4-_F1_AD6_E91_D75_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/y07ox63nl/)

hass #1
(https://s8.postimg.cc/v64jjptrl/8_C0_D1_C29-93_BC-4820-871_C-_AAD96152370_A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/v64jjptrl/)

Holiday
(https://s8.postimg.cc/uglr7bycx/C3261657-1_F3_C-4_EA5-804_C-95_CEA473495_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uglr7bycx/)

Oro Negro
(https://s8.postimg.cc/k6jc81b1d/D2_F02_CE9-3_D6_E-4_BBB-8303-54_F7_CBD01049.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/k6jc81b1d/)

Gwen graft somewhere there
(https://s8.postimg.cc/l8tiqn6q9/DEAAB9_F2-917_A-48_C9-_B486-_ECF9_A1_A3_EDC9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/l8tiqn6q9/)

Yamagata
(https://s8.postimg.cc/9jpj2o81t/E5_DE6_EF9-_AAF0-46_C8-_A579-_A9_D8966_AFB33.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9jpj2o81t/)

Hass #2
(https://s8.postimg.cc/osfggf6v5/F0_A318_A7-6_BE6-46_EC-_A604-7_A26847_C082_D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/osfggf6v5/)

Lamb hass
(https://s8.postimg.cc/8u6qqas2p/FD8_FCFEA-79_AD-470_F-_BFE7-_BE0236360_ECB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8u6qqas2p/)

sir prize
(https://s15.postimg.cc/a1gtllpp3/0078_C48_B-_E837-4_A1_E-8_AB6-_DC8088_CEBE8_B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/a1gtllpp3/)

sharwil #2, sickly
(https://s15.postimg.cc/fpn4cgrgn/2_F137_A53-9_E13-4001-_B47_C-42_A666_FE6991.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fpn4cgrgn/)

jan Boyce
(https://s15.postimg.cc/cisksumg7/78_C26_A9_F-_E904-4_D02-89_D8-4_F64460_B3_A87.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cisksumg7/)

Stewart
(https://s15.postimg.cc/hu7hdl3dz/BF5_CEE93-068_F-4701-8043-44647_BFB7Jan _CD5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hu7hdl3dz/)

Koala
(https://s15.postimg.cc/nids4iabb/474_EB408-22_FA-4_E39-8_CEA-35_F8_CE841692.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nids4iabb/)

Sport
(https://s15.postimg.cc/4q1x0wyhj/4_D7_C574_D-97_B4-42_E7-_A900-_F091_B5479817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4q1x0wyhj/)

Linda
(https://s15.postimg.cc/hhg37estz/6_B2_B5_DB4-63_FB-40_D1-_BD8_F-_F7_A56_A75_AE3_C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hhg37estz/)

 Rootstock, several scattered around
(https://s15.postimg.cc/tw2v7qs1z/AB55_F83_E-_DE4_B-4988-_BAD4-6829_D5_F24_D54.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/tw2v7qs1z/)

multi graft, whitsell nowels daily 11 survived. Creamhart f1 and leavens hass still green
(https://s8.postimg.cc/jjp0wryjl/2_DA5_A7_CB-373_C-401_B-8_E82-_BFBE17_D188_D2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jjp0wryjl/)

Ardith
(https://s8.postimg.cc/8k3tl60ep/A79_EB6_E4-_BDD4-4_A01-8_FE9-1_EAC55_BD3_CC3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8k3tl60ep/)

Sally
(https://s8.postimg.cc/7528wfjw1/C6_F02_C7_D-53_FD-4455-_BAFD-09_C3_F048_AA4_F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7528wfjw1/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 20, 2018, 08:19:45 AM
Wow, that's quite a collection, good luck with your projects.

Bug is a cicada.  "Cicada are known for drinking xylem from tree roots (as nymphs) and branches & twigs (as adults), however, when they are small they must rely on grasses, and possibly other small plants for nourishment."   IOW, kill it.  A good systemic soil drench or foliar spray would be imidacloprid.   Citrus growers and vineyards (that includes me) apply it to prevent such deadly diseases as Pierce's Disease, kill the HLB host, psyllid on citrus, etc.  It's labeled for everything consumable.  This is enough for the entire county for a year.  :D  https://www.amazon.com/contains-Imidacloprid-Termiticide-Insecticide-ingredient/dp/B011S22ANI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529496506&sr=8-2&keywords=adonis+75&dpID=51GlGbmepHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch (https://www.amazon.com/contains-Imidacloprid-Termiticide-Insecticide-ingredient/dp/B011S22ANI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529496506&sr=8-2&keywords=adonis+75&dpID=51GlGbmepHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch)

Based on your soil analysis I'd go with a slow release food, IF, you have rains or scattered irrigation to allow for the slow release of nutrients.  Otherwise this one can't be beat based on it's 5-1-3 NPK, a nice ratio of nitrate N to ammonical N, value, etc.  This 5-1-3 ratio would be excellent on citrus too if that applies.  https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1 (https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1)

IMO none of those trees are ready to harvest scions from.

All that matters now is roots and you've got a damn good start with such fine stock as Dusa.  I'd get a mulch on them too and if you didn't innoculate them when planting I'd drench them with a mychor endo like this one, available on Amazon.  NO high P foods especially when using a mychorrizial product! Contrary to label hype the last thing they need is a "root booster".  They need N, in small amounts.  VAM has the ability to extract P from the soil once the colony is established.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/56fowg8el/VAM.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/56fowg8el/)

Good luck and thanks for sharing the pix!

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 20, 2018, 08:22:30 AM
Ardith
(https://s8.postimg.cc/8k3tl60ep/A79_EB6_E4-_BDD4-4_A01-8_FE9-1_EAC55_BD3_CC3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8k3tl60ep/)

What's the white stuff around the Ardith?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on June 20, 2018, 10:59:36 AM
Looks like perlite Mark, nice collection hope they all grow strong for you Hockey ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 20, 2018, 12:13:49 PM
White stuff is perlite.

Can you apply the myco through a fertigation system? I added some liquid myco as well as powdered killer myco(the shark brand) but have no issue doing it again with a recommended product.

As for imidacloprid, I’ve strongly  considered it but am worried about bees. Not too many blooms now to worry about so I’ll look into it. Next thing on the list besides the above is to white wash. I have used the surround wp product on a sprayer. I used it last year on everything and it worked really well, maybe too well on my mangoes because it seems the mangoes all slowed down in growth last year when I applied it. I don’t think they minded the 90s and 100s at all.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 20, 2018, 12:45:12 PM
That's quite a Ranch you've got there in the making.  Did you landscape all that yourself, or use a crew?  I foresee one day a hundred years hence folks will talk about he Hockey ranch that survived the great heat purges of the 2030's and there remains a vessel for the continuation of the Persea americana species.  With the surround product, did you find that it washed away after rain?  Did it clog up your sprayer at 4cups to a gallon (is that right?)?  Did it work to deter ants?

Thanks for all the great pics.  They will make a nice reference in the future.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 20, 2018, 01:17:10 PM
Thanks for the complement. We’d like it to be a fruit paradise. That’s just the avocado side. There’s a stone fruit segment, citrus area, fig area and mango area with a few other trees sprinkled in (jabos, cherimoya atemoya, tropical cherries) 😋

Landscaping was done by a crew but we helped design it. I tried to put Avos so that A and B flowering trees alternate adjacent to each other and that they flower at roughly the same times. Can’t help the alternate bearing but I wonder if grafting can break the alternat ebearing habit or if it is dictated by rootstock.

Surround wp clogged my auto sprayer and I had to wash it out. My hand sprayer worked well however and that’s how I covered everything. It kind of washes off in the rain but for the most part a thin layer stays on so o guess you could say it gets diluted in the rain. I think the official recommendation is to layer it on every few weeks. I was happy with 1-2 layers last year. I didn’t spray for bugs last year so I think it helped. This year I’m being attacked by bugs despite spraying neem rosemary and spinosad. I can’t keep up with the bugs. I may have to use the imidocloprid but I believe the surround will work. Will update.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 20, 2018, 03:47:44 PM
Nice Khalid.  Whats next?

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 20, 2018, 05:47:19 PM
Hi Brad


1) Trouble shooting mangoes. Trying to get them to grow and fruit and survive between growing seasons. I will try at least for the next few years.

2) getting cacao growing in my greenhouse. My current setup is not ideal and it’s hard for me to figure out how best to set it up. I know you’ve warned me that my designated area is small ... but I don’t want to give up more space for it for only a few truly tropical trees.

3) getting the figs to grow. I have maybe 28 varieties that I rooted over the winter. I’ve lost 4-5 varieties during the transplanting process. Most are growing well now and have at least 4 inches of green growth. Some have more than 16 inches of growth. Certainly let some are better suited to the local environment here than others but I think I can get all of them to grow.

Once that happens, I have at least 1 variety that can sustain the fig wasp, and I have a couple other varieties that depend on the fig wasp for production. So either the wasp will be attracted to the host tree or I’ll have to request some fruit that have the wasp eggs and wasps to start a colony.


4) surviving hlb. I don’t think any of my trees are affected, and I’ve heard from some on this forum that foliar spraying can keep infected trees alive, but keeping them protected and alive is a big priority.

5) fruit harvesting and keeping critters away: right now the dog is locked up so that he doesn’t knock over a lot of the small plants. That means rabbits and other critters are having their way with the yard.  The dog did a great job protecting trees in the past.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 21, 2018, 08:51:17 AM
White stuff is perlite.

Can you apply the myco through a fertigation system? I added some liquid myco as well as powdered killer myco(the shark brand) but have no issue doing it again with a recommended product.

As for imidacloprid, I’ve strongly  considered it but am worried about bees. Not too many blooms now to worry about so I’ll look into it. Next thing on the list besides the above is to white wash. I have used the surround wp product on a sprayer. I used it last year on everything and it worked really well, maybe too well on my mangoes because it seems the mangoes all slowed down in growth last year when I applied it. I don’t think they minded the 90s and 100s at all.

Another myth that won't die.  Here's a study from your state that shows imidicloprid fed to bees in a solution has no effect on individuals or the colony.  Having said that we have millions of wild bees and I only soil drench when not in bloom.   I added 2 tsp. of Adonis 75 to a 30 gal. garbage of rain water, a little plant food, and drenched everything in the greenhouse about 2 weeks ago pumping from the can - mango, avocado, pineapple, avocado, citrus, annona, etc.

Pg. 52, Frank Byrne, ph.d., et al.
http://citrusresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Winter2014.pdf (http://citrusresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Winter2014.pdf)

Surround is the lazy man's way to shade.  I finally bought some and solved my annual sunburn problem.  I had Reed and Gwen fruit and leaves being nailed every winter when the sun sank south which is exposed the un-acclimated material to UV and full sun thru a 4' high wall vent.  Just turned them black....

(https://s22.postimg.cc/dqw78dra5/Greenhouse_South_Vent.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/dqw78dra5/)

Have read from a reliable source that the Great White Shark brand of myco is snake oil.  We as consumers don't have a lab to test the products we buy so we really don't know.  I wouldn't use fertigation as most of these products have adjuncts that might clog up your system.   One is humates which doesn't dissolve in water, at least not the one used in VAM. So I apply by hand using a watering can and agitate frequently.  Best applied as a settling drench just before or during your final backfill of soil into the hole.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 21, 2018, 09:06:36 AM
Hi Brad

1) Trouble shooting mangoes. Trying to get them to grow and fruit and survive between growing seasons. I will try at least for the next few years.

Something's not right with your treatment of them.   Given the right conditions mangos should grow fast.   What food are they getting, what's the NPK?  IMO juvenile mangos need plenty of N, not K as pushed by mango growers in Florida.  I have fruited trees the following year they were grafted and that was by using only a slow release 18-4-9 food with micros called Polyon, a very high quality 12 mo. food used by golf course managers, nurserymen.  Everything in my greenhouse gets the same food.  It not only feeds them a little at a time but it sure cuts down on man hours.
 
(https://s22.postimg.cc/54xj1lwz1/Polyonsend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/54xj1lwz1/)

BTW Khaled, is your soil clay based, heavy?

BTW, it's obvious you've spent a lot of time and money on this project.  I trust you based your decisions and choices using the results of a water and soil analysis?  Also, doing a leaf tissue analysis when in doubt can save you some heartache, time, and money.

In a previous post I said citrus prefers a 3-1-2 and recommended the Peters food, 25-5-15.  Actually it's a NPK of 5-1-3 which is the actual ratio processed by citrus via leaf/petiole tissue analysis.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 21, 2018, 10:10:55 AM
Mangos are for sure a challenge here.  The climate is marginal for them in Southern CA. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 23, 2018, 07:21:37 PM
Mark, heres the mazzei injector hooked up.  Works awesome!  Super happy with that.  Thank you very much for donating it to me.  I threw 5lbs of fertilizer at my trees on that station today over the course of a 45min watering.  I think theres about 50 trees on that station.  They were needing some fertilizer and more water.  My son thinks the injector is cool too btw. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1826/42923564492_b171bb7499_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on June 24, 2018, 01:44:12 AM
Hah! That's a nice clear photo of your set up Brad!
I've been reading Behl's injector system in his recent injector thread and contemplating to get one myself. Been leaning to get Mazzei too; looks simpler, straight forward, no moving part, no electricity/battery and the price is down to earth! (The fact that Mark and Brandon's input there also help to sway me as well).

Also, I like your set up of vertical placing of the Mazzei, in parallel to water supply but still under full control with 2 ball valves and 2 unions joints on each end of it.

My challenge is to choose the right model for what I need, -lots of models to choose from-...,
so as to provide about 5 G bucket mixed fertilizer,  -just like yours- but I want it to last for about a month  before I need to do another mixing. So, the suction rate need to be relatively small; wondering can this be controlled with another inline valve in that fertillizer intake tubing?

Glad to see that you like the system, and thanks for posting it Brad!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 24, 2018, 07:53:16 AM
Mark, heres the mazzei injector hooked up.  Works awesome!  Super happy with that.  Thank you very much for donating it to me.  I threw 5lbs of fertilizer at my trees on that station today over the course of a 45min watering.  I think theres about 50 trees on that station.  They were needing some fertilizer and more water.  My son thinks the injector is cool too btw. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1826/42923564492_b171bb7499_b.jpg)

Nice job!  Son is gonna make a good farm hand.    Very happy to donate it to such a noble cause.  If you ever need to clean out the whole system 78% sulfuric acid can be diluted in a 5 gal. bucket and syphoned down line.  I buy the 5 gal. box at an auto parts store, and yes, it's pure.

If that's a cellulose filter I'd shit can it in favor of a Amiad with a S/S internal filter column, one after the well head and one after the Mazzei.  Just my dos centavos amigo......

I have the ones shown in the top row, middle.  Nothing to replace, you just clean the screens in a bucket of water.  Valve lets you open it up and blow it out.

https://www.dripworks.com/catalogsearch/result?q=amiad+filters (https://www.dripworks.com/catalogsearch/result?q=amiad+filters)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 24, 2018, 07:58:58 AM
My challenge is to choose the right model for what I need, -lots of models to choose from-...,

Yep, you do have to choose the one that will work for your gpm rate.  I gave Brad the big one based on his total output when considering a particular zone.

Quote
so as to provide about 5 G bucket mixed fertilizer,  -just like yours- but I want it to last for about a month  before I need to do another mixing. So, the suction rate need to be relatively small; wondering can this be controlled with another inline valve in that fertillizer intake tubing?

You control the rate of suction two ways - with the bypass valve - open and no suction; closing down in increments - suction.  The small valve that fits on the suction tube at the start of the suction tube can also be used to control the uptake.   Looks like Brad has it closed down about a 1/3.

You're not building a piano,  ;D only injecting fertilizer into the system until the bucket is empty and then some.  After the bucket runs dry you open up the valve and let the lines purge of all the goodies until clear at the end of the line.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 24, 2018, 10:14:02 AM
I have a SS filter on the well head too.  The big blue filter gets me down to 5 microns.  Unfortunately we have an iron and manganese bacteria in our water that turns into particulate downstream from the water tank.  I already have it filtered at the tank and can get rid of this one.  Its an old leftover from before I put the whole property filter at the boost pump a year ago. 

Samu, it all comes down to your pipe size and flow rate.  What size pipe do you have and how much water are you running through it in a minute?  How many minutes you run per month? 

If you look close, theres a black valve you fine tune the flow rate with on the inlet tube on the mazzei.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 24, 2018, 04:53:44 PM
Filters - sounds good.  I quickly got rid of the one on the house in favor of Amiad.

If you look close, theres a black valve you fine tune the flow rate with on the inlet tube on the mazzei.

Yep, one of the two ways of adjusting the suction flow.

It's been one month since I grafted the avocado scions.   Here's 2 Lamb Hass, 2 Sharwil growing really well now and one Pinkerton just beginning to push.  Again, muchas grass.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/m3ilhgou5/Avocado_Grafts_June23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m3ilhgou5/)

Stewart on top of a Bacon seedling.  Will remove the Bacon shoots soon.
 
(https://s22.postimg.cc/yi5dhy0yl/Stewart_June23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yi5dhy0yl/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 24, 2018, 05:46:21 PM
Nice grafting Mark.  You will be eating home grown cados in no time.  Probably get some stewarts Fall of 2019

Im liking the lamb hass, those are in season now and they are great.  Im going to plant more of those.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 25, 2018, 02:51:17 AM
Hi Mark

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

I had a soils report done for engineering but not a soil analysis (unless it's in there somewhere). However, I did have a handful of nurserymen out here including one very prominent local guru who promotes specific soil types and he declared my soil 'good soil' but compacted in areas. There is some clay but it is not considered a clay soil... somewhere between loam and clay I figure.

However, the mangos died while in pots with various fast draining mixes and coco noir. I thought about sending a sample in to one of the ag extensions but never got around to it The death rate slowed down dramatically around the time of planting... although I have lost a couple of large branches on some trees but I think the process had already been in play. I've included a picture of one such tree where a lower branch is alive but higher main branch is dead. I've pruned most of the dead wood but didn't get around to this one yet.

I just threw some nutricote 100 and micromax around all the trees minus stone fruit yesterday (ran out). I figure a slow release would do them good, although I couldn't find the 360 year round version. I think I used polyon last year (green beads?). Maybe I'll just switch to that.

As for fertigation, I have the same system as Behl. I like it so far, but the main drawback is that I can't quite tell when it's empty. It doesn't really empty of concentrated fertilizer. It just slowly gets diluted with incoming water, which displaces a small percentage of the concentrate into the water line. I guess mine is supposed to empty every 10,000 gallons or so (my calculations may be off... I've got to sit down and think about it) and its hard for me to tell how many gallons are being used per day for landscaping. I can check to see if the liquid leaving the tank is colored or not but this doesn't seem like an accurate way of measuring. In any case, it's been over a month so I think it's time to at least check it.

I'll look into the water soluble fertilizer you recommended. I had thrown in grow-more 16-16-16 (or maybe all 20s -- I can't remember) in addition to Dr earth nitro 7-0-2 I think and fulvic acid.


Hi Brad

1) Trouble shooting mangoes. Trying to get them to grow and fruit and survive between growing seasons. I will try at least for the next few years.

Something's not right with your treatment of them.   Given the right conditions mangos should grow fast.   What food are they getting, what's the NPK?  IMO juvenile mangos need plenty of N, not K as pushed by mango growers in Florida.  I have fruited trees the following year they were grafted and that was by using only a slow release 18-4-9 food with micros called Polyon, a very high quality 12 mo. food used by golf course managers, nurserymen.  Everything in my greenhouse gets the same food.  It not only feeds them a little at a time but it sure cuts down on man hours.
 
(https://s22.postimg.cc/54xj1lwz1/Polyonsend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/54xj1lwz1/)

BTW Khaled, is your soil clay based, heavy?

BTW, it's obvious you've spent a lot of time and money on this project.  I trust you based your decisions and choices using the results of a water and soil analysis?  Also, doing a leaf tissue analysis when in doubt can save you some heartache, time, and money.

In a previous post I said citrus prefers a 3-1-2 and recommended the Peters food, 25-5-15.  Actually it's a NPK of 5-1-3 which is the actual ratio processed by citrus via leaf/petiole tissue analysis.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 25, 2018, 02:54:30 AM
Nice looking grafts. One question though -- why graft way down low rather than allowing the rootstock to send a central leader and graft off of that? I have a couple of large multi- avos done in the second manner but only did that out of convenience. Is there an advantage to doing it the way you did it? I'd be worried about the balance of the tree if certain varieties grew very large or bulky.

-K


Filters - sounds good.  I quickly got rid of the one on the house in favor of Amiad.

If you look close, theres a black valve you fine tune the flow rate with on the inlet tube on the mazzei.

Yep, one of the two ways of adjusting the suction flow.

It's been one month since I grafted the avocado scions.   Here's 2 Lamb Hass, 2 Sharwil growing really well now and one Pinkerton just beginning to push.  Again, muchas grass.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/m3ilhgou5/Avocado_Grafts_June23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m3ilhgou5/)

Stewart on top of a Bacon seedling.  Will remove the Bacon shoots soon.
 
(https://s22.postimg.cc/yi5dhy0yl/Stewart_June23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/yi5dhy0yl/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 25, 2018, 10:39:52 AM
Hey Khalid, you can install a water meter after the injector if you need to know how much water you are using.  I have one installed on mine just so I can see how many gallons and at what flow rate is going to my avocados.  Its there in the photo above the blue bucket.  Its a blue water meter. 

You can watch it spin and set a stop watch to figure out your flow rate.  And it logs how many gallons you use.  Its not that useful for me now I know what my sprinklers put out but helped figuring out how long to water before I knew what the flow rate was.  Blindly watering without an idea how much you are using isn't a good idea if you have a lot of trees.  Better to get it in the ballpark.  In your setup you could use the meter on an ongoing basis for when to refill the fertilizer.

I would suggest you not fertilize every watering.  Youcan get fertilizer buildup and burn the plants.  And too much fertilizer and soft growth encourages the bugs to attack them.  Its a good idea to water with plain water several times to flush the ground out after fertilizing.  It also gives the trees a chance to harden off the new flushes. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 25, 2018, 10:49:47 AM
Nice looking grafts. One question though -- why graft way down low rather than allowing the rootstock to send a central leader and graft off of that? I have a couple of large multi- avos done in the second manner but only did that out of convenience. Is there an advantage to doing it the way you did it? I'd be worried about the balance of the tree if certain varieties grew very large or bulky.

-K

Cause it's all I have to work with after the January freeze and I'm not about to wait.  It's late enough. I do my best grafting in early March.    Except for Reed and Gwen, these trees froze to the ground.  18F will do it.  Why the Reed made it thru is anyone's guess and yes it IS pure Reed. Got the scion from U.C.R.   My only choice was to take a chance on grafting to young, green shoots that pushed from the rootstock which is Waldin on this one.  It worked.

I have grafted to a few seedlings of Fantastic, Sir Prize, Reed and Oro Negro but they're not doing well. 

Yes, the less vigorous Pinkerton will play second fiddle to the other varieties.  I have only Pinkerton on another tree, two grafts.

Be careful with those salts Kahled.  Less is more such that a slow release encapsulated food is a safe bet.  Probably preaching to the choir but avocados hate high salts, unless the rootstock is Waldin and it can almost take salt water. 

I hope so Brad.  The thought of having to wait 2 years for avocados sucks.  At least I didn't lose everything.  You think that's bad, here's my Frankencitrus.  I have about 20 grafts of Cara Cara red navel, Hamlin, and Marrs orange on it plus limequat and Persian lime on a key lime tree with a 6" trunk.   Here's some recent t-buds of Marrs, a very sweet low acid orange some of you guys call "Texas Sweet".  The clothespins cinch down the flaps perfectly - one above and one below the bud.  I'll remove them at about 2 weeks.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/g0o00ym19/Citrus_Grafts_June23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g0o00ym19/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on June 27, 2018, 01:44:46 PM
Yep, you do have to choose the one that will work for your gpm rate.  I gave Brad the big one based on his total output when considering a particular zone.

You control the rate of suction two ways - with the bypass valve - open and no suction; closing down in increments - suction.  The small valve that fits on the suction tube at the start of the suction tube can also be used to control the uptake.   Looks like Brad has it closed down about a 1/3.

Samu, it all comes down to your pipe size and flow rate.  What size pipe do you have and how much water are you running through it in a minute?  How many minutes you run per month? 

If you look close, theres a black valve you fine tune the flow rate with on the inlet tube on the mazzei.

Yes, I see that black valve now Brad! I don't have acreage like you guys do, just a couple dozen trees in a city lot, and am still in the process of converting all my fruit trees watering to slow watering "dripline" system, so I'll most likely go with the smallest model they have: ( 1/2" pvc size fittings.)

Thanks Mark and Brad for sharing your experience, you've always been helpful!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 27, 2018, 03:10:10 PM
Yep, you do have to choose the one that will work for your gpm rate.  I gave Brad the big one based on his total output when considering a particular zone.

You control the rate of suction two ways - with the bypass valve - open and no suction; closing down in increments - suction.  The small valve that fits on the suction tube at the start of the suction tube can also be used to control the uptake.   Looks like Brad has it closed down about a 1/3.

Samu, it all comes down to your pipe size and flow rate.  What size pipe do you have and how much water are you running through it in a minute?  How many minutes you run per month? 

If you look close, theres a black valve you fine tune the flow rate with on the inlet tube on the mazzei.

Yes, I see that black valve now Brad! I don't have acreage like you guys do, just a couple dozen trees in a city lot, and am still in the process of converting all my fruit trees watering to slow watering "dripline" system, so I'll most likely go with the smallest model they have: ( 1/2" pvc size fittings.)

Thanks Mark and Brad for sharing your experience, you've always been helpful!

Unless you have plenty of output at the trees I don't think even the small Mazzei will give you the suction you need.  The end point must be quite a bit lower pressure than at the unit.  Might want to consider a Hozon syphonex attached to a house faucet.  Same principle.  I'm using one I bought 30 years ago.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 28, 2018, 01:45:14 AM
Thanks for the tips and reminders re salt burn. Completely forgot about salt burn.  Will turn off for a few weeks then restart.

I’ll look into the flow meter. Sounds like a good idea.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: igrowmangos on June 29, 2018, 11:42:26 AM
Question... Is there anything that I can do to give my avo trees more energy to produce more foliage or strengthen their roots and branches? Not too concerned about the fruit production as they're only 7 gallon container trees, planted on ground. May be more Nitrogen? Trees are healthy just sort of slow growing as of now... May be that's typically for the first year then they take off??
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 29, 2018, 01:01:58 PM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on July 30, 2018, 11:51:05 AM
My Hass has made a great recovery.. unfortunately I've cut the lamb-hass down to about 1 ft tall with one green group of leaves. everything else died off. Holiday has green tips but not looking to good still.
Remember to not OVER water :(
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 30, 2018, 04:56:55 PM
Question... Is there anything that I can do to give my avo trees more energy to produce more foliage or strengthen their roots and branches? Not too concerned about the fruit production as they're only 7 gallon container trees, planted on ground. May be more Nitrogen? Trees are healthy just sort of slow growing as of now... May be that's typically for the first year then they take off??

I use nothing but a slow release like Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor, 6 mo.  Good NPK ratio and good micro package.  Don't forget to mulch.  Avocados thrive on it, especially using their own leaves.  I've used pine needles and their own leaves for a long time.  Closed done my Xmas op so pine needles are in short supply so I've switched to Landscapers Pride pine bark mulch.  It's very good quality.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on July 31, 2018, 03:20:49 AM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot.

which fertilizer are you using for your avocados?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: pineislander on July 31, 2018, 07:33:32 AM
Question... Is there anything that I can do to give my avo trees more energy to produce more foliage or strengthen their roots and branches?

I followed these recommendations and got some poorly performing trees to become better producers. These are on large sandy soil mounds and What is seen in the pic is the first stage of mulching with cut wood. Second stage was topping with wood chips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYYZuNjnvbk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYYZuNjnvbk)


(https://s22.postimg.cc/9uyv1qsb1/DSC01398.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9uyv1qsb1/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 31, 2018, 08:36:41 AM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot.

which fertilizer are you using for your avocados?

I gave Spaugh a Mazzei injector for his commercial op and recommended this Peters food to inject for his avocados.  He loves them both.  This is probably the highest quality, high performance (strong) food you can get for N lovers.  Especially good for citrus too as this is the NPK they assimilate as revealed by leaf petiole tissue analysis.

https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1 (https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 31, 2018, 09:48:24 AM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot.

which fertilizer are you using for your avocados?

I have the jacks that mark mentioned.   I have also used a lot of gro power citrus avocado.  If you have a good nursery near by they will carry the gro power.  Its humus based and probably better if you just have a couple trees.  The jacks stuff is pretty potent and salt based which can burn an avocado if you get carried away with it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 31, 2018, 10:25:28 AM
The jacks stuff is pretty potent and salt based which can burn an avocado if you get carried away with it.

I use it as a tweek but for you it's a good solution.  I use to inject various Peters foods for my 3,500 Xmas trees which were on drip irrigation.  I used Peters Azalea 21-7-7 acid forming food too to help with my calcareous, high pH soils.

For convenience and a slow release food (which avocados love) you can't beat an encapsulated food, if you have the rain to make it happen.  I bet I put this one on 6,000 new field transplants/liners and on my greenhouse tropical trees.  Polyon is somewhat more refined technically than Osmocote. Harrell's is a Florida op who stocks it.  It's popular with golf greens keepers, broadcasting it on fairways, roughs, greens.

(https://s22.postimg.cc/69bf89i3h/Polyonsend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/69bf89i3h/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 31, 2018, 10:56:04 AM
To be honest any fertilizer with high N, low P, and medium K plus micros will work.  I use a lot of different fertilizers and use them on every kind of fruiting plant.  The plants are not that picky.   Once trees are full sized and fruiting hard you can back off the nitrogen.

Mark turned me on to Harrels also and I got an account setup with them.  They have an office/wharehouse in Vista CA.  I got some 12-6-8 polyon at 35$ a 50lb bag.  Been using that stuff too.  They also have water soluable stuff like jacks for half the price. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on July 31, 2018, 11:15:57 AM
Holidays are ripening
(https://s15.postimg.cc/4vm7u55dj/C1636_E1_D-3_B51-441_F-947_D-_FA756224_E8_C4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4vm7u55dj/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on August 02, 2018, 03:20:36 PM
Good for you, Frank!
Both my Avocado trees suffered burnt damage (especially on upper part) due to recent heat spell, and many small fruits dropped, those fruits still hanging will drop too I suspect: (so no Avocado to harvest this year!  :(  )

(https://s33.postimg.cc/wj5j24eor/IMG_1770.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/wj5j24eor/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on August 02, 2018, 10:52:32 PM
Holy s.....what kind of temperatures/humidity/wind speed  range you had to experience such an awful damage????
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 02, 2018, 11:20:38 PM
Dont feel too bad Samu, I lost a ton of avocados.  Especially hass, the trees were loaded and just dropped all the golfball size fruits. 

Lory it was 44 to 48 degrees celcius here with no humidity and lots of wind for a few days here.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on August 03, 2018, 12:14:52 AM
Oh my godness you've conditions comparable to kuwait or saudi arabia!
Now i understand  :(
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on August 03, 2018, 12:47:34 AM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot.

which fertilizer are you using for your avocados?

I gave Spaugh a Mazzei injector for his commercial op and recommended this Peters food to inject for his avocados.  He loves them both.  This is probably the highest quality, high performance (strong) food you can get for N lovers.  Especially good for citrus too as this is the NPK they assimilate as revealed by leaf petiole tissue analysis.

https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1 (https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1)

thanks for letting me know about it. I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

@spaugh - thanks for letting me know about the salt issue.

i've only really used dr. earth fruit tree fertilizer the past year so i'll switch it up and see how it does.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2018, 02:12:57 AM
Oh my godness you've conditions comparable to kuwait or saudi arabia!
Now i understand  :(

Yeah its not always like that but a few times a year ot gets super hot and dry. 

Maye more like morocco
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2018, 02:15:39 AM
Yeah use a nitrogen heavy fertilizer made for citrus and avocados.  Just use it in moderation and use it often when its hot.

which fertilizer are you using for your avocados?

I gave Spaugh a Mazzei injector for his commercial op and recommended this Peters food to inject for his avocados.  He loves them both.  This is probably the highest quality, high performance (strong) food you can get for N lovers.  Especially good for citrus too as this is the NPK they assimilate as revealed by leaf petiole tissue analysis.

https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1 (https://www.amazon.com/77900-Performance-Fertilizer-25-5-15-25-Pound/dp/B008JSIKCU/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1)

thanks for letting me know about it. I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

@spaugh - thanks for letting me know about the salt issue.

i've only really used dr. earth fruit tree fertilizer the past year so i'll switch it up and see how it does.

If you have just a few trees dr earth should be great stuff.  Thats good to start trees on, its mild and has the benefical microbes.  They have a good starter fert called "bio live".   If you want a little more horsepower but still semi organic try the gro power. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 21, 2018, 03:22:42 PM
Was out working in the garden yesterday and picked a few fruit.  Was really surprised that both mexicola and steuart are ripening already.  Havent tried one yet but here they are.  A whole year earlier than the larger cados.

Mexicola, stewart, lamb, reed. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1883/43464278204_cf92a6b141_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 23, 2018, 05:34:12 PM
Was out working in the garden yesterday and picked a few fruit.  Was really surprised that both mexicola and steuart are ripening already.  Havent tried one yet but here they are.  A whole year earlier than the larger cados.

Mexicola, stewart, lamb, reed. 

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1883/43464278204_cf92a6b141_b.jpg)

Impressive!  What a culinary explosion, sheesh. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on August 25, 2018, 09:14:20 PM
My Avocado death count as of today: 2. Lamb-Hass and Holiday. My third tree is doing great with exactly same treatment as these two? (Hass) Luckily my local nursery has credited me for both trees and a 4-in-1 cherry tree that a graft had died on.

Does anyone, or will you have any avocados (grafted) for sale? I can get pretty much any variety at my local home depot right now. (Bacon, Holiday, Stewart, Hass, Little Cado, Lamb-Hass, Mexicola) 5 gallon for $30  (Grafted)

Is there any variety I should look in to for my area? (9b, northern CA)
I like the timing of the holiday, and may grab another but I'd be interested in any recommendations on better replacements for the lamb-hass. I had my eyes set on a GEM avocado but short of driving to SD and paying quite a bit I was unable to locate one.

Any input appreciated.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on August 25, 2018, 09:40:43 PM
Yucatán avocado meaty

(https://s22.postimg.cc/7w96lj831/6_DCEC8_D9-06_A8-4_F4_C-9_C0_B-766_FB4_BB90_C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7w96lj831/)


(https://s22.postimg.cc/5exfe9vwd/8_B3019_B3-4641-4_A94-828_D-40090308_B8_F3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5exfe9vwd/)

Ticuch excellent red better than Hanson red

(https://s22.postimg.cc/3zvupk2j1/9_CCEFB19-1426-4_F13-_B5_F0-_F6_A465134_A31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3zvupk2j1/)

Xcunya creamy oily for a West Indian avo
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 25, 2018, 11:44:03 PM
Can you grow those in CA?  Get some scion wood if you want to sell some I want to grow a red avocado.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on August 27, 2018, 10:41:35 AM
Yes they can be grow in SoCal .. it will be awhile before I’ll have scions available for these

Tichuc & Suarez
(https://s22.postimg.cc/53vlc5fbx/B3_AAA080-_B486-40_A6-8518-_D7_A0747_C6623.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/53vlc5fbx/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Orkine on August 28, 2018, 07:02:41 PM
Sorry to post this in more than one place but I need t maximise my chances of getting someone to see this and hopefully have a solution.

I have a dying avocado.
This picture is of one of several leafs on the plant.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/jAXEv9/IMG_20180828_183640942.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jAXEv9) (https://thumb.ibb.co/i7Gw8U/IMG_20180828_183651553.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i7Gw8U) (https://thumb.ibb.co/evx3oU/IMG_20180828_183751069.jpg) (https://ibb.co/evx3oU) (https://thumb.ibb.co/eo0OoU/IMG_20180828_183756566.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eo0OoU)

I am trying to learn what this is and if there is a cure of if I should plan on recovering the space for a different tree in the future..

Tree is in Florida, in full sun, an Oro Negro.  We have had a mix of heavy rain with periods of dry and very hot conditions.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on August 29, 2018, 12:06:29 AM
Sorry orkine I’m not familiar with that disease process. Looks like it maybe vascular or systemic as it’s originating in the base/center of the leaf and working outwards. How do the stems look?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Diospyros on August 29, 2018, 06:26:25 PM
I just wanna share the pictures of an avocado that I found in Southern Spain.

Fruits ripen in Dec / Feb, very creamy, peels easily. Tree is a compact grower, very bushy and heavy producer.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/kyffq33az/IMG_1413_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kyffq33az/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/s1nb5m8pn/IMG_1414.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/s1nb5m8pn/)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: behlgarden on August 29, 2018, 06:44:53 PM
I just wanna share the pictures of an avocado that I found in Southern Spain.

Fruits ripen in Dec / Feb, very creamy, peels easily. Tree is a compact grower, very bushy and heavy producer.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/kyffq33az/IMG_1413_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kyffq33az/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/s1nb5m8pn/IMG_1414.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/s1nb5m8pn/)

beautiful looking fruit and yellow flesh color. how is the taste? I have always wanted to graft something like this to my cocktail cado tree.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on August 29, 2018, 08:43:58 PM

You can try emailing the photo to Gary Matsuoka at laguna hills nursery. He’s quite knowledgeable and knows quite a bit about the industry in general.  Otherwise, some universities offer disease assessment services , and some local ag extensions may do the same.

Khaled


Sorry to post this in more than one place but I need t maximise my chances of getting someone to see this and hopefully have a solution.

I have a dying avocado.
This picture is of one of several leafs on the plant.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/jAXEv9/IMG_20180828_183640942.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jAXEv9) (https://thumb.ibb.co/i7Gw8U/IMG_20180828_183651553.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i7Gw8U) (https://thumb.ibb.co/evx3oU/IMG_20180828_183751069.jpg) (https://ibb.co/evx3oU) (https://thumb.ibb.co/eo0OoU/IMG_20180828_183756566.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eo0OoU)

I am trying to learn what this is and if there is a cure of if I should plan on recovering the space for a different tree in the future..

Tree is in Florida, in full sun, an Oro Negro.  We have had a mix of heavy rain with periods of dry and very hot conditions.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Triphal on August 29, 2018, 11:12:05 PM
What varieties of avocado are practical for a low land tropical area with the average temperature of 27 degrees Centigrade with high humidity and 3780 mm of rain and a mild winter?
I am trying to help a Horticulture Scientist struggling in avocado growing in such areas. {But it grows well in nearby high elevation ( 1500 meters and above ) areas with low winter temperatures.}
 I was unable to find much of a participation from low land tropical areas. Any suggestion or comments from avocado growers in such tropical areas are very well appreciated. Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Orkine on August 30, 2018, 09:56:51 AM
Thanks for the suggestion Khaled.
I will look into it.
I was hoping to get an immediate response in case there is action i can take immediately to arrest this decline.
Got a few tips,  working all fronts.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kc_moses on August 30, 2018, 10:16:06 AM
I just wanna share the pictures of an avocado that I found in Southern Spain.

Fruits ripen in Dec / Feb, very creamy, peels easily. Tree is a compact grower, very bushy and heavy producer.

(https://s33.postimg.cc/kyffq33az/IMG_1413_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/kyffq33az/)

(https://s33.postimg.cc/s1nb5m8pn/IMG_1414.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/s1nb5m8pn/)

What variety is this avocado? It looks cute. It's not related to those "cocktail avocado" right?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mando408 on August 30, 2018, 04:17:37 PM
I have a couple of questions....
1) Is it a good time of the year to graft avocados? I use the technique that Carlos demonstrates in his Youtube videos
2) Maybe a dumb question, but does an avocado tree that grows large stay small or grow slower when grafted onto a dwarf variety (Wurtz or Holiday), as with other fruit trees?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on August 31, 2018, 01:33:46 AM
The traditional answer is no to both.

Brad described a technique to dramatically increase graft success earlier in this thread ( check July- early August).

I don’t think rootstocks have successfully dwarfed the grafted branches but don’t quote me o that.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 31, 2018, 10:24:22 AM
It was in another thread called "grafting avocados".  I have a bunch more trees now being grafted with excellent results in the middle of August.  Sadly, I am running out of places to plant all the new trees I've got.  I am cheating a bit though putting them indoors.

  If temperatures are below 90F, I don't think you will have problems.  Just keep the trees in 80 or 90% shade for 3 weeks then slowly move into more sun as they start pushing.  If you are doing it onto a tree already in the ground, it may be more difficult.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mando408 on August 31, 2018, 06:23:04 PM
Thanks guys, I'll look into that other technique.

As for dwarfing full sized trees, I didn't think so either (I've never read about anybody doing it) I was just asking before giving into the urge of turning my Lil Cado and/or Holiday into cocktail trees
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 01, 2018, 09:50:19 AM
Thanks guys, I'll look into that other technique.

As for dwarfing full sized trees, I didn't think so either (I've never read about anybody doing it) I was just asking before giving into the urge of turning my Lil Cado and/or Holiday into cocktail trees

Orkine, don't know how long you've been growing avocados so don't take this wrong but avocados drop/replace leaves several times a year. What you have may be nothing more than normal leaf senescence or may be a case of phytophora with all your rains.  I've sent off black avocados sticks to the U. of Florida tissue lab analysis services and those folks are excellent.  Also, there are quite a few products that nail phytophora as a soil drench and or leaf spray.  Magnabon CS2005 is one of them.  It's a systemic.  Frank Miele is from your neck of the woods and developed it.  It's also OMRI certified if you happen to roll that way.

Man, I'm itching to do a few more avocado grafts but am on the fence.  We start getting cold weather come October and come about Nov. everything pretty much shuts down.  I have done 67 grafts this year - avocado, annona, citrus, mango and just got thru with the last of 37 citrus grafts which completes my 4 citrus cocktail trees.

FWIW, some stuff is photoperiod dependent regarding growth, flowering responses, etc......  citrus is one of them and another reason why I'm hesitant to do any more grafting now that's it's Sept.  Sounds silly but I do pre-sunrise walks up and down our long driveway here in the country and will always stop by the greenhouse and flick on the light.  It interrupts the phytochrome hormonal thingie and simulates long days and short nights.

Good luck....




Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on September 01, 2018, 11:33:09 AM
Question for those with mature mexican avocado trees.  How long can you let them hang after they turn black?  My avos are turning black but they arent really ready to be picking.  Is ok to leave for another month or two?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Orkine on September 01, 2018, 12:41:22 PM
...
Orkine, don't know how long you've been growing avocados so don't take this wrong but avocados drop/replace leaves several times a year. What you have may be nothing more than normal leaf senescence or may be a case of phytophora with all your rains.  I've sent off black avocados sticks to the U. of Florida tissue lab analysis services and those folks are excellent.  Also, there are quite a few products that nail phytophora as a soil drench and or leaf spray.  Magnabon CS2005 is one of them.  It's a systemic.  Frank Miele is from your neck of the woods and developed it.  It's also OMRI certified if you happen to roll that way.
...
No offence taken Mark and rest assured, I will always take advice and feedback from experienced folks, even when not delivered as nicely as you do :)

This tree is one of two I had and used to be a Lula before I grafted it to Oro Negro (scions from Carlos) a few years ago.  I have seen it drop leaves but this looks different. It is over the entire tree with complete die back of limbs after the leaves drop.  The fruits are wrinkled and seem to be drying out.  Here are a few pictures.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/eXoc7z/IMG_20180901_121653579.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eXoc7z) (https://thumb.ibb.co/cZjH7z/IMG_20180901_121659665.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cZjH7z) (https://thumb.ibb.co/iUkDfK/IMG_20180901_121705092.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iUkDfK) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fDXFue/IMG_20180901_121723983.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fDXFue)

This other one below, I fear may be the future of this tree.  It was a vigorous productive Monroe (at least so I thought) that was knocked down by two storms, propped back up both times, and it looked like it was coming back.  Then started deteriorating just the same way the Oro negro is now.  It is dead now and I will take a chain saw to it soon.  I will leave a stump in the off chance that I am wrong and it is not dead.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/fqTzLK/IMG_20180901_121804112.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fqTzLK)


I am trying whatever I can to save the tree, sentimental reasons (first successful graft ever).  However, I am looking at the silver lining, if this dies, I will have space for one of the many plants in my seedling areas in need of a spot in the yard.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 02, 2018, 10:23:32 AM
No offence taken Mark and rest assured, I will always take advice and feedback from experienced folks, even when not delivered as nicely as you do :)


If it means that much to you then I send some sticks to U. of Fl. lab ASAP.  Losing the trees is bad enough, not knowing what went wrong is worse.  Kinda like divorce - if you don't know what led up to it you're liable to repeat the same ole same ole.....only to fail again.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kalan on September 02, 2018, 12:03:16 PM
I really hope I am wrong, but could be laurel wilt. Any sign of holes or frass in the brown wood (frass looks like sawdust "toothpicks" emerging from the wood).?

...
Orkine, don't know how long you've been growing avocados so don't take this wrong but avocados drop/replace leaves several times a year. What you have may be nothing more than normal leaf senescence or may be a case of phytophora with all your rains.  I've sent off black avocados sticks to the U. of Florida tissue lab analysis services and those folks are excellent.  Also, there are quite a few products that nail phytophora as a soil drench and or leaf spray.  Magnabon CS2005 is one of them.  It's a systemic.  Frank Miele is from your neck of the woods and developed it.  It's also OMRI certified if you happen to roll that way.
...
No offence taken Mark and rest assured, I will always take advice and feedback from experienced folks, even when not delivered as nicely as you do :)

This tree is one of two I had and used to be a Lula before I grafted it to Oro Negro (scions from Carlos) a few years ago.  I have seen it drop leaves but this looks different. It is over the entire tree with complete die back of limbs after the leaves drop.  The fruits are wrinkled and seem to be drying out.  Here are a few pictures.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/eXoc7z/IMG_20180901_121653579.jpg) (https://ibb.co/eXoc7z) (https://thumb.ibb.co/cZjH7z/IMG_20180901_121659665.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cZjH7z) (https://thumb.ibb.co/iUkDfK/IMG_20180901_121705092.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iUkDfK) (https://thumb.ibb.co/fDXFue/IMG_20180901_121723983.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fDXFue)

This other one below, I fear may be the future of this tree.  It was a vigorous productive Monroe (at least so I thought) that was knocked down by two storms, propped back up both times, and it looked like it was coming back.  Then started deteriorating just the same way the Oro negro is now.  It is dead now and I will take a chain saw to it soon.  I will leave a stump in the off chance that I am wrong and it is not dead.

(https://thumb.ibb.co/fqTzLK/IMG_20180901_121804112.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fqTzLK)


I am trying whatever I can to save the tree, sentimental reasons (first successful graft ever).  However, I am looking at the silver lining, if this dies, I will have space for one of the many plants in my seedling areas in need of a spot in the yard.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: palmcity on September 02, 2018, 12:06:26 PM
Over 5 years ago I first noticed avocado die back in trees near my property that jumped houses to hit the next tree.

Carlos seems to be the expert of transmission/organisms infecting/contributing to the die back. Reading his comments would be best but I will give my limited experience.

A few years ago I had similar die back of a Simmonds avocado. It started after the death of many trees on my street. I used imidacloprid spraying tree trunk and pouring some in soil around the roots. I also used the strongest/longest lasting available (ornamental) insecticide available to spray the limbs of the tree. I sprayed copper on the tree. I also fertilized soil and sprayed minerals on limbs to encourage new growth. I decided I would use it as an ornamental tree if it fruited the next year. I continued using imidacloprid/copper/ornamental insecticides for a year and it did grow, fruit, and started looking healthy. The following year I ceased all insecticide/fungicide sprays except copper... Die back once again appeared and I planted a mango next to it. The simmonds avocado is now dead and the mango next to it is growing good... Good luck with yours, but it was not worth the continual work for me to keep my infected avocado tree alive.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: pineislander on September 02, 2018, 05:44:37 PM
Sorry to post this in more than one place but I need t maximise my chances of getting someone to see this and hopefully have a solution.
I have a dying avocado.
Tree is in Florida, in full sun, an Oro Negro.  We have had a mix of heavy rain with periods of dry and very hot conditions.
I had a couple of avocado trees where the leaves did that after flooding, leaves wilted and didn't drop off. The few that died were on larger mounds than I would have put them but still the saturated soil got a few. I see your trees aren't on mounds, could they have seen standing water at some point this summer? You folks are nearly 10" above normal rainfall for the year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on September 02, 2018, 08:53:47 PM
It definitely looks like a ROOT problem.
Evidently roots can't absorb water/nutrients and this brings all the symptoms you see on the tree.
Success/failure of any tree is mainly under the ground and this is particularly true for avocado.
I'd try to dig a litle bit in several spots at different distance around the tree trunk to visually inspect the status of the roots.
Ideally you should find a thick net of thousands of healthy white/creamy coloured feeding roots.
If they are not present or they are dark brown/black then you should start to worry A LOT....
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on October 11, 2018, 12:30:57 AM
Insignificant relative to most updates here, but monumental to myself -- today I tasted my first personally home-grown avocado.  It's from a several year old Fuerte tree that I planted in a plastic wine barrel container of around 40-gal.  This was the first year the tree set fruit and held onto some of them -- specifically two avocados.  This one just ripened up and dropped to the ground either today or yesterday (not sure which).  I wasn't expecting ripened avocados until next year, but I really haven't checked what to expect.  This avocado was about 5 ounce, and while it wasn't the best I've had, it was actually quite creamy and tasty.  I can tell this fruit was a bit sub-optimal, but it's still far better than anything I've had from the store in recent months.  I've got one more hanging on the tree, which I expect will be a better specimen; larger at least.  I'm super excited to have grown one of these, if only the one or two, after so many years struggling to bring fruit to bear on an avocado tree that is container bound in our Northern CA climate.  I'm ready to celebrate.

Here are some pics of the tree with the fruit a month back and what it looks like on the cutting board:

(https://i.postimg.cc/BPHVB834/20180906_185544.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BPHVB834)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4mRMN1vd/20181010_211244.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mRMN1vd)

(https://i.postimg.cc/jC7mb17m/20181010_211521.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jC7mb17m)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on October 11, 2018, 09:07:25 AM
Doesn't look at all like a Fuerte.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on October 11, 2018, 10:52:41 AM
Kinda looks like Mexicola Grande but diffidently a mexican variety.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 11, 2018, 11:41:17 AM
Definitely pure mexican and not fuerte.  Good job!  Those are good avos for northern CA.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on October 11, 2018, 02:23:32 PM
Wow, I'm sure embarrassed.  When I planted three Avocado trees years back, I had two type-A (Bacon and Mexicola) + one type-b Furte.  I intended to plant the Furte in between the two Type-A trees.  This middle tree always showed the most growth and height by at least a factor of 50%.  So I've had it in my mind that this tree is a Furte for many years.  But this definitely is not Furte fruit, and it definitely is a Mexicola with the thin anise flavored skin.  I think the tree to the left of it must be the Furte, and that tree is holding one single Green, slightly variegated in green/yellow color avocado.  I think the tree to the right must be my Bacon, which didn't set any fruit this year.  So Furte is supposed to be far superior in taste/consistency to Mexicola, which means I was tasting the lesser specimen.  That, at least, is good news. :)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 11, 2018, 02:47:58 PM
Fuerte has spekkles on the wood.  Bacon had larger more robust leaves.  If you post photos it should be easy to tell whats what.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on October 11, 2018, 10:20:49 PM
Hi Brad, here are some pics of the three trees.  I may have posted one or more of these before.  I now believe left to right these are: Fuerte, Mexicola, Bacon.
Thanks!


(https://i.postimg.cc/GTF6JHFv/20171101-094254-resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GTF6JHFv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/rK9vDRFk/20180212-090933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rK9vDRFk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Fdc6N7nw/20180212-090940.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Fdc6N7nw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/QHjzZNgn/20180212-090949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QHjzZNgn)

(https://i.postimg.cc/qzQ5JfjB/20180212-090957.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzQ5JfjB)

(https://i.postimg.cc/9zdkkw97/20180219-005428.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zdkkw97)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: IndigoEmu on October 12, 2018, 09:27:12 AM
Does anybody have any experience with fruiting/ripening/taste of Lila and Winter Mexican avocados in Central Florida? Chose these two because they *should* handle even our coldest winters without issue. From the very few reports I’ve read fruit quality is at least decent...but again, not a lot of information out there.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on October 18, 2018, 04:33:14 PM
I was on a trip this past weekend in the Pacific Northwest (CA), and I ran into an Avocado tree in front of a local bakery in the heart of the Ocean peninsula town of Mendocino, CA.  I'm always happy to see random Avocado trees in public.  Here're a couple pics.

(https://i.postimg.cc/0Mj0cGJk/20181013-172755.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Mj0cGJk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/w3SQQmxz/20181013-172708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3SQQmxz)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on October 18, 2018, 05:49:29 PM
I was on a trip this past weekend in the Pacific Northwest (CA), and I ran into an Avocado tree in front of a local bakery in the heart of the Ocean peninsula town of Mendocino, CA.  I'm always happy to see random Avocado trees in public.  Here're a couple pics.

(https://i.postimg.cc/0Mj0cGJk/20181013-172755.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Mj0cGJk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/w3SQQmxz/20181013-172708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3SQQmxz)

Oh, I think I may have seen this tree before! My wife and I go out to fort bragg and the botanical gardens frequently and have stopped and toured that area a couple of times.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on October 18, 2018, 10:43:56 PM
Very cool Kris.  We love that area, and spend much time there when we have it.  Coastal Redwoods are inimitable.  I didn't see any fruit on the tree, so I guess the owners know what they're doing (or maybe it's too foggy to fruit much).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 22, 2018, 10:30:09 AM
Heres some stewart avocados next to lamb hass.  The stewarts are really nice avocados and only take 6 or 7 months to mature.  The lamb hass had an extra year on the tree.  Lamb hass season is from mid summer until fall.  Stewart is now during fall.  The stewarts get ripe and fall off the tree which is not great.  Animals get them if you don't go collect them often.  These stewarts are so much better than mexicola, I am going to dig out my mexicola tree and make mulch out of it.

Lamb hass on top, stewart on bottom
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1902/45430211552_03973a74af_b.jpg)


Stewarts cut open
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1955/44756545554_8f04ee91ee_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on October 22, 2018, 10:44:15 AM
Brad, why don't you top work your mexicola to Stewart! Nice avo's i love Stewart 8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on October 22, 2018, 10:46:49 AM
Nice to hear that you prefer the stewart over mexicola. I expect mine to do better than my other two trees as it's my most cold hardy variety. How heavily does it produce, and do you know if it's alternate bearing?
My wife was trying to talk me in to planting a mexicola because she had one and liked it and I don't want to plant another tree... haha.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 22, 2018, 10:59:27 AM
Brad, why don't you top work your mexicola to Stewart! Nice avo's i love Stewart 8)

Even though stewart is a nice avocado, it doesnt really perform well here.  Its not a vigorous tree and suffers in the intense heat here.  Its nice to eat this time of year when most stuff is out of season, thats about it.  Doubful I would be able to market these.  They have a very short season and short shelf life.  So one tree for the family is good. I will be planting more lamb hass trees.

I considered stumping the mexicola and grafting onto it but feel its better to remove it completely and start with a freshly grafted rootstock and completely eliminate the interstock.  The tree is still young enough the stump should be able to be removed.

Ive got a new mexicola grande tree I grafted this summer and planted out a couple months ago.  It is doing really well so far.  Very upright and vigorous.   Too soon to call it a success.  Probably get some fruit off it in 2020.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 22, 2018, 11:15:04 AM
Nice to hear that you prefer the stewart over mexicola. I expect mine to do better than my other two trees as it's my most cold hardy variety. How heavily does it produce, and do you know if it's alternate bearing?
My wife was trying to talk me in to planting a mexicola because she had one and liked it and I don't want to plant another tree... haha.

Stewart sets and holds a lot of avos.  No its not alternate bearing, the fruit are only on the tree half a year so it can fruit every year and not get bogged down with last years fruit.  It will grow better if you thin the fruit.  Its one of the trees that fruits so hard it doesn't spend enough time actually growing.

One thing I really dont like about this tree is the fruit gets ripe really fast and falls off the tree.  They go from green to black in a few weeks then end up on the ground where animals and birds get them.  You have to take the fruit on its schedule not yours. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on October 22, 2018, 11:29:14 AM
I don't have to many animals I'd be worried about eating avocados.
My Lamb Hass seems to be growing the best out of all of mine. They're all still in pots... I'm sure they're all going to take off when planted this spring.
What would you recommend for spacing for these trees? I plan on putting them all in a corner of my yard and planting them as close as possible. (Lamb-Hass, Holiday, Stewart, and the future GEM)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 22, 2018, 11:40:57 AM
I don't have to many animals I'd be worried about eating avocados.
My Lamb Hass seems to be growing the best out of all of mine. They're all still in pots... I'm sure they're all going to take off when planted this spring.
What would you recommend for spacing for these trees? I plan on putting them all in a corner of my yard and planting them as close as possible. (Lamb-Hass, Holiday, Stewart, and the future GEM)

Thought you had a lot of rodents?

I would put them at 10ft space at least.  8ft would be absolute minimum.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on October 22, 2018, 11:55:25 AM
I wander around my yard every night so shouldn't be a problem to have fruit that fall of when ready. I'm only on about a quarter of an acre so it's not a real chore for me to check.
Rodents are bad in my fenced off garden, though not too bad lately. Think I've got them mostly exterminated. The avocado trees will go in the corner my dog likes to hang out in, hopefully that will help. 10ft is what I'll probably end up doing.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 22, 2018, 02:07:23 PM
I wander around my yard every night so shouldn't be a problem to have fruit that fall of when ready. I'm only on about a quarter of an acre so it's not a real chore for me to check.
Rodents are bad in my fenced off garden, though not too bad lately. Think I've got them mostly exterminated. The avocado trees will go in the corner my dog likes to hang out in, hopefully that will help. 10ft is what I'll probably end up doing.

You might get lucky and the cooler fall weather up there will make them hang longer and not fall off so quick.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on October 23, 2018, 09:38:45 AM
Hello everyone! I nead one advice regarding the most cold hardy, best tasting and prolific avocado? Maby stewart, pinkerton or another one? Thank's!  ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 24, 2018, 12:56:38 PM
Heres a lamb hass next to stewart.  The lamb is really superior in every way.  The only thing stewart has going for it over lamb is that it ripens in 6 months instead of 12 to 18.  The lamb tree is really vigorous, heat and salt tolerant, heavy producing.  This is a really good avocado to grow.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1959/30597797857_baa6426773_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 30, 2018, 10:05:11 AM
Heres a lamb hass next to stewart.  The lamb is really superior in every way.  The only thing stewart has going for it over lamb is that it ripens in 6 months instead of 12 to 18.  The lamb tree is really vigorous, heat and salt tolerant, heavy producing.  This is a really good avocado to grow.

Wow, beautiful fruit, speaking of which....

Recent grafts of Lamb Hass, Pinkerton and Sharwil on shoots that came up from a frozen Oro Negro stump.  This Frankencado is about 4' tall now.  I expect it to go dormant soon with the colder weather.

(https://i.postimg.cc/qNJnN8r4/Frankencado-Oct30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qNJnN8r4)

New GEM grafts:

(https://i.postimg.cc/cgyLnS3w/GEMOct30.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cgyLnS3w)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on October 30, 2018, 11:08:23 AM
Nice work Mark, your tree's are returning nicely wishing you the best growth ;) 8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 30, 2018, 12:49:29 PM
Mark, are you growing stewart, can't remember if you got that one growing?  I think Im going to yank mine.  Its a good fruit but they fall off and the tops of the fruit all crack.  Then they fall off and fire ants and rodents start eating them.  Its pretty annoying.  Heres some that fell today.  Ants were eating them where they are cracked and a mouse ate one of them. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/Ty8QNy6d/20181030-094517.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ty8QNy6d)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on October 30, 2018, 02:02:18 PM
Brad, what should a Stewart look like when it is prime for harvest?  I have my first, very small, crop this year.  Should it have a little bit of black on the skin, or be completely black?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 30, 2018, 02:45:01 PM
Brad, what should a Stewart look like when it is prime for harvest?  I have my first, very small, crop this year.  Should it have a little bit of black on the skin, or be completely black?  Thanks.

All black. 

You can let them get all black and pick or let them fall off.  They will not get over ripe, they just fall off the tree when ready.  At least thats what happens here.  Theres a few pics of them on this page I posted.  Thats how they come off the tree, black as night.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on October 30, 2018, 03:27:43 PM
I want to hask if some one can send me good variety cold hardy avocado seeds. I tried to buy trees from US but it wasn't possible. Thank you very much!   ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on October 30, 2018, 03:32:46 PM
Brad, what should a Stewart look like when it is prime for harvest?  I have my first, very small, crop this year.  Should it have a little bit of black on the skin, or be completely black?  Thanks.

All black. 

You can let them get all black and pick or let them fall off.  They will not get over ripe, they just fall off the tree when ready.  At least thats what happens here.  Theres a few pics of them on this page I posted.  Thats how they come off the tree, black as night.

Thanks for the response.  I guess I'll have to wait longer.  Even the fully shaded fruit get all black on the tree?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on October 30, 2018, 04:35:17 PM
Heres a lamb hass next to stewart.  The lamb is really superior in every way.  The only thing stewart has going for it over lamb is that it ripens in 6 months instead of 12 to 18.  The lamb tree is really vigorous, heat and salt tolerant, heavy producing.  This is a really good avocado to grow.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1959/30597797857_baa6426773_b.jpg)

Brad, i'm starting to get intereste in Lamb Hass variety, do you think it would grow and fruit in my climate?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 30, 2018, 06:32:34 PM
Heres a lamb hass next to stewart.  The lamb is really superior in every way.  The only thing stewart has going for it over lamb is that it ripens in 6 months instead of 12 to 18.  The lamb tree is really vigorous, heat and salt tolerant, heavy producing.  This is a really good avocado to grow.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1959/30597797857_baa6426773_b.jpg)

Brad, i'm starting to get intereste in Lamb Hass variety, do you think it would grow and fruit in my climate?

I have no idea Lory.  Maybe since people are growing it in Hawaii.  The guys in hawaii on this forum would know best.  Some guy is buying scions from me to start a farm in the philippines.  He has been buying hass and reed sticks.  Im not even sure hass will grow there.  Never been to the philippenes, if its like florida you probably need the west indian watercados.  Do you know if people grow hass there?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 30, 2018, 08:00:53 PM
Nice work Mark, your tree's are returning nicely wishing you the best growth ;) 8)

Thanks Scott!  Have done 85 grafts this year, most on established greenhouse in ground trees.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 30, 2018, 08:04:16 PM
Mark, are you growing stewart, can't remember if you got that one growing?  I think Im going to yank mine.  Its a good fruit but they fall off and the tops of the fruit all crack.  Then they fall off and fire ants and rodents start eating them.  Its pretty annoying.  Heres some that fell today.  Ants were eating them where they are cracked and a mouse ate one of them. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/Ty8QNy6d/20181030-094517.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ty8QNy6d)

All my Stewart grafts failed....I'm cursed.  Not that I care, thanks to "some" nice SoCal gentleman I've got better things going on.

I agree, kick the losers to the curb.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on October 30, 2018, 11:25:01 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8/02-D8-E3-F6-6-D84-4-DD4-BE0-F-E94183-FC42-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8)

My Sharwil is in the beginning stages of flowering
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 30, 2018, 11:50:29 PM
Brad, what should a Stewart look like when it is prime for harvest?  I have my first, very small, crop this year.  Should it have a little bit of black on the skin, or be completely black?  Thanks.

All black. 

You can let them get all black and pick or let them fall off.  They will not get over ripe, they just fall off the tree when ready.  At least thats what happens here.  Theres a few pics of them on this page I posted.  Thats how they come off the tree, black as night.

Thanks for the response.  I guess I'll have to wait longer.  Even the fully shaded fruit get all black on the tree?

Yeah they turn black even inside the tree.  They will fall off when they are fully ripe.  At least wait until its black if you are going to pick them.  Once they start to ripen up, it happens pretty fast so don't worry if you arent getting action yet.

How far from the ocean are you there?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on October 31, 2018, 01:29:06 AM
Yeah they turn black even inside the tree.  They will fall off when they are fully ripe.  At least wait until its black if you are going to pick them.  Once they start to ripen up, it happens pretty fast so don't worry if you arent getting action yet.

How far from the ocean are you there?

Thanks again.  That's helpful info.  I'm about 3 miles from the ocean and get lots of coastal fog, and then at this time of year, we get some screaming, hot, dry Santa Anas.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on October 31, 2018, 05:14:47 AM
@ Brad
I have a Hass here but it's just a seedling of 4 years old. It's growing nicely but until now no fruits.
Last march it flowered but it was just a couple of them, maybe next year i'll have the answer to my questions.
FOr now I enjoy the only one tree which flowered, a seedling that is giving excellent fruits and that I decided to name MODENA as my hometown.
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=25353.msg296981#msg296981 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=25353.msg296981#msg296981)
Last year it bore just 5 fruits, this year 30+ and they are getting huge, about 1kg each (2.2 lbs)
Right now I'm in Italy, this is a pic sent by my wife in the Philippines




(https://i.postimg.cc/BXFx0Tbp/avocado-modena-2018-10-06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXFx0Tbp)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 31, 2018, 09:49:42 AM
Yeah they turn black even inside the tree.  They will fall off when they are fully ripe.  At least wait until its black if you are going to pick them.  Once they start to ripen up, it happens pretty fast so don't worry if you arent getting action yet.

How far from the ocean are you there?

Thanks again.  That's helpful info.  I'm about 3 miles from the ocean and get lots of coastal fog, and then at this time of year, we get some screaming, hot, dry Santa Anas.

Since you are further north and way closer to the ocean its going to take longer for yours to be done.  Probably give in another month or two.  Post back and let us know.  I bet yours end up hanging a lot longer as they will be hitting maturation during the colder months.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on October 31, 2018, 12:45:58 PM
Avocado or Aguacate , Avo or cado.
Avo has been slang for a long time now, an add on to your sandwich, Burrito, salad .... Whatever, It's understood " Add Avo PLease"
" Side of Avo please" . It rolls off your tounge and is a pleasant abbreviation.
Living in ground zero for slang creation , new words for old things are not uncommon. I can't recall a slang word I have less fondness for than 'cado. It sound's ....bad, like it's made up by people who dislike vegetables and fruit in general . My redneck family member's would have a hard time pronouncing Avocado or Avo without feeling silly, but I know they are comfortable with the rough and tumble 'cado, whatever the hell that is. " I got some "cado here , you want some?" . No, I do not. It sounds like fried alligator entrails and no one know's what your talking about in not a good way. Avocado is a most highly revered fruit for many people's , unduplicatable in it's content and unique all the way around. Thus as it was debated over 100 years ago , Avocado or Aguacate, the made up word , Avocado won out and hence we face this great debate of minor importance to those whose diet and livelihood do not depend on it, but this is serious fruit business.  8) :P  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 01, 2018, 10:04:57 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8/02-D8-E3-F6-6-D84-4-DD4-BE0-F-E94183-FC42-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8)

My Sharwil is in the beginning stages of flowering

Nice!

Ribbit (sharwil fruit on the left)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2L4t9ZmD/Froggie-Friend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2L4t9ZmD)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on November 01, 2018, 11:28:28 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8/02-D8-E3-F6-6-D84-4-DD4-BE0-F-E94183-FC42-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8)

My Sharwil is in the beginning stages of flowering

Nice!

Ribbit (sharwil fruit on the left)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2L4t9ZmD/Froggie-Friend.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2L4t9ZmD)

Very nice!
I have a lizard friend that lives on my Reed tree. Not too sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Mc983bcV/02-F89895-303-A-4-B77-9-B9-C-4674-E8-FB00-B6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mc983bcV)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on November 02, 2018, 02:25:59 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8/02-D8-E3-F6-6-D84-4-DD4-BE0-F-E94183-FC42-C6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jW3JYbY8)

My Sharwil is in the beginning stages of flowering
Do they typically start flowering at this time? I’ve got to check on mine but they are both recovering from the ides of july🤯
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on November 02, 2018, 11:51:31 PM

I am not too sure. I always thought all avocados flowered around spring time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Wenz on November 03, 2018, 12:06:02 AM
hii..
greeting from tropical country
i started to collect many avocado variety, i hope most of them can grow well in my country..

I'm interested with this avocado, anyone know what variety it is? its daily 11 or something else?
 thanks.. best regard
(https://i.postimg.cc/1gQx4srC/Cos0-Lg-VUEAEm-ZWj.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gQx4srC)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on November 04, 2018, 01:18:23 AM
Yeah they turn black even inside the tree.  They will fall off when they are fully ripe.  At least wait until its black if you are going to pick them.  Once they start to ripen up, it happens pretty fast so don't worry if you arent getting action yet.

How far from the ocean are you there?

Thanks again.  That's helpful info.  I'm about 3 miles from the ocean and get lots of coastal fog, and then at this time of year, we get some screaming, hot, dry Santa Anas.

Since you are further north and way closer to the ocean its going to take longer for yours to be done.  Probably give in another month or two.  Post back and let us know.  I bet yours end up hanging a lot longer as they will be hitting maturation during the colder months.

I'll report back.  I figured they'd ripen later than yours.  We'll see how much later.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mango Stein on November 09, 2018, 12:15:07 AM
I have some healthy seedlings growing on a raised mound. The mound is only 15 inches tall, the seedlings are perhaps 20 inches tall (being 1 year old).
Recently, I found out that the reason avocadoes fail is because once their taproot hits clay, it is only a matter of time until it gets root rot. I really needed a taller mound to avoid this problem. Should I risk trying to elevate the mound? Or will the seedlings likely get serious damage. How deep would taproot be at one year old?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 10, 2018, 08:15:56 AM
I have some healthy seedlings growing on a raised mound. The mound is only 15 inches tall, the seedlings are perhaps 20 inches tall (being 1 year old).
Recently, I found out that the reason avocadoes fail is because once their taproot hits clay, it is only a matter of time until it gets root rot. I really needed a taller mound to avoid this problem. Should I risk trying to elevate the mound? Or will the seedlings likely get serious damage. How deep would taproot be at one year old?

Avocados don't need a taproot.  The Japanese intentionally terminate it in favor of a fibrous and wide but shallow root system.  (I do the same with Rootbuilder).  The production is unreal.  Check out these Pinkertons. 

Page 28 for pix of the setup.  http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf (http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf)

Edited out the Christmas card, sorry!   ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 17, 2019, 03:28:35 PM
Here some pics of trees planted last summer.  They are starting to grow nicely.  All this rain should equal a great avocado year. 

Kahaluu, I actually just dug this one up and moved it a few weeks ago.  It didnt seem to care at all.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4836/32904309588_53f74f8349_b.jpg)

Sharwil
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4914/45865066125_0eb5ba3892_b.jpg)

Green gold
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7828/31838318717_968d9f2b6a_b.jpg)


Daily11
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7867/46780131741_088688c480_b.jpg)


I planted 10 reed seedlings.  Heres 3 of them.  They will be allowed to grow and fruit.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7910/46780128401_fd98acfcc5_b.jpg)



Mexicola Grande grafted late summer took off.  Seems really happy here and tolerant of the heat.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4918/32904289258_54b665780c_b.jpg)


Malama
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4862/46727707452_31423af03c_b.jpg)

Ardith
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7820/46727702112_b4f1ac5914_b.jpg)


Nabal
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7927/31838512867_ce4c46d7b1_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on January 18, 2019, 02:24:46 AM
Just reporting back on Stewart in Ventura.  The handful of fruits on my tree ripened starting near the end of November and were done about two weeks ago.  Like Brad showed, the skin usually cracked at least a little.  They weren't fully black in color when the cracking started.

They were good, but not great.  Most had a little bit of fiber.  I don't know if that means too ripe or not ripe enough -- or neither.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on January 19, 2019, 08:53:58 AM
Stunning Brad!  They really look good and man, what excellent choices.

Love the pine needle mulch.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on January 19, 2019, 11:14:16 AM
Beautiful collection Brad, those are some excellent looking avo's 8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 19, 2019, 11:21:17 AM
Stunning Brad!  They really look good and man, what excellent choices.

Love the pine needle mulch.

Thanks Mark and Scott.  I have more of the Hawaiian ones that were grafted in late summer.  They're all planted out too but still super tiny.  Once they hit their stride I will take some pics.  These ones in these photos are going to take off when it warms up.

Anyway I am officially done planting avocado trees.  I think we ended up with around 40 trees.

Pine mulch, yeah I have a good local tree trimmer that is happy to being me the stuff.  I have him only bring pine or pine mixes. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on January 27, 2019, 05:29:26 PM
Just when you think you might know everything about the Mexican Avocado variety.

https://www.intechopen.com/books/molecular-approaches-to-genetic-diversity/genetic-diversity-of-mexican-avocado-in-nuevo-leon-mexico (https://www.intechopen.com/books/molecular-approaches-to-genetic-diversity/genetic-diversity-of-mexican-avocado-in-nuevo-leon-mexico)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5Q3N4WDw/genetic-diversity.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Q3N4WDw)

I apologize if this has already been previously posted.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on January 28, 2019, 10:27:26 AM
Just when you think you might know everything about the Mexican Avocado variety.

https://www.intechopen.com/books/molecular-approaches-to-genetic-diversity/genetic-diversity-of-mexican-avocado-in-nuevo-leon-mexico (https://www.intechopen.com/books/molecular-approaches-to-genetic-diversity/genetic-diversity-of-mexican-avocado-in-nuevo-leon-mexico)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5Q3N4WDw/genetic-diversity.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Q3N4WDw)

I apologize if this has already been previously posted.

Yeah, I posted that one before.  Very interesting.  Here's a Mexican nurseryman that has about 8 popular Mexican named varieties he sells.  Here's his Facebook page.    His fruit is beautiful. https://www.facebook.com/jaime.gonzalez.900388?__tn__=%2CdlC-R-R&eid=ARBq9MEg4CRtHJaQJV-ERVkTV_slqF8oh7bRQ2MRH5L4FJoDe_suzTDFllJ2JlJpx6r-kqTnTWzh7Opg&hc_ref=ARSm137MJLu4gTrAkjARILAiA71ufnyzZqxSxexNBpL13CJTcMxN28eFYVBo1NWflZw (https://www.facebook.com/jaime.gonzalez.900388?__tn__=%2CdlC-R-R&eid=ARBq9MEg4CRtHJaQJV-ERVkTV_slqF8oh7bRQ2MRH5L4FJoDe_suzTDFllJ2JlJpx6r-kqTnTWzh7Opg&hc_ref=ARSm137MJLu4gTrAkjARILAiA71ufnyzZqxSxexNBpL13CJTcMxN28eFYVBo1NWflZw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZCms29mB/45392881-10161136291060154-3462051057155178496-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZCms29mB)



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 14, 2019, 02:31:21 PM
This is a real email I got this morning.  :D

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7911/47043208922_8f62b0143a_b.jpg)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on February 14, 2019, 05:49:16 PM
Brad..

Can you do consultation on planting fruit tree avocado in particular for my backyard?  I bought a couple of  15 gallon avocado and blood orange.  I plan to plant more fruit tree in the future.  It's been soaking rain recently in San Diego and I can't tell the texture or composition of the soil in my backyard. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on February 14, 2019, 06:11:23 PM
This is a real email I got this morning.  :D

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7911/47043208922_8f62b0143a_b.jpg)
I'm not the only one who's phones about to die first thing in the morning... Woohoo!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 14, 2019, 06:22:57 PM
Brad..

Can you do consultation on planting fruit tree avocado in particular for my backyard?  I bought a couple of  15 gallon avocado and blood orange.  I plan to plant more fruit tree in the future.  It's been soaking rain recently in San Diego and I can't tell the texture or composition of the soil in my backyard.

Sure you can send me a private message.  Or if you want take pics of the spot you are thinking and post it. 

If theres a standing puddle where you want the avocados to go, forget it they will drown.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on February 15, 2019, 10:04:04 PM
Anyone know about hass Rio?

See below link under varieties.

https://www.elisfarmsnursery.com (https://www.elisfarmsnursery.com)

Thanks
Khaled
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oolie on February 15, 2019, 10:23:04 PM
hii..
greeting from tropical country
i started to collect many avocado variety, i hope most of them can grow well in my country..

I'm interested with this avocado, anyone know what variety it is? its daily 11 or something else?
 thanks.. best regard
(https://i.postimg.cc/1gQx4srC/Cos0-Lg-VUEAEm-ZWj.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1gQx4srC)

Daily 11 is huge and has a fairly large seed.

That appears to be either pinkerton or 'sport', an even more necky bud sport of pinkerton.

Pinkerton has an amazing shelf life, and excellent flavor to boot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on February 17, 2019, 01:43:08 AM
i have about 4 avocado trees that have been in decline for the past 4-5 years. i had an arborist come out to take a look. unfortunately they're in pretty poor shape. he estimated that they're about 90+ years old and at the tailend of their lifespan. he said the drought and heatwave really took a toll on these trees...from losing their leaves and then not being able to protect themselves from the sun was like a domino effect. recommended mulching the area and make sure they are water and fertilize properly. he recommended replacing them to get better yield of fruits in the short/long term. if not...he also recommended making future plans to replace them eventually.

goal is to make the effort to keep them alive and in better health but also start to prepare for future. normally if these were just in a backyard, i would replace them but they're a huge part of the landscape and bc of the age/size..losing one would create a large gap in the landscape view.

so i was thinking while there is spacing between these older trees (6-9 ft apart) could i plant new avocado trees in between so that in the future if the older ones are no longer there, i have a head-start on their replacement in the same position in the landscape.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on February 17, 2019, 11:30:15 PM
Any chance you could add a photo of the trees? Are the trunks 6-9 feet apart or is there 6-9 feet of space between the canopy edges?

And just curious, is this in Glendora?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: arc310 on February 18, 2019, 12:34:06 AM
Any chance you could add a photo of the trees? Are the trunks 6-9 feet apart or is there 6-9 feet of space between the canopy edges?

And just curious, is this in Glendora?

hey greg,...the trees are in arcadia. i was basing it off the distance between the trunks of the trees as the canopies of all of them used to just blend in together. the trees aren't lined up in a row..more like zig zag positioning a bit. i thought i had a more recent picture but i'll take another one.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 21, 2019, 03:48:59 PM
Heres some side by side comparison of sir prize and pinkerton.  I like to do these side by side tests.  You can't really gauge the flavor profiles well without doing comparisons at the same time.  These are both great avocados.  The trees aren't the greatest growers but that may be because they both fruit so heavily they don't have energy to really grow well.  Fruit thinning or stripping would help here.

The sir prize fruit has a much softer skin and turns black on the tree while still hard.  The pinkerton has a thick hard green pebbled skin.  I really like the harder skinned types as the animals (mice and birds) can't see them as easy and can't peck or chew into them as easy.  The only downside is its harder to tell when to harvest the green skin fruits. 

Sir Prize is more creamy and soft where pinkerton is more dryish.  The pinkerton has a really strong avocado flavor.  Very nutty and straight forward flavor.  Excellet flavor.  Sir prize also is very good in the flavor department but does have a faint anise taste that I don't care for.  Sometimes I pick up the mexican anise flavor in hass also.  Its most apparent when the fruits are extra ripe.  Sir Prize has a better seed to flesh ratio but maybe not quite as good for pure taste.

Pinkerton
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7923/32488859067_c0a523c661_b.jpg)

Sir Prize
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/47377838002_b810334886_b.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/33554673838_407c1edb8c_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on March 21, 2019, 04:03:32 PM
Khaled, I wonder if a comma is misplaced in the avocado variety listing.  There is no Hass listed and moving the comma would result in a Rio Fuerte and a Hass.  Rio Fuerte is a real place in a growing area in Mexico.  A phone call would help.  I have not heard of a Rio.  If you find one let us know its characteristics.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on March 21, 2019, 11:31:41 PM
Brad,
Cool comparison. Thanks. If you could only grow Pinkerton or SirPrize, which would you keep?

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 22, 2019, 12:09:20 PM
Brad,
Cool comparison. Thanks. If you could only grow Pinkerton or SirPrize, which would you keep?

I don't know?  Too hypothetical.  I wouldnt recommend either if someone can only grow one tree. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on March 22, 2019, 12:53:59 PM
Khaled, I wonder if a comma is misplaced in the avocado variety listing.  There is no Hass listed and moving the comma would result in a Rio Fuerte and a Hass.  Rio Fuerte is a real place in a growing area in Mexico.  A phone call would help.  I have not heard of a Rio.  If you find one let us know its characteristics.


I went down there and bought a tree. It is Rio hass or hass rio. Can't recall off the top of my head. He told me it was either a seedling or mutated branch of hass that bears yearly and precociously, more so than the standard hass.  No bbn one I have talked to really knows about it. I can report back in a year or 2 or send you some wood later in the season or next year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 27, 2019, 09:16:49 AM
Fine pix, great comparisons.

Brad, second Pinkerton graft has pushed.  http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=7511.175 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=7511.175)  Am excited about that one.  Some of the dwarfed Pinkerton flowers set recently on my Lamb Hass, Sharwil, Pinkerton cocktail tree.  One branch small flowering branch which is totally smothered by the other branches that are a good 1" in girth, buddy tape still intact.  They're already turning woody.

Yet another beast of a tree grafted last year to an Oro Negro/Waldin stump that froze back. I figure the canopy and root mass is enough to carry a small fruit load even though the grafts are only about 5 months old. 

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Tropheus76 on April 01, 2019, 09:35:24 AM
Looking to add to my selections at my small community farmers market I am planting a few avocados. I put a Brogden in the ground yesterday on a mound and have a Hass and Sir Prize arriving next week. I decided on them after reading some of the posts on here since I do not eat them myself. Some last minute research over the weekend and I noticed that the UF Ag extension doesn't recommend either of the last two for growing in Florida but doesn't say why. Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 01, 2019, 02:48:33 PM
Looking to add to my selections at my small community farmers market I am planting a few avocados. I put a Brogden in the ground yesterday on a mound and have a Hass and Sir Prize arriving next week. I decided on them after reading some of the posts on here since I do not eat them myself. Some last minute research over the weekend and I noticed that the UF Ag extension doesn't recommend either of the last two for growing in Florida but doesn't say why. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Some avocados that perform well in CA don't perform well in FL.  You may have better luck in Orlando since you get cooler weather than S FL (I assume).  Or it may be a wasted effort.  Hass has probably been planted in your area and info should be out there if you ask locals how it performs.  Sir Prize, you may be the first in your area to try it. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 01, 2019, 03:52:58 PM
Looking to add to my selections at my small community farmers market I am planting a few avocados. I put a Brogden in the ground yesterday on a mound and have a Hass and Sir Prize arriving next week. I decided on them after reading some of the posts on here since I do not eat them myself. Some last minute research over the weekend and I noticed that the UF Ag extension doesn't recommend either of the last two for growing in Florida but doesn't say why. Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Tagging onto Brad's comment, there may be some fungal or disease pressures that cause these to either fruit poorly or have poor quality fruit.

When I come across new varieties I like to hop over to Carlos's webpage myavocadotrees.com and see his blog posts and trials. Unfortunately, most of the ones I am interested in are not completed as the trees either fruit poorly compared to some of this others or are heavily affected by fruit rot, etc... so they won't end up in his orchard and so the trial is completed. My orchard is small-scale and will have some production this year with more in the coming years but I am in avocado territory in CA so my situation is different from yours.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 02, 2019, 05:00:45 PM
I finally planted my sir prize from clausen in San Diego two weeks ago after buying it in January.  The tree has been doing well.  The guy Ray at Clausen told me not to fertilize the tree for a couple months.  There is a foliar feeding formula using seaweed extract, fish emulsion, and sugar to get the tree to grow.  Is it safe to do foliar feeding on this tree?

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 02, 2019, 07:58:37 PM
foliar feeding should be safe. Have you had any flushes since buying it? I would just make sure you have the concentrations right so you don't burn the leaves. If you do get leaf burn, then your concentrations were too high.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 02, 2019, 09:37:16 PM
A little patience will probably work better than any sprays.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on April 02, 2019, 11:42:44 PM
I finally planted my sir prize from clausen in San Diego two weeks ago after buying it in January.  The tree has been doing well.  The guy Ray at Clausen told me not to fertilize the tree for a couple months.  There is a foliar feeding formula using seaweed extract, fish emulsion, and sugar to get the tree to grow.  Is it safe to do foliar feeding on this tree?

I sprayed that (fish/molasses/seaweed) to my GEM and it went from 2 feet to 6 feet in a couple of months. Kind of backfired since the growth looks a little funky now. Looks like a tall skinny kid with no muscle. BUT yes it made the tree grow faster if that is your goal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wdh9hx1Z/61-D9-FB15-5-B46-40-BB-B8-F4-AAB8-F4-BF05-E6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wdh9hx1Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4m8L4XsZ/B2791-E21-FA60-41-EF-94-DC-DC94-FF64-C817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4m8L4XsZ)

Pictures are from July 2018 and October 2018. So 3 months of growth.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 03, 2019, 11:10:23 AM
I've been trying to get a GEM.  May I ask where did you buy it from?
I finally planted my sir prize from clausen in San Diego two weeks ago after buying it in January.  The tree has been doing well.  The guy Ray at Clausen told me not to fertilize the tree for a couple months.  There is a foliar feeding formula using seaweed extract, fish emulsion, and sugar to get the tree to grow.  Is it safe to do foliar feeding on this tree?

I sprayed that (fish/molasses/seaweed) to my GEM and it went from 2 feet to 6 feet in a couple of months. Kind of backfired since the growth looks a little funky now. Looks like a tall skinny kid with no muscle. BUT yes it made the tree grow faster if that is your goal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wdh9hx1Z/61-D9-FB15-5-B46-40-BB-B8-F4-AAB8-F4-BF05-E6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wdh9hx1Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4m8L4XsZ/B2791-E21-FA60-41-EF-94-DC-DC94-FF64-C817.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4m8L4XsZ)

Pictures are from July 2018 and October 2018. So 3 months of growth.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 03, 2019, 11:20:11 AM
My dad has an avocado tree that he grew from a seedling 15 years ago.  He brought the seed back from his trip in VietNam. I remembered it fruited a couple of times in year 4th or 5th.  However, it has't produce any fruit since then.  It is quite a vigorous and healthy tree.  Every year it would flowered but wouldn't fruited.  This year, it shed all the leaves and right now there is nothing but flowers.  See attached.  I know it is a crapshoot in getting fruit from seedling but is there any trick or anything he can do to get a some fruit from this tree?  It is quite beautiful.


(https://i.postimg.cc/6yHPGxwz/IMG-20190402-161942.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yHPGxwz)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on April 03, 2019, 11:27:12 AM
jtnguyen333,

I got it from Atkins Nursery in Falbrook.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 06, 2019, 10:55:42 PM
Hi Alan,

How often do you do foliar feed on your GEM?  Do you feed it when the flowers are blooming?

-James

jtnguyen333,

I got it from Atkins Nursery in Falbrook.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on April 07, 2019, 04:29:35 PM
Hi Alan,

How often do you do foliar feed on your GEM?  Do you feed it when the flowers are blooming?

-James



I do it maybe 2-4 times a month on all my young/small trees and yes I have done it during flower bloom.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 09, 2019, 11:01:37 AM
Ardith, about 6' tall now and branching, was grafted to a shoot late last year.  Huge volunteer dill plant is in the pot, 5' long and drooped on the ground from the weight.

The way things grow in this house I bet Ardith will finish out this year at 10' and flower next year heavy.

(https://i.postimg.cc/4KCDkPb2/Ardith-April9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4KCDkPb2)

Reed at 12' + is ready for some loppers.

(https://i.postimg.cc/G9HnnqNb/Reed-April8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G9HnnqNb)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 09, 2019, 03:16:10 PM
Ardith wants to go straight up.  My trees are blooming now.  Heres one of the hawaiian avo trees I grafted last summer.  Its starting to grow good. 

Fujikawa
(https://i.postimg.cc/HcpQk8TQ/20190407-083527.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcpQk8TQ)

Mex grande looks like it will grow fast too.  This one was grow from seed and grafted last year.  Its got a kink at the bottom from how the graft grew.  Trying to straighten it out without breaking it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jw5L1Hsk/20190408-094421.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jw5L1Hsk)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2019, 07:54:11 AM
Looking good.   That kink should straighten out over time, not that it's hurting anything.  It's owner is just showing a slight case of OCD.  ;D

Am glad to know Ardith grows straight up as Reed and some citrus is crowding it a bit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 10, 2019, 12:07:08 PM
Looking good.   That kink should straighten out over time, not that it's hurting anything.  It's owner is just showing a slight case of OCD.  ;D

Am glad to know Ardith grows straight up as Reed and some citrus is crowding it a bit.

Mark, I think you need a Lychee tree in your GH.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 10, 2019, 04:18:38 PM
I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 10, 2019, 06:57:16 PM
That GEM tree looks too small for a 15gallon pot.  Is it in a regular 15g pot with potting soil?  Its likely to get root rot as the bottom of a pot that large isnt going to dry up enough with something that small in it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 10, 2019, 07:11:38 PM
It was in a tall 5 gallon nursery plastic bag and about 5" shorter than a tall 15 gallon pot side by side. It developed big roots and almost filled the bag with roots to my surprise. I was able to put a few inches (~4) of potting soil at the bottom pot because of the root size.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on April 10, 2019, 07:21:12 PM
I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)

Why not just put it in the ground?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 10, 2019, 07:27:38 PM
I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)

Why not just put it in the ground?

That was my intention, but I need to cut down a Bougainvillea first to free up some space.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 12, 2019, 03:47:41 PM
I don't think it was the last one.  I pick one up from Eli yesterday too  ;D

I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg/IMG-20190412-071905.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 12, 2019, 04:07:03 PM
I don't think it was the last one.  I pick one up from Eli yesterday too  ;D

I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg/IMG-20190412-071905.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg)

Did you get it on a salt tolerant, root rot resistant rootstock? Cashier said they might get a few left overs from farmers market in 2-3 hours but I didn't wait. Your's look even smaller than mine  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 12, 2019, 04:12:04 PM
It is on a clonal Dusa root stock.   He said it is better than a seedling root stock.  He used Zutano as seedling.
I don't think it was the last one.  I pick one up from Eli yesterday too  ;D

I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg/IMG-20190412-071905.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg)

Did you get it on a salt tolerant, root rot resistant rootstock? Cashier said they might get a few left overs from farmers market in 2-3 hours but I didn't wait. Your's look even smaller than mine  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 12, 2019, 04:13:40 PM
It is on a clonal Dusa root stock.   He said it is better than a seedling root stock.  He used Zutano as seedling.
I don't think it was the last one.  I pick one up from Eli yesterday too  ;D

I bought a GEM on a salt tolerant and possibly on a clonal rootstock. It was tiny for my taste but was the last one left at sub tropica. I transplanted it in a 15 gallon after bringing it home. It is full of flowers. Is it a good idea to pinch off the flowers now, or wait till it forms fruits and pinch off the fruits?

(https://i.postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh/9-EAD5-D89-0766-481-B-A53-D-AAA7-A731-E455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Jtfb5Hmh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg/IMG-20190412-071905.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0Knqn2Kg)

Did you get it on a salt tolerant, root rot resistant rootstock? Cashier said they might get a few left overs from farmers market in 2-3 hours but I didn't wait. Your's look even smaller than mine  ;)

Yeah, we don't have to worry about root rot in the future. Also clonal varieties are vigorous grower than regular ones.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 13, 2019, 02:36:23 AM
eli has a neat collection. Did any of you also pick up rio hass? Am I the only one who bought one?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 13, 2019, 03:02:19 AM
eli has a neat collection. Did any of you also pick up rio hass? Am I the only one who bought one?
I am out of space in my backyard and couldn’t get anything other than a Gem.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: gnappi on April 13, 2019, 10:33:18 AM
Going against the grain of those in the know who have low expectations on Avo seedlings, and against my better judgement I planted a Lula seedling I grew from seed off a friend's tree. Hers was 25+ years old, had ZERO care... no water, fertilizer, trimming, or pest control and despite that the tree was extremely precocious. The last I saw it the tree was in very sorry shape weeping copious amounts of sap and white flaky crusty "stuff" , I expect it's gone by now.

If my tree bears fruit anywhere near as good as hers and is amenable to regular care, I'll be very happy.

Things look good though, I had it in my "murder, death, kill" cement pot that killed every single tree I put in it and lived in it for around three years happy as a clam. It's been in the ground a week and not one bud died after snatching it out of the pot and it's ALREADY taken off like a rocket.



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 13, 2019, 05:03:24 PM
Does anyone have a mature Holiday tree?  Can you post a photo of it?  Both of my trees are all droopy and top of the tree is exposed bark because of the weepy growth.  Seem like a junk tree to be honest.  I'm thinking of removing them.  Anyone think thats crazy?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on April 14, 2019, 08:13:43 AM
My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 14, 2019, 08:33:28 AM
Going against the grain of those in the know who have low expectations on Avo seedlings, and against my better judgement I planted a Lula seedling I grew from seed off a friend's tree. Hers was 25+ years old, had ZERO care... no water, fertilizer, trimming, or pest control and despite that the tree was extremely precocious. The last I saw it the tree was in very sorry shape weeping copious amounts of sap and white flaky crusty "stuff" , I expect it's gone by now.

If my tree bears fruit anywhere near as good as hers and is amenable to regular care, I'll be very happy.

Things look good though, I had it in my "murder, death, kill" cement pot that killed every single tree I put in it and lived in it for around three years happy as a clam. It's been in the ground a week and not one bud died after snatching it out of the pot and it's ALREADY taken off like a rocket.

Lula is the rootstock of choice and a commercial fruit for the Rio Grande valley....... or it used to be until the decline of the avocado/citrus industry to real estate developers.

Sounds like yours is on steroids!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 14, 2019, 08:35:04 AM
My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)

Insect damage, fungi, nutritional issues?  Need more info.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on April 14, 2019, 08:59:13 AM
I don’t know how to tell if it is fungus or insect damage. I do not believe it to be insect damage as I have not seen many bugs besides spiders. The tree gets full sun. I transplanted them into 7’ diameter raised planters 1.5 months back. I used native sandy soil and mixed in a bag of compost into the top couple inches. Have not seen any growth since planting besides originally red leaves turning green and slightly larger. Mulch is about 2 inches thick at the moment. Soil drains well.  Appreciate the help mark.

I have used no fertilizer or treatments thus far other than a very diluted spray of neem a month back.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 14, 2019, 02:02:09 PM
Does anyone have a mature Holiday tree?  Can you post a photo of it?  Both of my trees are all droopy and top of the tree is exposed bark because of the weepy growth.  Seem like a junk tree to be honest.  I'm thinking of removing them.  Anyone think thats crazy?
My trees are far from mature, but of five not ideally situated 2yr trees, the Holiday looks the worst of the bunch.  It's also the worst sun-burned on its topside due to the droopy, low foliage situation.

(https://i.postimg.cc/gn104F9D/20190414-110011.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gn104F9D)

(https://i.postimg.cc/cKSLyRLt/20190414-110025.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKSLyRLt)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kVvXn221/20190414-110036.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kVvXn221)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 14, 2019, 02:11:08 PM
My 3 gallon holiday is pushing new leaves. It was transplanted from ground into rootbuilder last November and was dormant until now.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRgKdCK5/A2-AF18-E7-6488-40-F8-94-BF-507722-FB1922.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRgKdCK5)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 14, 2019, 02:19:16 PM
Cool.  Thanks for posting your Holiday Pic Hawk.  Yours seems more perky than mine, but it also shows the long stretchy branch runs that expose a bit too much young tree flesh without limited cover.  You might want to give those branches a painting to protect them if they're going to get scorching sunlight this summer.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 14, 2019, 03:10:51 PM
Yeah, it is coming back nicely. It was full of flowers with yellow leaves. I am debating between plain water based  latex paint and IV tree guard. But will paint the trunk and branches before June.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 15, 2019, 12:13:11 PM
Ive got 2 of these holiday trees and both have the same issue.  Both trees have to be staked up to keep from falling over and both have weepy growth on top with exposed bark.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vD0cD2Zb/20190414-151427.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vD0cD2Zb)


(https://i.postimg.cc/1g0zSJdx/20190414-151509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1g0zSJdx)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on April 15, 2019, 01:25:53 PM
Ive got 2 of these holiday trees and both have the same issue.  Both trees have to be staked up to keep from falling over and both have weepy growth on top with exposed bark.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vD0cD2Zb/20190414-151427.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vD0cD2Zb)


(https://i.postimg.cc/1g0zSJdx/20190414-151509.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1g0zSJdx)
How is the taste of the holiday? Mine is blooming heavily and is in a 15 gallon pot but I don't like how crooked the graft is...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 15, 2019, 03:41:22 PM
Brad, I'm curious how old are your Holiday trees.  They seem to have some age on them.  Holiday is billed as a "Dwarf" avocado tree, but maybe its just crippled.  They do like to throw a lot of flowers (precocious). 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 15, 2019, 04:26:17 PM
I have only had the fruits that aborted after 12 months on the tree.  They were big giant watercados.  They need to hang for 18mo and then will be excellent.  My trees are still too small to hold fruit.  They are about 2-3 years old.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 15, 2019, 04:32:14 PM
Heres the other holiday teee, its a mess too, falling over to one side and bark exposed on top.  These are crappy trees. It was dumb for the nurseries to promote these.

I will give it a few more years of staking and painting bark and decide what to do with it.  Maybe the fruit will be amazing and it can stay.




(https://i.postimg.cc/w1QsPpSh/20190414-151406.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w1QsPpSh)

(https://i.postimg.cc/34cGBFzV/20190414-151418.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/34cGBFzV)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on April 15, 2019, 10:09:26 PM


[/quote]

My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)

Insect damage, fungi, nutritional issues?  Need more info.



This got buried a page back, does anyone have any idea what the leaf discoloration could be?

Appreciate it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 16, 2019, 12:01:09 AM
I had something similar occur on my Reed Seedling tree last year about this time of year.  The tree outgrew it over the summer and it did not come back this year.I never did figure out what it was.  I was able to dig up a photo although it is not the best of quality.


My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)

Insect damage, fungi, nutritional issues?  Need more info.



This got buried a page back, does anyone have any idea what the leaf discoloration could be?

Appreciate it.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 16, 2019, 12:01:55 AM
Here is the picture from previous post.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZWrBgp7X/Avocado-Leaf.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZWrBgp7X)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 16, 2019, 12:14:35 AM
I thought I would share a picture of a graft that I did 2-3 weeks ago.  Unfortunately the rabbits ate most of my seedlings before I got a chance to try some grafts.  Buds from both are pushing out of the BuddyTape.  I have tried grafting before and they all had failed.  I watched some of the videos that Carlos has posted on YouTube and prepared some scions.   How long I should leave the BuddyTape on and the clothespin?  I remember seeing somewhere I think on these forms about the clothespin but don't remember where and when it should come off.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyBP3P4n/Avocado-Graft.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TyBP3P4n)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 16, 2019, 10:45:05 AM
I thought I would share a picture of a graft that I did 2-3 weeks ago.  Unfortunately the rabbits ate most of my seedlings before I got a chance to try some grafts.  Buds from both are pushing out of the BuddyTape.  I have tried grafting before and they all had failed.  I watched some of the videos that Carlos has posted on YouTube and prepared some scions.   How long I should leave the BuddyTape on and the clothespin?  I remember seeing somewhere I think on these forms about the clothespin but don't remember where and when it should come off.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyBP3P4n/Avocado-Graft.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TyBP3P4n)

I use clothespins many times for their clamping effect and ease.  Leave the buddy tape on.   Here's clothespins on citrus, one over the T-Bud, one below it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WFWdhPBL/Citrus-Grafts-Aug23.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WFWdhPBL)

Recently did Pinkerton grafts with clothespins, cleft and side veneer, February 28.  Just upcanned this one to a RootTrapper Squat.

(https://i.postimg.cc/SjKhr9MG/Root-Trapper2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjKhr9MG)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 16, 2019, 10:56:02 AM
The clothes pins can come off after 2-3 weeks. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 16, 2019, 11:09:51 AM

Recently did Pinkerton grafts with clothespins, cleft and side veneer, February 28.  Just upcanned this one to a RootTrapper Squat.

(https://i.postimg.cc/SjKhr9MG/Root-Trapper2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjKhr9MG)

Mark, when is a good time or when is a seedling ready to be grafted? One of my hass seedling is about 10" long and may be 2-3 months old, I forgot when I tossed the seed in a pot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 16, 2019, 11:31:03 AM
Mark, thanks for posting the pictures.  Your Pinkerton is looking good.

Brad, I will see if I can remove the clothespins this weekend.  I am hoping that they are not on too tightly and that I will break the union while trying to remove them.   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on April 16, 2019, 01:13:48 PM
I had something similar occur on my Reed Seedling tree last year about this time of year.  The tree outgrew it over the summer and it did not come back this year.I never did figure out what it was.  I was able to dig up a photo although it is not the best of quality.


My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)

Insect damage, fungi, nutritional issues?  Need more info.



This got buried a page back, does anyone have any idea what the leaf discoloration could be?

Appreciate it.
[/quote]

By “it didn’t come back”, I hope you mean that the disease didn’t return and not that the tree died! Thanks for the feedback, I’ll give the tree some time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 16, 2019, 05:27:59 PM
The tree now has normal healthy leaves and I had not seen any new leaves with the odd coloration.

I had something similar occur on my Reed Seedling tree last year about this time of year.  The tree outgrew it over the summer and it did not come back this year.I never did figure out what it was.  I was able to dig up a photo although it is not the best of quality.


My Brogdon is recently planted and has not grown any yet. It stopped dropping leaves a few weeks back and looks decent. Now its leaves have developed light spots all over.

Can someone help me diagnose? Thinking it could be something to do with watering, too much sun exposure, or anthracnose.

Thanks much.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF/IMG-2715.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYtDzPfF)

Insect damage, fungi, nutritional issues?  Need more info.



This got buried a page back, does anyone have any idea what the leaf discoloration could be?

Appreciate it.

By “it didn’t come back”, I hope you mean that the disease didn’t return and not that the tree died! Thanks for the feedback, I’ll give the tree some time.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 22, 2019, 08:56:02 AM
Mark, when is a good time or when is a seedling ready to be grafted? One of my hass seedling is about 10" long and may be 2-3 months old, I forgot when I tossed the seed in a pot.

My greatest success was back in 2012 when I did my initial grafts to Florida watercados.  Those seedlings were only about 2 months old then but very vigorous.  IMO the W. Indies X Guatemalan fruit makes the best rootstock.  It is vigorous and readily accepts scions.  Here's my Reed in 2012, side veneer graft to one of the "Slimcados".  It is now 13' tall, fat and full of unopened blossoms, blooming about 6 weeks late for some reason.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CBcGqzzV/Reed-Veneer-Graft5-6-12.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBcGqzzV)


(https://i.postimg.cc/zHnqQRWs/Rootmaker.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zHnqQRWs)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 22, 2019, 10:19:45 AM
3 weeks ago, I transplanted a Reed avocado from a 15 gallon container. I bought it from Clausen in Bonsall.   This morning I noticed the young leaves are burning at the tips.  All the old leaves have fallen off.  Is this Reed going through transplant shock or just some nutrient deficiency?  The temperature has been warm recently in San Diego but hasn't been over 80F where I lived so I don't think it is sunburn.

-Jamex
(https://i.postimg.cc/KkjD0FdC/IMG-20190422-062935.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkjD0FdC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mh0yyvV6/IMG-20190422-062944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh0yyvV6)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on April 22, 2019, 01:23:27 PM
3 weeks ago, I transplanted a Reed avocado from a 15 gallon container. I bought it from Clausen in Bonsall.   This morning I noticed the young leaves are burning at the tips.  All the old leaves have fallen off.  Is this Reed going through transplant shock or just some nutrient deficiency?  The temperature has been warm recently in San Diego but hasn't been over 80F where I lived so I don't think it is sunburn.

-Jamex
(https://i.postimg.cc/KkjD0FdC/IMG-20190422-062935.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkjD0FdC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mh0yyvV6/IMG-20190422-062944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh0yyvV6)

Could be salt burn and/or high pH.  You might flush it with some low-salt water and give it some mild low pH fertilizer like a bucket of coffee grounds.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 22, 2019, 07:45:46 PM
Usually tip damage like that is salt burn.  Did you already start fertilizing it?  Dont water too much either, just once a week is all it needs with this weather.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 23, 2019, 01:47:06 AM
I haven't put on any fertilizer on it.  As far as watering, I think I've been under-watering it.  because I used a drip soaker hose and those thing don't put out much water.  That's why I'm removing it and just use my water hose.  One thing I notice is since I transplanted it, I've been losing all the old leaves.  Now on the tree, there are only 4 or 5 leaves remained from before the transplant.  The rest are new leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Seanny on April 23, 2019, 02:03:51 AM
My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 23, 2019, 08:41:53 AM
It's not the old leaves I'm worrying about.  It's the tip burn/damage on the young leaves.
My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 23, 2019, 09:13:44 AM
My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 23, 2019, 09:16:20 AM
I am hoping that they are not on too tightly and that I will break the union while trying to remove them.   

Tip - pinch and then rock them to unstick them from the buddy tape and if need be slide them down away from the graft before taking them off.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 23, 2019, 10:22:35 AM
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 23, 2019, 11:19:25 AM
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.

City water is already pretty high.  Do you have an RO system in your house?  Thats what you want to use if you have it
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 23, 2019, 11:33:35 AM
I'm planning to put an RO system under the kitchen sink for cooking and drinking.  Do I use the waste water from the RO for watering?
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.

City water is already pretty high.  Do you have an RO system in your house?  Thats what you want to use if you have it
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 23, 2019, 12:36:03 PM
I'm planning to put an RO system under the kitchen sink for cooking and drinking.  Do I use the waste water from the RO for watering?
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.

City water is already pretty high.  Do you have an RO system in your house?  Thats what you want to use if you have it

Absolutely NOT.  You need to use the clean water.  The waste has 2X the salt/garbage as the already bad water going into it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 23, 2019, 10:51:57 PM
I recently transplanted three of my oldest Avocado trees from large 40 gal containers into beds that I carved out of my very inhospitable front yard.  The holes I dug were at least an extra foot deep from the containers and about 3x their width.  I tried to set the trees slightly above grade.  The fill mixture I used was around 1/2 native soil (minus the natural cement and boulders) + 1/4 part peat moss + 1/4 various forest humus, compost, worm castings, and pathfines bark.  On the top, I thew in several bags of coco hulls (the General Hydroponics brand -- knock on wood), and then a final layer of wood chips (Douglas Fir).

These trees tend to drop their leaves each year in early Spring.  This year, they're dropping more than normal.  I had to tear up a fair amount of the roots bound up a the bottom of the large pots.  I'm just posting this to see if anyone has any thoughts on best practices and tips to ensure these trees have the best chance at survival.  They should have been transplanted many years back, so this is far from ideal.  I'm entirely new to growing avocados in the ground, though I have several potted trees.

Here are some pics...


Before (in containers):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DSPrnfG1/20180212-090933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSPrnfG1)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0MFmczg1/20180212-090940.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0MFmczg1)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YLFFVtkG/20180212-090949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLFFVtkG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XXB9XkFj/20180212-090957.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXB9XkFj)

After (in ground):
(https://i.postimg.cc/cKjrNPFQ/20190417-093555.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKjrNPFQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7CCZXmqb/20190417-093613.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CCZXmqb)

(https://i.postimg.cc/hzTPRvzB/20190417-093638.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hzTPRvzB)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPprQ0f0/20190417-093650.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mPprQ0f0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wt0tQWgk/20190423-094328.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wt0tQWgk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/q6GJgFxD/20190423-094340.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6GJgFxD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LgS49SLZ/20190423-094350.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LgS49SLZ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/hJHPYTGs/20190423-094357.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJHPYTGs)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on April 24, 2019, 12:26:11 AM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 24, 2019, 12:38:54 AM
Hi Barath, this area is requires jack hammers and more to move inches of dirt.  It's all breccia, or a kind of lava flow cement intermixed with a bit of clay, sand and a lot of river rock and boulders.  I spent four weekends and several weeknight evenings just digging out the three holes. Trying to grow the avocado in the "soil" as it was would have been no different than growing in another container.  I tried to incorporate as much of the native soil and gravel as I could without producing a hard impenetrable medium.  If there's any way to encourage the roots to seek out and branch, I'd love to know of it. 

The shade cloth makes sense, and I had considered it.  But, my neighbors are already giving a lot of concerned glances and questions with all the front yard work, and I fear a bunch of shade-cloth would put me over the edge.  A few of them have already called the city on me a few years back due to the look of my backyard, so I can't really push it.  I'd whitewash (or surround), but same concern.  I appreciate the input.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 24, 2019, 01:08:37 AM
Quote
A few of them have already called the city on me a few years back due to the look of my backyard, so I can't really push it.  I'd whitewash (or surround), but same concern.

Move to a sane place!  :o
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on April 24, 2019, 01:16:23 AM
I paint mine with a 'natural' brown paint.
Mine have dropped alot of leaves this year. (Mostly my Hass)

I'm still a couple weekends out on putting mine in the ground (mounded) huge undertaking in my back yard.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oolie on April 24, 2019, 01:19:25 AM
I'm planning to put an RO system under the kitchen sink for cooking and drinking.  Do I use the waste water from the RO for watering?
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.

City water is already pretty high.  Do you have an RO system in your house?  Thats what you want to use if you have it

What are you using for rootstock?
The salt sensitivity depends strongly on the choice of rootstock, if you were using florida watercado rootstock, you may have no issues with salt irrigating with RO waste.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on April 24, 2019, 09:55:22 AM
Hi Barath, this area is requires jack hammers and more to move inches of dirt.  It's all breccia, or a kind of lava flow cement intermixed with a bit of clay, sand and a lot of river rock and boulders.  I spent four weekends and several weeknight evenings just digging out the three holes. Trying to grow the avocado in the "soil" as it was would have been no different than growing in another container.  I tried to incorporate as much of the native soil and gravel as I could without producing a hard impenetrable medium.  If there's any way to encourage the roots to seek out and branch, I'd love to know of it. 

The shade cloth makes sense, and I had considered it.  But, my neighbors are already giving a lot of concerned glances and questions with all the front yard work, and I fear a bunch of shade-cloth would put me over the edge.  A few of them have already called the city on me a few years back due to the look of my backyard, so I can't really push it.  I'd whitewash (or surround), but same concern.  I appreciate the input.

Ah, hmm.  That sounds like a tough environment to grow them in.  The suggestion above of using light brown latex paint instead of white seems like a good compromise option.  I might still go with lots of coffee grounds and tree trimming mulch at a good distance away from the trees, to encourage the feeder roots to go out and get nutrients beyond the planting hole.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 24, 2019, 10:21:22 AM
I'm planning to put an RO system under the kitchen sink for cooking and drinking.  Do I use the waste water from the RO for watering?
Hi Mark..this is a mystery to me because I attached this filter to my irrigation and when I water it using my hose, I use this filter too.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11 (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-52700-Flexible-Protector-Hydroponics/dp/B01N8TYQ9W?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_11)

Updated:  I just found out that the filter I've been using raised the ph of water by 2 according to an amazon review.  So the water is extremely alkaline.  Could this be the cause?

My Reed is dropping old leaves. It's normal this time of the year.

yep

But leaf tip/margin burn on new leaves suggests salts are too high at the roots.  Since that's not from fertilizer must be from your water source  jtnguyen333.

City water is already pretty high.  Do you have an RO system in your house?  Thats what you want to use if you have it

What are you using for rootstock?
The salt sensitivity depends strongly on the choice of rootstock, if you were using florida watercado rootstock, you may have no issues with salt irrigating with RO waste.

Why arent CA groves on west indian rootstocks?  If that were the case why wouldnt everyone use them?  Why bother with clonal stocks etc. 

By the way, I am not implying they arent more salt tolerant.  It just seems odd comercial groves arent all using it.  Maybe just lack of seeds here or is there some other downside to WI rootstocks?

Edit:  Google says they arent cold tolerant and thats why noone in CA uses it. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 24, 2019, 10:45:27 AM
I planted two avocado trees so far Sir Prize and Reed.  My Sir Prize is thriving but the Reed is struggling a bit so I don't know if what I did is right or not.  Both time I followed Gary of Laguna Hills Nursery on youtube on planting avocado.  I used mostly DG, peat moss, and pumice and a little bit of native soil backfill.  In his video, he didn't use any organics as backfill.  He only compost as top dressing.
I recently transplanted three of my oldest Avocado trees from large 40 gal containers into beds that I carved out of my very inhospitable front yard.  The holes I dug were at least an extra foot deep from the containers and about 3x their width.  I tried to set the trees slightly above grade.  The fill mixture I used was around 1/2 native soil (minus the natural cement and boulders) + 1/4 part peat moss + 1/4 various forest humus, compost, worm castings, and pathfines bark.  On the top, I thew in several bags of coco hulls (the General Hydroponics brand -- knock on wood), and then a final layer of wood chips (Douglas Fir).

These trees tend to drop their leaves each year in early Spring.  This year, they're dropping more than normal.  I had to tear up a fair amount of the roots bound up a the bottom of the large pots.  I'm just posting this to see if anyone has any thoughts on best practices and tips to ensure these trees have the best chance at survival.  They should have been transplanted many years back, so this is far from ideal.  I'm entirely new to growing avocados in the ground, though I have several potted trees.

Here are some pics...


Before (in containers):
(https://i.postimg.cc/DSPrnfG1/20180212-090933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DSPrnfG1)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0MFmczg1/20180212-090940.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0MFmczg1)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YLFFVtkG/20180212-090949.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLFFVtkG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XXB9XkFj/20180212-090957.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXB9XkFj)

After (in ground):
(https://i.postimg.cc/cKjrNPFQ/20190417-093555.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKjrNPFQ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7CCZXmqb/20190417-093613.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CCZXmqb)

(https://i.postimg.cc/hzTPRvzB/20190417-093638.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hzTPRvzB)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mPprQ0f0/20190417-093650.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mPprQ0f0)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wt0tQWgk/20190423-094328.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wt0tQWgk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/q6GJgFxD/20190423-094340.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6GJgFxD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LgS49SLZ/20190423-094350.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LgS49SLZ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/hJHPYTGs/20190423-094357.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJHPYTGs)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 24, 2019, 03:16:05 PM

Why arent CA groves on west indian rootstocks?  If that were the case why wouldnt everyone use them?  Why bother with clonal stocks etc. 

By the way, I am not implying they arent more salt tolerant.  It just seems odd comercial groves arent all using it.  Maybe just lack of seeds here or is there some other downside to WI rootstocks?

Edit:  Google says they arent cold tolerant and thats why noone in CA uses it. 

Thanks for the question and the update! I just had an email exchange with Laverne nursery and they say they graft their avos on Zutano rootstock. I just ate 3 Macarthur avos I got at the farmers market a week ago and they were delicious (not like Haas, more like a Reed, i.e. less oil but more citrus and fruit flavor). They're apparently good rootstock, so now I'm trying to germinate the pits...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 24, 2019, 07:15:35 PM
H Barath, good tips.  I'll consider those.  jtnguyen333- do you have any pics of your trees?  I assume you gave both the same soil mix treatment and exposure.  I pretty much used a similar mix to what you did, but I did mix-in the compost and wormcastings, etc. in the top 6-9".  I haven't yet setup the sprinkler subsystem for these trees.  I'm trying to decide between soaker hoses beneath the mulch vs. over head sprinklers, or slow drip.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bananaizme on April 24, 2019, 07:28:29 PM
I have had trouble growing avocados in this yard more so than any of my previous yards, it’s been a real mystery too because the soil is fairly decent for drainage so over the years I have killed many 5 gallon, 15 gallon etc.  I got to thinking back on my 2nd house and the yard there which was mostly sand. Avocados grew like weeds there . Anyway I too talked to Gary at laguna hills nursery last fall and he told me about his yard at his house which was adobe clay. He said that he killed tree after tree just like me and then he went and got a couple of pickup loads of sand and planted two trees on the mounded sand piles. He said that the trees exploded with growth .  I just got two pickup loads and will be doing the same thing here. I bought 4 liner starts from him last trip south and planted them in 3 gallon pots with sand and a small amount of potting soil and they have been in a constant flush of growth since I did that. They have more than doubled in size. These 4 liner starts will be planted in root pruning pots like Mark uses.

 William
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 24, 2019, 07:45:46 PM
I have had trouble growing avocados in this yard more so than any of my previous yards, it’s been a real mystery too because the soil is fairly decent for drainage so over the years I have killed many 5 gallon, 15 gallon etc.  I got to thinking back on my 2nd house and the yard there which was mostly sand. Avocados grew like weeds there . Anyway I too talked to Gary at laguna hills nursery last fall and he told me about his yard at his house which was adobe clay. He said that he killed tree after tree just like me and then he went and got a couple of pickup loads of sand and planted two trees on the mounded sand piles. He said that the trees exploded with growth .  I just got two pickup loads and will be doing the same thing here. I bought 4 liner starts from him last trip south and planted them in 3 gallon pots with sand and a small amount of potting soil and they have been in a constant flush of growth since I did that. They have more than doubled in size. These 4 liner starts will be planted in root pruning pots like Mark uses.

 William

You may want to try avocodo on salt tolerant clonal rootstock from https://www.elisfarmsnursery.com/ (https://www.elisfarmsnursery.com/) and see if they will grow in your soil without any amendment. Only thing is trees they sell are like seedling size in tall 5 gallon pot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bananaizme on April 24, 2019, 08:06:58 PM
    Hawkfish007

 Yes I talked to him in February and was prepared to buy some trees from him the first weekend in March but he sold out of all the varieties that I was looking for. I’m going to try this sand first since I already bought it. Hopefully I’ll get the same results like Gary did.

 William
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 24, 2019, 11:34:19 PM
Sand eh?  I'll be interested to hear your results through the year and the future.  I think Brad said his soil is mostly DG, which is quite sandy.  What did you use for a soil mix on all the dead attempts?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 24, 2019, 11:38:17 PM
I bought 4 liner starts from him last trip south
Thanks for the pointers, I have to try sand as well! I wanted to ask, what are 'liner starts'?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 24, 2019, 11:40:22 PM
This video goes over pretty well how to deal with poor soil.


https://youtu.be/U26i4J9yv10
 (https://youtu.be/U26i4J9yv10)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on April 24, 2019, 11:47:09 PM
This video goes over pretty well how to deal with poor soil.


https://youtu.be/U26i4J9yv10
 (https://youtu.be/U26i4J9yv10)
Mark makes the best videos! I can't help but smile, he's so pumped!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 24, 2019, 11:58:28 PM
Very nice video.  Scares me though.  I don't know that my soil is clay based so much as very, very poor, rocky, and cement-ish (like a dry mortar in places).  It drains fairly well from what I can tell, and I did jack-hammer holes all around the bottom of my "beds."  I wonder if the points he was making will apply to 7+ year old transplants, as are the case in my situation.  Do the tap-roots wake up and work downward after being snubbed for so long?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2019, 12:51:17 AM
Your trees are pretty big so they will probably be ok.  On your sprinkler selection I would go with a spinning type that puts out a large radius evenly wetting everything.  You want to get the area outside of the holes wet to encourage the roots to spread and to help improve the native dirt. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 25, 2019, 01:11:50 AM
How important is using a root rot resistant rootstock in SoCal? I want to plan a couple of plants in the ground and I'm in Santa Barbara county. Clearly phytophtora is a problem in the wider area, but I'm several miles away, uphill and generally upwind from the closest commercial planting. The soil here is totally sandy and on a slope, thus drains well. As far as I can tell the trees found in retail nurseries are on seedling rootstock (Laverne, which supplies a large fraction of nurseries here uses Zutano). I'm wondering whether it's really necessary for me to locate plants on clonal rootstock, any thoughts/experiences?

Due to the wildfires having affected some of the growers (Brokaw in particular) it's almost impossible to find any avo plants in the larger area. Commercial growers are telling me they haven't been able to get any plants either. If I have to get clonal rootstock I'm probably best off just forgetting about all this for a couple of years...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 25, 2019, 01:16:21 AM
How important is using a root rot resistant rootstock in SoCal? I want to plan a couple of plants in the ground and I'm in Santa Barbara county. Clearly phytophtora is a problem in the wider area, but I'm several miles away, uphill and generally upwind from the closest commercial planting. The soil here is totally sandy and on a slope, thus drains well. As far as I can tell the trees found in retail nurseries are on seedling rootstock (Laverne, which supplies a large fraction of nurseries here uses Zutano). I'm wondering whether it's really necessary for me to locate plants on clonal rootstock, any thoughts/experiences?

Due to the wildfires having affected some of the growers (Brokaw in particular) it's almost impossible to find any avo plants in the larger area. Commercial growers are telling me they haven't been able to get any plants either. If I have to get clonal rootstock I'm probably best off just forgetting about all this for a couple of years...
Yes, that's what I had in mind.  I'm worried about having the trunk get wet and blistering, so I'm thinking of an array of micro-spraying heads distributed throughout the bed.  For now, I'm just hosing it in about once a week - around 10-min of light flow.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2019, 01:21:33 AM
How important is using a root rot resistant rootstock in SoCal? I want to plan a couple of plants in the ground and I'm in Santa Barbara county. Clearly phytophtora is a problem in the wider area, but I'm several miles away, uphill and generally upwind from the closest commercial planting. The soil here is totally sandy and on a slope, thus drains well. As far as I can tell the trees found in retail nurseries are on seedling rootstock (Laverne, which supplies a large fraction of nurseries here uses Zutano). I'm wondering whether it's really necessary for me to locate plants on clonal rootstock, any thoughts/experiences?

Due to the wildfires having affected some of the growers (Brokaw in particular) it's almost impossible to find any avo plants in the larger area. Commercial growers are telling me they haven't been able to get any plants either. If I have to get clonal rootstock I'm probably best off just forgetting about all this for a couple of years...

Seedling rootstock are fine.  Probably more vigorous than clonal rootstock.  Since you are on a hill of sand you dont need to worry a lot about root rot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Dylan SB on April 25, 2019, 01:30:44 AM
If you have well draining soil and water properly phytophthora probably won't be an issue especially if it is not already established.  I was able to acquire a tree on clonal rootstock from Brokaw at the Carpinteria Avocado festival back in 2014.  It is a healthy vigorous tree.  I have had some trees do well and others suffer from root rot on seedling rootstock either purchased from a nursery or grown myself.  Planting in a raised bed or mound would be a good idea in heavy soils that do not drain when we get lots of water.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 25, 2019, 02:11:02 AM
I bought my tree from Gary including a reed. It was stunted last year but this year is loving life.

I mounded my trees and mulched heavily. I have a fertigation system leading into a drip system and each tree also has a Microsprayer.

Re rootstock,  eli at subtropica has everything that Brokaw had and is willing to sell to the public. He prefers day (west I dian) rootstock

My clonal rootstock trees have been slower than seedling rootstocks to establish but they seem to take off and look absolutely healthy.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bananaizme on April 25, 2019, 07:45:43 AM
Sand eh?  I'll be interested to hear your results through the year and the future.  I think Brad said his soil is mostly DG, which is quite sandy.  What did you use for a soil mix on all the dead attempts?

 Just the native soil with no amendments. This is the puzzling part because it does drain well for everything else just not avocado. My neighbor who's parents lived in this neighborhood since the construction of it, told me that this land used to be a big peach orchard. So I'm going to try the sand like how Gary explained to me and see what happens.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Tropheus76 on April 25, 2019, 07:46:10 AM
So apparently I have to add avocados to my list of trees deer really love :( my new Sir Prize was fragged by a deer. Looked out my kitchen window and was thinking the leaves were very camouflaged to the back ground. Went outside later and found every single one was gone. Deer shredded it. Not only that they knocked over a metal cage I had around a red loquat tree and took every leaf off of it. Then they walked to my front yard and ate all my hibiscus bushes and some of my other flowering bushes. But wow they really wanted the avocado, it looks the worst out of all of them, hibiscus grows back quickly and loquats are simply hard to kill, this is the second time in two months it has happened to it(thus the cage which works on other trees) . Oddly enough they leave my other loquats alone, even in the same vicinity. So, think it will come back? Only been in the ground for a couple weeks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bananaizme on April 25, 2019, 07:49:20 AM
I bought 4 liner starts from him last trip south
Thanks for the pointers, I have to try sand as well! I wanted to ask, what are 'liner starts'?

 The liner starts that I'm talking about are newly grafted plants grown in those orange grow bag sleeves . He mentioned that he purchased them from Brokaw nursery.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Das Bhut on April 25, 2019, 08:25:11 AM
So apparently I have to add avocados to my list of trees deer really love :( my new Sir Prize was fragged by a deer. Looked out my kitchen window and was thinking the leaves were very camouflaged to the back ground. Went outside later and found every single one was gone. Deer shredded it. Not only that they knocked over a metal cage I had around a red loquat tree and took every leaf off of it. Then they walked to my front yard and ate all my hibiscus bushes and some of my other flowering bushes. But wow they really wanted the avocado, it looks the worst out of all of them, hibiscus grows back quickly and loquats are simply hard to kill, this is the second time in two months it has happened to it(thus the cage which works on other trees) . Oddly enough they leave my other loquats alone, even in the same vicinity. So, think it will come back? Only been in the ground for a couple weeks.

time to make some venison
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 25, 2019, 09:51:51 AM
This is a side by side comparison of the two trees  I have.  I planted the Sir Prize 6 weeks earlier so it has a head start.  It grow by 8 inches so far.  The Reed has shed all the leaves and doesn't look that good right now.

H Barath, good tips.  I'll consider those.  jtnguyen333- do you have any pics of your trees?  I assume you gave both the same soil mix treatment and exposure.  I pretty much used a similar mix to what you did, but I did mix-in the compost and wormcastings, etc. in the top 6-9".  I haven't yet setup the sprinkler subsystem for these trees.  I'm trying to decide between soaker hoses beneath the mulch vs. over head sprinklers, or slow drip.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MvVsQYYS/IMG-20190425-064428.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MvVsQYYS)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 25, 2019, 09:53:42 AM
So I dig the mulch under my Reed avocado around the drip line to check the feeder root.  This is what I have.  Can anyone tell me if this is root rot? 
(https://i.postimg.cc/mctCQLGH/IMG-20190425-064346.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mctCQLGH)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 25, 2019, 10:16:25 AM
That's what most of my surface roots looked like in the wet season.  The ones that were still attached to the tree, I assume were still providing some value.  I wondered the same, as I know others describe beautiful, white surface feed root systems, that I've only observed a few times (more off white really).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 25, 2019, 10:17:19 AM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.

1.  Never amend backfill especially if your soil is heavy.  You create a non draining pot.   "Amend" from the top down with mulch.

2. For sunburn protection ditch the shade cloth and go smart - Surround spray.

FYI:

Just posted this planting guide in Central Texas Backyard Gardener's forum. --> "I love trees, probably planted 10,000 by hand around the house and the Xmas tree field since 2005. This was a hay field and now our backyard oaks and Bigtooth maples are large, many going 25 - 40' tall and quite broad. Here in Central Texas with our limestone clay based soils most folks fail by not using proper planting procedures, instead following label advice which is usually wrong. Being that I'm in heavy clay loam that DOES NOT drain internally, I fractured the bottom and sides of all my planting holes with one of the following - tractor pulled subsoiler, hand held pick ax, breaking bar. This breaks up the glazed clay sides and allows roots to find those fractures and quickly grow into native soil. I backfilled with native soil only, applied a handful of 12 mo. 18-4-9 Osmocote and mulched. The rootballs were treated with Mycorrhizae fungi drench at the time of planting. #1 and 2 pic is the large Shumard oak tree shown in the back left today. Was a pencil size, 2' tall seedling planted in May 2005 in clay muck. Our back yard is now a cool oasis. I also like fall color. "
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 25, 2019, 10:29:13 AM
If you mulch right and keep the top 12" of soil damp (which mimics their native home) avocados will have a big network of fine white roots growing on top of the soil right under the mulch.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 25, 2019, 11:29:44 AM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.

1.  Never amend backfill especially if your soil is heavy.  You create a non draining pot.   "Amend" from the top down with mulch.

2. For sunburn protection ditch the shade cloth and go smart - Surround spray.

FYI:

Just posted this planting guide in Central Texas Backyard Gardener's forum. --> "I love trees, probably planted 10,000 by hand around the house and the Xmas tree field since 2005. This was a hay field and now our backyard oaks and Bigtooth maples are large, many going 25 - 40' tall and quite broad. Here in Central Texas with our limestone clay based soils most folks fail by not using proper planting procedures, instead following label advice which is usually wrong. Being that I'm in heavy clay loam that DOES NOT drain internally, I fractured the bottom and sides of all my planting holes with one of the following - tractor pulled subsoiler, hand held pick ax, breaking bar. This breaks up the glazed clay sides and allows roots to find those fractures and quickly grow into native soil. I backfilled with native soil only, applied a handful of 12 mo. 18-4-9 Osmocote and mulched. The rootballs were treated with Mycorrhizae fungi drench at the time of planting. #1 and 2 pic is the large Shumard oak tree shown in the back left today. Was a pencil size, 2' tall seedling planted in May 2005 in clay muck. Our back yard is now a cool oasis. I also like fall color. "

Mark, what is a good price for Surround WP? I found it around $70 with shipping online, thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2019, 10:04:54 PM
Has anyone tried Koala avocado?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on April 25, 2019, 10:28:20 PM
My Koala tree is loaded, but have not tried the fruit yet.  The fruit resembles John Hurd with the stem coming from the top side of the fruit.  The John Hurd fruits are huge and awaiting a taste test (and seed size).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 25, 2019, 10:34:39 PM
Jack lets us know how it is when you try one.  Do you know when it will be ready?  Khalid gave me some scions and my buddy GregA has one of them grafted on a potted seedling.  We are trying to gauge how good they are and if its worth giving a prime location.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 26, 2019, 12:21:15 AM
I managed to get a Lamb Hass at a local nursery a couple of weeks ago. I wish I could have gotten a smaller tree, but stock is non-existent in the area... I have two questions:
- I want to keep this tree topped at 7-8 feet following a bit the UC research trial about high-density planting. I probably need to provide some frost cover in winter and this height makes that plausible. The plant is about 5' now (above the container), is it best to wait 'til it exceeds 7' and then pinch back or start now cutting it in half?
- I'm suspicious about the soil it's in, it will go into very sandy soil when planted in a few months (space not ready yet), so I'm wondering about repotting into a very sandy mix. But given that it's just in a growth flush maybe I should wait 'til it's done with that?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 26, 2019, 10:20:12 AM
Wait to top it until its planted and established.  And no need to repot it.  You can drop it right into your sand.  Because the sand is soft and well draining the trees roots will stretch out and move into the new sand soil easily.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 26, 2019, 12:13:34 PM
[Not discounting rootstock or other factors but sir prize is a beast. One prominent member here grafted sir prize onto an established tree and now the sir prize size is bigger than the original. My sir prize is also growing phenomenally well growth rate similar to Pinkerton but more bushy and less droopy


quote author=jtnguyen333 link=topic=24909.msg349824#msg349824 date=1556200311]
This is a side by side comparison of the two trees  I have.  I planted the Sir Prize 6 weeks earlier so it has a head start.  It grow by 8 inches so far.  The Reed has shed all the leaves and doesn't look that good right now.

H Barath, good tips.  I'll consider those.  jtnguyen333- do you have any pics of your trees?  I assume you gave both the same soil mix treatment and exposure.  I pretty much used a similar mix to what you did, but I did mix-in the compost and wormcastings, etc. in the top 6-9".  I haven't yet setup the sprinkler subsystem for these trees.  I'm trying to decide between soaker hoses beneath the mulch vs. over head sprinklers, or slow drip.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MvVsQYYS/IMG-20190425-064428.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MvVsQYYS)
[/quote]
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 27, 2019, 09:36:32 AM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.

1.  Never amend backfill especially if your soil is heavy.  You create a non draining pot.   "Amend" from the top down with mulch.

2. For sunburn protection ditch the shade cloth and go smart - Surround spray.

FYI:

Just posted this planting guide in Central Texas Backyard Gardener's forum. --> "I love trees, probably planted 10,000 by hand around the house and the Xmas tree field since 2005. This was a hay field and now our backyard oaks and Bigtooth maples are large, many going 25 - 40' tall and quite broad. Here in Central Texas with our limestone clay based soils most folks fail by not using proper planting procedures, instead following label advice which is usually wrong. Being that I'm in heavy clay loam that DOES NOT drain internally, I fractured the bottom and sides of all my planting holes with one of the following - tractor pulled subsoiler, hand held pick ax, breaking bar. This breaks up the glazed clay sides and allows roots to find those fractures and quickly grow into native soil. I backfilled with native soil only, applied a handful of 12 mo. 18-4-9 Osmocote and mulched. The rootballs were treated with Mycorrhizae fungi drench at the time of planting. #1 and 2 pic is the large Shumard oak tree shown in the back left today. Was a pencil size, 2' tall seedling planted in May 2005 in clay muck. Our back yard is now a cool oasis. I also like fall color. "

Mark, what is a good price for Surround WP? I found it around $70 with shipping online, thanks.

Sounds high to me.  I ordered at a Crop Protection Systems  distributor now this https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/ (https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/) for around $42 delivered.  Probably one near you.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 27, 2019, 09:43:35 AM
I made the mistake of topping a Reed avocado low in 2013.  It turned into a goal post profile which I never could correct. Hole in the center, looked like crap.  Not to worry mama nature corrected it for me at 18F.  I let 3 shoots grow from the frozen back stump last year and it's now approaching 13' H X 8' W.

(https://i.postimg.cc/hXFvZqK1/Reed-April8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hXFvZqK1)

Here's a very low resolution pic of a huge tree in a large RootBuilder bed.  Food for thought.  This material is 16" H and all I use in the greenhouse.

(https://i.postimg.cc/TKC8LrN5/Rootmaker-Tree.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on April 27, 2019, 09:12:09 PM
Here are photos of my reed (the bigger one) and sharwil (slinking along the ground).

Like mark, mother nature also did some pruning for me, something called the hot knife technique.


(https://i.postimg.cc/Js6wWQD2/20190426-074222.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Js6wWQD2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Js4wgFnX/20190426-074228.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Js4wgFnX)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 27, 2019, 09:16:02 PM
I found this laying under a holiday tree.  Didnt even know the tree was holding a fruit.  Annoying as it will probably be watery junk. Seems like it will be 10+ years before this holiday can hold a good crop.


(https://i.postimg.cc/JGW3vNsB/20190427-180704.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGW3vNsB)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 27, 2019, 09:18:49 PM
Immature holiday vs hass

(https://i.postimg.cc/qNvKHj4g/20190427-181750.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qNvKHj4g)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on April 27, 2019, 11:15:32 PM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.

1.  Never amend backfill especially if your soil is heavy.  You create a non draining pot.   "Amend" from the top down with mulch.

2. For sunburn protection ditch the shade cloth and go smart - Surround spray.

FYI:

Just posted this planting guide in Central Texas Backyard Gardener's forum. --> "I love trees, probably planted 10,000 by hand around the house and the Xmas tree field since 2005. This was a hay field and now our backyard oaks and Bigtooth maples are large, many going 25 - 40' tall and quite broad. Here in Central Texas with our limestone clay based soils most folks fail by not using proper planting procedures, instead following label advice which is usually wrong. Being that I'm in heavy clay loam that DOES NOT drain internally, I fractured the bottom and sides of all my planting holes with one of the following - tractor pulled subsoiler, hand held pick ax, breaking bar. This breaks up the glazed clay sides and allows roots to find those fractures and quickly grow into native soil. I backfilled with native soil only, applied a handful of 12 mo. 18-4-9 Osmocote and mulched. The rootballs were treated with Mycorrhizae fungi drench at the time of planting. #1 and 2 pic is the large Shumard oak tree shown in the back left today. Was a pencil size, 2' tall seedling planted in May 2005 in clay muck. Our back yard is now a cool oasis. I also like fall color. "

Mark, what is a good price for Surround WP? I found it around $70 with shipping online, thanks.

Sounds high to me.  I ordered at a Crop Protection Systems  distributor now this https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/ (https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/) for around $42 delivered.  Probably one near you.

Yeah, called up local crop services and they are selling surround for $36.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Kaelix87 on April 27, 2019, 11:25:55 PM
Currently have a sir prize, and lamb hass. My goal for my wife is to have varieties to cover her avocado addiction throughout the year

Now from my understanding
Lamb hass harvest is summer to fall
Sir prize is late fall to winter
Please correct me if you have any different experience growing these in SoCal. Now I am I'm search of avocado varieties with a winter to spring since I have summer to winter covered
 Does anyone have any recommendations. We currently have our eyes set on Gem so far.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 27, 2019, 11:39:27 PM
Currently have a sir prize, and lamb hass. My goal for my wife is to have varieties to cover her avocado addiction throughout the year

Now from my understanding
Lamb hass harvest is summer to fall
Sir prize is late fall to winter
Please correct me if you have any different experience growing these in SoCal. Now I am I'm search of avocado varieties with a winter to spring since I have summer to winter covered
 Does anyone have any recommendations. We currently have our eyes set on Gem so far.

Lamb is summer/fall but sir prize is more of a late winter/spring.

Bacon is the best thing going in November/december.  They arent amazing but honegrown bacon is not bad.

The UC says sharwill will hang for 12 months starting April to April.  I havent verified that but if true it alone will do year round avocados.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Kaelix87 on April 28, 2019, 12:31:39 AM
Do you know which UC made those claims about the sharwil? If it is true then that would be amazing, if the fruit isnt great then I dont think it's worth it. It would be like have a tree full of crap year round ling lol.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 28, 2019, 08:47:27 AM
Do you know which UC made those claims about the sharwil? If it is true then that would be amazing, if the fruit isnt great then I dont think it's worth it. It would be like have a tree full of crap year round ling lol.

Sharwil is excellent fruit or it wouldn't be Hawaii's main cash cropper.  Plans are to expand the orchards and processing plants.  Small seed is a big bonus.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KkZSC29P/Sharwil-Fruit-Feb.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkZSC29P)

Quote
Bacon is the best thing going in November/december.  They arent amazing but honegrown bacon is not bad.



(https://i.postimg.cc/XpnLFvrc/Chappell.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpnLFvrc)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: buddy roo on April 28, 2019, 09:56:25 AM
does anyone is calif. have the sharwil that has been fruiting that can confirm if the RIPE FRUIT hangs on the tree for a year?? i only know 1 person with a tree and all of his fruit FALL WHEN RIPE he is in la mesa
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 28, 2019, 10:31:33 AM
does anyone is calif. have the sharwil that has been fruiting that can confirm if the RIPE FRUIT hangs on the tree for a year?? i only know 1 person with a tree and all of his fruit FALL WHEN RIPE he is in la mesa

I think Julie Frink created this document.  It shows sharwil as being ripe march to march and states "its the longest hanging avocado" down in the section about if I could only have one. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s46Wp0xUMscCvQ2wn78aeAFhhXIUpNB7/view?usp=drivesdk (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s46Wp0xUMscCvQ2wn78aeAFhhXIUpNB7/view?usp=drivesdk)

I seriously hope they dont fall off easily as Im planting lots of these trees.

Of the trees I have that produce fruit, currently lamb hass and reed seem to hang the longest.  The problem is the seeds sprout and roots start going in the fruit by October.  Reed usually just sprouts a little taproot straight down which is not a big deal.  But my lamb fruits will have lots of spreading roots that ruin the fruit if left on the tree too long.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 28, 2019, 10:33:33 AM
If that link doesnt work for you guys and girls please let me know and I will post one that does.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 28, 2019, 10:55:43 AM
I would agree with the taste assessment of Bacon in that doc: fair...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on April 28, 2019, 11:46:30 AM
I grafted a holiday(purchased from CRFG club sale) to my big seedling tree and after 2 yrs it only had 2 fruits on the branch. But when the fruit was fully ripe I was surprised at the good taste of the holiday.
Only problem with this tree is as you mentioned, it weeps so the tree branches are not strong. I ended up replacing it with another variety.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Kaelix87 on April 28, 2019, 12:05:01 PM
Spaugh, that was an interesting read. I am curious as to why they recommended holiday over sharwil when they say that sharwil has the longest hold time.

Would be nice if other people can confirm with their own experiences with these varieties.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 28, 2019, 12:13:19 PM
I have no idea why they like holiday, its a worthless tree IMO.   

If you want to put in a tree and wait 10 years for it to size up and give a decent crop it might be ok.  If you actually want your tree to grow and make loads of avocados, pretty much anything is better.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on April 28, 2019, 12:27:58 PM
I have no idea why they like holiday, its a worthless tree IMO.   

If you want to put in a tree and wait 10 years for it to size up and give a decent crop it might be ok.  If you actually want your tree to grow and make loads of avocados, pretty much anything is better.
this post made me instantly regret my holiday. Lol.. :(
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on April 28, 2019, 01:50:29 PM
My tree in Nipomo requires more staking than others, but fruit is large and quite good.  For me, it's a keeper.
My Murietta Green variety (grandparent) lacks vigor, but Holiday does fine.  Needs whitewash to prevent sunburn due to weeping habit.

XX3 (Holiday)   (Guat) 18-28 oz. fruit, pear shaped, green, dark yellow flesh, excellent flavor, medium pit, peels easily, glossy leaves, persea mite and thrip resistant, small tree with skirting shape, A blossom type. Produces well. Fruit is hidden inside tree. Holds well. Tree should be made available to the home gardener for it has the best fruit for a small tree that I am familiar with &is better that any available at nurseries at this time. Several trees at South Coast Research Station, Irvine, CA. (J.R.Frink 1998)This is a "grandchild" of the old "Murrieta Green" variety, which had a green, good-quality fruit, commercially too large; on a tree that was short & spreading-easy to pick,& to spray if necessary. XX3 is a good producer of rather similar large, fine, green fruits. The tree is almost unique among thousands of seedlings in that it tends to sprawl on the ground. This latter trait rules it out commercially-plus the over-sized fruit. Commercially, XX3 is without value. But, for backyard purposes it might be useful in CA. An avocado tree that remains very low could be desirable where a view, or sunlight transmission, is wanted; or, it could be grown on a (sturdy) fence. The green skin would be no detriment, & the large fruit size could be a non-commercial advantage. (Bergh 2000)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on April 28, 2019, 02:01:20 PM
A little off-topic, but any chance we could get an Avocado section/board/whatever instead of having endless threads?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oolie on April 29, 2019, 12:31:41 AM
I figured I would post this in the avo thread because this pest most often affects is the persea.
http://gregalder.com/yardposts/who-is-eating-holes-in-your-avocado-leaves/ (http://gregalder.com/yardposts/who-is-eating-holes-in-your-avocado-leaves/)

I don't have Persea yet, but they are eating my myrtales (feijoa, guava, cherry of the rio grande, syzigium) back to sticks.

I have some spinosad that I can use if it is effective. Has anyone here had success controlling these pests?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 29, 2019, 11:47:18 AM
You might toss some 50% shade cloth over the ones that have lost a some of their leaves, because when avocados get sunburn they really struggle, then lose more leaves, and it's a downward spiral.  I've had bad luck with amended soil with avocados, because the roots don't really spread out properly from the amended area, but I guess you mixed it so maybe it'll be fine.

1.  Never amend backfill especially if your soil is heavy.  You create a non draining pot.   "Amend" from the top down with mulch.

2. For sunburn protection ditch the shade cloth and go smart - Surround spray.

FYI:

Just posted this planting guide in Central Texas Backyard Gardener's forum. --> "I love trees, probably planted 10,000 by hand around the house and the Xmas tree field since 2005. This was a hay field and now our backyard oaks and Bigtooth maples are large, many going 25 - 40' tall and quite broad. Here in Central Texas with our limestone clay based soils most folks fail by not using proper planting procedures, instead following label advice which is usually wrong. Being that I'm in heavy clay loam that DOES NOT drain internally, I fractured the bottom and sides of all my planting holes with one of the following - tractor pulled subsoiler, hand held pick ax, breaking bar. This breaks up the glazed clay sides and allows roots to find those fractures and quickly grow into native soil. I backfilled with native soil only, applied a handful of 12 mo. 18-4-9 Osmocote and mulched. The rootballs were treated with Mycorrhizae fungi drench at the time of planting. #1 and 2 pic is the large Shumard oak tree shown in the back left today. Was a pencil size, 2' tall seedling planted in May 2005 in clay muck. Our back yard is now a cool oasis. I also like fall color. "

Mark, what is a good price for Surround WP? I found it around $70 with shipping online, thanks.

Sounds high to me.  I ordered at a Crop Protection Systems  distributor now this https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/ (https://www.nutrienagsolutions.com/) for around $42 delivered.  Probably one near you.
I ended up buying two 25lb bags of Surround for $55 shipped from Keystone Pest Solutions before I saw this reply.  Mark, I noticed a large number of negative reviews have to do with this product clogging up the spray nozzles of the applicator.  Do you have any tips or can you recommend a sprayer for this stuff?  I'm going to try and perform a few surgical applications to my burning trees to hopefully protect the topside of their exposed branches w/out making the entire tree (leaves and all) look like it's living under the fallout of a nuclear blast.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 01, 2019, 08:00:50 AM
I figured I would post this in the avo thread because this pest most often affects is the persea.

Albeit expensive, nothing beats Forbid 4F for mite control and whiteflies - all families, all stages of development.  1/8 tsp/gal.  That's right, that's all you need.  Translaminar (meaning you can spray one side and it goes thru), pests can't become resistant to it because it's not a poison, not a pesticide.  No, it's not labeled for consumables but that doesn't mean squat.

I recently sprayed all my mangos, a few avocados and annonas with a mix of Pristine (mango disease control), Forbid 4F (mites on the mangos), Adonis 75 WSP, NIS (surfactant) and added a little high N food (for enhanced uptake).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 01, 2019, 08:06:03 AM
I ended up buying two 25lb bags of Surround for $55 shipped from Keystone Pest Solutions before I saw this reply.  Mark, I noticed a large number of negative reviews have to do with this product clogging up the spray nozzles of the applicator.  Do you have any tips or can you recommend a sprayer for this stuff?  I'm going to try and perform a few surgical applications to my burning trees to hopefully protect the topside of their exposed branches w/out making the entire tree (leaves and all) look like it's living under the fallout of a nuclear blast.

Wow, that's enough for all of San Diego and tijuana combined!  For small projects I use a commercial hand held qt. sprayer, kind you find at Sam's Club or a janitor supply company.  Best 4 gal. backpack I've bought and have used for many years is a Smith brand.  Lifetime warranty. Didn't need it but I asked for one of those fancy brass nozzles with a new spray wand and got it free within a week.

Clogging is probably a case of dummy error.  :)  I've mixed up a qt. batch, sprayed, let it sit for weeks, sprayed....no problem.

And when you need the big gun.....  ;)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2VjJWktr/Jacto.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2VjJWktr)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2019, 10:30:57 AM
Willus I was wondering what you would do with 50lbs of surround also.

Mark I tried the tsp per gallon you mentioned in the past and its not enough.  The directions say 6-9 cups per gallon.  I mixed it half strength what the directions said and it works ok.  Still not super good coverage.  I have the stuff in a gallon sprayer.  It seperates out of the water after sitting.  You can just shake it up again and its good to go weeks later.  Doesnt seem to clog my cheap sprayer.

For bark, it doesnt seem to cover as well as regular paint.  Im still painting branches with latex.  Planning on using surround on exposed fruits and on small trees if we get crazy heat/wind. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 01, 2019, 11:56:25 AM
Thanks Mark/Brad-

Brad, wasn't tsp/gal in reference to miticide comment from Mark's previous post?  UPS says I will get my bags today, so I'll try and spray my Avocado Side-yard project trees this afternoon.  You're using ~7.5 cups per gal?  I'm hoping in addition to sun protection, that this stuff will also help with the bugs.  They like to chew on my fresh avocado leaves.  I still have to head out in the dark to see if the June bugs someone posted about above are in effect already.

One other question/concern I had was whether the surround coating will occlude some (or too much) of the light getting to the leaves.  If so, this would probably not be a great idea to spray on the top half of the leaves on my trees that get limited light (side of house).

I'm debating whether to spray my other fruit trees: apple, fig, peach, citrus, blueberry bushes, etc.  I'd be curious to hear folks' opinions as to those targets and the benefits (or lack there of) w/ the surround clay.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2019, 01:47:41 PM
Whats your goal with the surround?  I checked the weather in sacramento and its 70s and 80s for the forseeable future.  This is perfect weather to make avocado trees flush.  I would think covering them with surround now would be a mistake.

Mark has mentioned a spoonful per gal in the past.  I thik I used 4 or 5 cups per gal.  The instructions say .5 to 1 lbs per gal or 6-9 cups I believe.  Would have to double check to be sure.  I tried using less just to play around with it a little to test. 

It will block light, its white and white reflects light.  It will work to shield your trees in a heat wave.  But then it sticks to the leaves and doesnt come off easily.  If you have large trees, its gonna be there for a long time.  It doesnt wash off, you have to get it wet and rub it off.  I think its a good thing to use in case of emergency, otherwise not worth the mess and the blocking of light etc.  My advice is just experiment a little with it and dont go out and coat your whole yard the first time you use it.  The other thing is you will get the best coverage if you have a sprayer that makes really fine mist.  Like a backpack sprayer.  My little hand held 1 gal sprayer makes too large of droplets and the surround doesnt get applied evenly.  With a backpack sprayer and a nice nozzle you can keep the pressure up and get a good constant mist. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 01, 2019, 02:13:46 PM
Wise suggestions Brad.  I'll try and take is slow and perform "micro-coats", particularly on the branches, doing my best to limit  exposure on the leaves (if that's possible).  Here are some updated pics of my front-yard trees (2 of 3).  One of the three seems to be recovering and pushing out new growth (last set of pics), however the first two are still struggling.  I've no sense of new growth, and one has very yellow limbs showing.  :(


(https://i.postimg.cc/ZC46PCDH/20190501-093909.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZC46PCDH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nsjmV7CF/20190501-093922.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nsjmV7CF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/RWbfzGCp/20190501-093938.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RWbfzGCp)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YvSgVT7m/20190501-094007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvSgVT7m)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tve on May 01, 2019, 02:18:21 PM
What happened to using simple lime whitewash on the trunks where sunburn is a danger?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2019, 02:30:45 PM
I dont know about lime but white latex paint/water 50/50 makes a better sunblock for bark than surround IMO. 

A fine dusting of surround on the foliage during a 105F+ heatwave makes sense to me.  Less than that, ai wouldnt bother. 

I may use a fine coat of surround on my watermelon plants this year to keep ants and aphids off them.  Problem is how to coat the undersides of the leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 01, 2019, 02:34:09 PM
Wise suggestions Brad.  I'll try and take is slow and perform "micro-coats", particularly on the branches, doing my best to limit  exposure on the leaves (if that's possible).  Here are some updated pics of my front-yard trees (2 of 3).  One of the three seems to be recovering and pushing out new growth (last set of pics), however the first two are still struggling.  I've no sense of new growth, and one has very yellow limbs showing.  :(


(https://i.postimg.cc/ZC46PCDH/20190501-093909.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZC46PCDH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nsjmV7CF/20190501-093922.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nsjmV7CF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/RWbfzGCp/20190501-093938.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RWbfzGCp)

(https://i.postimg.cc/YvSgVT7m/20190501-094007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YvSgVT7m)

If you just transplanted them, its probably going to take some time for them to adjust and get established in their new spots.  I would just wait, this heat will make them grow.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 01, 2019, 03:25:28 PM
When you want to offload some if that surround let me know. ;) Brad sent me some and I'll try it once summer rolls around but right now my trees are growing like weeds. That initial 90+ weather seemed to shock them but this week they've exploded.

Let me know how it works on melons brad.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 01, 2019, 03:31:55 PM
Sure Kris.  I just purchased two bags to help with shipping.  If you want to split the price, you're welcome to one of the 25lb bags.  It would be nice to meet you and visit sometime.  You ever get into placer county?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 01, 2019, 05:11:40 PM
I dont know about lime but white latex paint/water 50/50 makes a better sunblock for bark than surround IMO. 

A fine dusting of surround on the foliage during a 105F+ heatwave makes sense to me.  Less than that, ai wouldnt bother. 

I may use a fine coat of surround on my watermelon plants this year to keep ants and aphids off them.  Problem is how to coat the undersides of the leaves.

I find it covers and sticks well to avocado branches and leaves at a rate of about 1 - 2 TB. per qt.   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 01, 2019, 05:24:40 PM
Sure Kris.  I just purchased two bags to help with shipping.  If you want to split the price, you're welcome to one of the 25lb bags.  It would be nice to meet you and visit sometime.  You ever get into placer county?
Yuba is a farm town,
Any real shopping is done in roseville. My family is also up in auburn so I frequent your area alot.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 01, 2019, 05:39:39 PM
Great.  PM me before one of these weekends.  If the weather is good, chances are I'll be out in the yard working the "field."
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on May 01, 2019, 10:59:57 PM
I dont know about lime but white latex paint/water 50/50 makes a better sunblock for bark than surround IMO. 

A fine dusting of surround on the foliage during a 105F+ heatwave makes sense to me.  Less than that, ai wouldnt bother. 

I may use a fine coat of surround on my watermelon plants this year to keep ants and aphids off them.  Problem is how to coat the undersides of the leaves.

I find it covers and sticks well to avocado branches and leaves at a rate of about 1 - 2 TB. per qt.   

At that rate I will never be able to finish 1 bag of surround, lol. Can it be applied with a brush as thick coat like paint on trunks without harming the trees?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 02, 2019, 12:28:26 AM
That's not a bad idea (the surround painting idea).  I tried to spray my front-yard trees with surgical application, but it ended up getting everywhere and on everything within 10 feet.  It looks pretty terrible (especially all over the wood-chips), so I'm thinking about washing it away (if that works).  I think I would have been better off just painting the trees as originally suggested.  I do see how this stuff could work well in a situation where aesthetics were of no concern.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 02, 2019, 07:37:03 AM
If you want to use a brush then go with a thinned white latex paint.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on May 03, 2019, 10:53:00 PM
It does wash off.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 04, 2019, 07:22:19 AM
I may use a fine coat of surround on my watermelon plants this year to keep ants and aphids off them.  Problem is how to coat the undersides of the leaves.

(https://i.postimg.cc/dLjHdH8S/Jacto.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLjHdH8S)

 ;D

I really like permethrin, use the Tenguard brand.  Sounds like an oxymoron but it's very low toxicity with a terrific knock down. Tough to kill grasshoppers will be on the ground dead in a minute after being hit with it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on May 07, 2019, 02:05:29 PM
Does anyone know what kind of bugs or pest is chewing the leaves on my sir prize?  below is the picture.  :-\
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQtdYp2v/IMG-20190507-064925.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQtdYp2v)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 07, 2019, 02:19:51 PM
Could be catipillars, grasshoppers, beetles,...  Usually you can look around and find the culprit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on May 07, 2019, 02:28:05 PM
is there a bug spray for this or manually squash them?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: alangr088 on May 08, 2019, 12:27:49 AM
is there a bug spray for this or manually squash them?

I recommend you do some nighttime recon.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lory on May 09, 2019, 04:18:30 PM
Yes, FIRST get to know your ennemy.....
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 10, 2019, 10:13:53 AM
Grafted Frankencado continues to explode in growth, as does the sprawling volunteer tomato.  Sharwil, Lamb Hass, Pinkerton.

(https://i.postimg.cc/14gcggMF/Frankencado-May9-Maters.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/14gcggMF)

Finally some pollinators like this small dragon fly.


(https://i.postimg.cc/BjZjKksz/Avocado-Flowers-May9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjZjKksz)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 10, 2019, 02:20:23 PM
Lovely pic Mark.  Question, do you see heavy leaf drop in the Spring (or after post-winter seasonal warming) on your Avocado trees?  My outdoor trees seem to drop nearly 100% of their leaves over several months going into the Spring/Summer.  If they're happy, the put on new leaves and branching shoots to replace those, but there's a good period of time where the trees are brought down to a skeleton of itself.  Scary on a number of levels.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 10, 2019, 02:29:20 PM
My Hass dropped like 90% of it's leaves.

Stewart, Mexicola, Holiday all seem ok.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on May 10, 2019, 05:50:07 PM
Look on the underside of the dropping leaves between the veins to see if you have Persea mites.  Otherwise just the usual salt burned leaves falling off to be replaced with this year's leaves.  Check back in July and all should be well.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 10, 2019, 06:04:32 PM
Lovely pic Mark.  Question, do you see heavy leaf drop in the Spring (or after post-winter seasonal warming) on your Avocado trees?  My outdoor trees seem to drop nearly 100% of their leaves over several months going into the Spring/Summer.  If they're happy, the put on new leaves and branching shoots to replace those, but there's a good period of time where the trees are brought down to a skeleton of itself.  Scary on a number of levels.

Yep, it's happening right now but new leaves have been coming on for months.  New first, versus new later, may be variety driven.  My Reed is getting ready to dump big time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on May 10, 2019, 06:09:28 PM
Lovely pic Mark.  Question, do you see heavy leaf drop in the Spring (or after post-winter seasonal warming) on your Avocado trees?  My outdoor trees seem to drop nearly 100% of their leaves over several months going into the Spring/Summer.  If they're happy, the put on new leaves and branching shoots to replace those, but there's a good period of time where the trees are brought down to a skeleton of itself.  Scary on a number of levels.

Yep, it's happening right now but new leaves have been coming on for months.  New first, versus new later, may be variety driven.  My Reed is getting ready to dump big time.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 10, 2019, 10:44:20 PM
Seems like the leaf drop question keeps getting asked.  Yeah its normal this time of year.  We talked about it May of last year in this same thread.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 11, 2019, 01:49:02 PM
Hi, yes, I know we discussed it before (the leaf drop phenomenon), I was just curious to what extent Mark is seeing this on his Greenhouse trees.  I do remember the original conversation.  It's kind of top of mind for me this year, since the three previously potted trees that have always dropped most leaves for me, now transplanted, are dropping all leaves, and I have yet to see new growth on 2 of the 3.  This is different from before where there was an immediate if not concurrent flush of new growth contemporaneous to the leaf dropping period.  I owe the difference this year to the shock of transplanting the mature trees from their large pots -- many roots were tore asunder in the process.  I hold faith the trees will recover in time and push out the new growth they sorely require to shield them (though I have sprayed surround) through the scorching summer heat here.  Sorry to be a bit forgetful seeming in my posts.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on May 11, 2019, 06:37:58 PM
Attached are the pics of the Reed and Sir Prize in my back yard.  The Reed were planted 6 weeks ago, Sir Prize is almost 3 months.  The Reed is about 3.5 ft in height and the Sir Prize is hitting 6 ft.  The Reed is fruiting like crazy.   I can count about about at least 30 little fruits.  The Sir Prize has about 20 little fruits on them.  Should I remove the little fruits and leave behind one or two for the first year?


(https://i.postimg.cc/mcYN0wWG/IMG-20190511-083455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mcYN0wWG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBJFZdJv/IMG-20190511-083502.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBJFZdJv)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 12, 2019, 09:08:47 AM
Hi, yes, I know we discussed it before (the leaf drop phenomenon), I was just curious to what extent Mark is seeing this on his Greenhouse trees.  I do remember the original conversation.  It's kind of top of mind for me this year, since the three previously potted trees that have always dropped most leaves for me, now transplanted, are dropping all leaves, and I have yet to see new growth on 2 of the 3.  This is different from before where there was an immediate if not concurrent flush of new growth contemporaneous to the leaf dropping period.  I owe the difference this year to the shock of transplanting the mature trees from their large pots -- many roots were tore asunder in the process.  I hold faith the trees will recover in time and push out the new growth they sorely require to shield them (though I have sprayed surround) through the scorching summer heat here.  Sorry to be a bit forgetful seeming in my posts.

Its not just you, everyone asks whats going on with the leaf drop.  It was just asked a few weeks ago by someone else and someone in FL also asked not long ago.  Its totally normal.  Ideally your trees would be flushing already and shielding themselves like you said.  Some trees just a slow to reflush.  Some of my trees are covered in new leaves, others are bare and shedding still.   As long as you got the surround or paint on there the bark shouldnt get too cooked.  Hasnt been hot enough to cause problems down here.  We have "may gray" here lately. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 12, 2019, 11:23:55 AM
Hi Brad, we've been lucky up here in the Sacramento Valley this Spring to not hit summer early this year.  It's been great weather, and I'm sure that's helping with the survival rate of my three transplants.  The one that is flushing is pushing out leaves (~1" in size currently) on all its branch terminus.  There are buds showing along the branch, but no growth as of yet.  I think that tree will be fine.  The middle tree, has a handful of similar flushes, but the majority of its branches have yet to wake up.  The 3rd tree, has only one such flushing branch.  The trees are definitely shocked to more or less extent from the transplant.  Like I said, I think/hope they'll recover, and they have the ghastly surround to protect most branches.

On a brighter note, my sideyard project avocado trees are all looking great, having dropped their old leaves somewhat simultaneously with pushing out new growth -- lots of fresh, happy leaves there.  Good munchies for leaf-hoppers that are taking over too, so I need to do something about that soon.

On a separate note, I purchased a bottle of TeraGanix EM-1 from Amazon, and I have it "fermenting" or activating in a large container (air tight) right now.  Has anyone used this product for soil drench or foliar spray.  I'd be curious to hear how it's worked on fruit trees and/or vegetable gardens.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Seanny on May 12, 2019, 11:33:04 PM
If you want to keep your 2 small trees small, leave all the fruits on.
Any day now the trees will drop all the fruits when Santa Ana wind hit them.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 12, 2019, 11:57:55 PM
Hi Brad, we've been lucky up here in the Sacramento Valley this Spring to not hit summer early this year.  It's been great weather, and I'm sure that's helping with the survival rate of my three transplants.  The one that is flushing is pushing out leaves (~1" in size currently) on all its branch terminus.  There are buds showing along the branch, but no growth as of yet.  I think that tree will be fine.  The middle tree, has a handful of similar flushes, but the majority of its branches have yet to wake up.  The 3rd tree, has only one such flushing branch.  The trees are definitely shocked to more or less extent from the transplant.  Like I said, I think/hope they'll recover, and they have the ghastly surround to protect most branches.

On a brighter note, my sideyard project avocado trees are all looking great, having dropped their old leaves somewhat simultaneously with pushing out new growth -- lots of fresh, happy leaves there.  Good munchies for leaf-hoppers that are taking over too, so I need to do something about that soon.

On a separate note, I purchased a bottle of TeraGanix EM-1 from Amazon, and I have it "fermenting" or activating in a large container (air tight) right now.  Has anyone used this product for soil drench or foliar spray.  I'd be curious to hear how it's worked on fruit trees and/or vegetable gardens.  Thanks!

Make sure you vent the em1 container daily.  Pressure will build up.  Its like brewing beer.  I used air locks on it when I made some last year.  You can do it right in 1gal water bottles and an air lock.  It also helps to put it on a heat mat.  It likes 100F+ to get cooking good.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 13, 2019, 12:04:56 AM
Brad, I've got loads of Idle heat mats.  I'll double up, and get those bugs breeding.  Did/do you stick with the recommended 1/128 ratio for foliar and/or soil-drench (i.e. 1-ounce activated EM-1 per gallon of water)?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 13, 2019, 12:37:12 AM
I ran it through my irrigation and innoculated everything.  If you have a PH meter you could just mix it to the desired PH.  Your plants will like that. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 13, 2019, 01:01:52 AM
At it's current 10-day-in state, it's reading ~3.8.  I've got some poor man's fertigation setup.  I'll stick to the recommended ratios.  I'm hoping this and the kombucha sprays can stand-in for my regular, compost tea brews that I haven't had time to get to this Spring.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Das Bhut on May 16, 2019, 06:58:59 PM
Looks like a lot of flowers are starting to form on my oro negro for the first time. The tree is 5 years old, 8 feet wide 5 feet tall so I hope a lot of fruit holds
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: vall on May 17, 2019, 07:47:54 PM
At it's current 10-day-in state, it's reading ~3.8.  I've got some poor man's fertigation setup.  I'll stick to the recommended ratios.  I'm hoping this and the kombucha sprays can stand-in for my regular, compost tea brews that I haven't had time to get to this Spring.  Thanks.

What does a kombucha spray do for plants?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 18, 2019, 09:30:34 PM
Good question.  I've never really drank Kombucha, and I have a brew in my kitchen now that's about 3 weeks in.  I don't like sugary drinks, so I'm going for a very acidic "brew."  I have peach trees that often suffer from leaf curl, despite my best efforts to protect against it in the off season.  A person I met recently selling eggs from the backyard chickens told me they improved their greatly blighted peach tree with a few foliar treatments of Kombucha (actually you only want some low ration to water due to its high acidity).  She said after spraying the leaf curl leaves dropped off and new growth quickly replaced the leaves.  I've sprayed once with the juice she brought over, and I might try a few more once my personal brew is complete.  The trees I sprayed are looking great, but I haven't yet fully examined them in terms of the leaf curl.  It's been raining here lately, so it will be interesting to see to what extent this helps.  I also question how this compares to the EM-1 treatments, which I believe are a different type of bacteria (aerobic + yeast for Kombucha SCOBY vs. anaerobic lactic for the EM-1).  Will treatment from both be optimal, conflicting, overkill?  I don't know.  This is just an somewhat easier to produce substitute to the compost teas I usually brew.  It's very difficult to find scientific results to weigh all these "natural" home remedy type options.  At least with the Kombucha plan, I get some taste probiotic drinks to enjoy as a side-effect.

A quick search on the topic found this site.  I guess there are others trying to monetize along these lines.  Absolutely no affiliation of course:
https://buildasoil.com/products/kombucha-plant-wash?variant=562916325

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 18, 2019, 09:49:13 PM
Does anyone in southern CA have a mexicola tree that produces good crops?  Anyone in southern CA love or hate their mexicola tree?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on May 20, 2019, 05:39:42 AM
My Avocado trees...

Bacon 
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/ThhQFTby/DSC-0233-resized-20190520-102906260.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThhQFTby)

Fuerte
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/8jMdgczC/DSC-0234-resized-20190520-102934416.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8jMdgczC)

Stewart plants
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/V5bnXvMF/DSC-0232-resized-20190520-102836372.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V5bnXvMF)

This one died to the ground and resprout. I will use to graft with several diferent varieties...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/ft73gtK4/DSC-0235-resized-20190520-102956930.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ft73gtK4)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hawkfish007 on May 22, 2019, 11:39:17 AM
Does anyone in southern CA have a mexicola tree that produces good crops?  Anyone in southern CA love or hate their mexicola tree?

Here is a pic of one of my coworker’s mexicola planted in 1964 from google street view. It is in zone 9b. I asked him about the age of the tree, he confirmed he has a pic of his brother next to the tree from 1964. It lost a large limb when a juniper fell on it, and it is prunned to keep under 20’. It has been a prolific producer.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zLtTPW4B/4-D58640-C-C3-AB-4-DBB-A10-F-C0-C16-BE8-B72-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zLtTPW4B)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 20, 2019, 04:17:27 PM
Thread on heat tolerant varieties.  Reed does best.  I've found it very heat tolerant too.

http://gregalder.com/yardposts/heat-tolerance-of-avocado-varieties/ (http://gregalder.com/yardposts/heat-tolerance-of-avocado-varieties/)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on June 25, 2019, 10:33:23 PM
Can anyone tell from the pictures if my small sharwill is overwatered?  I'm suspecting overwatered because the young leaves (in the black circles) just wilted, shriveled andcurled.  Thanks
(https://i.postimg.cc/8Ftjr9BV/IMG-20190625-191343.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8Ftjr9BV)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bananaizme on June 26, 2019, 08:24:04 AM
 That looks like heat damage, try shading it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on June 26, 2019, 10:52:49 AM
But it hasn't been over 70 F in san diego for the last 7 days.  Does young tree suffered heat damage this easity?
That looks like heat damage, try shading it.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 26, 2019, 12:10:53 PM
But it hasn't been over 70 F in san diego for the last 7 days.  Does young tree suffered heat damage this easity?

Nope.  Some types of spiders and caterpillars roll leaves over their "home". 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on June 26, 2019, 06:11:48 PM
Looks like a lot of flowers are starting to form on my oro negro for the first time. The tree is 5 years old, 8 feet wide 5 feet tall so I hope a lot of fruit holds



My oro negro set several fruit, first time it's done that.

My Jan Boyce is holding lots of fruit but she'd all leaves and doesn't look like it's in any rush to releaf and protect itself. It's been a couple of months now and the tree is so darn leggy.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 26, 2019, 06:36:19 PM
Looks like a lot of flowers are starting to form on my oro negro for the first time. The tree is 5 years old, 8 feet wide 5 feet tall so I hope a lot of fruit holds



My oro negro set several fruit, first time it's done that.

My Jan Boyce is holding lots of fruit but she'd all leaves and doesn't look like it's in any rush to releaf and protect itself. It's been a couple of months now and the tree is so darn leggy.

I have a couple hass trees that dont reflush until July.  They end up dropping most of the fruit.  I think they need to be top worked.  Going to give it one more year and decide. 

JB looks promising here.  Seems to want to grow fast.  This was just a small twig a year ago.  Now its hitting its stride.  I like the vertical growth and thick branches.

(https://i.postimg.cc/3WGcmPhT/20190624-155939.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WGcmPhT)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 29, 2019, 11:03:15 AM
Quick comparison of pinkerton and gwen picked at the same time.  The gwen was gifted to me by GregA and I believe he got them from another friend.  So I have no idea the growing conditions there etc.  Pinkerton came off one of my own trees. 

I never tried gwen before.  The gwen has a larger seed and peels easy.  The flesh was low in oil and somewhat watery like a store bought hass.  Flavor was mild and nothing special.  The fruit could have probably been left on the tree longer.  I'm not that impressed but will hold out final judgement until I can properly ripen some of these on my own tree.  Which will be a few years.  The gwen tree itself is a dwarf and has a nice bushy upright growth pattern.  It seems like a good tree for small yards.   

The pinkerton has a better seed to flesh ratio and much stronger flavor and higher oil content.  It also is more dry, which is the type of avocado I like.  Once it gets that yellow color and dryer flesh it is very rich.  Ive got a couple more pinkertons on the tree and will see how long they can hang here.  They seem to hang on the tree really well and have a long season.  The trees are carrying last years ripe fruits as well as a load of new small fruits that will be ready next year.  The pinkerton tree itself is a dwarfish tree and has a not so great growth pattern.  The fruits are worth it though. 

Gwen
(https://i.postimg.cc/GmVDS0QH/20190629-064126.jpg)

Pinkerton
(https://i.postimg.cc/fy8tc1yW/20190628-103113.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on June 29, 2019, 01:42:12 PM
Brad,

Do you like your Sir Prize more than the Pinkerton (taste) ?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on June 29, 2019, 01:58:56 PM
No I think Pinkerton is better.  Sir Prize can be really good also if you get them at the right time.  Around April here.  Pinkertons hang a little longer and have higher oil content and more of a "dry" avocado.  I did a comparison of pinkerton vs sir prize on page 19 of this thread. Side by side taste test winner was pinkerton.  And that was when sir prize was at its peak and pinkerton is still improving into summer.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on July 01, 2019, 06:57:30 AM
Ok, good to know. I will need to graft the Pinkerton and taste it for myself.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on July 01, 2019, 07:30:47 AM
Brad, I did have a grafted Holiday tree branch (purchase 1 gal graft plant from greenscene, Julie Frink) and the branch grew just like your trees. Always dropping and never grew upwards toward the sky. I waited 4 years to get a few fruits to taste ( 18 months) and it was very good. But due to the branch always growing sideways and drop, I got rid of my grafted branches.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 01, 2019, 09:28:41 AM
Interesting because the Irvine orchard tree she showed was perfectly shaped.  Are you giving it a lot of nitrogen?

I think it was Part two. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXpH5Kpzxy8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXpH5Kpzxy8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on July 01, 2019, 02:11:19 PM
Mark, I see the tree in the video, it is bushy as my grafted branch was. Sometimes its hard to see how the actual branch wood is growing (straight or droopy) unless you look inside the canopy/leaves (yes, hers is straight and nice looking). But I must admit my Holiday was grafted on the lowest branch on the tall seedling plant which is about 15 ft. So it may have been more in the shade of my other varieties that are grafted. I tried to tie the branches up to the higher branches of the tree but new branches would still look like the photo of Brad's tree (wants to point downwards). When the big avocado fruit starts to grown the branch droops even more.

I don't give any fertilizer to my trees, just good old water and they grow rather fast, the Holiday graft started fruiting by the 2nd year. My Hawaiian seedling rootstock grows about 8ft+ yearly so I need to cut it back every year. Any grafts I put on this tree grows fast and fruits rather quickly. Maybe the Holiday would have grown straighter if it was on its own rootstock and not grafted on a small side branch on the lowest part of this tree I have. I do like the taste of the fruit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 01, 2019, 02:26:13 PM
You can see all the horizontal wood in that video.


 My trees have some leaders on them now, they are actually looking OK.  I have to keep pruning the bottom of the tree to get it to grow up and out.  Ill post a pic next time I go out to the orchard. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 02, 2019, 01:08:02 AM
Heres the holiday tree that is flushing nicely.  I figure it will be 10 years before this tree can hold a decent load.  Maybe I will get 1 or 2 this year.

(https://i.postimg.cc/rFQ71TwM/20190701-190733.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 03, 2019, 09:40:07 AM
Heres the holiday tree that is flushing nicely.  I figure it will be 10 years before this tree can hold a decent load.  Maybe I will get 1 or 2 this year.

(https://i.postimg.cc/rFQ71TwM/20190701-190733.jpg)

That's a beautiful shape.  Would think you'd get a good load by now then again I've never grown a pure Holiday.

sc4001992, sounds pretty nice and much like my vineyard which is on steroids without any irrigation or fertilizer.  It's all about the roots.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 03, 2019, 09:52:07 AM
Stewart avocados growing...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGy54NbG/DSC-0370-resized-20190702-085102939-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGy54NbG)

Sir prize
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ/DSC-0369-resized-20190702-085036333.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ)

Bacon avocado small fruits
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4/DSC-0371-resized-20190702-085124218.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/7Crh0186/DSC-0372-resized-20190702-085148286.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Crh0186)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 03, 2019, 11:36:21 AM
Stewart avocados growing...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGy54NbG/DSC-0370-resized-20190702-085102939-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGy54NbG)

Sir prize
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ/DSC-0369-resized-20190702-085036333.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ)

Bacon avocado small fruits
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4/DSC-0371-resized-20190702-085124218.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/7Crh0186/DSC-0372-resized-20190702-085148286.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Crh0186)

Luis, thats awesome you got some avocados hanging !  And new seedlings growing.   You should call them "sir prize seedling" or "stewart seedling" or give them new names as they aren't really sir prize or stewarts, they are new types.  You don't want to spread scion wood of these and call them something they are not. 

Is the bacon also a seedling tree?



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 03, 2019, 11:48:42 AM
Stewart avocados growing...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGy54NbG/DSC-0370-resized-20190702-085102939-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGy54NbG)

Sir prize
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ/DSC-0369-resized-20190702-085036333.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfMXFQdZ)

Bacon avocado small fruits
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4/DSC-0371-resized-20190702-085124218.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kDqSkmH4)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/7Crh0186/DSC-0372-resized-20190702-085148286.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Crh0186)

Luis, thats awesome you got some avocados hanging !  And new seedlings growing.   You should call them "sir prize seedling" or "stewart seedling" or give them new names as they aren't really sir prize or stewarts, they are new types.  You don't want to spread scion wood of these and call them something they are not. 

Is the bacon also a seedling tree?
Hello my friend! My bacon tree i bought some years ago on nursery here. Yes they are seedlings... your seeds are not real stewarts and sir prize? Thank's!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 03, 2019, 11:56:16 AM
The seeds are from stewart and sir prize.  But the trees do not come out to be exactly the same as the parent.  Surely you understand the only way to have a sir prize or stewart is to graft it.  Im not trying to nit pick you, what I dont want to happen is for scions of those seedlings to be spread out in europe and propogated and be called something they are not.  I hope that makes sense.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 03, 2019, 12:02:41 PM
The seeds are from stewart and sir prize.  But the trees do not come out to be exactly the same as the parent.  Surely you understand the only way to have a sir prize or stewart is to graft it.  Im not trying to nit pick you, what I dont want to happen is for scions of those seedlings to be spread out in europe and propogated and be called something they are not.  I hope that makes sense.
Yes it will be a stewart and sir prize from seed...  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 03, 2019, 12:09:18 PM
Haha.  You should really make up some new names if you plan to share scions. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 03, 2019, 01:56:46 PM
Haha.  You should really make up some new names if you plan to share scions.
Really?  :o
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 03, 2019, 09:59:05 PM
Yes.  Absolutely give them new names to avoid any confusion.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on July 05, 2019, 04:45:18 PM
My dad has an avocado tree that he grew from a seedling 15 years ago.  He brought the seed back from his trip in VietNam. I remembered it fruited a couple of times in year 4th or 5th.  However, it has't produce any fruit since then.  It is quite a vigorous and healthy tree.  Every year it would flowered but wouldn't fruited.  This year, it shed all the leaves and right now there is nothing but flowers.  See attached.  I know it is a crapshoot in getting fruit from seedling but is there any trick or anything he can do to get a some fruit from this tree?  It is quite beautiful.


(https://i.postimg.cc/6yHPGxwz/IMG-20190402-161942.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yHPGxwz)

If it's in good health, top it down to 3-4 ft tall and graft onto new shoots. I did it to mine and can't be happier. Mix and match different varieties if desired.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 05, 2019, 05:08:14 PM
My new Ettinger avocado tree arrived today! It's great! I'm very happy!
I will post pics tomorrow...   ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 06, 2019, 12:57:42 PM
Haha.  You should really make up some new names if you plan to share scions.
Really?  :o

Absolutely.  They are seedlings, not Stewart or Sir Prize.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 06, 2019, 03:14:36 PM
My new Ettinger avocado tree arrived today! It's great! I'm very happy!
I will post pics tomorrow...   ;D
My new Ettinger avocado...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf/DSC-0382-resized-20190706-074140882.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY/DSC-0384-resized-20190706-074239146.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq/DSC-0383-resized-20190706-074207431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on July 07, 2019, 10:23:07 AM
My new Ettinger avocado tree arrived today! It's great! I'm very happy!
I will post pics tomorrow...   ;D
My new Ettinger avocado...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf/DSC-0382-resized-20190706-074140882.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY/DSC-0384-resized-20190706-074239146.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq/DSC-0383-resized-20190706-074207431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq)

Good choice, congradulations and good luck with that one.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on July 07, 2019, 12:29:37 PM
Surprised to hear that Brad. No fruit set or are you accounting for fruit drop after high heat? Mine has a good 20 on it and it's smaller than yours


Heres the holiday tree that is flushing nicely.  I figure it will be 10 years before this tree can hold a decent load.  Maybe I will get 1 or 2 this year.

(https://i.postimg.cc/rFQ71TwM/20190701-190733.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VSKBs2N2/20190707-092825.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VSKBs2N2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bZjRmQMV/20190707-092832.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZjRmQMV)

(https://i.postimg.cc/BXFg5hh1/20190707-092837.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXFg5hh1)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 07, 2019, 12:35:36 PM
They have fruit but they fall off after 12 months.  The fruits get massive and the tree cant hold them until the tree is mature.  Thin it down to 1 or 2 would be my advice
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on July 07, 2019, 02:26:37 PM
My new Ettinger avocado tree arrived today! It's great! I'm very happy!
I will post pics tomorrow...   ;D
My new Ettinger avocado...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf/DSC-0382-resized-20190706-074140882.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kR6Pd7Bf)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY/DSC-0384-resized-20190706-074239146.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SjyG1gwY)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq/DSC-0383-resized-20190706-074207431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmGNy9zq)

Good choice, congradulations and good luck with that one.
Thank you my friend! I will get one lamb-hass too... a bit risky choice but i will plant it on a more protected sunny place...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on August 12, 2019, 03:32:17 AM
3 bacon avocado fruits on my tree...
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/cg0PJWMm/DSC-0513.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cg0PJWMm)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/JttP5tnX/DSC-0512.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JttP5tnX)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/PL31Cz1R/DSC-0510.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PL31Cz1R)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on August 21, 2019, 08:04:06 AM
New scion wood avocado just arrived!
Hass, Red Long Neck pyriformis, Red Oval and Red Pyriformis...   ;D

It's the first time i will graft avocado treed... just hope they grow!


(https://i.postimg.cc/5jrdqw5Z/DSC-0537.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jrdqw5Z)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Tiberivs on August 21, 2019, 11:01:00 AM
Does anyone have tips or advice on when to pick avocado. I have a Catalina avocado tree with fruit not sure on how to tell when they are ready.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on August 21, 2019, 12:32:22 PM
Does anyone have tips or advice on when to pick avocado. I have a Catalina avocado tree with fruit not sure on how to tell when they are ready.
PIN says August-September for Catalina.  Why don't you pick one and see how it ripens?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on August 22, 2019, 06:03:57 AM
What kind of tecnic is this? Thank's!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvD3qSsUg7U&t=164s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvD3qSsUg7U&t=164s)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on November 03, 2019, 01:41:49 PM
Bacon avocado tree and fruits…
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/6yyKd5ss/DSC-0673.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yyKd5ss)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/RqYyx7Y8/DSC-0672.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqYyx7Y8)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/7Gf9KcqL/DSC-0671.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7Gf9KcqL)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CTMIAMI on November 03, 2019, 04:04:37 PM
What kind of tecnic is this? Thank's!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvD3qSsUg7U&t=164s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvD3qSsUg7U&t=164s)
No really sure, seems to be some type of very aggressive tree girdling. Not clear what the object is.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ryanavocaodo on November 06, 2019, 12:53:46 PM
What's the story on Leavens Hass? Can't find anything on this....
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: barath on November 10, 2019, 09:33:48 PM
What's the story on Leavens Hass? Can't find anything on this....

It's one that Jack has been distributing from the originator on the California Central Coast.  Maybe Jack will chime in about it if he sees this.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 13, 2019, 07:10:41 PM
I have a question for you Avocado experts.  Earlier this year (early Spring I believe it was), I transplanted three Avocado trees in my front yard in "raised beds."  These trees had been growing in large ~50-gal food grade barrel makeshift pots for 7 years or so.  They were heavily root bound, so the transplant was shocking and they dropped all flowers fruit through the process.  They seem to have recovered through the Summer, and we've had a very long summer here in the Sacramento valley.  Right now we're nearing middle of November with daily temps in the high 70's low 80's.  There's been little winter chill yet -- an extremely warm/mild Winter start to say the least.

The reason for my post and my question has to do with the first of three transplants, a Fuerte tree.  You can see it in the pics below.  I noticed this morning that the tree had started to set blooms on nearly all of its terminal buds, and this has me worried.  The tree has never bloomed in the Fall/Winter like this before.  I wonder if it is confused from the transplant and/or this inordinately warm Winter weather.  Does the tree think it's already Spring?  We did have a bit of a cooling trend a few weeks to a month back.

Whatever the case may be, ought I to pinch off these flowers, since the Winter will surely come sooner or later?  Is this common elsewhere in the state?  I was really looking forward to maybe getting a crop this next season (Starting with the flower in Spring '20).  I'm worried that the tree will confuse itself with this early flowering and fail to set more in 4-5 months after Winter ends.  The trees are getting full/100% southern exposure where they're at BTW.  Looking forward to some good advice.  Oh, the other two trees have yet to show any signs of premature flowering.  Thanks!

(https://i.postimg.cc/jLjhVymv/20191113-091843.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jLjhVymv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4mFQXmTG/20191113-091903.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mFQXmTG)

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDwQ2ts7/20191113-091914.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDwQ2ts7)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on November 13, 2019, 08:01:56 PM
Leavens Hass:  I obtained my initial scionwood from the SouthCoast Research station along with other scionwood.  Apparently originated at Leaven's Ranch in Ventura County.  The scion is now a tree and scions are distributed at the SLO scion exchange.  Fruit is Hass-like, excellent quality.  Allegedly earlier than Hass.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 14, 2019, 09:59:58 AM
I have a question for you Avocado experts.  Earlier this year (early Spring I believe it was), I transplanted three Avocado trees in my front yard in "raised beds."  These trees had been growing in large ~50-gal food grade barrel makeshift pots for 7 years or so.  They were heavily root bound, so the transplant was shocking and they dropped all flowers fruit through the process.  They seem to have recovered through the Summer, and we've had a very long summer here in the Sacramento valley.  Right now we're nearing middle of November with daily temps in the high 70's low 80's.  There's been little winter chill yet -- an extremely warm/mild Winter start to say the least.

My best advice is to concentrate on growing and providing for the best root system as possible now and worry about fruit production later.  Hell, be happy, you've got local produce you can buy.  If you  were here in Texas and you'd be buying Mexican grown/warehoused crap quite often.

(https://i.postimg.cc/34Z0cyrp/Bad-Avocado-Sept19.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/34Z0cyrp)

As you experienced avocados have a unique root structure (i.e. very shallow with no root hairs) and hate to be transplanted.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 14, 2019, 10:53:57 AM
Thanks for the reply Mark, but the question still stands around: (1) why this Fuerte tree started to flower at the start of Winter?  This has never happened to me on any of my 10 or so Avocado trees; and (2) would it be best to pinch off the flowers and new buds or just leave them alone?  If left alone, I assume they will freeze off when Winter really enters.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 14, 2019, 11:03:03 AM
I would just leave it alone.  My trees have flowered in october/november before.  Theres buds forming on a few of them now, not as far along as yours are.  Theres really no need to do anything.  The tree will either set fruit and hold them or not.  My guess is the tree will still be blooming into spring. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 14, 2019, 11:09:25 AM
Hi Brad, it's good to hear that it happens.  It's a new phenomenon from my experience.  It's as if this entire tree is blooming and it believes it's in Spring.  I'm thinking this late-Spring like whether we're experiencing has confused it.  I'm betting none of that new bud and flower makes it through the full Winter though, which is why I figured it might be wise to snip them off -- save the tree some resources.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 14, 2019, 11:18:44 AM
If you pinch them off it will just make new ones.  Just let do what it wants, it will probably set some fruit and hold onto them. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 14, 2019, 11:21:51 AM
Sounds like a plan.  We can make a bet to see if anything hold through to next Summer.  It's certainly more interesting to follow.  Thanks for the notes.  I hope you're having a good season.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 14, 2019, 11:42:09 AM
This has been an excellent year for avocados here.  Im most excited to get to try sharwil, jan boyce, and ardith in spring. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 14, 2019, 01:18:49 PM
That's great to hear.  With the mild CA weather, I'd expect your trees are in heaven.  It wasn't so too hot this summer relative to what we've seen in some other years.  Looking forward to hearing more about your new varieties.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 14, 2019, 01:29:22 PM
That's great to hear.  With the mild CA weather, I'd expect your trees are in heaven.  It wasn't so too hot this summer relative to what we've seen in some other years.  Looking forward to hearing more about your new varieties.

Will be interesting to see if these live up to all the hype. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tropical-farmer on November 15, 2019, 08:36:34 PM
hi guys, anyone here heard of or tasted Maria black avocado. I was at the Broward rare fruit event a few weeks ago and saw 3g trees for sale. I tried to look up this variety in the forum but didnt find any info. Anyone is growing it? info on tree size, fruit season months, productivity?
Thanks
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: tropical-farmer on November 26, 2019, 09:21:09 PM
Finally bought this one through a friend in WPB area. He told me this is being propagated and sold by Zill's farm. As per him the tree is not a vertical grower and can be kept small/dwarf. The fruit has high oil content and tastes similar to CA hass. Its Cold tolerant to 9A. And fruiting season is spring-summer- June-July. Anybody has any more info on this variety? I will be putting it to ground soon. I already have a Day and an Oro Negro. Oro Negro still has fruit hanging, will probably be there for next few weeks. I needed something that grows compact in size, has earlier fruiting season and tastes similar to CA Hass. I heard good things about Super Hass and Nishikawa but seems like both are Oct-Nov ripening here in South Florida and both are vigorous upright growers.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dh1xHgmy/IMG-7927.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dh1xHgmy)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on November 27, 2019, 09:08:03 AM
hi guys, anyone here heard of or tasted Maria black avocado.

Would that be a true Mexican criollo?  FWIW here's an image of Mexican varieties from the Monterrey, Nuevo Leon area a Mexican friend of a friend is selling.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WdQf7HHy/39253563-245805519398592-1546903123866419200-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdQf7HHy)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 30, 2019, 01:22:25 AM
Side by side bacon vs Stewart.  That's all that's in season here.  Pictures tell you most of what you need to know.  They are both mediocre avocados.  The bacon tree is a lot more robust tree, both produce like crazy but the bacon tree is a better grower.  These avocados are ok on toast or sandwich but really aren't very good.

(https://i.postimg.cc/3dg8bT9C/20191129-092919.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dg8bT9C)

(https://i.postimg.cc/JDG7THdG/20191129-093057.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDG7THdG)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on November 30, 2019, 08:59:07 AM
Bacon is the larger one, right?  Never realized they had such big seeds.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on November 30, 2019, 10:40:48 AM
Bacon is the larger one.  Big seed makes a good rootstock.  The Stewarts have a good flavor sometimes, some of them are watery, some are ok.  But the have other issues like a little fiber, fruit fall off tree before getting oily, thin skin that cracks.  These avocados are pretty much crap to be honest.

The bacon tree is my favorite tree though, not fruit.  It's so strong and erect.  It would make a great frame to multi graft other types onto. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: NissanVersa on November 30, 2019, 11:21:22 AM
hi guys, anyone here heard of or tasted Maria black avocado.

Would that be a true Mexican criollo?  FWIW here's an image of Mexican varieties from the Monterrey, Nuevo Leon area a Mexican friend of a friend is selling.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WdQf7HHy/39253563-245805519398592-1546903123866419200-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdQf7HHy)

Hey Mark,  could I get his contact information?  I am interested in growing those.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on November 30, 2019, 09:02:48 PM
Definitely second the idea of using a Bacon tree to graft other varieties onto. That's a great way to use the nice Bacon tree structure.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ricshaw on December 02, 2019, 02:00:51 AM
November 30, 2019

2 hour long interesting video on Avocados.

First half on Avocado roots, rootstock, and why Brokaw trees are better.

Second half of the video is a discussion on Avocado varieties, pollination.

https://www.youtube.com/Growing Avocados (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyXb_WYKu3c&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on January 14, 2020, 09:03:05 PM
Can anyone id this avocado variety?  Attached are pics of the fruit and foliage. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/SYcbWNVb/20200114-131208.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYcbWNVb)

(https://i.postimg.cc/9R6jRqdB/20200114-132349.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9R6jRqdB)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 14, 2020, 09:36:01 PM
Looks like fuerte.  They have pointy seeds if thats what it is.  Wait a few months they get a lot better. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on January 27, 2020, 12:26:41 AM

Agree with Brad. I have a bacon seedling that has 7 varieties grafted onto it. Great structure and vigorous grower.

Bacon is the larger one.  Big seed makes a good rootstock.  The Stewarts have a good flavor sometimes, some of them are watery, some are ok.  But the have other issues like a little fiber, fruit fall off tree before getting oily, thin skin that cracks.  These avocados are pretty much crap to be honest.

The bacon tree is my favorite tree though, not fruit.  It's so strong and erect.  It would make a great frame to multi graft other types onto.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: funlul on January 28, 2020, 02:54:02 PM
November 30, 2019

2 hour long interesting video on Avocados.

First half on Avocado roots, rootstock, and why Brokaw trees are better.

Second half of the video is a discussion on Avocado varieties, pollination.

https://www.youtube.com/Growing Avocados (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyXb_WYKu3c&feature=youtu.be)

Thank you very much, informative discussion. Interesting that he has a no compost in soil approach.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kingoceanos on January 30, 2020, 08:00:25 AM
Thank you. I really enjoyed the video. It really emphasized everything I have done wrong. :(  My Avocado trees have always done fine while in pots where I can control the moisture of the potting mix, But apparently the mix stays to wet when the trees are planted into the ground. I need to find our replicate his soil for my potted trees. Our winters are very wet here, so drainage is a major concern.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on January 30, 2020, 11:55:50 AM
I wished I would have done this before planting my avocado.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLOWNPbUTgA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLOWNPbUTgA)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on February 06, 2020, 04:49:45 PM
Thank you. I really enjoyed the video. It really emphasized everything I have done wrong. :(  My Avocado trees have always done fine while in pots where I can control the moisture of the potting mix, But apparently the mix stays to wet when the trees are planted into the ground. I need to find our replicate his soil for my potted trees. Our winters are very wet here, so drainage is a major concern.

Your best for Houston is a bottomless RootBuilder "pot".;

Avocados aren't picky about soils.  Just has to be well drained and not alkaline.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 26, 2020, 12:00:05 PM
Top Fuerte, left hass, right sharwil.  The fuerte was from another farm, greg alder gave it to me yesterday to compare against my own.  The fuerte was really nice and buttery and dense.  Kind of gooey, easy to spread and was delicious.  It did have some fibers in the bottom half of the fruit which I really don't like but overall was excellent.  The hass still sticking to the seed a bit and can use a little more hang time to bring the oil content up but still acceptable and good.  The sharwil easily has the best appearance, nice yellow color.  The sharwil is dense and already good oil content also spreads easy and taste nice.  Im excited for this variety, this was the first one I've tried and first one off my tree.  Ive got about 40 of them hanging to test over this year.  Based on the current level of ripeness here in february, I doubt these will hang past june but we will see.  Todays taste test loser was hass and I give it a toss up between fuerte and sharwil.

(https://i.postimg.cc/nr7YPCkc/20200226-080042.jpg)

Sharwil has a medium peel that comes off clean, I like that a lot

(https://i.postimg.cc/rwCgTnrG/20200226-080201.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/sD5rRzDM/20200226-080348.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on February 27, 2020, 10:29:32 AM
Wow, am just drooling.

My Sharwil is about to explode in blooms.  Great fruit in all respects.  It also hangs on the tree a long time.

Love the small seed too!

Low of 21F this morn.

(https://i.postimg.cc/F1NTPKcZ/Sharwil-Fruit2014.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F1NTPKcZ)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on February 27, 2020, 11:10:22 AM
Nice report Brad, sadly up here on Central coast (Arroyo Grande) Ca. two miles inland from coast Sharwil doesn't fruit at all I just stumped my 12yrs. old tree so that I can rework when sprout's appear. In all those year's I had 3- fruit but I sure love your report very nice looking fruit!! :( 8) I'm not saying to folk's don't grow this excellent variety just beware that it need's heat to set and ripen fruit ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on February 27, 2020, 11:21:52 AM
Nice report Brad, sadly up here on Central coast (Arroyo Grande) Ca. two miles inland from coast Sharwil doesn't fruit at all I just stumped my 12yrs. old tree so that I can rework when sprout's appear. In all those year's I had 3- fruit but I sure love your report very nice looking fruit!! :( 8) I'm not saying to folk's don't grow this excellent variety just beware that it need's heat to set and ripen fruit ;)

That’s too bad Scott sharwill is top 5 cado in my book but right now Pinkerton is king, not a better fruit out there.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on February 27, 2020, 11:25:05 AM
Wow, am just drooling.

My Sharwil is about to explode in blooms.  Great fruit in all respects.  It also hangs on the tree a long time.

Love the small seed too!

Low of 21F this morn.

(https://i.postimg.cc/F1NTPKcZ/Sharwil-Fruit2014.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F1NTPKcZ)
I have these plates too.. I think I bought them at target when I moved out 10 years ago... haha.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 27, 2020, 01:24:47 PM
Nice report Brad, sadly up here on Central coast (Arroyo Grande) Ca. two miles inland from coast Sharwil doesn't fruit at all I just stumped my 12yrs. old tree so that I can rework when sprout's appear. In all those year's I had 3- fruit but I sure love your report very nice looking fruit!! :( 8) I'm not saying to folk's don't grow this excellent variety just beware that it need's heat to set and ripen fruit ;)

That’s too bad Scott sharwill is top 5 cado in my book but right now Pinkerton is king, not a better fruit out there.

I agree pinkerton is hard to beat.  The tree isn't that great of a grower but they fruit like crazy and the quality of the fruit is amazing.  I think reed and Pinkerton's are my favorites.  Pinkerton's were amazing here around May last year.  Oil bombs.  I can tell sharwil will also be an oil bomb in a few months. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 28, 2020, 10:27:42 AM
Found this big sir prize on the ground.  The bottom got banged up when it fell but not terrible.  The fruit are all turning black now and this one was ripe.  Nice and soft and good taste.  I like this avocado a lot.  Its a little bit big even for 4 people.  The trees growth pattern isnt good but they do put out and it is a top tier.

(https://i.postimg.cc/nVdb2vRQ/20200228-070717.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on February 28, 2020, 01:11:40 PM
I've got a brogdon near Orlando FL with tons of blooms but nothing seems to be setting so far. I've read up a decent amount on setting fruit due to temperature sensitivity and flower phase overlap but nothing seems too definitive. Is there anything I can do to promote fruit set or will things work out on their own as it heats up more? I've got a lula, which I believe is the opposite flower type, with blooms about to open which should help too.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JF on February 28, 2020, 01:17:41 PM
Sir prize is an excellent avocado and has a long season.  I still have some 70 fruits on my trees and the longer they hang the better they taste. We are very fortunate to have these winter/spring avocados vs the mushy Chilean hass avocados sold at Costco or other markets. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 28, 2020, 03:24:33 PM
It's been blowing super hard santa ana winds all week 4 days straight 1% humidity and I got a few fruits dropped off.  I watered them really hard this week but they still didn't like that wind.  But surprising only a handful fell off. 

Agree about the chili avocados.  They are total crap.  Sometimes the mexican ones are good but the stuff from chili is garbage.  We quit buying those long long ago even before starting an avocado orchard.  Just like flushing money down the toilet paying for chili avocados and opening them to find stringy black mess. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on February 28, 2020, 03:42:38 PM
It's been blowing super hard santa ana winds all week 4 days straight 1% humidity and I got a few fruits dropped off.  I watered them really hard this week but they still didn't like that wind.  But surprising only a handful fell off. 

Agree about the chili avocados.  They are total crap.  Sometimes the mexican ones are good but the stuff from chili is garbage.  We quit buying those long long ago even before starting an avocado orchard.  Just like flushing money down the toilet paying for chili avocados and opening them to find stringy black mess.

Can you grow bamboo out there or is it not worth the water?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 28, 2020, 03:56:48 PM
It will grow but you have to water it.  My neighbors are Asian and grow a lot of bamboo.  Why, what are you thinking?  It's not going to block the wind if that's what you are thinking.  We are on a steep mountain top with full exposure.  There's not really any way to fix the wind problem.  It blows like a mild hurricane here, there were 100mph gusts in the mountains of San Diego this week.  I had to get out of bed at 2am the other night and go fix the greenhouse before it got shredded.  Had to put some screws into some clips on the plastic roll up sides that were coming loose.  When the house starts shaking and my trees are going sideways I'm always worried the GH will lift off and fly away ripping all the electrical lines and plumbing with it.  Luckily my concrete footing seem to be heavy enough to keep it in place.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: BPDUKE on February 29, 2020, 05:19:59 AM
I am just south of Tampa.  I have a Super Haas, Hass and Oro Negro.  They are blooming now.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on February 29, 2020, 10:41:05 PM
It will grow but you have to water it.  My neighbors are Asian and grow a lot of bamboo.  Why, what are you thinking?  It's not going to block the wind if that's what you are thinking.  We are on a steep mountain top with full exposure.  There's not really any way to fix the wind problem.  It blows like a mild hurricane here, there were 100mph gusts in the mountains of San Diego this week.  I had to get out of bed at 2am the other night and go fix the greenhouse before it got shredded.  Had to put some screws into some clips on the plastic roll up sides that were coming loose.  When the house starts shaking and my trees are going sideways I'm always worried the GH will lift off and fly away ripping all the electrical lines and plumbing with it.  Luckily my concrete footing seem to be heavy enough to keep it in place.

So intense! I was thinking lining the property line with the tallest clumpers you can for wind protection. They also add a mulch layer on their own. They could possibly raise the humidity slightly with all of the water stored in the plant.

This lychee grower in Florida added a wind screening to a newly planted grove.
http://www.lycheesonline.com/photopage.cfm?pid=163 (http://www.lycheesonline.com/photopage.cfm?pid=163)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 08, 2020, 11:46:06 AM
This WILL stop the wind from the ground up at least on fairly level ground - Leyland cypress cv "Murray" and Arizona cypress cv "Blue Ice."  Wind break for my garden, 2017  Bullet proof, super drought tolerant.

(https://i.postimg.cc/BtZ3ZMcv/Windbreak-March.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BtZ3ZMcv)

Just planted the same seedlings for a visual block in front of the barn.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KKKKWmjd/cypress-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KKKKWmjd)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on March 12, 2020, 12:06:51 PM
Still waiting to try a Sharwil from Brad's tree.  I got one last saturday. 

Has anyone try a Gillogly avocado yet?  Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery said it's the best avocado he has so far. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on March 12, 2020, 01:30:29 PM
I am new to the forum and avocado.  I have been reading this threads every nights but only got to page. 10.  I am intending to finish them all to pickup all I could from your experience.  I recently bought a Holiday  in 3 gallons, a Reed in red sleeve and a Carmen in black sleeve from Laguna Hills Nursery. My wife and daughter love cado and mango.   They could have them every day if they could.   I like to have a happy family so I decided to plant our own.  However, I got over excited and over bought.

I now have a dilemma-my back yard is too small for all 3 avocado in the ground along with 3 mango and a atemoya.  Some plants have to go in the future if they don't do well.  I am thinking of grafting of more cultivars to the best plant in the future for more varieties.  Most likely I have to do the same for the mango.

Which of the 2 avocado should I transplant to the ground and which one should be in the pot? I have a Holiday, a Reed and a Carmen.  Which one have the best chance for success in a small garden in raise bed because of Orange's clay soil.

Thank you in advance for feedback.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 12, 2020, 01:52:14 PM
Still waiting to try a Sharwil from Brad's tree.  I got one last saturday. 

Has anyone try a Gillogly avocado yet?  Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery said it's the best avocado he has so far.

There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it. I wonder if it is great or they have a glut of trees to move. Another thing to consider is that many people are terrible at growing avocado since they are relatively heavy feeders and need excellent drainage. Maybe it is wonderful in the right setting.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on March 12, 2020, 03:40:04 PM
I would use high density planting concept and plant all three.  They may produce less in the future if you plant them close together but you have 3 different varieties year round.  If you want to pick one to plant in a container, according to the link below, "holiday can be grown in container".

https://yamagamis.com/newguides/FruitGuides/AvocadoGuide.pdf

I am new to the forum and avocado.  I have been reading this threads every nights but only got to page. 10.  I am intending to finish them all to pickup all I could from your experience.  I recently bought a Holiday  in 3 gallons, a Reed in red sleeve and a Carmen in black sleeve from Laguna Hills Nursery. My wife and daughter love cado and mango.   They could have them every day if they could.   I like to have a happy family so I decided to plant our own.  However, I got over excited and over bought.

I now have a dilemma-my back yard is too small for all 3 avocado in the ground along with 3 mango and a atemoya.  Some plants have to go in the future if they don't do well.  I am thinking of grafting of more cultivars to the best plant in the future for more varieties.  Most likely I have to do the same for the mango.

Which of the 2 avocado should I transplant to the ground and which one should be in the pot? I have a Holiday, a Reed and a Carmen.  Which one have the best chance for success in a small garden in raise bed because of Orange's clay soil.

Thank you in advance for feedback.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on March 12, 2020, 04:01:34 PM
High density is an excellent idea that I have not thought of.  If they are productive, most likely we may be able to consume them all.  Less fruit production is not a bad idea. Do you have suggestion for minimum distance between trees?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on March 12, 2020, 05:08:22 PM
I have them at 6 feet apart in my backyard. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on March 12, 2020, 06:15:02 PM
Still waiting to try a Sharwil from Brad's tree.  I got one last saturday. 

Has anyone try a Gillogly avocado yet?  Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery said it's the best avocado he has so far.

There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it. I wonder if it is great or they have a glut of trees to move. Another thing to consider is that many people are terrible at growing avocado since they are relatively heavy feeders and need excellent drainage. Maybe it is wonderful in the right setting.
I have a branch graft of Don Gillogly and it has fruited for me now two year's in a row the fruit necked a little like pic in other thread but very tasty fruit and creamy supposed sport off of Hass orchard  I believe. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on March 12, 2020, 07:02:28 PM
My recently purchased Holiday in 3 gallons and Carmen in black 2 ft high sleeve are flowering.  Should I leave them alone or cut the flowers off?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 14, 2020, 08:40:30 AM
There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it.

Folks here love it, says it's rich.  It produces a large fruit with a long neck.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/)

I grew it in Corpus Christi which has a clime similar to yours, raised bed over black clay gumbo.  Did real well, fruited early, moved away when it was a 2-3 year old tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp/Avocados-On-Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 14, 2020, 08:42:09 AM
My recently purchased Holiday in 3 gallons and Carmen in black 2 ft high sleeve are flowering.  Should I leave them alone or cut the flowers off?

Yes, drop them or the little fruits that set.  Now is the time to concentrate on root development.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on March 15, 2020, 09:16:28 AM
I am new to the forum and avocado.  I have been reading this threads every nights but only got to page. 10.  I am intending to finish them all to pickup all I could from your experience.  I recently bought a Holiday  in 3 gallons, a Reed in red sleeve and a Carmen in black sleeve from Laguna Hills Nursery. My wife and daughter love cado and mango.   They could have them every day if they could.   I like to have a happy family so I decided to plant our own.  However, I got over excited and over bought.

I now have a dilemma-my back yard is too small for all 3 avocado in the ground along with 3 mango and a atemoya.  Some plants have to go in the future if they don't do well.  I am thinking of grafting of more cultivars to the best plant in the future for more varieties.  Most likely I have to do the same for the mango.

Which of the 2 avocado should I transplant to the ground and which one should be in the pot? I have a Holiday, a Reed and a Carmen.  Which one have the best chance for success in a small garden in raise bed because of Orange's clay soil.

Thank you in advance for feedback.

The Holiday will do fine in a 1/2 wine barrel or similar size container and I would plant the other two in the ground as they will be your more productive trees.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 15, 2020, 11:41:16 AM
Still waiting to try a Sharwil from Brad's tree.  I got one last saturday. 

Has anyone try a Gillogly avocado yet?  Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery said it's the best avocado he has so far.

There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it. I wonder if it is great or they have a glut of trees to move. Another thing to consider is that many people are terrible at growing avocado since they are relatively heavy feeders and need excellent drainage. Maybe it is wonderful in the right setting.
I have a branch graft of Don Gillogly and it has fruited for me now two year's in a row the fruit necked a little like pic in other thread but very tasty fruit and creamy supposed sport off of Hass orchard  I believe. 
There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it.

Folks here love it, says it's rich.  It produces a large fruit with a long neck.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/)

I grew it in Corpus Christi which has a clime similar to yours, raised bed over black clay gumbo.  Did real well, fruited early, moved away when it was a 2-3 year old tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp/Avocados-On-Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp)

Thanks guys, good to know! I'm going to grab some budwood next time I am out.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on March 15, 2020, 12:16:20 PM
Gillogoly is top 5 Aguacate for me.
They sell them at the farmers market .
I would love to find some scion.

Still waiting to try a Sharwil from Brad's tree.  I got one last saturday. 

Has anyone try a Gillogly avocado yet?  Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery said it's the best avocado he has so far.

There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it. I wonder if it is great or they have a glut of trees to move. Another thing to consider is that many people are terrible at growing avocado since they are relatively heavy feeders and need excellent drainage. Maybe it is wonderful in the right setting.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 15, 2020, 04:28:36 PM
Does anyone know if laurel wilt is carried in scionwood?  Im tempted to get some wood from FL but dont want new disease here in CA.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 15, 2020, 04:39:30 PM
Does anyone know if laurel wilt is carried in scionwood?  Im tempted to get some wood from FL but dont want new disease here in CA.

It kills the tree so fast I feel like it would be very difficult to to spread that way. If for some reason it could be spread through grafting your tree would die and then it would have to be eaten by beetles which get infected with the fungus. I'm no expert but it seems like a long shot. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 15, 2020, 07:23:43 PM
Thanks Josh, I need some scions then...   8)

You get some nice takes on your stuff?  My grafts all took here thrn we got a rain and cloud spell thats slowing everything down.  Hopefully it warms back up and the grafts keep pushing.


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 16, 2020, 10:23:48 AM
Does anyone know if laurel wilt is carried in scionwood?  Im tempted to get some wood from FL but dont want new disease here in CA.

Don't risk it.  I talked to Carlos down in Homestead a month ago and he told me it's so widespread that he feels Florida's avocado industry is history.  He's  working with the university gurus on the problem so he's in on it all.

Curious, just WHAT variety can you not live without?

You're just like I was with the orchid biz - I just had to kiss all the pretty ladies.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 16, 2020, 03:22:40 PM
Does anyone know if laurel wilt is carried in scionwood?  Im tempted to get some wood from FL but dont want new disease here in CA.

Don't risk it.  I talked to Carlos down in Homestead a month ago and he told me it's so widespread that he feels Florida's avocado industry is history.  He's  working with the university gurus on the problem so he's in on it all.

Curious, just WHAT variety can you not live without?

You're just like I was with the orchid biz - I just had to kiss all the pretty ladies.

Ill send you a PM, if I post it here there will be a buying frenzy like its toilet paper...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 17, 2020, 10:19:56 PM
Thanks Josh, I need some scions then...   8)

You get some nice takes on your stuff?  My grafts all took here thrn we got a rain and cloud spell thats slowing everything down.  Hopefully it warms back up and the grafts keep pushing.

They are looking good so far. Seems like most are starting to push.  ;D
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 17, 2020, 10:23:57 PM
Does anyone know if laurel wilt is carried in scionwood?  Im tempted to get some wood from FL but dont want new disease here in CA.

Don't risk it.  I talked to Carlos down in Homestead a month ago and he told me it's so widespread that he feels Florida's avocado industry is history.  He's  working with the university gurus on the problem so he's in on it all.

Curious, just WHAT variety can you not live without?

You're just like I was with the orchid biz - I just had to kiss all the pretty ladies.

It is around but most of it is down there on the other coast. Younger and properly pruned and opened up trees are far less likely to get infected. The beetles like overgrown commercial orchards. I haven’t seen any infected trees in person here in Sarasota.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 18, 2020, 09:21:01 AM

Ill send you a PM, if I post it here there will be a buying frenzy like its toilet paper...

 ;D

You've always been very generous when it comes to sharing your toilet paper.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: countryboy1981 on March 22, 2020, 10:42:43 AM
Does anyone have any variety recommendations for hot and humid south alabama?  I have tried the cold hardy varities but they all seem to get black on the trunk and slowly decline.  What are some great tasting varities that woupd handle the heat and humidity?.  We also would get too cold so I know protection is in order during the winter for a couple nights a year.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Vernmented on March 22, 2020, 03:50:01 PM
Does anyone have any variety recommendations for hot and humid south alabama?  I have tried the cold hardy varities but they all seem to get black on the trunk and slowly decline.  What are some great tasting varities that woupd handle the heat and humidity?.  We also would get too cold so I know protection is in order during the winter for a couple nights a year.

What are your lows? The main thing is planting in large mounds.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JoeP450 on March 22, 2020, 08:07:38 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfybPZsF/C07-E7-F52-5004-45-EC-991-C-5503-B0-A5-B232.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfybPZsF)

Hey Forum,

Very happy to say after 5 years my oro negro is finally flowering, I’m stoked though noticed much yellowing leaves. Should I be worried, is this normal behavior when flowering? My buddy has an avocado, unknown type but raging flowering and he’s got yellowing leaves too 🤷‍♂️


Joe
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: countryboy1981 on March 22, 2020, 08:53:10 PM
Does anyone have any variety recommendations for hot and humid south alabama?  I have tried the cold hardy varities but they all seem to get black on the trunk and slowly decline.  What are some great tasting varities that woupd handle the heat and humidity?.  We also would get too cold so I know protection is in order during the winter for a couple nights a year.

What are your lows? The main thing is planting in large mounds.

It depends on the year.  This winter we got down to 22.  Last winter down to 28, the previous winter down to 16.  I have kept a Barbados cherry tree alive through all of those mentioned winters.  I just want a heat and humidity tolerant avocado as fantastic and other cold hardy types cannot handle the heat and humidity here.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 22, 2020, 08:57:12 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfybPZsF/C07-E7-F52-5004-45-EC-991-C-5503-B0-A5-B232.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfybPZsF)

Hey Forum,

Very happy to say after 5 years my oro negro is finally flowering, I’m stoked though noticed much yellowing leaves. Should I be worried, is this normal behavior when flowering? My buddy has an avocado, unknown type but raging flowering and he’s got yellowing leaves too 🤷‍♂️


Joe

Congrats, that's a long time to wait for flowers. 

In CA, the leaves fall off in spring and the tree flushes new leaves.  Probably the same thing you are seeing.  The tree is using the energy to flower.  Now would be a good time to give it a little fertilizer with nitrogen and potassium and micro nutrient including zinc.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on March 23, 2020, 12:31:53 AM
There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it.

Folks here love it, says it's rich.  It produces a large fruit with a long neck.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/)

I grew it in Corpus Christi which has a clime similar to yours, raised bed over black clay gumbo.  Did real well, fruited early, moved away when it was a 2-3 year old tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp/Avocados-On-Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp)

Mark, Do you mind to share details of your plater? It looks interesting but I could not make of size and material.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on March 26, 2020, 12:16:44 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/hfybPZsF/C07-E7-F52-5004-45-EC-991-C-5503-B0-A5-B232.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfybPZsF)

Hey Forum,

Very happy to say after 5 years my oro negro is finally flowering, I’m stoked though noticed much yellowing leaves. Should I be worried, is this normal behavior when flowering? My buddy has an avocado, unknown type but raging flowering and he’s got yellowing leaves too 🤷‍♂️


Joe

Congrats, that's a long time to wait for flowers. 

In CA, the leaves fall off in spring and the tree flushes new leaves.  Probably the same thing you are seeing.  The tree is using the energy to flower.  Now would be a good time to give it a little fertilizer with nitrogen and potassium and micro nutrient including zinc.


I've heard Oro negro is a late fruiter. Also took mine 5 years to make 3 flowers , following year none (transplant shock I bet), then last year many flowers and some fruit but suffered sunburn, damaged trunk, and some root problems. I'm going to stump it and see what happens. All my trees that I had in pots for many years before going in ground are showing signs of weak roots.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on March 26, 2020, 06:22:55 AM
There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it.

Folks here love it, says it's rich.  It produces a large fruit with a long neck.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/)

I grew it in Corpus Christi which has a clime similar to yours, raised bed over black clay gumbo.  Did real well, fruited early, moved away when it was a 2-3 year old tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp/Avocados-On-Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp)

Mark, Do you mind to share details of your planter? It looks interesting but I could not make of size and material.

Nothing more than scallop top concrete tree rings cemented flat sides together to form a raised bed.  My cement skills suck but it got the job done. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on March 26, 2020, 11:52:44 PM
There are so many bad reviews of Gillogly online. I have access to a tree here and the patent has expired. I may try to graft a piece here but I am not sure it's worth it.

Folks here love it, says it's rich.  It produces a large fruit with a long neck.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160547928066846/)

Look good to me.

I grew it in Corpus Christi which has a clime similar to yours, raised bed over black clay gumbo.  Did real well, fruited early, moved away when it was a 2-3 year old tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp/Avocados-On-Tree8-13-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBBfwzMp)

Mark, Do you mind to share details of your planter? It looks interesting but I could not make of size and material.

Nothing more than scallop top concrete tree rings cemented flat sides together to form a raised bed.  My cement skills suck but it got the job done.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Yook on March 27, 2020, 03:05:04 PM
Anyone growing Monroe in the Orlando area? Carlos and Pine Island Nursery have such good things to say about it but I really don't see much else talk about it or anywhere to buy it.
Title: Yamagata avocado in Southern California
Post by: Sabah_2018 on March 31, 2020, 03:37:50 AM
I have a Yamagata avocado tree that I am optimistic will give me fruits this year, because the tree is about 8 feet tall and is producing lots of flowers. Does anyone know approximately when the fruits usually ripen in Southern California (San Diego specifically)?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 10, 2020, 04:20:01 AM
And this are two seed seedling avocados from a very rare variety that one friend from Belize sent me. This avocado have purple fesh!  :o


(https://i.postimg.cc/tYLq860V/DSC-0894.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYLq860V)

(https://i.postimg.cc/S2NVqJ0W/DSC-0893.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/S2NVqJ0W)
 

This photos are from the original fruit that my friend took…
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/dLW6STsK/IMG-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLW6STsK)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/dL76pVLk/IMG-1891.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dL76pVLk)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oolie on April 10, 2020, 04:53:38 AM
And this are two seed seedling avocados from a very rare variety that one friend from Belize sent me. This avocado have purple fesh!  :o


(https://i.postimg.cc/tYLq860V/DSC-0894.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYLq860V)

(https://i.postimg.cc/S2NVqJ0W/DSC-0893.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/S2NVqJ0W)
 

This photos are from the original fruit that my friend took…
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/dLW6STsK/IMG-2020.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLW6STsK)
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/dL76pVLk/IMG-1891.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dL76pVLk)

Definitely a West Indian type. I wonder about the cause of the pigmentation, maybe anthocyanins?

I have a Yamagata avocado tree that I am optimistic will give me fruits this year, because the tree is about 8 feet tall and is producing lots of flowers. Does anyone know approximately when the fruits usually ripen in Southern California (San Diego specifically)?

That's dependent on the genetic origins of the avo. West Indians ripen the same year in the fall, Mexican the following year in the winter, Guatemalan the next year in the Summer. Any hybrids will be between those numbers depending upon their respective parentage. At least that's my understanding from the reading I have done. I suspect that location may not be a factor, and therefore March-April?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 10, 2020, 05:28:57 AM
Well i dodn't know what is causing the pigmentation... and i don't know if the fruit will be true to seed, but the seedlings are very red since the first day. If i got any fruit some day i will get the nutrition profile and analize it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 10, 2020, 07:12:38 AM
I recently grafted Sharwil sticks to a frozen back Oro Negro stump which is now 9' H X 8' wide, covered in flowers many yet to open and I must have 100's of BB's hanging on this thing.  Never seen the likes of it on any variety.

(https://i.postimg.cc/R6yvh2jT/Sharwil-Fruit-April1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R6yvh2jT)

Sharwill last month:

(https://i.postimg.cc/qgD1h4Dr/Sharwil-March14.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qgD1h4Dr)

Flowering/fruiting are - Ardith, GEM, Pinkerton, Sharwil, Lamb.  Reed for some odd reason is a good 6  weeks late to drop it's old flowers and put on a new flush of leaves and flowers.  Last year's fruit is doing well, about 4".

(https://i.postimg.cc/K3Kvp2g6/Reed-April8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K3Kvp2g6)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kinghappy on April 15, 2020, 04:13:57 PM
looking to try a Day avocado . I live in Naples Fl and want to plant another tree . Would like to try a Day and possibly a few others before planting . Any idea where I can buy some different varieties to try ? I currently have 2  Nishikawa , Oro Negro and a Brogdon . So if someone wants to swap a couple I good with that .

The Nish and Oro  are late trees . Looking for something earlier in the year .

mike
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 17, 2020, 12:09:43 PM
looking to try a Day avocado . I live in Naples Fl and want to plant another tree . Would like to try a Day and possibly a few others before planting . Any idea where I can buy some different varieties to try ? I currently have 2  Nishikawa , Oro Negro and a Brogdon . So if someone wants to swap a couple I good with that .

The Nish and Oro  are late trees . Looking for something earlier in the year .

mike

I'd go with Ettinger, a seedling of Fuerte.  Does well in the RGV (rio grande valley) which is similar to your area.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: 850FL on April 17, 2020, 12:17:00 PM
I wonder if those purple and red flesh avocados have gained any more cold tolerance than their parent trees (or similar trees from their bloodlines)? Usually increased amounts of anthocyanins correlate with more cold tolerance.. But then again, that purple flesh variety seems to be of the West Indian race, so any increased cold tolerance would probably be minimal. Still curious though
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kinghappy on April 17, 2020, 04:53:14 PM
Never heard of a Ettinger . Don't think they are very popular in south Florida . Any reason why you recommend them over the more popular Day's or Simmonds  options ? We are the same environment as Carlos in Miami .
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 17, 2020, 07:00:02 PM
My Bacon avocado full of flowers!   ;D


(https://i.postimg.cc/5jXWhwCq/DSC-0937.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jXWhwCq)
 

(https://i.postimg.cc/HVSZdK1r/DSC-0936.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HVSZdK1r)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 17, 2020, 07:17:34 PM
I recently grafted Sharwil sticks to a frozen back Oro Negro stump which is now 9' H X 8' wide, covered in flowers many yet to open and I must have 100's of BB's hanging on this thing.  Never seen the likes of it on any variety.

(https://i.postimg.cc/R6yvh2jT/Sharwil-Fruit-April1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/R6yvh2jT)

Sharwill last month:

(https://i.postimg.cc/qgD1h4Dr/Sharwil-March14.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qgD1h4Dr)

Flowering/fruiting are - Ardith, GEM, Pinkerton, Sharwil, Lamb.  Reed for some odd reason is a good 6  weeks late to drop it's old flowers and put on a new flush of leaves and flowers.  Last year's fruit is doing well, about 4".

(https://i.postimg.cc/K3Kvp2g6/Reed-April8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K3Kvp2g6)

Nice looking sharwil mark.  The sharwils here are really excellent.  Home grown hass is pretty darn good too, hard to say which are better. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Luisport on April 18, 2020, 12:03:47 PM
Ettinger avocado with flowers


(https://i.postimg.cc/MMjvW4xk/DSC-0952.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MMjvW4xk)
 

(https://i.postimg.cc/HjqPs7wF/DSC-0953.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HjqPs7wF)

Lamb Hass avocado
 

(https://i.postimg.cc/HcFDmY9m/DSC-0954.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcFDmY9m)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 19, 2020, 08:43:14 AM
Never heard of a Ettinger . Don't think they are very popular in south Florida . Any reason why you recommend them over the more popular Day's or Simmonds  options ? We are the same environment as Carlos in Miami .

There's a lot of great avocados not recommended in Florida, what can I say.  Ettinger has a thick peel for starts which helps with your anthracnose thingie.

Taste is reported good. This from a large scale Aggie trial in Weslaco in 1989.  Tech I talked to loved it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/MMcZcDty/Weslaco-Avocado-Study-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MMcZcDty)

(https://i.postimg.cc/VrTqMKw1/Weslaco-Avocado-Study.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrTqMKw1)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 19, 2020, 08:52:09 AM
Nice looking sharwil mark.  The sharwils here are really excellent.  Home grown hass is pretty darn good too, hard to say which are better.

Thanks Brad. Yeah, I've grown Sharwil. It's an excellent tree in all respects - the way it grows, fruits, quality of fruit.  Damn thing is just loaded but of course it's also dropping some of that fruit load.  Lamb has set fruit.

BTW, what's up with Ardith?  Mine with it's single trunk is now pretty thick, like 2", BUT the internodes are outrageous, like 12-18".  Is that just the way it grows?  It's holding fruit at the top, 9' but I may just have to cut it down to a stump and start all over regarding it's profile, which really sucks. 

BTW, GEM is blooming well and sending off a fine leaf flush. If you recall I grafted that one last year. 

Reed is really acting up. Holding nice fruit but no evidence of pushing buds any time soon.  I was worried because it was super late going into dormancy last winter for some reason.  It's a good 6 weeks behind schedule.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 19, 2020, 08:54:00 AM
My Bacon avocado full of flowers!   ;D


(https://i.postimg.cc/5jXWhwCq/DSC-0937.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jXWhwCq)
 

(https://i.postimg.cc/HVSZdK1r/DSC-0936.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HVSZdK1r)

Sweet!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 19, 2020, 11:33:21 AM
Ardith is growing normal here.  My tree has a bunch of fruit, I havent picked and tried any yet.  Probably should soon.  We are drowning in avocados...  Reed hasnt flowered here yet either.  My guatemalans are about to bloom but not yet.  All the new hawaiian trees heres are budding up.  Lots of good stuff.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 19, 2020, 11:40:20 AM
Trees blooming
(https://i.postimg.cc/bDPr4NPr/20200417-182655.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDPr4NPr)


(https://i.postimg.cc/w12ZJ9xJ/20200417-183211.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w12ZJ9xJ)

This is my favorite tree, Ota from HI.  Just like the way it grows.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ygwH2LcP/20200417-182634.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ygwH2LcP)


My grafts took 8 weeks to push with this mild spring
(https://i.postimg.cc/4KxH3xM0/20200417-182348.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4KxH3xM0)


Holiday is holding around 15 fruit this year, hopefully they hang until the holidays. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/zV30Mq0q/20200417-182756.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zV30Mq0q)


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 19, 2020, 04:04:45 PM
Thanks for sharing Brad.  Your avocado "farm" is beautiful.  I bet it's lovely to walk among the trees.  Here's hoping you hold a lot of excellent fruit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 19, 2020, 07:40:33 PM
Hi,

I've had a Hass mounded for half a year and some of the new growth leaves have been browning and falling off, and some of the limbs are yellowing. Is this root for? Please see the photo.
Thanks
(https://i.postimg.cc/3dLWPbmg/IMG-20200419-163415500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dLWPbmg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Bush2Beach on April 19, 2020, 08:54:55 PM
What !! You got that Ota!! My new favorite Avocado. Not quite as thick and rich as kahu’ulu but just right for me. You got a good scion source to have added all these great Hawaiian avocado’s.
The most kind’s I have heard of someone growing outside of the Islands.

Trees blooming
(https://i.postimg.cc/bDPr4NPr/20200417-182655.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDPr4NPr)


(https://i.postimg.cc/w12ZJ9xJ/20200417-183211.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w12ZJ9xJ)

This is my favorite tree, Ota from HI.  Just like the way it grows.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ygwH2LcP/20200417-182634.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ygwH2LcP)


My grafts took 8 weeks to push with this mild spring
(https://i.postimg.cc/4KxH3xM0/20200417-182348.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4KxH3xM0)


Holiday is holding around 15 fruit this year, hopefully they hang until the holidays. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/zV30Mq0q/20200417-182756.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zV30Mq0q)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 19, 2020, 11:16:24 PM
Does anyone know what variety this might be? My daughter brought a few home from a friend.  All they know it is a large tree at their back yard that bear plenty of fruits every year.   The skin is thin and easily to peel off.  It is quite buttery. It is twice as big than the Haas that we bought from supermarket.  I am thinking of asking for few scions for grafting on the Carmen or Reed once they got older.
(https://i.postimg.cc/68qQqHWB/24-ABAD05-CDF9-4973-9532-B139-CD5-A608-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/68qQqHWB)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oolie on April 20, 2020, 12:23:55 AM
Fuerte. Those late hangers are some of the best of the crop.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2020, 12:53:07 AM
What !! You got that Ota!! My new favorite Avocado. Not quite as thick and rich as kahu’ulu but just right for me. You got a good scion source to have added all these great Hawaiian avocado’s.
The most kind’s I have heard of someone growing outside of the Islands.

Yeah a nice guy from this forum sent me much of the wood.  He had it inspected and all.  Havent seen him on here much in a while.  If you are out there, thanks.  All the trees are looking nice.

The Ota has one of the best growth patterns of all the avocado trees growing here.  Super erect and strong.  Ill be using an interstock on some new plantings here.  This will make an excellwnt interstock to hang more droopy or weak growers and large types onto. 

We will hopefully get another 50+ trees in the ground this year, Im scrambling to get a new block of avocado trees going.  Heres how they look at the moment.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mzkdw6Qm/20200419-142613.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzkdw6Qm)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 20, 2020, 08:45:40 AM
Ardith is growing normal here.  My tree has a bunch of fruit, I havent picked and tried any yet.  Probably should soon.  We are drowning in avocados...  Reed hasnt flowered here yet either.  My guatemalans are about to bloom but not yet.  All the new hawaiian trees heres are budding up.  Lots of good stuff.

Drowning in avocados?  Wow, fate worst than death.  I can help. ;)

Everything looks great.  You're planning, care, etc. is first rate.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 20, 2020, 08:48:14 AM
Hi,

I've had a Hass mounded for half a year and some of the new growth leaves have been browning and falling off, and some of the limbs are yellowing. Is this root for? Please see the photo.
Thanks
(https://i.postimg.cc/3dLWPbmg/IMG-20200419-163415500.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dLWPbmg)

Need more info. Did you amend clay backfill by chance?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 20, 2020, 09:34:37 AM
No I built an entirely new mound out of bulk soil from a nursery that they said would be good for avocado trees. I originally planted the tree in a hole and two weeks later I realized my mistake and dug it up and put it in a mound. That was 7 months ago and there has been a lot of new growth since then, but now the new growth is struggling.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on April 20, 2020, 10:55:55 AM
What !! You got that Ota!! My new favorite Avocado. Not quite as thick and rich as kahu’ulu but just right for me. You got a good scion source to have added all these great Hawaiian avocado’s.
The most kind’s I have heard of someone growing outside of the Islands.

Yeah a nice guy from this forum sent me much of the wood.  He had it inspected and all.  Havent seen him on here much in a while.  If you are out there, thanks.  All the trees are looking nice.

The Ota has one of the best growth patterns of all the avocado trees growing here.  Super erect and strong.  Ill be using an interstock on some new plantings here.  This will make an excellwnt interstock to hang more droopy or weak growers and large types onto. 

We will hopefully get another 50+ trees in the ground this year, Im scrambling to get a new block of avocado trees going.  Heres how they look at the moment.

(https://i.postimg.cc/mzkdw6Qm/20200419-142613.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzkdw6Qm)
Nice collection Brad, it just keeps growing and looking really good have any of your Hawaiian avo's fruited yet?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2020, 11:06:10 AM
No I built an entirely new mound out of bulk soil from a nursery that they said would be good for avocado trees. I originally planted the tree in a hole and two weeks later I realized my mistake and dug it up and put it in a mound. That was 7 months ago and there has been a lot of new growth since then, but now the new growth is struggling.

Its been winter, just wait now the weather is turning and trees are starting to grow. 

What soil did you get?  Pretty much anything from a store is probably not the greatest.  What you want is decomposed granite soil from the local foothills. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2020, 11:09:42 AM
Scott the only one that fruited is sharwil so far which I bought at a local nursery.  The others I grafted a year and half ago and are now flowering.  They really need another year before being allowed to hold fruit.  I dont see why any won't fruit here though, they are all blooming and growing well. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 20, 2020, 11:20:45 AM

No I built an entirely new mound out of bulk soil from a nursery that they said would be good for avocado trees. I originally planted the tree in a hole and two weeks later I realized my mistake and dug it up and put it in a mound. That was 7 months ago and there has been a lot of new growth since then, but now the new growth is struggling.

Its been winter, just wait now the weather is turning and trees are starting to grow. 

What soil did you get?  Pretty much anything from a store is probably not the greatest.  What you want is decomposed granite soil from the local foothills.

I think they said it was 50/50 compost and top soil.

We did get a ton of rain, I'm hoping it has just been a temporary waterlogging and the tree can recover.

Can these trees recover once they have been through a waterlogging?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2020, 11:27:33 AM
Compost and top soil is no bueno.  Top soil is usually just silty loam that has no grit or coarseness in it.  And compost breaks down into something similar.  You want something with lots of sand or coarse mineral that wont break down and also drains and breaths easy.

You tree will probably start growing again but next tree you plant get some regular native soil from the hills around here, avocados love it.  You can have some of mine if you need some. 

Maybe even your own soil is not so bad, whats it look like?  Remind me what part of SD you live?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 20, 2020, 12:12:03 PM
Ugh. Okay thanks for the info. I live in Encinitas.
My soil gets wet and thick. I planted a Hass a couple of years ago and lost him to root rot. So I remember what the end looks like but wasn't paying close enough attention to recognize early signs, which is why I'm asking now.

I don't have a ton of space. I planted some pits and put on a few grafts (thanks for the scions) but I'm a beginner grafter so we'll see.
 Should I add some native hill soil or sand to my current tree's environment? Or cut my lossess, pull it, add soil/sand, and replant? My avocado sensibilities have hardened a bit and I've grown accustomed to having to rip them out when things go South.
Thanks again.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 20, 2020, 12:23:35 PM
I would wait and see what it does in the coming months. 

They have really strong trees at clausons for around 20$ if you need a replacement tree down the road. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 20, 2020, 04:57:57 PM
Alright I'll do that thanks. By the way can you point me to a spot (landmark) that has the soil you're talking about so I can see the correct texture? I'm not looking to go mining but just seeing what it should be would be helpful.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 20, 2020, 11:23:27 PM
Alright I'll do that thanks. By the way can you point me to a spot (landmark) that has the soil you're talking about so I can see the correct texture? I'm not looking to go mining but just seeing what it should be would be helpful.

If you have the time, go on YouTube and look up Gary from Laguna Hills Nursery on topic of Avocado.  He very much reinforced Brad’s points on the soil.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: nanewnanew on April 20, 2020, 11:53:11 PM
Sounds good, thanks for the reference, I'll check it out.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: hademarqvce on April 21, 2020, 03:26:23 PM
I like avocado, I hope that I can grow a plant from avocado. It's great that there is a forum where I can find all the recommendations and get useful tips.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 21, 2020, 07:47:31 PM
I like avocado, I hope that I can grow a plant from avocado. It's great that there is a forum where I can find all the recommendations and get useful tips.

Logee’s has container avocado listed on their website. Maybe they worked for your area as indoor and outdoor by season.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on April 22, 2020, 07:16:13 PM
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 22, 2020, 11:12:35 PM
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Nice! I wish I can do the same but I have too small of a back yard.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on April 22, 2020, 11:46:04 PM
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Nice! I wish I can do the same but I have too small of a back yard.
only 3/11 are in the ground the other 8 are in containers and raised beds
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 23, 2020, 12:32:21 AM
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Nice! I wish I can do the same but I have too small of a back yard.
Where'd you find the Reed.  I've been searching around for one for a few years.  I'm growing in containers as well.  I have five in container and three older ones in the ground.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on April 23, 2020, 01:40:00 AM
Hey Naysen,
I have around 30 avocado seeds started and will be grafting several to Reed if I can get scions. I'll keep you in mind In case I have spares. I've seen a Reed at green acres before but haven't made it out your way in a while...
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Nice! I wish I can do the same but I have too small of a back yard.
Where'd you find the Reed.  I've been searching around for one for a few years.  I'm growing in containers as well.  I have five in container and three older ones in the ground.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 23, 2020, 11:39:33 AM
Thanks Kris.  I remember you mentioning that Green Acres had some in your areas from a year or two back (four winds growers was the source I believe).  I've stopped into that nursery and checked many times since but have yet to get lucky.  I sometimes ask if they can special order, but it never works out.  I have a single seed I started here as well, which I may try my hand at grafting on again.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 23, 2020, 12:41:16 PM
I bought the Reed at Laguna Hills Nursery in Santa Ana this late March.  At my last week, they are out of Reed.  Carmen and Reed went very fast relatively to other varieties.  Unfortunately, the Reed that I have is about a foot tall and too young for scion.  How are the containers work out?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on April 23, 2020, 12:46:27 PM
Dang I went to my local nursery for strawberries which they were out of and just stopped by some avocado's that just arrived and left with a Gwen tree. That makes the 5th new avocado tree this spring. I've added a Carmen, D'Arturo, Reed, Gem and Gwen to my collection. My other trees are Pinkerton, Fuerte, Bacon, Mexicola, Stewart and Wurtz.
Nice! I wish I can do the same but I have too small of a back yard.
Where'd you find the Reed.  I've been searching around for one for a few years.  I'm growing in containers as well.  I have five in container and three older ones in the ground.

I was at Lowes in Modesto looking for veggies and wandered over to the trees and found the Reed there for $24.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on April 24, 2020, 08:33:00 PM
Good to know that Lowes is an option for Reed.  I'll keep an eye out.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on April 28, 2020, 05:43:59 PM
I bought a young Queen and Sharwil Avocado Seeding from OC-CRFG this weekend to support the organization scholarship drive.  I was trying to find more information on Queen avocado on-line particularly on care and characteristics.  There are many information on other cultivars but not on Queen.  It made me very curious of the reason why we don't have much information with the internet age.  Anyway, if you have any experience with the Queen avocado, please share.  Greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Jack, Nipomo on April 28, 2020, 07:56:05 PM
Here you go: Queen avocado
(Guat.)Introduced 1914 by E.E.Knight of Yorba Linda, CA, from near Antigua, Guat. Parent tree had 80 foot spread. Fruit season, July-Aug.; color, dull purple; weight, 20-30 ozs.; shape, pyriform; skin, rough, medium thick; flavor fine; oil, 13.5%. Seed, small.Illus. in CA. Avo. Soc. Yearbook 1927, & Cal. Ag. Exp. Sta. Circ. 43. Shipping quality good. Fruit too large except for special markets. (CAS Yearbook 1950) Grafted onto large rootstock at South Coast Research Station, Irvine, CA. field 44, row 10, tree 19, spring of 97. (Wood from Atkins nursery, grafted by Shaefer & Brown.) I've been told that Queen fruit make good Christmas gifts so they must hang through Dec. B flower type. (J.R. Frink 1998) Origin, Guat.; Race, Guat.; Flowering group, B (Lahav & Gazit)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 25, 2020, 11:10:47 AM
We did a taste test with these varieties the other day.  Reed, hass, ardith, sharwil, sir prize, pinkerton.  Reed and ardith need more time so not fair for them.  Sharwil, pinkerton, and hass are consistently the best fruit off my trees.  Im going to say all around best tree and fruit is hass.  The fruit quality is superior, the tree grows well, maes tons of fruit, and they hang forever.  Sharwil also good all around but I need more years to see how the trees perform here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/66PSTY3t/20200523-082521.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 25, 2020, 01:51:04 PM
Great line-up and pic Brad.  Thanks for sharing the assessment.  How does lamb-hass compare to the original Hass in your opinion?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 25, 2020, 02:06:38 PM
Couldn't find my tree paint this morning so I whitewashed with surround, hope it's enough. we might see 110 degrees by thursday. :(
(https://i.postimg.cc/PvQ0TrQw/Fuerte.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PvQ0TrQw)
Fuerte

(https://i.postimg.cc/jWn9ChhK/Sir-Prize.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWn9ChhK)
Sir Prize

(https://i.postimg.cc/vgRKn6Pn/Stewart.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgRKn6Pn)
Stewart
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 25, 2020, 02:10:45 PM
Kris, I did the same last year.  The Surround seemed to hold up fine through the year, and with plenty of rain sessions.  I need to get out there and "paint" the top branches of my exposed trees today.  Thanks for the reminder.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on May 25, 2020, 02:31:19 PM
Kris, I did the same last year.  The Surround seemed to hold up fine through the year, and with plenty of rain sessions.  I need to get out there and "paint" the top branches of my exposed trees today.  Thanks for the reminder.
Nice to know. I used it on the leaves and it didn't seem to help much last year. This morning I put new suports in, white washed, and gave them a good watering. I've already had some sun burn happen this year. It's too hot. Hopefully these do well this year. I hate how the stewart grows.. It may get yanked anyways.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 25, 2020, 02:35:43 PM
Great line-up and pic Brad.  Thanks for sharing the assessment.  How does lamb-hass compare to the original Hass in your opinion?

Lamb is pretty close to refular hass.  Maybe not quite as good.  Just barely lower quality, most people probably couldnt twll the difference.  But its a later season fruit and the tree is very prolific fruiter.  I like it a lot and have planted a bunch of those. 

Im deciding what types to plant out here in a new orchard section and hass, gem, and lamb are high on the list. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on May 25, 2020, 02:42:50 PM
Hi Brad, thanks for the info.  My small lamb in the side-yard is best fruited next to the Pinkerton.  Sure, they will not hold, but I see what you mean.  I need to give an update post soon.  I screwed-up the Expandable Containers with a simple mistake that anyone might make.  I want to give the public service announcement on that at least.  Have a great Memorial Day!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on May 25, 2020, 04:54:36 PM
I had the Hass & Sharwil from your tree. The late season Hass is good but the Sharwil is on another level.  Just my 2 cents.
We did a taste test with these varieties the other day.  Reed, hass, ardith, sharwil, sir prize, pinkerton.  Reed and ardith need more time so not fair for them.  Sharwil, pinkerton, and hass are consistently the best fruit off my trees.  Im going to say all around best tree and fruit is hass.  The fruit quality is superior, the tree grows well, maes tons of fruit, and they hang forever.  Sharwil also good all around but I need more years to see how the trees perform here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/66PSTY3t/20200523-082521.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 25, 2020, 06:56:07 PM
The hass right now are super good too.  Sharwil is amazing and they ripen to a high oil level earlier than hass.  Its a really early season fruit in my yard.

Heres the Lamb hass tree, havent started picking these yet.  Its an awesome tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/F16hJMwY/20200525-150753.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F16hJMwY)


(https://i.postimg.cc/CZrQQgGD/20200525-150007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CZrQQgGD)



(https://i.postimg.cc/CngHvPQk/20200525-145933.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CngHvPQk)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pnguyen on May 31, 2020, 12:11:12 PM
My Young Carmen has yellow spots on the leaves and stop growing.  Meanwhile, The young Holiday, Reed and Queen leaves are green with new growth.  They are all in raised planters except the Queen is in a 5 Gallon pot.  Should I be concerned with the Reed and do something. Thank for any feedback. I am new to planting and might be too much of parenting.

(https://i.postimg.cc/YjZD1cFv/8-D01-D41-D-537-A-420-A-8-A28-A3-AB39687-D07.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjZD1cFv) Queen In pot-no growth but little yellow spot on leaves

(https://i.postimg.cc/zySdZVch/8-E6604-C3-8-EC6-4-A76-939-C-206-F787-CE4-EE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zySdZVch) Holiday in raised planter. New growths with no yellow spots on leaves.

(https://i.postimg.cc/CRVvQjmY/9-F2-D6-C0-D-0-CEA-453-A-87-DB-7-EA8-B228-CC91.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRVvQjmY) Reed is raised plater. New growths with no yellow spots on leaves.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ThpHL2K8/E2815-B80-CAF9-49-A4-8-BDC-925-BD02-E5-E1-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThpHL2K8) Carmen in raised platers. No new growth with yellow spots on leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on June 15, 2020, 05:47:04 PM
I hadn't gotten any hits on my latest updates on my side-yard Avocado "project" thread, but I thought it was (or might be) of interest to some.  If so, you can find the posts here:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.100 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.100)

The avocado trees are doing well in their expandable pots.

-naysen
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on June 17, 2020, 08:50:47 AM
My Young Carmen has yellow spots on the leaves and stop growing.

Check for mites and nutritional issues.  Can't beat Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor for avocados and all tropical fruit trees for that matter.  Level TB for a 5 gal. pot should do it.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Viraldonutz on June 17, 2020, 04:08:53 PM
Went outside this morning to find 20+ large marble-sized Reeds on the ground... :(

I knew I'd lose a bunch, but it always hurts anyways.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 02, 2020, 08:52:32 PM
We did a side by side with ardith(top), lamb(right), reed(bottom).

 The ardith seems like it needs more time still, they seem to be a very later variety, it took 13 days to soften and was not as oily as I would like.  Not impressed so far but maybe in a month or 2 they will be better.  Have only tried 2 fruit so far and they seem not ripe enough.  If they do improve and can hang until December this would be a great gap filler fruit in CA. 

Reed still going to get more oil but this was very good oil content and smooth/buttery and delicious. 

Lamb also very good, nice flavor.  More avocado flavor than the other 2 but maybe not as enjoyable as reed but still very good.  Tastes like a good store bought hass.  Not as good as regular has this time of year but they will improve and hang until October here.  By then they start to sprout and grow roots in the fruit and it ruins them.  They still taste fine but they get a lot of roots going at some point. 

Overall reed was best today. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/Dwz8L1kk/20200802-163257.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Nyuu on August 02, 2020, 09:08:20 PM
Have someone try the aravaipa avocado and what do you think about it
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on August 03, 2020, 07:59:12 AM
Anyone know when Jan Boyce avocado is ripe in So Cal?  I've only got one hanging, my first, and I don't want to screw it up and pick it too early.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 03, 2020, 01:59:39 PM
We did a side by side with ardith(top), lamb(right), reed(bottom).
...
Lamb also very good, nice flavor.  More avocado flavor than the other 2 but maybe not as enjoyable as reed but still very good.  Tastes like a good store bought hass.  Not as good as regular has this time of year but they will improve and hang until October here.  By then they start to sprout and grow roots in the fruit and it ruins them.  They still taste fine but they get a lot of roots going at some point. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dwz8L1kk/20200802-163257.jpg)
Hi Brad,

I'm salivating over your Avocado board there -- looks great.

I have a young Lamb that's holding on to several fruitlets in my side-yard container project.  Just to be clear for my own planning, fruit that sets in early/mid-Spring will then hold onto the tree through the next year's Spring, Summer, and into the next year's fall, right?  So that fruit is on the tree for over 18-months?  Also, does this tree (or any Avocado tree for that matter) struggle to set the next season's fruit when fruit from the preceding is still hanging?  Does that deter flowering or tamp down on successful successive pollination and fruit set/hold?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2020, 03:06:19 PM
Yes, year and a half on the tree for lambs at my location.  Maybe longer in northern CA.  They come in when regular hass is done.  Good season extender. 

Yes the tree will alternate bear if its carrying a lot of fruit.  I dont think my tree set any new fruit this year.  The reason is the tree isnt making as much new vegetative flushes if its holding fruit and then no flowers because no new growth.  It can still bear year after year though if the tree is growing and its not putting all energy on fruit.  Just depends how much fruit you have on it. 

I made this video a moth ago.  The lamb tree is at the 6:50 mark if you want to see how much fruit it makes.

https://youtu.be/hsxgYtrHXZQ (https://youtu.be/hsxgYtrHXZQ)



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on August 03, 2020, 06:40:59 PM
Wow Brad, you've got one hell'of a orchard every thing is growing very well congrats on all your hard work man 8) ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2020, 08:16:19 PM
Thanks Scott, when we bought this place 6 years ago the previous owner told me "nothing grows here".  Lol

I think he just didn't put the time in and no deer fence. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 03, 2020, 08:26:53 PM
Brad, thanks for sharing the video.  I  hadn't seen you post it before.  I'm enjoying the watch through (thumbs up).  So, I have one banana tree (from previous owner), and I tried to cut it to the ground at one point, but it just will not die.  So I then tried this last year to limit it to one main "stem", but it just keeps throwing up shoots all around its base.  I decapitate the shoots, and in 1-2 days they replace themselves.  Do you have any tips for how to manage the banana root/base so that it will stop focusing on new growth/shoots/pups and just direct its energy into the one main shoot?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 03, 2020, 08:38:03 PM
You have to dig out the roots of the pups and bring the corn back to a small size. 

Or spray the whole thing with glyphosate. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on August 03, 2020, 11:51:30 PM
Do you have any tips for how to manage the banana root/base so that it will stop focusing on new growth/shoots/pups and just direct its energy into the one main shoot?

You can't just decapitate the banana shoots, you need to dig them out.  If you leave the corm in the ground, you'll just get more shoots.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 04, 2020, 12:45:53 AM
Dig them out?  Seriously.  Ouch.  That sounds like a task for 80's Arnold.  Right now, the whole thing is like a brutish, organic mass of impenetrable dinosaur hides.  The pick fork just bounces off the dried-over, leather decapitated base.  I guess I could try a jack-hammer.  A few years when I tried killing it, I hit it with a ton of glyphosate, but it seemed not to have an impact.  I'm banned from using the stuff now, and I'd like the tree to survive but in a more controlled fashion.  I'll see what I can do to dig into it.  Corm is a new term to me, so I must have some research to do.

Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2020, 12:51:59 AM
Bro, work boots and a proper shovel.  Digging bar if you need it.  Maybe a pair of work gloves and a farmer hat.  Time to tame the beast.  All it takes is once or twice a year go out and nail it.  Just get it nice and wet and soft and get at it. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 04, 2020, 03:56:30 AM
Brad, I feel like your attacking my manliness (Lol).  Hey, no one ever called me lazy in the yard; instead, I get in trouble for getting after it too much.  But, yeah, there's something about this banana tree that's intractable for me.  It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement.  I'll give it another go.  I assume digging all the surrounding pups will have some damage on the roots of the one or two I want to maintain.  I'm sure they'll bounce back in time though.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2020, 07:09:53 AM
Brad, thanks for sharing the video.  I  hadn't seen you post it before.  I'm enjoying the watch through (thumbs up).  So, I have one banana tree (from previous owner), and I tried to cut it to the ground at one point, but it just will not die.  So I then tried this last year to limit it to one main "stem", but it just keeps throwing up shoots all around its base.  I decapitate the shoots, and in 1-2 days they replace themselves.  Do you have any tips for how to manage the banana root/base so that it will stop focusing on new growth/shoots/pups and just direct its energy into the one main shoot?

I've killed about every kind of weed, cactus, thistle and tree you can imagine.  Based on what I've got and how lazy I am the method and chemicals I use is my call for a particular problem.  For starts you must add a surfactant to your mix or it's worthless for foliar sprays.  Couple of months ago I killed about 200, 4-6' mesquite trees in the field that came up from seeds.  I did drive bys with a broad leaf herbicide called PastureGard HL concentrating on the multiple trunks and leaves.  OR....you can take any such hardwood tree cut it down to a stump and paint on a mix of PastureGard or even glyphosate on the stump.  Same with banana.  Since banana is a monocot glyphosate would work well like Brad said.

I load up with about 20 gals. of glyphosate and edge burn 4,200' of deer fence, edge our 1,000' drive, do around the house including along and in beds, in the greenhouse including weeds growing on top of the pots.  Here's some tree rings in "you can't kill bermuda grass".  ;D

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRjv4P9P/TreeRing.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRjv4P9P)

Spring, pecan tree.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRjv4P9P/TreeRing.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRjv4P9P)

Whatever.....your target must be actively growing in moist ground for an herbicide to be effective.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2020, 07:21:35 AM
We ate a Reed last night, OMG!  It was probably the most delicious, richest, creamy, buttery avocado I've ever eaten in my life.  Close but a bit different in profile to being the all time best was a Hass a friend in SoCal sent us. 

My Reeds now have about 15 months hang time. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on August 04, 2020, 08:58:24 AM
Brad, I feel like your attacking my manliness (Lol).  Hey, no one ever called me lazy in the yard; instead, I get in trouble for getting after it too much.  But, yeah, there's something about this banana tree that's intractable for me.  It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement.  I'll give it another go.  I assume digging all the surrounding pups will have some damage on the roots of the one or two I want to maintain.  I'm sure they'll bounce back in time though.  Thanks.

Commercially, glyphosate is sometimes used to kill banana shoots, and it is injected into the shoots to be removed.  Kerosene is used in some places, too.  Personally, I just use elbow grease, especially since the goal is not to kill the entire plant.  The easiest approach I've found is (1) use a wide toothed saw to chop off every shoot you want gone as close to the soil as practical, then (2) use a very sturdy shovel to chop straight down through the remaining stump and corm and pop it out of the ground in pieces until there are no more pieces.  That way you don't actually dig in the soil much, which sounds hard in your situation, you essentially just use your shovel as a cutting blade and crow bar.  You need a really tough shovel for this.  I use one of the Fiskars one with 100% steel construction.

Yes, you will disturb roots of the shoots you want to keep, but you can keep your chopping of roots pretty localized to the shoots you want out.  You'll probably be tired and sore when all is said and done, but it's definitely doable as a one person job.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: palmcity on August 04, 2020, 12:17:13 PM
But, yeah, there's something about this banana tree that's intractable for me.  It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement. 
I'm in sand so much easier. But I have separated some oak roots & they are a pain. My favorite tool is this variety with two nice cutters on both ends. The smaller for the really thick roots and the bigger for the rocks & easier root removal.  This one is currently not available but here is an amazon picture/description ::: https://www.amazon.com/Truper-31638-5-Pound-Mattock-Fiberglass/dp/B002UF7R72/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=root+axe&qid=1596557111&sr=8-6 (https://www.amazon.com/Truper-31638-5-Pound-Mattock-Fiberglass/dp/B002UF7R72/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=root+axe&qid=1596557111&sr=8-6)

I was unaware of the need to remove the root mass so thanks for the information....  But I have previously removed pups etc. from a group & this tool cuts through the banana root mass easily easily easily; no where near as difficult as oak tree root removal. Using a shovel is much more difficult than using this tool listed above for cutting banana mass or oak tree roots (almost impossible if big oak roots & don't try it with a shovel lol )

3:05 minutes into youtube video shows the use of small end cutting off tree roots of a guy removing a tree.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePOh3nfN08Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePOh3nfN08Q)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on August 04, 2020, 01:09:24 PM
I have enough accumulated injuries that I'm always looking for ways to avoid exacerbating them.  A mattock is a useful tool, but unnecessary for bananas, and is a lower back killer.  Any shovel will slice through banana roots.  And through the rest of the plant if you are cutting downward (not across the fibers), using your body weight.  Hence the lopping off the tops with a saw, then using the shovel.

BTW, you don't need to remove banana roots.  You need to remove the entire offshoot ("pup") including all its bulb-like corm.  The severed roots will die.

For severing woody roots on trees (not bananas), I find a small handsaw that I don't care much about easier on the body than a mattock.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 04, 2020, 02:08:11 PM
It helps a lot to have a good shovel with wings on the top area for stomping down on.  Not all shovels have the wings.  And a good pair of work boots so you don't wreck your feet stomping on the shovel.  Makes popping out banana corms fairly easy.  Usually a couple stomps downwards and then lay the shovel over and they pop out. 

Then I take the removed material and use a large machete to chop it into small pieces and drop in place.  I keep big 18" wide log slices every 15ft in my banana area to use as chopping blocks. 

I should do a video on this.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 04, 2020, 02:46:01 PM
Glyphosate gets roots and all.  No need to complicate this. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: quesofreshcoh on August 04, 2020, 03:25:49 PM
I just planted a 'Super Hass' in my yard. Its in a pretty consistently moist spot and gets some shade throughout the day, but so far has pushed a new flush of growth. Its sitting where an old Curry Leaf tree used to be, which I did not like as it smelled very strongly and littered the ground with suckers. It's nearly impossible to get them all even after the tree's been gone. The avocado is about 3 feet tall growing straight up. I fertilized and it looks like it might push another flush. I have heard it sometimes produces unevenly ripened fruit, but out of the 10 I have tried from someone else's tree, only 2 were unevenly ripened. I don't know why it might be but I hope it produces well in a few years.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: venturabananas on August 04, 2020, 04:02:54 PM
Glyphosate gets roots and all.  No need to complicate this.

Right, but banana shoots in a mat are all connected by a shared corm and rhizomes, so how do you not kill the whole plant in this case where he wants to keep some parts of it?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: palmcity on August 04, 2020, 04:35:41 PM
I have enough accumulated injuries that I'm always looking for ways to avoid exacerbating them.  A mattock is a useful tool, but unnecessary for bananas, and is a lower back killer. 
Sorry you have lower back pains; perhaps increase walking and sit ups if allowed by your physician to increase your core strength. Hopefully the requester does not. Also sit as little as possible as sitting vs. standing increases odds of muscle pains in lower back, at least in my opinion.

I thought I had quoted the requesting party describing the digging site.... Oh, I did...........The requesting party said "It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement."

If they know what they are talking about and I assume they do as they requested advice, IMO a shovel is a poor choice for getting through boulder, river rocks, & cement..... But the tool I listed with a much stronger thicker blade with 5 lbs weight would create enough force per square inch on the thick smaller sized blade to easily break apart rock and cement in most situations..... IMO definitely Far Better than a flimsy shovel just waiting for you to bend the end of the weak thin shovel blade on cement or a boulder rock as you spend way more wasted time hitting the cement and rock without penetration. I would NOT recommend the use of a shovel in cement rock combinations....
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: konan99 on August 05, 2020, 01:45:18 AM
We ate a Reed last night, OMG!  It was probably the most delicious, richest, creamy, buttery avocado I've ever eaten in my life.  Close but a bit different in profile to being the all time best was a Hass a friend in SoCal sent us. 

My Reeds now have about 15 months hang time.

How do you tell if Reed is ready?  We got just one fruit and our very first one.  I just don't want to waste it.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 05, 2020, 12:35:29 PM
We ate a Reed last night, OMG!  It was probably the most delicious, richest, creamy, buttery avocado I've ever eaten in my life.  Close but a bit different in profile to being the all time best was a Hass a friend in SoCal sent us. 

My Reeds now have about 15 months hang time.

How do you tell if Reed is ready?  We got just one fruit and our very first one.  I just don't want to waste it.  Thanks!

Its not ready yet in cupertino.  Wait until october.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on August 05, 2020, 09:21:11 PM
Brad, I feel like your attacking my manliness (Lol).  Hey, no one ever called me lazy in the yard; instead, I get in trouble for getting after it too much.  But, yeah, there's something about this banana tree that's intractable for me.  It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement.  I'll give it another go.  I assume digging all the surrounding pups will have some damage on the roots of the one or two I want to maintain.  I'm sure they'll bounce back in time though.  Thanks.
Our clay sucks. I had a really thick mat I spent ALOT of time on last year. Pick. Shovel. repeat. now I have one or two popping up again and need to get at it. Previous owners used to grow bananas for leaves and it's some variety that never fruits.

Naysen, how are your avocados doing this year? Mine are hating the sun. I've been working longer hours so haven't had time to address them, and it's too hot by the time I get outside but I need to paint/spray them with surround for the third time this year. Looks like they are liking the night time temps but this 100+ every day is rough
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lovetoplant on August 06, 2020, 08:22:07 PM
Brad, I feel like your attacking my manliness (Lol).  Hey, no one ever called me lazy in the yard; instead, I get in trouble for getting after it too much.  But, yeah, there's something about this banana tree that's intractable for me.  It's rooted into a bunch of river rocks, bounders, brecia, maybe some cement.  I'll give it another go.  I assume digging all the surrounding pups will have some damage on the roots of the one or two I want to maintain.  I'm sure they'll bounce back in time though.  Thanks.
Our clay sucks. I had a really thick mat I spent ALOT of time on last year. Pick. Shovel. repeat. now I have one or two popping up again and need to get at it. Previous owners used to grow bananas for leaves and it's some variety that never fruits.

Naysen, how are your avocados doing this year? Mine are hating the sun. I've been working longer hours so haven't had time to address them, and it's too hot by the time I get outside but I need to paint/spray them with surround for the third time this year. Looks like they are liking the night time temps but this 100+ every day is rough
When will reed and holiday be ready in Oxnard CA?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CA Hockey on August 06, 2020, 10:11:34 PM
My reed tree set fruit for the first time this year.  They're sizing up quickly. Already baseball size. I should be harvesting them next year right? Is that normal? For them to get so large so fast? It's on toro canyon rootstock.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5HbMzB19/20200805-105820.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HbMzB19)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: V on August 07, 2020, 12:54:43 AM
My reed tree set fruit for the first time this year.  They're sizing up quickly. Already baseball size. I should be harvesting them next year right? Is that normal? For them to get so large so fast? It's on toro canyon rootstock.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5HbMzB19/20200805-105820.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HbMzB19)

Your tree looks big. Yes, the fruit will ripen in a year.
You can check 2-year time lapse of my Reed and Lamb Hass avocado trees: https://youtu.be/Z6kESLYFUr8
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on August 08, 2020, 11:08:41 AM
Yep, Reed tastes best with over 12 mos. hang time.  Mine are at 15 mos. and super rich.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: LuisC on August 14, 2020, 12:12:35 AM
I just planted a 'Super Hass' in my yard. Its in a pretty consistently moist spot and gets some shade throughout the day, but so far has pushed a new flush of growth. Its sitting where an old Curry Leaf tree used to be, which I did not like as it smelled very strongly and littered the ground with suckers. It's nearly impossible to get them all even after the tree's been gone. The avocado is about 3 feet tall growing straight up. I fertilized and it looks like it might push another flush. I have heard it sometimes produces unevenly ripened fruit, but out of the 10 I have tried from someone else's tree, only 2 were unevenly ripened. I don't know why it might be but I hope it produces well in a few years.

Gabe,

I just bought 2 Super Haas trees that were grafted and are 3-4 feet tall.  I am planting them tomorrow.  What do you mean by some don't taste good?   I am in zone 9B myself. 

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 17, 2020, 09:51:14 PM
Sorry to ask a question (on the wrong thread none the less), and ditch for a couple weeks.  I have been out of town and then hard at work hacking away at those banana roots.  I finished up yesterday in the 113F heat.  I think I've got the tree in shape, but I'd love for any keen eyes to review the pics and make suggestions on what more to do.  The goal is (1) to keep the tree in check; (2) focus its energy into one or two main branches; and (3) maybe produce a viable fruit or two.  Thanks all.
-naysen

Here's what I had after an hour of hacking at it at the start:
(https://i.postimg.cc/WFThYGs7/IMG-0221.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WFThYGs7)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Vr8D7VSH/IMG-0222.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Vr8D7VSH)

(https://i.postimg.cc/1nd0k74Q/IMG-0223.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nd0k74Q)

(https://i.postimg.cc/62qgVPDJ/IMG-0224.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/62qgVPDJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJBxv1vM/IMG-0225.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJBxv1vM)

And this is where I left off after finishing up yesterday evening:
(https://i.postimg.cc/VSddxftJ/IMG-0265.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VSddxftJ)

(https://i.postimg.cc/VrNQGv0h/IMG-0266.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VrNQGv0h)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LhHnS3jd/IMG-0267.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LhHnS3jd)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DScM9Fh3/IMG-0268.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DScM9Fh3)

(https://i.postimg.cc/5QqBX4nx/IMG-0270.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QqBX4nx)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 18, 2020, 05:28:05 PM
Brad, what do you think?  Did I do a good job prepping that banana tree for success going forward?  Would you recommend removing all but a single shoot, or leave the two (with a baby for backup) as I Have it now?
Thanks man!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 19, 2020, 01:15:00 PM
Banana looks fine, it looks a bit elevated, havent seen that before really.  Maybe the soil is really shallow.  It looks like it needs mulch around the corm. 


Today we tried a holiday avocado that dropped early.  A mouse had nibbled on it and it dropped but ripened ok.  The oil content is good but still has room for improvement.  The taste is like reed, not much nuty flavor, just buttery and straight forward mild flavor.  The fruit has potential.  Overall, Im still not that impressed with the tree and fruit.  Theres others like reed that taste similar but grow better.  The huge size isn't great either.  Its a bit much even for a family of 4.



(https://i.postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3/20200819-094859.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on August 19, 2020, 05:23:21 PM
Banana looks fine, it looks a bit elevated, havent seen that before really.  Maybe the soil is really shallow.  It looks like it needs mulch around the corm. 
Thanks for getting back on my question Brad.  The soil isn't shallow, but it's quite rocky/stony.  I believe the reason it's built up on its corm like a medieval fortress could be all the years I've been cutting it back only to have it grow out new growth within a day or week.  So it's like a scar that keeps scaring over itself.  There's plenty of detritus around from the cutting I could throw around the corm fortress.

Today we tried a holiday avocado that dropped early.  A mouse had nibbled on it and it dropped but ripened ok.  The oil content is good but still has room for improvement.  The taste is like reed, not much nuty flavor, just buttery and straight forward mild flavor.  The fruit has potential.  Overall, Im still not that impressed with the tree and fruit.  Theres others like reed that taste similar but grow better.  The huge size isn't great either.  Its a bit much even for a family of 4.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3/20200819-094859.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3)

My holiday on the side-yard is the worst of five trees planted out together at the same time and under similar conditions.  The tree is weepy, and it held just one avocado where the others are doing much better this year.  Definitely agree based on minimal experience that Holiday seems to be a loser variety.  Maybe it would do well in a container (relative to alternative varieties).
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 14, 2020, 07:19:08 PM
Heres a pic of the avocados in season here.  Mexicola grande on top and lamb hass on bottom.  The lambs are done and the mexicolas are coming in.  All the full mexican avocados ripen too fast and drop off the tree here.  These do it too.  They crack at the top like other Mexican avocados too.  Taste is OK.  Nothing spectacular, the lambs are better but take 9 months longer to get ripe.

(https://i.postimg.cc/yDRGnVD9/20201014-161504.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDRGnVD9)

Nice size at least compared to regular mexicola and stewart.  These are way larger.  I haven't noticed any off flavor in them either.  It seems like the best Mexican avocado I've tried.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBcjYrGb/20201014-162017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBcjYrGb)

We also ate the last reed of the year the other day.  Was an oil bomb
(https://i.postimg.cc/8frdDCQm/20200927-093156.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8frdDCQm)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lovetoplant on October 15, 2020, 02:49:11 AM
Avocado seed sprouts  multiple shoots.  Should I leave them grow or keep just one?
Title: Bite marks
Post by: mbmango on October 15, 2020, 06:04:09 PM
Any idea what critter may have gotten to this reed?

(https://i.postimg.cc/s1RWj4WF/IMG-2288.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s1RWj4WF)

I used to lose a bunch being hollowed out overnight.  Presuming rats, I added flashing around the trees, and haven't lost any so far since then.  This MO is new to me, unless it's still a rat and just got interrupted before finishing it up.  In the area, I've seen squirrels, opposums, raccoons, and skunks, but none of them yet on the avocados.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lovetoplant on October 15, 2020, 07:46:23 PM
Reason why you should always mulch avocados.  I tweeked my Reed's pot today by pulling away mulch and adding soil where need be...and other stuff.  Hard to see but blond feeder roots can be seen growing on top of the soil under a thick mulch of pine needles and leaves.

(https://s1.postimg.cc/9opxdi8etn/avocadoroots.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9opxdi8etn/)

Mark you mentioned that you use pine needles as mulch for your avocado trees.  I have Italian Cypress trees growing in my backyard.  Can I mulch my trees with Cypress' needles?
Title: Re: Bite marks
Post by: johnb51 on October 16, 2020, 09:19:49 AM
Any idea what critter may have gotten to this reed?

(https://i.postimg.cc/s1RWj4WF/IMG-2288.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/s1RWj4WF)

I used to lose a bunch being hollowed out overnight.  Presuming rats, I added flashing around the trees, and haven't lost any so far since then.  This MO is new to me, unless it's still a rat and just got interrupted before finishing it up.  In the area, I've seen squirrels, opposums, raccoons, and skunks, but none of them yet on the avocados.
I'd say rat or squirrel.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on October 16, 2020, 11:44:42 AM
Banana looks fine, it looks a bit elevated, havent seen that before really.  Maybe the soil is really shallow.  It looks like it needs mulch around the corm. 
Thanks for getting back on my question Brad.  The soil isn't shallow, but it's quite rocky/stony.  I believe the reason it's built up on its corm like a medieval fortress could be all the years I've been cutting it back only to have it grow out new growth within a day or week.  So it's like a scar that keeps scaring over itself.  There's plenty of detritus around from the cutting I could throw around the corm fortress.

Today we tried a holiday avocado that dropped early.  A mouse had nibbled on it and it dropped but ripened ok.  The oil content is good but still has room for improvement.  The taste is like reed, not much nuty flavor, just buttery and straight forward mild flavor.  The fruit has potential.  Overall, Im still not that impressed with the tree and fruit.  Theres others like reed that taste similar but grow better.  The huge size isn't great either.  Its a bit much even for a family of 4.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3/20200819-094859.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3)

My holiday on the side-yard is the worst of five trees planted out together at the same time and under similar conditions.  The tree is weepy, and it held just one avocado where the others are doing much better this year.  Definitely agree based on minimal experience that Holiday seems to be a loser variety.  Maybe it would do well in a container (relative to alternative varieties).
out of the 13 different varieties I own only my holiday died. All the others are thriving.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on October 16, 2020, 03:48:18 PM
Today we tried a holiday avocado that dropped early.  A mouse had nibbled on it and it dropped but ripened ok.  The oil content is good but still has room for improvement.  The taste is like reed, not much nuty flavor, just buttery and straight forward mild flavor.  The fruit has potential.  Overall, Im still not that impressed with the tree and fruit.  Theres others like reed that taste similar but grow better.  The huge size isn't great either.  Its a bit much even for a family of 4.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3/20200819-094859.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhzLTSH3)

My holiday on the side-yard is the worst of five trees planted out together at the same time and under similar conditions.  The tree is weepy, and it held just one avocado where the others are doing much better this year.  Definitely agree based on minimal experience that Holiday seems to be a loser variety.  Maybe it would do well in a container (relative to alternative varieties).
out of the 13 different varieties I own only my holiday died. All the others are thriving.
Good information about Holiday avocado.  Possibly not worth growing.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 19, 2020, 01:42:23 PM
Heres a pic of the mexicola grande next to a store banana.  Nothing special but better than regular mexicola.  So much larger and better flesh to seed ratio. The flavor is pretty good, not great.  It serves a purpose as a gap filler in CA when we don't have anything better this time of year.

The seed is loose in the cavity and jiggles around when you shake the fruit.

(https://i.postimg.cc/XpL4yFf2/20201017-123116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpL4yFf2)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JoeP450 on October 23, 2020, 08:34:20 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/YhqvkKWN/DD421-C04-121-B-4-C98-8-FD6-EC8-C3075-ED1-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhqvkKWN)

Hey Avocado experts, seeking some understanding:

Recently a new grocery store called sprouts opened up near me and while I was looking through the produce I noticed these avocados that seem like Hass but are massive compared to the average Hass avocados I’ve seen at every other store. I looked up the PLU code and came across this website that lists different PLU’s for Hass based on size and origin. http://indexfresh.com/retail-foodservice/brands/packaging/plus/ (http://indexfresh.com/retail-foodservice/brands/packaging/plus/) The large one in picture is 4770 mexico. So my question is, is this an actual Hass or some improved Hass cultivar? or is it a Hass but just all the bigger ones get a diff PLU based on size for selling purposes?

Thanks

Joe

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 24, 2020, 08:18:55 AM
Mark you mentioned that you use pine needles as mulch for your avocado trees.  I have Italian Cypress trees growing in my backyard.  Can I mulch my trees with Cypress' needles?

I don't see why not.  I need to collect some pine needles.  Right now they get a thick mulch of their own leaves.

Got 2 Reeds left hanging on the tree and yes they are an oil bomb.  Probably half my fruit has gone to friends.  Isn't that why we grow, to share the overage? 

(https://i.postimg.cc/QVWrm72X/Salad-Plate-Brad-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVWrm72X)

Sharwil is loaded with fruit.  Am a little disappointed that I'm still getting some fruit drop, like 1 very couple of weeks.

Here's a branch of Lamb on the Sharwil tree.  Also have 2 Jan Boyce branches that took, all of this thanks to a very kind and generous member here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/F1KxXgr4/Lamb-Hass-Sept19.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F1KxXgr4)

Also have 3 Big Beef tomato plants loaded with green fruit.  BB is probably my favorite mater - easy to grow, productive and a fruit with a rich, sweet tomato taste.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on October 24, 2020, 08:21:03 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/YhqvkKWN/DD421-C04-121-B-4-C98-8-FD6-EC8-C3075-ED1-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhqvkKWN)

Hey Avocado experts, seeking some understanding:

Recently a new grocery store called sprouts opened up near me and while I was looking through the produce I noticed these avocados that seem like Hass but are massive compared to the average Hass avocados I’ve seen at every other store. I looked up the PLU code and came across this website that lists different PLU’s for Hass based on size and origin. http://indexfresh.com/retail-foodservice/brands/packaging/plus/ (http://indexfresh.com/retail-foodservice/brands/packaging/plus/) The large one in picture is 4770 mexico. So my question is, is this an actual Hass or some improved Hass cultivar? or is it a Hass but just all the bigger ones get a diff PLU based on size for selling purposes?

Thanks

Joe

Probably one of the Hass varieties like Lamb.  Believe the PLU info is published on the internet.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JoeP450 on November 07, 2020, 09:23:31 PM
Came across a neat article on avocado breeding just passing along https://www.wired.com/2017/01/long-lonely-quest-breed-ultimate-avocado/ (https://www.wired.com/2017/01/long-lonely-quest-breed-ultimate-avocado/)

-Joe
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on November 08, 2020, 11:34:21 AM
Nice little article Joe, thanks for posting ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Sam707 on November 09, 2020, 12:36:13 PM
Hello, I am new to the forum.  I planted a Holiday avocado four years ago and I noticed fruit on the tree for the first time two months ago.  The tree was pretty much left alone with drip irrigation and ignored for the last few years.  I don’t know when the first fruit set on the tree.  I have about 5 avocados total on the tree and I would hate to pick any if it’s not ready.  Based on what I read, if it’s this year’s fruit then it’s not ready and I should wait but I truly do not know if these are from last year.  Can you look at the pictures and tell me if it’s ready to harvest?  Thanks!
(https://i.postimg.cc/PC6mmb9W/84-C477-C7-CAE8-42-D1-8187-66941338-EF1-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PC6mmb9W)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WDCgyN2t/EB7-A146-D-CB1-A-4596-A073-DFB3-E368-CBA5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDCgyN2t)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Greg A on November 10, 2020, 11:58:51 PM
Looks immature to me. I would wait to pick one for testing around May of 2021.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Sam707 on November 11, 2020, 03:27:02 AM
Looks immature to me. I would wait to pick one for testing around May of 2021.

Thanks Greg.  I enjoy reading your blog and appreciate your response.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on November 11, 2020, 10:56:19 AM
The Holiday variety is named Holiday because in Irvin,Ca. it ripens around end of Dec. so watch for color to turn dull and or stem to start to turn yellow.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Sam707 on November 11, 2020, 11:43:50 AM
The Holiday variety is named Holiday because in Irvin,Ca. it ripens around end of Dec. so watch for color to turn dull and or stem to start to turn yellow.

Thanks Scott.  I’ll keep an eye on the stems for color change :)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: z_willus_d on November 23, 2020, 05:29:12 PM
Heres a pic of the avocados in season here.  Mexicola grande on top and lamb hass on bottom.  The lambs are done and the mexicolas are coming in.  All the full mexican avocados ripen too fast and drop off the tree here.  These do it too.  They crack at the top like other Mexican avocados too.  Taste is OK.  Nothing spectacular, the lambs are better but take 9 months longer to get ripe.

(https://i.postimg.cc/yDRGnVD9/20201014-161504.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDRGnVD9)

Nice size at least compared to regular mexicola and stewart.  These are way larger.  I haven't noticed any off flavor in them either.  It seems like the best Mexican avocado I've tried.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GBcjYrGb/20201014-162017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBcjYrGb)

We also ate the last reed of the year the other day.  Was an oil bomb
(https://i.postimg.cc/8frdDCQm/20200927-093156.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8frdDCQm)
Hi Brad, this is really good info for reference.  On the Stewart front, I just got fruit drop (all 3 of 3 fruit) on the tree I am documenting in my Expandable container side-yard project blog here:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.msg411045#msg411045 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=27629.msg411045#msg411045)

The fruit had a problem, and I'd be interested in your assessment.  If you have a chance, could you read the post and let me know what you think?  It's also interesting that my Stewart fruit is dropping 1-2 months after yours here in Sacramento valley.  Maybe the in ground vs. container?  Maturity?  My more mature in ground Mexicola dropped fruit in Sept/Oct.

Thanks,
Naysen
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Oasis12 on December 05, 2020, 02:34:59 PM
Getting damage to the trunk of my young Gwen. Anyone have any advice on what this is and any remedy?
(https://i.postimg.cc/LgJd0bQC/2-BDA489-B-CA2-D-4-E91-8355-6-F8-BCF41-BF7-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LgJd0bQC)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 05, 2020, 02:41:54 PM
Rabbit damage maybe?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on December 15, 2020, 05:51:49 PM
What causes avocados to be “watery”? I have a 5 or 6 year old Haas and last season half the avocados were delicious and the other half were watery.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on December 15, 2020, 10:21:48 PM
What causes avocados to be “watery”? I have a 5 or 6 year old Haas and last season half the avocados were delicious and the other half were watery.
Now that's interesting.  I thought only Florida avocados were watery, or immature avocados.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on December 15, 2020, 10:43:10 PM
What causes avocados to be “watery”? I have a 5 or 6 year old Haas and last season half the avocados were delicious and the other half were watery.
Now that's interesting.  I thought only Florida avocados were watery, or immature avocados.

We got good ones and watery ones all through summer, even the ones we didn’t pick off the tree till Aug/Sep so I don’t think immaturity was the problem.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on December 16, 2020, 10:39:37 AM
Hello, I am new to the forum.  I planted a Holiday avocado four years ago and I noticed fruit on the tree for the first time two months ago.  The tree was pretty much left alone with drip irrigation and ignored for the last few years.  I don’t know when the first fruit set on the tree.  I have about 5 avocados total on the tree and I would hate to pick any if it’s not ready.  Based on what I read, if it’s this year’s fruit then it’s not ready and I should wait but I truly do not know if these are from last year.  Can you look at the pictures and tell me if it’s ready to harvest?  Thanks!
(https://i.postimg.cc/PC6mmb9W/84-C477-C7-CAE8-42-D1-8187-66941338-EF1-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PC6mmb9W)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WDCgyN2t/EB7-A146-D-CB1-A-4596-A073-DFB3-E368-CBA5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDCgyN2t)
those will be ready to pick Sept-Dec of 2021 hence the name Holiday- (Labor Day through Xmas). Do  not pick them in the summer wait until Thanksgiving and try one first then if its good enjoy the rest of them. They are one of if not the longest avocado varieties for its fruit to develop and ripen.

https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/products/holiday-avocado?variant=12282042712168 (https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/products/holiday-avocado?variant=12282042712168)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Capt Ram on December 19, 2020, 04:38:51 AM
I have a Mexico that last year produced at least a hundred avocados All small probably around 6 oz
And every single one of them did not ripen correctly and were very unevenly ripened
out of those hundred avocados I only had a couple of spoonfuls to taste them

I'm in South Florida
And I'm wondering if it's some kind of nutritional deficiency...
I was considering top working it to another variety but maybe I can supplement it with something that will make a difference???
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on December 19, 2020, 12:00:40 PM
I dont know about in FL, but here in southern CA, mexicola is probably at the bottom of the list for me personally.  Ive seen people here saying they taste great but have not had the same result.  They have bad mexican avocado aftertaste, they only hang on the tree for a week then drop on the ground, the fruit are tiny with a big seed.  Im not even sure why people would grow it here with so many better choices.  I would say top work it, thats what I did.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: blackmountain on December 22, 2020, 10:35:19 PM
Any guess as to why some leaves on one of my avocado trees looks so odd? The one on the left.

(https://i.postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW/7-FB2-BF07-5-F0-B-48-F3-9-B14-8-C2-CFA954-CEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: blackmountain on December 22, 2020, 11:00:30 PM
What’s your specific process for growing from seed? (To graft onto later)

I’ve been using toothpicks and a cup of water and then planting in pots once they grow 8” tall or so.

Would it help to add a very diluted fertilizer to the water? Do you snip them the tops? What kind of soil mix are you using to plant with initially?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: 850FL on December 28, 2020, 10:20:48 AM
Put each seed in 10 gallons of good loam and water in with some diluted nutrients
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: blackmountain on January 03, 2021, 10:56:10 PM
Any guess as to why some leaves on one of my avocado trees looks so odd? The one on the left.

(https://i.postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW/7-FB2-BF07-5-F0-B-48-F3-9-B14-8-C2-CFA954-CEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW)
10 days and no ideas??
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on January 04, 2021, 12:58:10 PM
Any guess as to why some leaves on one of my avocado trees looks so odd? The one on the left.

(https://i.postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW/7-FB2-BF07-5-F0-B-48-F3-9-B14-8-C2-CFA954-CEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdwMHSbW)
10 days and no ideas??
Here in Florida the leaves on our avocado trees get yellow and ugly in the winter before the trees shed all the old leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: blackmountain on January 11, 2021, 04:31:13 PM
Looks like my Zutano is starting to get flower buds here in Northern California. Given I's only 4' tall and doesn't need to pollinate anything, should I break the flowers off and (supposedly) let the energy go toward growth instead of fruit production?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 12, 2021, 12:32:55 PM
Is there anyone who is practicing the Dave Wilson Nursery method of growing avocados trees called Backyard Orchard Culture and high density planting ?

https://www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/backyard-orchard-culture (https://www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/backyard-orchard-culture)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 12, 2021, 01:34:48 PM
Looks like my Zutano is starting to get flower buds here in Northern California. Given I's only 4' tall and doesn't need to pollinate anything, should I break the flowers off and (supposedly) let the energy go toward growth instead of fruit production?

Thanks!

Dont pinch the flower just leave it alone and if it sets fruit and you dont want it to hold them, pinch the fruits off in June or July.  Its a smart move to let the tree size up some before allowing to hold fruit.  It will grow much faster if it isnt putting energy into fruit.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Epicatt2 on January 12, 2021, 02:03:44 PM
My 'Mexicola Grande' (grafted) started initiating its buds last week.  Hope that it will finally give me some fruit this season.

It has been in the ground since March '17 and flowered in '18 but gave me no fruit.  In '19 it bloomed profusely but set only one fruit which fell off and spoiled  on the ground before we had noticed it.  Then it skipped flowering in '20 completely!

So I'm hoping this year it will have enough strength to set & hold some fruit.  It should be strong enough because it quickly shot up to about 16 to17 feet tall in just three years after starting out at three feet tall in March 2017 when it got planted out. 

It needs to be topped at the end of this season to make it easier to harvest in future.  (I'm guessing that it won't mind being pugged now that it has been in the ground for going on four years.)

Fingers X-ed!

Paul M.
==
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 12, 2021, 04:20:48 PM
My 'Mexicola Grande' (grafted) started initiating its buds last week.  Hope that it will finally give me some fruit this season.

It has been in the ground since March '17 and flowered in '18 but gave me no fruit.  In '19 it bloomed profusely but set only one fruit which fell off and spoiled  on the ground before we had noticed it.  Then it skipped flowering in '20 completely!

Do you do any kind of hand pollinating? Does it form fruitlets (like the one below) and then drop them, or did the flowers just drop without any pollination? It could be a pollination issue if you only have one tree. Often bees don't like avocados as much as other stuff and depending on climate there may not be a lot of male/female phase overlap.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3cpJjR6cdFlAsTlV5nh_o8II33FR8-xlHxsQiChc3DM5eIyrkmDWCaZ0LqBwr4q2mZnMBRNyM9mhZQGYnImMwWKYrHrgbzpBYZoWg01UPqw7F2pvQHm5efbbmgCWsnLojQTX4LPSFQ0unTS-Rl5bZi54A=w973-h991-no)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Epicatt2 on January 12, 2021, 05:35:55 PM
Do you do any kind of hand pollinating? Does it form fruitlets (like the one below) and then drop them, or did the flowers just drop without any pollination? It could be a pollination issue if you only have one tree. Often bees don't like avocados as much as other stuff and depending on climate there may not be a lot of male/female phase overlap.

Plenty of bees were working my avocado, so that prolly wasn't the reason for no fruit.  The flowerss just eventually dropped and no fruitlets ever formed.  "Mexicola Grande' is purported to be self fertile which is one of the reasons that I chose it, another being that it is very cold hardy.

This plant may just've been too young, immature or not yet fully-enough established to set and hold any fruit.

Paul M.
==
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on January 12, 2021, 06:42:00 PM
Has anyone tried the Mexican avocado, Delgado?
(https://i.postimg.cc/LY6rwmN2/02-C3-D3-B8-A80-A-4-A52-A849-1463-C0620-E57.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LY6rwmN2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/V5h3ZQMP/7-E269-AED-76-DC-4177-9890-08-ABA8-E32666.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V5h3ZQMP)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 13, 2021, 01:57:29 AM
Plenty of bees were working my avocado, so that prolly wasn't the reason for no fruit.  The flowerss just eventually dropped and no fruitlets ever formed.  "Mexicola Grande' is purported to be self fertile which is one of the reasons that I chose it, another being that it is very cold hardy.

This plant may just've been too young, immature or not yet fully-enough established to set and hold any fruit.

Paul M.
==

Self-fertility of avocados is very temperature-dependent, as cooler temperatures at flowering time can increase the gap between when the flowers open at female and when they open as male, so even with pollinators visiting there's very little opportunity for pollination. The Western Australia ag dept has a good website (https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/spring/challenges-growing-hass-avocado-cool-regions) summarizing that research:

Quote
Under cooler conditions, the flowering story becomes more complicated. Extensive investigations into the effect of temperature on flowering of avocados have been carried out (Ish-Am and Eisikowitch 1991, Sedgley and Annells 1981, Sedgley and Grant 1933, Sedgley and Alexander 1983). Cold temperatures alter the flowering cycle by delaying the normal opening and closing routine of the avocado flower, extending the overall period of flowering, delaying the release of pollen, slowing pollen tube growth and reducing the number of flowers open on a given day.

The delaying effect to type B varieties is so pronounced at low temperatures that the functionally female stage was often not recorded. This has a dual effect:

If there are few functionally female flowers then the cropping potential of the type B varieties will be severely affected.

Delaying of flower opening has been recorded to result in the peak pollen release period occurring during the night (Sedgley and Annells 1981).


Here's my solution to this problem:

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRj11M1Y/PXL-20201220-004946689.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 13, 2021, 10:21:51 AM
These are fujikawa avocados.  Seedling grafted in summer 2018 now holding fruit.  Of all the hawaiian avocados I'm growing this one is showing the most potential.  Sharwil also seems to do well here.

(https://i.postimg.cc/y62ZfNW9/download-20210111-074841.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 13, 2021, 10:36:09 AM
Yesterday I made a copy of this tree.  Heres some pics of how I do grafts on undersized rootstock.  Some people here wanted to see pics of how I fraft seedlings.  Doing it on the side allows multiple attwmpts if the first fails.

(https://i.postimg.cc/rDQM2p27/20210112-124417.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rDQM2p27)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LYZpPBgM/20210112-124713.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYZpPBgM)

(https://i.postimg.cc/LnSpqPHr/20210112-124950.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LnSpqPHr)

I use presco texas brand flagging tape to pull my grafts very snug.
(https://i.postimg.cc/y3zwZqzF/20210112-125132.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/y3zwZqzF)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 13, 2021, 10:43:02 AM
wow Brad those fujikawa looks great and they produced from a seedling 2 years ago ?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 13, 2021, 10:55:28 AM
I grafted a seedling rootstock like the one in the pic in summer of 2018 with fujikawa wood. Its now around 7ft tall and has around 10 avocados. 
.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: shaneatwell on January 13, 2021, 12:17:31 PM
Nice brad! how's the persea mite resistance on that one? In my yard mexicola grande is the only one that appears to be resistant.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 13, 2021, 01:44:28 PM
I have no idea, pretty much everything here gets Persia mites but I'm able to nip it in the bud quickly by using the californicus predator mites.  I got it before it hit all the trees last year.  Maybe half the trees got hammered, reed and hass are for sure mite magnets. 

People asked for some fujikawa scions, I'll definitely have some available in 2022 spring.  I want to sample it before sending out a lot of wood.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 16, 2021, 12:30:35 AM
Does anyone know what might be causing this Mexicola seedling's leaves to curl like this? Definitely doesn't look healthy. The leaves emerge looking fine (as the new growth looks) but then curl as they grow.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3er32kD_6gLJ0uPIJfd8-ho4d3_Zqr4nVreep4K4uoag3ysLYYH0FG7mISLnXhlUpyBl2jAipDTWiMeJfd8KaWKEYzOfLaPsm8JAW1vSEpRx2aVn-2iQqfwvVX41btvAWdEfOfwjsEi1AZpTzP-ta6u7Q=w1083-h1211-no)

None of my other avocado seedlings (this is my 8th of ~20) have shown this issue, and all are potted in similar sized pots, with the same soil mixture, but also this is the only Mexicola this far along. Previously seedlings were from Hass, Mexicola Grande, and Sharwil, and produced large and healthy looking leaves by this point. The smaller Mexicolas are still just little sprouts but look fine.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avoman on January 17, 2021, 01:26:41 PM
How does Fujilawa handle cold and heat is it about like a reed ? Does Fujikawa have a good reputation for excellent taste ?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avoman on January 17, 2021, 01:45:21 PM
Switcher I've had same condition of leave curl in pots mine do not ever seem to pull out of it, I would try more perlite or pumice percent in your pot mix try to get faster drainage.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 18, 2021, 05:59:30 PM
Switcher I've had same condition of leave curl in pots mine do not ever seem to pull out of it, I would try more perlite or pumice percent in your pot mix try to get faster drainage.

I have been doing my best to let it dry fully between waterings, but when I just pulled it out of the pot there was a distinct moldy or fungal fuzz on the bottom of the root ball. I'm guessing you nailed it, the mixture I was using (50/50 native soil and Ocean Forest) just wasn't draining well enough.

I decided to give the little guy a chance to survive the remainder of the winter outdoors, maybe he can do a better job than his root fungus at least...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fHWbYHm87VlcGqCppiDctyV3v3RQ6PL_G7XP0Zt1syABTcIqKCS0jUH6Q1L1JrXN_cSuGX9VMYxxBaZ14PieWaxH6l6o88kkjduyFdQXrirZnQHB2wVlChpNpvK6WLchEbD29neKbeY47HYWOHLeGC5g=w1083-h1445-no)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avoman on January 23, 2021, 06:38:20 PM
Keep me posted if it pulls out of it outside,,, mine never do when  leaving in pots, I don't know what that ocean mix is, laguna hills nursery sells a top pot soil mix I think it's mostly pumice perlite sand and perhaps a little peat I've never tryed it but he knows his soil well for avo and has a long vid on youtube
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 23, 2021, 10:41:54 PM
Keep me posted if it pulls out of it outside

Got down to 29°F last night and was freezing for 9+ hours, looks like the sickly little Mexicola seedling bit the dust.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4K0tdrS6/PXL-20210124-002001585.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4K0tdrS6)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 10:37:50 AM
when they are young/tender plants they need protection from the cold until they are established. if outdoors like that they need to be covered and even place some christmas lights on them for additional warmth and some mulch. I would also mound them when planting.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on January 24, 2021, 01:46:06 PM
when they are young/tender plants they need protection from the cold until they are established. if outdoors like that they need to be covered and even place some christmas lights on them for additional warmth and some mulch. I would also mound them when planting.

Yeah I have no intention of planting out any of the seedlings I want to keep until they are at least 2-3 years old, that one was "euthanized" because it was suffering from root rot indoors. I didn't expect it to make it, but gave it the chance to surprise me.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 24, 2021, 03:44:00 PM
bacon on top jan boyce on bottom.  honestly these are both really good.  the JB does taste better but not out of this world.  they will still get more oil in a month or 2.  some had started dropping and cracking though like typical mexican avocado.  the thin skin and dropping is typical and not a good feature. the JB tree has a stretchy pattern that leaves the fruit somewhat exposed to sun which is also not a good feature.  that seed sure is small though.

(https://i.postimg.cc/W3VzDtyb/20210123-153458.jpg)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 05:05:20 PM
wow Brad that has to be the smallest seed I have ever seen in an avocado
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 24, 2021, 05:27:02 PM
that is a small seed.  sir prize also has a ver good seed to flesh ratio and has a soft melting flesh similar to JB. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 06:10:20 PM
that is a small seed.  sir prize also has a ver good seed to flesh ratio and has a soft melting flesh similar to JB.

the 2 trees that did not do well for me were a holiday that died and a sir prize I gave to my son in law and it died.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 24, 2021, 06:23:39 PM
sir prize is very productive but the tree is pretty weak.  Same with holiday.  holidays are kind of worthless IMO.  i know there are people that like it but theres better options personally I wouldnt propogate it.  Too bad they sell it home depot and people waste time growing it. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 06:42:04 PM
sir prize is very productive but the tree is pretty weak.  Same with holiday.  holidays are kind of worthless IMO.  i know there are people that like it but theres better options personally I wouldnt propogate it.  Too bad they sell it home depot and people waste time growing it.

Here is what I'm growing now

Bacon
Carmen
D'Arturo
Fuerte
Gem
Gwen
Mexicola
Pinkerton
Reed
Stewart/Stuart depending on who you are talking to lol
Wurtz
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 24, 2021, 07:25:47 PM
Cool, I grew up in Stockton.  We never had avocados but we grew a lot of citrus and peaches.  Pistachios there are super good too, if they would grow here I'd be all about those. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 07:37:38 PM
Cool, I grew up in Stockton.  We never had avocados but we grew a lot of citrus and peaches.  Pistachios there are super good too, if they would grow here I'd be all about those.
I also have 22 different citrus varieties and 12 different stonefruit varieties. I did a video tour of my yard in 4 parts. I've updated this video and have added other fruit trees and removed some as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2uh7juix4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2uh7juix4)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: containerman on January 24, 2021, 07:42:29 PM
Cool, I grew up in Stockton.  We never had avocados but we grew a lot of citrus and peaches.  Pistachios there are super good too, if they would grow here I'd be all about those.
I also have 22 different citrus varieties and 12 different stonefruit varieties. I did a video tour of my yard in 4 parts. I've updated this video and have added other fruit trees and removed some as well. first video is 4/20 and the 2nd one was just taken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2uh7juix4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2uh7juix4)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdItGKiVDb4&t=83s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdItGKiVDb4&t=83s)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on January 24, 2021, 08:28:28 PM
Nicely done 🙌  Looks like you may need to get a couple acres in the country if you get many more plants. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: zephian on January 25, 2021, 09:34:16 AM
that is a small seed.  sir prize also has a ver good seed to flesh ratio and has a soft melting flesh similar to JB.

the 2 trees that did not do well for me were a holiday that died and a sir prize I gave to my son in law and it died.
sir prize is my only winner this winter. I have some seedlings in a greenhouse I'll plant out this year, hopefully they grow well. I'll have to watch your walk through.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: 7seas on February 17, 2021, 03:04:14 AM
We have been trying to grow Holiday 2 times purchased at Home Depot. Both times it was very poor growth so we have given up.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: cen on February 17, 2021, 04:42:42 AM
Last year I purchased a Shawl (at least I hope, since it was not labelled) through ETSY from a Southern California dealer. It arrived in two days, but one of the branches was shriveled and black. The dealer asked me to wait for two weeks, but at the end of one week, the rest of the branches  had turned black (except for a branch on the root side of the graft, which I cut off.  This is not the point, since the dealer issued me a full refund.

 After I had the bare trunk, I removed it from the nursery soil and dipped it in fungicide. I did not bother cutting away any roots because few remained intact. I replanted the plant in a mixture of sandy loam and lava rock, and gave it a few treatments of hydrogen peroxide.  About three months later, in the middle of the California winter, it started forming leaf buds, and it now has leaves.

My question is this: if the plant recovered, is it safe to plant in my garden of should I be aware that I may be introducing the fungus to my soil?  Originally, this was meant to be planted in a compact arrangement, with two trees about 18" apart on a mound (based on the method described by R. Frost in "Planting an avocado tree or two"), but that has changed since the tree was received in poor condition and also I found an Epicenter blog post that Shawil is not a preferred variety for Northern California. So, it will probably be planted on a different property on a mound by itself. Or, should I just keep it separated in a pot? Or, even though it looks like it recovered, should I discard it? Or, I guess the safest thing would be to attempt to graft it to a healthy tree?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on February 17, 2021, 10:49:34 AM
sir prize is very productive but the tree is pretty weak.  Same with holiday.  holidays are kind of worthless IMO.  i know there are people that like it but theres better options personally I wouldnt propogate it.  Too bad they sell it home depot and people waste time growing it.

Here is what I'm growing now

Bacon
Carmen
D'Arturo
Fuerte
Gem
Gwen
Mexicola
Pinkerton
Reed
Stewart/Stuart depending on who you are talking to lol
Wurtz
Containerman, have you fruited D'Arturo yet just wondering how taste is did you get from epicenteravocado?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on February 19, 2021, 01:02:43 AM
Does anyone recognize these little scale things I spotted on old leaves on one of my avocados? They squish and are gooey like egg sacs, I'm thinking some kind of insect eggs maybe?


(https://i.postimg.cc/N963w2Qn/PXL-20210219-055918525.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N963w2Qn)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on February 19, 2021, 12:21:19 PM
Looks like soft scale keep and eye out for ant's they like to farm them on plants.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on February 19, 2021, 01:53:51 PM
Looks like soft scale keep and eye out for ant's they like to farm them on plants.

Sure does! Sounds like not a major pest, that's a relief. The tree is indoors for the winter, so no ant concerns at the moment. I'll just squish them all as I see them.

 Here's a diagram of common scale insects on avocados, for anyone else curious (this looks most like G without the white stuff):

(https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Takumasa-Kondo/publication/291352596/figure/fig1/AS:667816193699853@1536231196677/Common-scale-insects-on-avocado-trees-Diaspididae-A-Hemiberlesia-cyanophylli.png)

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Common-scale-insects-on-avocado-trees-Diaspididae-A-Hemiberlesia-cyanophylli_fig1_291352596 (https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Common-scale-insects-on-avocado-trees-Diaspididae-A-Hemiberlesia-cyanophylli_fig1_291352596)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Gulfgardener on February 21, 2021, 11:17:18 AM
I bought a Brogdon Avocado last week and it looked healthy. The pot it came in was split from shipping so I repotted and that's when I noticed it hardly had any roots.  It is about 2 feet tall and the root ball is about the size of my fist. I don't see any light colored roots, just dark brown. Is there a way to help it survive besides repotting it in better draining soil? Maybe a foliar spray to help it absorb nutrients? I've searched around a bit and found preventive measures against root rot but not much for when it already set in. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Gulfgardener on February 26, 2021, 10:22:27 AM
I just wanted to provide an update on avocado root rot in hopes that it may help others. I found various videos and articles by people referring to a study by the University of California on treatments. The study found a product called Garden Phos (potassium phosphite) could be used as a foliar spray or even injected into the trunks of affected trees to help them recover. It will help the tree fight the bacteria primarily responsible for the rot (phytophthora cinnamomi.)

So I mixed the original compost soil the tree was in with sand and have been applying this product as a foliar spray in the morning. The avocado is in partial shade and after 2 days of treatment the leaves are no longer drooping and about to fall off.  I hope it continues to improve. I should have probably dumped that soil out and started new but I'm afraid another repotting episode will be the nail in the coffin. I'll wait until it's stronger.

Another thing worth noting is this spray is also recommended for suppressing anthracnose on mangos.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on March 04, 2021, 11:35:57 PM
Hass have been really good the past couple weeks and I just picked this sir prize the other day, holy cow! I had no idea sir prize got this big, this is the first year our sir prize has produced fruit and we’re super excited to cut this bad boy open in a couple days.  Hass’s on left, sir prize far right.
(https://i.postimg.cc/87sB74nc/B66-C32-D0-7869-40-E3-B280-80686-CA0-C5-CC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/87sB74nc)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 30, 2021, 07:00:13 PM
Someone from this forum sent me scions from Hawaii in August of 2018.  Thanks if you are still out there.  One tree set fruit last year and all the others are now flowering.  We just got to try the fujikawas that set last year.  Its very nice looking and good flavor.  These should have a lot of oil in a couple more months.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zHr7rwVJ/20210329-184748.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zHr7rwVJ)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on March 31, 2021, 12:58:56 PM
Hope it is a Reed Killer  :)
Someone from this forum sent me scions from Hawaii in August of 2018.  Thanks if you are still out there.  One tree set fruit last year and all the others are now flowering.  We just got to try the fujikawas that set last year.  Its very nice looking and good flavor.  These should have a lot of oil in a couple more months.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zHr7rwVJ/20210329-184748.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zHr7rwVJ)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 31, 2021, 01:11:12 PM
I dont think its going to be a reed killer but it does seem to grow better than reed and is earlier.  Not sure on flavor yet but we'll see in a month or 2.  The flavor is a lot stronger than reed.  I need to try one thats got full oil content and then pass judgement.  Seems like it has a lot of potential though. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 28, 2021, 12:13:53 PM
For any Hawaiian out there especially if you live in Maui, do you recognize the location in this video?  I'm tempted to make a visit to  Maui just for this. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJhhWu_yzek&t=614s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJhhWu_yzek&t=614s)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: pineislander on April 28, 2021, 12:36:33 PM
I saw the video yesterday but it looks like trespassing to me.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: yimnvs on April 29, 2021, 01:27:54 PM
Hi All,

I have a question. Are flies good as avocado pollinators? I have a Holiday Avocado tree that has been in ground since 2019 and is exploding with flowers this year and there are tons of flies on it everyday. Big flies, small flies, hoover flies...all kinds. Some times I see one or two honey bees on it even after I spray honey water on the flowers. I guess in my area, flies pollinate the majority of avocado trees? I have a picture below of my Holiday. Thanks.


(https://i.postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV/IMG-20210426-114104.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on April 29, 2021, 05:00:54 PM
Three to five year old avocado trees here in Vegas. Trunks have thickened a fair bit and they're all pushing out new growth.

Nothing resembling flowers or fruit yet. My expectations for that are about the same as winning the lottery. Still, they're alive and doing fine.

(https://i.postimg.cc/GB2w87xk/177382470-10158204692795017-8872080568236530755-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GB2w87xk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DS53zkLv/178449460-10158204692200017-1256327427489191957-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DS53zkLv)

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDRrKdW3/179016756-10158204692335017-3354841340019583397-n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDRrKdW3)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on April 30, 2021, 11:30:21 AM
Hi All,

I have a question. Are flies good as avocado pollinators? I have a Holiday Avocado tree that has been in ground since 2019 and is exploding with flowers this year and there are tons of flies on it everyday. Big flies, small flies, hoover flies...all kinds. Some times I see one or two honey bees on it even after I spray honey water on the flowers. I guess in my area, flies pollinate the majority of avocado trees? I have a picture below of my Holiday. Thanks.


(https://i.postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV/IMG-20210426-114104.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV)

Same here, 100's of them. Do they pollinate as well as bees?  Hoo nose.   They loved my Gwen.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: yimnvs on April 30, 2021, 11:56:23 AM
Hi All,

I have a question. Are flies good as avocado pollinators? I have a Holiday Avocado tree that has been in ground since 2019 and is exploding with flowers this year and there are tons of flies on it everyday. Big flies, small flies, hoover flies...all kinds. Some times I see one or two honey bees on it even after I spray honey water on the flowers. I guess in my area, flies pollinate the majority of avocado trees? I have a picture below of my Holiday. Thanks.


(https://i.postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV/IMG-20210426-114104.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rC6qWKV)

Same here, 100's of them. Do they pollinate as well as bees?  Hoo nose.   They loved my Gwen.


Nice to know. Do you get good fruit sets?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: yimnvs on April 30, 2021, 12:04:29 PM
I read Greg A's article about hand pollinating with a brush in the afternoon time when there is a period of female and male flower overlapping. Will try that to see if it helps. It will be my first avo fruit if it does set. haha.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Forester on April 30, 2021, 03:36:30 PM
Hi guys, in the fall of 2020, I bought an avocado fruit in the supermarket.I do not know the variety, country of origin and other details, when I ate it, I did not throw away the seed,and now it has grown like this. I have a question, what kind of variety can be grafted on this plant, so that it gives fruit if grown in a pot, and is it possible? Can someone sell me avocado cuttings to be shipped to Russia when the time is right? Regards!

(https://i.postimg.cc/DWtYrRPk/IMG-20210430-222413.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWtYrRPk)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FV Fruit Freak on May 02, 2021, 06:24:24 PM
Does anyone spray honey water on their flowers to attract bees? And if you have has there been a difference?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: swincher on July 21, 2021, 03:06:24 PM
Has anyone seen this kind of rot in avocado seeds? I've germinated probably 50 seeds from various sources and never had this issue before, so I assume it's not my germination technique (sowing in 1gal pots in the greenhouse) and these fruit/seeds got infected with some fungus before the seeds were sent my way. (Not the seller's fault! They seemed ok when I got them). Seeds were sown ~3 weeks ago and so far two out of 8 have shown signs of rot:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWMG4xvLavFdx7GlJEdLhrLlebyCqYxEU7BJa78RBiXbCozAqE-zPIYOE9QVWdaBfteaB2kBGebxRqQmhtkstNjVXly06MEeAuomUkXCrCyHBTGU_OCLOdeKHorAA9U1411Ya5yQrl33nNIFpJy2-SaRQ=w600)

I'm keeping an eye on the others but hopefully won't need to toss out the whole batch? FYI these are Mexicola seeds from Bobooshki.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: RollingInTheWeeds on July 23, 2021, 11:09:54 PM
@spaugh, you said you were waiting for the oil to develop more in the Fujikawa.  What do you think now?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 24, 2021, 12:02:53 AM
I really like the fujikawas.  It grows really well here and sets fruit well.  And they ripen earlier than reed and nabal.  Taste is unique and the flesh is really dense.  Its great for making guaccamole or sandwiches.  Its a winner.  Theres others that have better flavor but this one is still very good and as a whole package tree it rates very highly.  I top worked 3 or 4 trees with this variety and would reccomend growing it in california.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: kevinkay on July 24, 2021, 06:18:45 AM
Hi guys, in the fall of 2020, I bought an avocado fruit in the supermarket.I do not know the variety, country of origin and other details, when I ate it, I did not throw away the seed,and now it has grown like this. I have a question, what kind of variety can be grafted on this plant, so that it gives fruit if grown in a pot, and is it possible? Can someone sell me avocado cuttings to be shipped to Russia when the time is right? Regards!

(https://i.postimg.cc/DWtYrRPk/IMG-20210430-222413.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWtYrRPk)

I also planted a grocery store Hass seed.  About 5 years old, sits in my living room in the winter.  What should I try to graft so that I may possibly ever get a fruit? 
(https://i.postimg.cc/fV0nJX1Y/avacado.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fV0nJX1Y)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JoeP450 on September 16, 2021, 08:44:53 AM
Hey Guys,

Was hoping if anyone can help me out, have a few oro negro’s on the tree and not sure when to pick them, do they turn black on the tree before you pick them?

Thanks, here are some pics below,

Joe
(https://i.postimg.cc/7JYv6vPF/4-B8953-F5-31-DD-4796-9-B23-2-C9-C9-A7-D307-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7JYv6vPF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0MvRTMT2/5062-C4-FF-6-CCB-432-A-BF6-D-1-EF23-C8-E2-F13.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0MvRTMT2)

(https://i.postimg.cc/gXKFmcpy/9-B7-A8-C1-A-21-C7-4160-9-F98-9-E22-E0-D6-C0-D6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gXKFmcpy)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on September 16, 2021, 12:05:05 PM
I think you've got a few more months to go, Joe.  Yes, they will start to turn black on the tree.  Late fall/early winter is their season if I'm not mistaken.  I hope you can keep the squirrels away from them!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Mark in Texas on September 16, 2021, 03:47:17 PM
Hey Guys,

Was hoping if anyone can help me out, have a few oro negro’s on the tree and not sure when to pick them, do they turn black on the tree before you pick them?

Thanks, here are some pics below,

Joe

Black


(https://i.postimg.cc/dDq276qK/Oro-Negro-Jan2017.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dDq276qK)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: canito 17 on September 16, 2021, 09:54:59 PM
Monserrate avo  the same it turns Black before harvest
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Finley on May 23, 2022, 12:09:33 AM
Any NorCal avocado growers around? I just moved into a new place this spring and have 6 varieties in the ground Just curious what others have had successes/ failures with.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on May 24, 2022, 12:24:05 PM
My 5 year old Fuerte produced flowers for the first time since I got it from Lowe's. First time any of my avocados have produced flowers of any kind in the 7 years I've been growing them in the Vegas hellscape I call home.

Just the slightest bit of hope that I'll get at least one set fruit if my other trees are able to follow suit.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on May 24, 2022, 02:27:04 PM
My 5 year old Fuerte produced flowers for the first time since I got it from Lowe's. First time any of my avocados have produced flowers of any kind in the 7 years I've been growing them in the Vegas hellscape I call home.

Just the slightest bit of hope that I'll get at least one set fruit if my other trees are able to follow suit.

Good luck!  Fuerte is a tough one for me.  I had a huge fuerte tree that made very little fruit.  It would flower hard every year but almost no fruit set.  Not sure why?  I have heard of other with the same problem.  It made a good crop only once followed by year after year of lousy fruit set.  I finally stumped it last weekend and plan to top work it with gwen. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on May 24, 2022, 04:14:41 PM
Thanks! Just getting any one of my Fuerte, Mexicola Granda, Sir Prize, or Gem to produce a single fruit would be a huge win.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Finley on May 25, 2022, 12:55:52 AM
Thanks! Just getting any one of my Fuerte, Mexicola Granda, Sir Prize, or Gem to produce a single fruit would be a huge win.

What's the weather like this time of year in Vegas? If you could protect a Reed through any hard frosts I wonder if the later bloom might give you a shot
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Gone Tropical on August 16, 2022, 12:42:55 PM
I'm thinking this is the correct spot to ask about my Avocado tree :-)
in 2013 we bought an Avocado tree at Jene's Tropicals nursery which was labeled Wurtz and we were assured this to be the best variety for a small back yard in Orlando Florida.
Since then, the tree is growing and flowering abundantly every year and setting fruit all over, but they drop in a matter of days when they reach about the size of a hazelnut. Small yard --> prime real estate --> compost pile for non-performers, except hubs refused to kill it.
The tree seems healthy, no pests. Over the years we tried everything, more water, less water, more and less fertilizer, copper spray, citrus spray, etc.
This year 2022 is the first time that 2 fruit stayed on, but looking at them, they do not seem to be the long looking Wurtz fruit.
So my two questions, can you tell which variety I have and any guesses why all the fruit keep dropping?

(https://i.imgur.com/7jrTCxlm.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/A0hIzXUm.jpg)

Thank you for your help :-)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on August 16, 2022, 01:49:02 PM
This is what my Wurtz fruit looked like after being picked in December (2019).  The immature fruit looked like yours. So I'd say, yes, your fruit defintely looks like Wurtz.  Also, the leaves look like Wurtz.  My tree had no problem setting and retaining fruit after reaching about 5 or 6 feet (2 years, I think), but I sold the house after the first year it fruited, and someone came and dug up the tree and planted it in their yard in 2020.  I have no idea how it's done subsequently.  Don't pick the fruit too early.  The flavor was decent, not as rich as I would have liked, but then again it was only the first year of fruit.  You could try extra potassium and pelletized gypsum (for calcium).
(https://i.postimg.cc/0zKhmKhG/20191206-122105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zKhmKhG)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Gone Tropical on August 16, 2022, 03:41:11 PM
Thank you johnb, I am glad to hear mine is a Wurtz afterall.
And thank you for the tip of extra potassium and gypsum, should I add those now, or rather next spring before flowering? what do you recommend?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on August 16, 2022, 05:23:08 PM
Extra potassium aids fruit set and the calcium is for fruit development, so I'd say to wait until spring.  Best of luck!  It seems like our trees have personalities that we have to try to understand.  Maybe it's all science, but they are living things.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: yimnvs on September 27, 2022, 10:58:06 PM
Finally picked the only Holiday fruit from my tree. Took 12 days to ripen in my house. This was the first time I got fruit from the tree planted in the ground in 2019. I know Holiday gets a lot of flak from people here but it was actually pretty good; smooth and buttery. A lot better than anything at the store.

Pics:
https://ibb.co/ZgGVwJg
https://ibb.co/vztfT6Y
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avoman on October 03, 2022, 06:16:54 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/CR9cthmF/Screenshot-20221003-131814.png) (https://postimg.cc/CR9cthmF)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Avoman on October 03, 2022, 06:21:02 PM
what is this its black on tree but with green specs
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on October 04, 2022, 11:46:29 AM
Could be a Stewart they turn black but usually not until around Dec.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on October 04, 2022, 03:21:39 PM
Looks more like mex grande but who knows.  Its black and its mexican...
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on December 30, 2022, 02:52:43 AM
after learning lot about avocado, finally decided to grow few variety with type A and B combination.
Bought Gwen, Pinkerton, Reed (Type A) / Sir Prize , and Kona Sharwil (Type B)
Transplanted to 15 Gal. as planning to move out of my current place in the next 2 years and Hope to plant in ground then…
Now, like to know, how long these trees grow comfortably without any pruning in a 15 Gal?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CTMIAMI on December 30, 2022, 09:50:24 AM
Even when I plant 3-7 gal in the ground, I prune a lot to develop good branches and a wider trunk.  I also prune a lot in the pots to get the shape I want and start thickening the trunk. You dont want to have an 8 ft tree with a 1/2 inch trunk.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on December 30, 2022, 11:28:13 AM
Even when I plant 3-7 gal in the ground, I prune a lot to develop good branches and a wider trunk.  I also prune a lot in the pots to get the shape I want and start thickening the trunk. You dont want to have an 8 ft tree with a 1/2 inch trunk.
really appreciate your feedback.... Yes! my Sir prize is close to 6 ft tall with 1/2 inch trunk. is it ok to prune at the top? if so how much? (like top 1 ft or 2 ft?) I normally do that on other fast growing trees. But, reading some details,  that it may stunt "growth" when pruned too much.. really confused   :-\   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on January 01, 2023, 10:37:48 AM
Transplanted to 15 Gal. as planning to move out of my current place in the next 2 years and Hope to plant in ground then…
Now, like to know, how long these trees grow comfortably without any pruning in a 15 Gal?

I've had trees grow ok for 2 years in 15 gal, but the roots were already circling the bottom at that point, so I'd guess they would ideally go in the ground or in an even larger pot in about 2 years. I haven't tried going any longer in that size pot, so can't say for sure that the roots circling would have caused any immediate problems or stunting.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on January 02, 2023, 12:30:55 AM
Transplanted to 15 Gal. as planning to move out of my current place in the next 2 years and Hope to plant in ground then…
Now, like to know, how long these trees grow comfortably without any pruning in a 15 Gal?

I've had trees grow ok for 2 years in 15 gal, but the roots were already circling the bottom at that point, so I'd guess they would ideally go in the ground or in an even larger pot in about 2 years. I haven't tried going any longer in that size pot, so can't say for sure that the roots circling would have caused any immediate problems or stunting.
Thanks for your feedback ... also, my yard getting direct sunlight only for 5 hrs in Summer (4 in winter). I think this will slowdown the growth too.
 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on February 07, 2023, 06:04:30 PM
Got this from Costco… is it Hass? Never seen such a small pit in Hass

(https://i.postimg.cc/K1d9q2xv/5-A3-E3-E0-B-E4-CC-445-B-898-E-E955-F455-A583.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K1d9q2xv)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on February 07, 2023, 07:13:19 PM
What did it say on the label at the store?
Looks like a nice Jan Boyce, it has very small seeds like yours.
Did it taste good, creamy or watery?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on February 07, 2023, 08:18:47 PM
What did it say on the label at the store?
Looks like a nice Jan Boyce, it has very small seeds like yours.
Did it taste good, creamy or watery?
Tastes very good and lot more creamy. In general, Costco avocados are much better than other grocery stores…
Was Labeled as Hass, but first time seeing a small pit not like Hass. being black skin, Could this be sir prize?
 
(https://i.postimg.cc/JDVgJx6F/007-AFE81-0-A9-D-496-A-95-B9-E7-A9683-A2299.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JDVgJx6F)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 07, 2023, 08:37:27 PM
Not jan boyce or sir prize. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on February 08, 2023, 10:34:07 AM
Not jan boyce or sir prize.
What do you think it is?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 08, 2023, 12:34:58 PM
Its a hass from costco
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on February 08, 2023, 01:09:37 PM
Labeled as Hass, but first time seeing a small pit not like Hass.

Keeping in mind that there are a few distinct cultivars that can be sold as "Hass" (e.g. Lamb), and also studies that have shown pollenizer trees can affect pit shape and size, I'd say that's just a normal Hass (or maybe one of the other cultivars normally sold as Hass), but perhaps the pollen source was something that tends to produce smaller seeds. The seed doesn't look too unusually small to me, though, just a little on the small side.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on February 08, 2023, 01:30:10 PM
I tried Fuerte avocados for the first time a few days ago after ordering a box of 8 of them from Winterwarm Farms in Fallbrook. They were really quite good, very creamy and smooth texture and a nutty taste. My wife and I both agreed they might be our favorite avocados to date, or at least tied with some of the best store-bought Hass we've had.

Was this an unusually good batch of Fuertes or something? I've mostly read that they are more middling in eating quality. Some photos:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8Ba3qaR2GAkyFwImi_BmjHSqRa_YrLVVsj2YFVhd47N45Kqpf7xuREdS0l-GdQxgEOwlWbJB_4LdDG7SBhBDJPmsoLsHx1YUitsDKdBheL2LBVksH3xEah8MHd7o9EnT9EYFZCxmp_fsA7qc-8kf53iew=w700)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BLpdERXEDmdDp04KQG4h7FnQ2-H78U1bUJ_vYq_HC083-6yW_N3IhfLAGHO7HrALALZqPXZ_asOZfDOhYuxqXl7LixD3bHnKykFOS9S9oGfukhP1hFRQS_fnw85MDpuEVmsBP8uhQN_ZDQ2bkaAE_kXQ=w700)

Here's where I bought them:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1381581856/8-count-fresh-organic-fuerte-avocados
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 08, 2023, 02:25:14 PM
Fuertes are good fruit.  Lots of people really like them.  For this time of year its probably the best. Fallbrook is a prime growing area too.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on February 08, 2023, 03:47:39 PM
Was this an unusually good batch of Fuertes or something? I've mostly read that they are more middling in eating quality.
Fuerte is an excellent avocado.  One of my favorites.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on February 09, 2023, 02:49:05 PM
Its a hass from costco
These seeds have ridge on both sides, any reason? Couldn’t remember seeing in store bought avocados…

(https://i.postimg.cc/DmpCkNjr/9-BCE3002-4951-444-A-978-D-B14212821113.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DmpCkNjr)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nXBTmhH2/E85-FAADC-A49-E-4683-9711-4-F7-DDBDFBB74.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nXBTmhH2)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on February 09, 2023, 02:59:48 PM
Anyone have or tasted Kahaluu avocado? the shape is unique, similar to a Mango than an avocado
Also based on review (myavocadotrees.com/kahaluu-avocado.html) its very interesting...
"Kahalu'u is a mammoth fruit with glowing green skin, silk-smooth butter-colored flesh and a rich, slightly citrusy flavor. Farmer and researcher Ken Love of Captain Cook, who lugged 500 pounds of avocados to O'ahu for a series of chef and public tastings last week, said Kahalu'u has triple the oil content of the average avocado, and the sensuous texture shows that." 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on February 09, 2023, 04:17:13 PM
Its a hass from costco
These seeds have ridge on both sides, any reason? Couldn’t remember seeing in store bought avocados…

Looks like some kind of weird genetic mutation, I've never seen anything like that, but maybe Brad has (he's seen many more seeds than I have!)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 09, 2023, 08:02:16 PM
Anyone have or tasted Kahaluu avocado? the shape is unique, similar to a Mango than an avocado
Also based on review (myavocadotrees.com/kahaluu-avocado.html) its very interesting...
"Kahalu'u is a mammoth fruit with glowing green skin, silk-smooth butter-colored flesh and a rich, slightly citrusy flavor. Farmer and researcher Ken Love of Captain Cook, who lugged 500 pounds of avocados to O'ahu for a series of chef and public tastings last week, said Kahalu'u has triple the oil content of the average avocado, and the sensuous texture shows that."

I had a tree and chopped it down.  It doesnt grow well here.  Fruit wasnt that great either.  Some of the other hawaii trees are doing better here.  Fujikawa and murashige are doing better. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on February 09, 2023, 08:04:32 PM
Its a hass from costco
These seeds have ridge on both sides, any reason? Couldn’t remember seeing in store bought avocados…

Looks like some kind of weird genetic mutation, I've never seen anything like that, but maybe Brad has (he's seen many more seeds than I have!)
maybe too much roundup. 

Also, I dont know this for sure but its possible theres hass seedlings growing in mexican groves.  Ive seen messed up seeds like that before on zutanos and maybe some other fruits.  Ive also seen strange mutations on plants that were grown around weeds sprayed with roundup. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on February 10, 2023, 11:11:51 AM
Anyone have or tasted Kahaluu avocado? the shape is unique, similar to a Mango than an avocado
Also based on review (myavocadotrees.com/kahaluu-avocado.html) its very interesting...
"Kahalu'u is a mammoth fruit with glowing green skin, silk-smooth butter-colored flesh and a rich, slightly citrusy flavor. Farmer and researcher Ken Love of Captain Cook, who lugged 500 pounds of avocados to O'ahu for a series of chef and public tastings last week, said Kahalu'u has triple the oil content of the average avocado, and the sensuous texture shows that."

I had a tree and chopped it down.  It doesnt grow well here.  Fruit wasnt that great either.  Some of the other hawaii trees are doing better here.  Fujikawa and murashige are doing better.

Thanks Brad!
Mike
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: FloridaGrower69 on February 11, 2023, 04:47:03 PM
Within topic - does anyone have experience with ‘oo-la-la’ avo?  Picked one up last week…the grower talked me out of a brogden … said this cultivar is new. Just curious. Thx.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JR561 on February 11, 2023, 05:24:53 PM
Within topic - does anyone have experience with ‘oo-la-la’ avo?  Picked one up last week…the grower talked me out of a brogden … said this cultivar is new. Just curious. Thx.

Aka super hass. Definitely not new.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on February 11, 2023, 07:28:42 PM
Also, lots of people have found that Super-Hass does not ripen evenly.  Hopefully that's only a South Florida issue, and you have no problems.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on February 21, 2023, 01:16:25 PM
I tried Fuerte avocados for the first time a few days ago after ordering a box of 8 of them from Winterwarm Farms in Fallbrook. They were really quite good, very creamy and smooth texture and a nutty taste. My wife and I both agreed they might be our favorite avocados to date, or at least tied with some of the best store-bought Hass we've had.

Was this an unusually good batch of Fuertes or something? I've mostly read that they are more middling in eating quality. Some photos:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8Ba3qaR2GAkyFwImi_BmjHSqRa_YrLVVsj2YFVhd47N45Kqpf7xuREdS0l-GdQxgEOwlWbJB_4LdDG7SBhBDJPmsoLsHx1YUitsDKdBheL2LBVksH3xEah8MHd7o9EnT9EYFZCxmp_fsA7qc-8kf53iew=w700)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BLpdERXEDmdDp04KQG4h7FnQ2-H78U1bUJ_vYq_HC083-6yW_N3IhfLAGHO7HrALALZqPXZ_asOZfDOhYuxqXl7LixD3bHnKykFOS9S9oGfukhP1hFRQS_fnw85MDpuEVmsBP8uhQN_ZDQ2bkaAE_kXQ=w700)

Here's where I bought them:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1381581856/8-count-fresh-organic-fuerte-avocados
I put in an order for these avocados.  I just had to get some premium avocados from CA.  My wife said, "Why avocados?  Why not order cherimoyas?"  Because they cost three times as much, and we are poor folk!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on February 21, 2023, 07:01:46 PM
Yeah John, good old Fuertes many Ca. folks poopa them say hass is best but when you have a good ripe Fuerte there pretty darn good.Hass and Lamb Hass, Carmen Hass can have better flavor but all the Ca. avo farmers know Reed are best. 8)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on February 21, 2023, 08:10:03 PM
Yeah John, good old Fuertes many Ca. folks poopa them say hass is best but when you have a good ripe Fuerte there pretty darn good.Hass and Lamb Hass, Carmen Hass can have better flavor but all the Ca. avo farmers know Reed are best. 8)
I used to think Fuertes were best (a HS friend's family had an orchard in Camarillo--1960's), but then my dad planted a Hass tree around 1977/8 in his front yard, no less.  Small fruit, but they were flavor bombs.  I hope to try a CA Reed--maybe later this year if I'm lucky.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Pouteria_fan on February 22, 2023, 07:28:52 PM
We are in the middle of a windy cold spell in Southern California, and unfortunately a large branch off of my zotano avocado broke off last night. Here are photos showing the fallen branch and the residual trunk at the site. It had so many buds too! :-(

https://imgur.com/KNVwL2V photo of the remaining broken off portion

https://imgur.com/28bkrCp photo of the fallen large branch, approximately 8 to 10 ft long with lots of offshoots


I'm planning to cut the jagged remaining portion clean, and then try grafting in a bark graft style along it. However, I don't want to do the graft right now as we have at least a week of more windy and cold weather. Do you all think this approach will be okay? Any tips or suggestions?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ado on February 22, 2023, 11:58:00 PM
I lost a Reed graft i did in August. Branch looked like it was going to flower this year. So sad.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on March 03, 2023, 12:51:10 PM
I tried Fuerte avocados for the first time a few days ago after ordering a box of 8 of them from Winterwarm Farms in Fallbrook. They were really quite good, very creamy and smooth texture and a nutty taste. My wife and I both agreed they might be our favorite avocados to date, or at least tied with some of the best store-bought Hass we've had.

Was this an unusually good batch of Fuertes or something? I've mostly read that they are more middling in eating quality. Some photos:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8Ba3qaR2GAkyFwImi_BmjHSqRa_YrLVVsj2YFVhd47N45Kqpf7xuREdS0l-GdQxgEOwlWbJB_4LdDG7SBhBDJPmsoLsHx1YUitsDKdBheL2LBVksH3xEah8MHd7o9EnT9EYFZCxmp_fsA7qc-8kf53iew=w700)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BLpdERXEDmdDp04KQG4h7FnQ2-H78U1bUJ_vYq_HC083-6yW_N3IhfLAGHO7HrALALZqPXZ_asOZfDOhYuxqXl7LixD3bHnKykFOS9S9oGfukhP1hFRQS_fnw85MDpuEVmsBP8uhQN_ZDQ2bkaAE_kXQ=w700)

Here's where I bought them:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1381581856/8-count-fresh-organic-fuerte-avocados
I put in an order for these avocados.  I just had to get some premium avocados from CA.  My wife said, "Why avocados?  Why not order cherimoyas?"  Because they cost three times as much, and we are poor folk!
I'm currently eating these avocados.  They definitely have high oil content and are therefore very buttery, but I'm finding that, as far as flavor goes, they seem no better than Florida Lula or Monroe, which surprised me.  The skin is extremely thin and sometimes adheres.  Can't wait to try Brad Spaugh's Premium Avocados, which should be available next month!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 03, 2023, 06:48:26 PM
Ill save you a box John.  Unfortunately I only have enough for a few mix boxes.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on March 06, 2023, 02:39:21 PM
Ill save you a box John.  Unfortunately I only have enough for a few mix boxes.
Great. Thanks.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: eez0 on March 09, 2023, 04:29:49 PM
check this picture:

(https://i.postimg.cc/JzwKy25s/IMG-20230309-190312.jpg)

Left is Hass, center Fuerte, and right Reed. All of them were put in the ground around June or July, and have had a noticeable growth. But in the case of the Fuerte, it has become twice as big as the others.

So, I'm curious, does it have a stronger growth compared to Hass and Reed?

Also, it's worth mentioning that the Hass had plenty of flowers, and in fact, I have thinned a lot of fruits, leaving just  3-4. The Reed was the biggest of the three until a couple of months ago.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on March 12, 2023, 10:00:20 AM
My two very happy avocado trees!  Happy owner, too.  ;D  The first one is a Monroe (winter-ripening), about six feet tall, planted a little over a year ago.  The second one a Simmonds (summer-ripening), almost four feet, planted last summer.  They were both very small 3-gallon trees when planted.  It doesn't make sense to me when I see people at nurseries here in SoFlo, looking for larger trees, thinking that's the way to go.  It's a thrill to watch them grow so fast.  (Cheap thrill!)  I hope to add a fall-ripening avocado in the future.

(https://i.postimg.cc/K3Kx6Qgx/20230312-093615.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K3Kx6Qgx)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KkPHRTSB/20230312-093258.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkPHRTSB)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on March 12, 2023, 01:58:07 PM
check this picture:

(https://i.postimg.cc/JzwKy25s/IMG-20230309-190312.jpg)

Left is Hass, center Fuerte, and right Reed. All of them were put in the ground around June or July, and have had a noticeable growth. But in the case of the Fuerte, it has become twice as big as the others.

So, I'm curious, does it have a stronger growth compared to Hass and Reed?

Also, it's worth mentioning that the Hass had plenty of flowers, and in fact, I have thinned a lot of fruits, leaving just  3-4. The Reed was the biggest of the three until a couple of months ago.
They didn't name it Fuerte for nothing!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: eez0 on March 12, 2023, 07:29:19 PM
They didn't name it Fuerte for nothing!

xDD to be honest, I thought about it as well hhahahah
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 12, 2023, 07:49:22 PM
I came across this post recently, it's a pretty good read if you're interested in the history of Fuerte, and (spoiler alert!) it did indeed get that name because of its vigorous growth:

https://gregalder.com/yardposts/how-the-fuerte-avocado-really-got-its-name/

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CenCalArt on March 12, 2023, 11:13:26 PM
I have a few that my family is growing.

Mexicola
Mexicola grande
Bonnie doon
Lamb hass
D’Arturo
Zutano pics of fruit also
(https://i.postimg.cc/MM7jWvRs/D1-A35-EDB-110-C-4383-BB87-3-B83-F5-DB0400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MM7jWvRs)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 13, 2023, 12:39:36 AM
Bonnie doon

That's one I've thought about adding to my cold-hardy avocado project here in Seattle, since it's alleged to be pretty hardy, but not clear at what temperature it is damaged. Is the fruit any good? What temperatures has it faced for you?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on March 13, 2023, 11:50:11 AM
I have a few that my family is growing.

Mexicola
Mexicola grande
Bonnie doon
Lamb hass
D’Arturo
Zutano pics of fruit also
(https://i.postimg.cc/MM7jWvRs/D1-A35-EDB-110-C-4383-BB87-3-B83-F5-DB0400.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MM7jWvRs)
Newbe, how do you like the D'Arturo variety how is taste of fruit? Welcome to the form.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CenCalArt on March 13, 2023, 09:12:45 PM
Drymifolia
ScottR
This is my second year with the lamb hass, Bonnie doon, d’Artiro and I think I have a Carmen.
Now my patience is the thing I gotta grow. Lol. Any one have the Aravaipa cuttings?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 13, 2023, 10:44:19 PM
Drymifolia
ScottR
This is my second year with the lamb hass, Bonnie doon, d’Artiro and I think I have a Carmen.
Now my patience is the thing I gotta grow. Lol. Any one have the Aravaipa cuttings?

PM me in summer, I might be able to spare some Aravaipa then, once another flush grows and hardens, but that's depending on spring growth and fruit set. If not then, I can definitely send some next winter, but you'll have to remind me. I'd gladly trade for Bonnie Doon.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CenCalArt on March 14, 2023, 11:20:36 AM
Let’s do it. And I definitely will contact you. What else do you have in your cold hardy avocado collection if you don’t mind me asking?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 14, 2023, 12:05:53 PM
Let’s do it. And I definitely will contact you. What else do you have in your cold hardy avocado collection if you don’t mind me asking?

Many of them are recent grafts too small to share (and the first one is just a framework for a greenhouse tree, not hardy), but here's the list of grafted varieties:

https://www.drymifolia.org/trees.php?subset=grafts
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: CenCalArt on March 15, 2023, 07:16:25 PM
Cool I remember when I wanted the duke avocado. have you tried the fruit?
I was wondering if you can help me out with one of my plants? It’s not doing so good and nothing I am doing is helping.
(https://i.postimg.cc/p5dqqT2Q/686-D6125-BBD2-4-F4-B-AAE5-BAF23-D05-E860.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p5dqqT2Q)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 17, 2023, 12:45:32 AM
Cool I remember when I wanted the duke avocado. have you tried the fruit?
I was wondering if you can help me out with one of my plants? It’s not doing so good and nothing I am doing is helping.
(https://i.postimg.cc/p5dqqT2Q/686-D6125-BBD2-4-F4-B-AAE5-BAF23-D05-E860.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p5dqqT2Q)

Haven't had Duke fruit yet, but it's possible it could hold one or two this year between the two grafts. Next year seems more likely. I have tasted Aravaipa, Mexicola, Royal-Wright, and a couple different unnamed seed-grown Mexican types. Mexicola was the best of those, even though smallest. Aravaipa was my least favorite, but it may still have hardiness genes worth keeping in our breeding effort.

I can't really tell what's going on with your tree, I'm sorry. I'd guess root health, that's my usual first guess. Looks maybe fungal?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 19, 2023, 07:15:21 PM
I found a bunch of dropped fruit on my malama tree.  This is a hawaiian one and I have never tried the fruit but will be in a few days.  The fruit get really big and turn black on the tree then fall off.

(https://i.postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj/20230319-161050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj)

Theres a hass, sharwil, pinkerton, fuerte seedling, and 2 malamas for size comparison.



(https://i.postimg.cc/xc0Czky6/20230319-160842.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xc0Czky6)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 21, 2023, 01:12:06 PM
Does anyone have thoughts about what might cause this? I'm only seeing it on one of the three in-ground avocado trees in my greenhouse:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8CsLhYuu6i-JZ5Dil15JmV2RzkKN9WKp-KkEffg6oZMhjsiPeKwevRO1wDA6My1ogjlVLKGqLxs7n7r1Xy7rJZZs8Kok73-gwLDqB9En2ZMPUPRhXEhOWf8m4ME87lg5laCKmUq02yhkRG8MlQ-Ja-FMA=w800)

The two main factors to consider are:

Soil moisture readings have not shown excessive sogginess, but I'm not sure if the tree sent roots out under the foundation wall, where the ground is definitely more soggy. I'm a little worried this looks like Phytophthora, especially since right outside this greenhouse I've got a large California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), which is a species that is often an asymptomatic host of P. cinnamoni.

I did not see any signs of leaked fertilizer or herbicide before we converted the garage to a greenhouse, but it had been a garage for 70 years, so who knows what might be lurking in the soil.

Here's the full tree, which is showing mild versions of the same symptoms on the rootstock branches (left side), Jade branches (top-right), and on the smaller "Walter Hole" graft (bottom-right):
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8Ah1UmKsx_D2XaxPO0R4bg7XbQu3fpyqKvwobOlT9gd3NjiUHYPT2pUW4IMJ0hkmhK2vfh6lBV5wcOz74vMCZobPMocOoXQX20VoOAqGWwTxOKwMHyZsKZDLXId2-LoAGLi2XY-u5-4FG_XYj15_TJY5Q=w800)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Fygee on March 21, 2023, 01:28:36 PM
Looks like salt burn to me. If there was a garage there for 70 years, who knows what crud could have been dumped next to it that seeped into the dirt over the years.

If your drainage is good where it's planted, I'd give it a good flush. You can also use FoxFarm's Sledgehammer which is a great soil wash to get salts and other funk out.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 21, 2023, 01:37:52 PM
Looks like salt burn to me. If there was a garage there for 70 years, who knows what crud could have been dumped next to it that seeped into the dirt over the years.

If your drainage is good where it's planted, I'd give it a good flush. You can also use FoxFarm's Sledgehammer which is a great soil wash to get salts and other funk out.

Thanks! The drainage is pretty good, but much better in the dry season when the outside soil is less saturated. I'll wait until early summer and give it a thorough flush when the outside ground has dried enough to wick it out better.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 21, 2023, 02:19:36 PM
Its normal, avocado leaves dont last forever.  Thry get beat up then fall off every year and re flush.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 21, 2023, 02:45:06 PM
Its normal, avocado leaves dont last forever.  Thry get beat up then fall off every year and re flush.

Yeah, I've seen that on old leaves, but on this tree even the leaves from the most recent flush (late fall) are showing the brown tips and splotches, so it seems to be more than just the old leaves ready to drop.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 21, 2023, 02:56:52 PM
Its salt damage from the water you use I would assume.  Still not anything to worry about. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 21, 2023, 04:10:18 PM
Its salt damage from the water you use I would assume.  Still not anything to worry about.

Glad to hear it's not something to worry about, but I doubt it's from the water (rain water mostly, occasionally tap water which here in Seattle is mostly snowmelt with very low dissolved solids). But it's very possible someone stored/spilled bags of ice melt on the dirt floor garage over the years, so I'll assume this is salt buildup from a soil source, and flush the soil in summer.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 21, 2023, 04:48:18 PM
Could be the fertilizer you use or could just be the tree getting ready to shed.  A lot of my trees look a lot worse than that right now but in a couple months they will shed and regrow new beautiful leaves.  They always do every spring.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lyn38 on March 23, 2023, 08:15:00 PM
I see people mention growing in pots. If you're good you can fruit 200 avocados from a 15gal pot.

http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf (http://htfg.org/conferences/2016/2016_JohnYoshimiYonemoto_GrowingandHarvestingtheBestAvocados.pdf)

Wow is right! Thank you fyliu! I know this is an old post, but it's so valuable! The link requires a sign up, but I found it here without a sign up; https://docplayer.net/51648943-Growing-and-harvesting-the-best-avocados-john-yoshimi-yonemoto-japan-tropical-fruit-association.html

yup, you can grow them in containers.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lyn38 on March 24, 2023, 09:54:15 PM
Nice! Wow. Just spent a couple solid days reading through this thread and checking out some of the blogs, studies and videos. Took a lot of notes. I feel like I took a mini course in avocados. So much good stuff here. Thank you all so much!

Lots of questions;

has anyone had better luck with some mycorrhizals than others? If so, what climate/area are you in? and what varieties- Mexican or Guatemalan?

Mark in Texas, any clues why your Reed grew back after 18F? And what temp do you think it would have suffered enough to not fruit the next year? Guesses? Do you think there is more than one seedling original to what is sold as the Reed variety? Did it have any hot compost layered in very thick mulch under it? A stone wall of heat retention? A pack of dogs sleeping under it? Or was this just divine intervention?

Has anyone here tried John Yoshimi Yonemoto's method of container growing avocados? I'm hoping to move within a couple years and try a variation of it. From reading all this it looks like Holiday might be the ultimate avo for doing this in warmer climates than mine even though most people hate it's growing pattern.

Has anyone ever tasted "Fantastic" AKA "Del Rio"? What did it taste like? Specifically?

& What happens when an avo tap root has a mound of 3 feet of loose friable soil then suddenly hits a fairly dense wet clay bottom? What does it do then? Does it stop, turn sideways or grow through it?

& I agree, it would be nice to have a separate Avo forum.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lukester on March 25, 2023, 12:54:31 PM
“Fantastic” is edible, but not good. I would rate the flavor somewhere between ok and horrific. That may seem like a wide range but taste is subjective. This variant is for rootstocks, much like Carrizo or Trifoliate with citrus. My experience with it shows that it is very cold hardy and root rot resistant.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 25, 2023, 01:22:33 PM
“Fantastic” is edible, but not good. I would rate the flavor somewhere between ok and horrific. That may seem like a wide range but taste is subjective. This variant is for rootstocks, much like Carrizo or Trifoliate with citrus. My experience with it shows that it is very cold hardy and root rot resistant.

I'm curious about the claim that Del Rio and Fantastic are the same, so I grafted both this winter. I'm not sure they are the same, at least they seem slightly different in new bud/leaf color. Del Rio is further along (grafted in fall vs January), so it's hard to be sure at this point with Fantastic just starting to bud out.

Both show more pink than most of my grafted varieties, though, so I wonder if maybe Fantastic is a seedling of Del Rio? It'll be a few years before I can compare fruit, though.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 25, 2023, 01:55:18 PM
I tried a Malama today.  Not impressed.  Not bad but not good either.  Hass and sharwil crush this avocado.  Oh well...


(https://i.postimg.cc/q6KGdhvY/20230325-105050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6KGdhvY)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: eez0 on March 25, 2023, 02:19:07 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/3WgDNFTc/IMG-20230325-164618.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WgDNFTc)

this Fuerte pushed growth heavily on two limbs, but the other one was left behind (right side of the picture). Should I trim the new growth back to level out all limbs again?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 25, 2023, 02:39:19 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/3WgDNFTc/IMG-20230325-164618.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3WgDNFTc)

this Fuerte pushed growth heavily on two limbs, but the other one was left behind (right side of the picture). Should I trim the new growth back to level out all limbs again?
just leave it alone and let it grow.  That tree is going to be way to big for its area but you can let it go for now. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: eez0 on March 25, 2023, 03:55:46 PM
just leave it alone and let it grow.  That tree is going to be way to big for its area but you can let it go for now.
the idea is to keep it within 8-9 ft, but my concern is that as these two limbs are noticeable bigger now, sap will flow mostly on their side, leaving the tree unbalanced forever.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: JCorte on March 25, 2023, 04:19:36 PM
Brad, do you think this long cold, wet winter may have affected the fruit quality on the Malama? 

At this point, I think I'm finished collecting avocados.  Hopefully the scions I got from you in January take, this long winter has kept them dormant.

Looking forward to trying your varieties, but I've also come to the conclusion I need to streamline.  I'm tired and overwhelmed from too many projects and variety trials. 

Janet
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Lyn38 on March 25, 2023, 04:26:22 PM
“Fantastic” is edible, but not good. I would rate the flavor somewhere between ok and horrific. That may seem like a wide range but taste is subjective. This variant is for rootstocks, much like Carrizo or Trifoliate with citrus. My experience with it shows that it is very cold hardy and root rot resistant.

Oof... thanks.  Except maybe for M. Grande.. I'm seeing that feedback on every Mexican cultivator I'm looking at.  Right alongside "it tastes fantastic". I'm limited to Mexican varieties without a greenhouse..
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 25, 2023, 05:37:32 PM
Brad, do you think this long cold, wet winter may have affected the fruit quality on the Malama? 

At this point, I think I'm finished collecting avocados.  Hopefully the scions I got from you in January take, this long winter has kept them dormant.

Looking forward to trying your varieties, but I've also come to the conclusion I need to streamline.  I'm tired and overwhelmed from too many projects and variety trials. 

Janet

I think it just doesn't grow well in CA and the fruit don't taste good.  It's not worth growing here.  The weather probably doesn't help but the fruit did get large and were not really watery but they have a grassy flavor that's off.  It's got a thinn skin also.  I have too many projects too, it's annoying.  Why do we do it to ourselves?

Hopefully your grafts are going soon.  Mine have all started growing now.  But it has taken a lot longer than expected.

Here's the top picks for me
Sharwil, Hass, Reed, Nabal

2nd tier but still great are
Pinkerton, fujikawa, Gwen
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on March 25, 2023, 06:43:16 PM
Here's how the tree from the video in December turned out.  Even with our long winter they are growing ok.  Not ideal but it seems like they will make it.  Gray Martin says my early grafting is frowned upon.  But it seems to work ok.  Now way I could have done so many bark grafts otherwise.  It would still not slip yet with all the cold.  I top worked 15 or 20 trees and they all seem to be growing out in this weather.


(https://i.postimg.cc/ctGP63tf/20230325-152737.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctGP63tf)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 26, 2023, 01:06:14 AM
We got some of the "Teeny Tiny Avocados" from Trader Joe's this week, and even though all the avocados were similarly small, they were evenly split between normal-ish sized seeds and itsy bitsy seeds (1 inch long).

What might cause this to happen to an avocado? I assume these are from Hass groves. Note the egg in the empty avocado skin, that's a "large" size egg. The seed looked viable so I'm germinating it. The seed coat was extremely hard and thick, like a pecan shell, I ended up cutting the top just to start cracking off the "shell."

(https://i.postimg.cc/LqGRLxss/PXL-20230326-021806436-MP.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LqGRLxss)

(https://i.postimg.cc/SYhhtjCF/PXL-20230326-022402043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYhhtjCF)

(https://i.postimg.cc/S284rcXf/PXL-20230326-044839672.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/S284rcXf)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Samu on March 27, 2023, 02:41:29 AM
Here's how the tree from the video in December turned out.  Even with our long winter they are growing ok.  Not ideal but it seems like they will make it.  Gray Martin says my early grafting is frowned upon.  But it seems to work ok.  Now way I could have done so many bark grafts otherwise.  It would still not slip yet with all the cold.  I top worked 15 or 20 trees and they all seem to be growing out in this weather.


(https://i.postimg.cc/ctGP63tf/20230325-152737.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctGP63tf)

My 10 scions I got from Brad in January, started to breaking the buddy tapes 3 weeks ago; so yes, seems this super wet Winter season may caused the avocado grafts to linger longer than I experienced in the past. I was   little worry of why this was taking so long, and doubting myself of what I did wrong in grafting them. They mostly look good now, thanks again for the extras you sent me Brad!  ;)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on March 27, 2023, 01:00:44 PM
Brad, do you think this long cold, wet winter may have affected the fruit quality on the Malama? 

At this point, I think I'm finished collecting avocados.  Hopefully the scions I got from you in January take, this long winter has kept them dormant.

Looking forward to trying your varieties, but I've also come to the conclusion I need to streamline.  I'm tired and overwhelmed from too many projects and variety trials. 

Janet

Are you growing the Linda in your collection?

I think it just doesn't grow well in CA and the fruit don't taste good.  It's not worth growing here.  The weather probably doesn't help but the fruit did get large and were not really watery but they have a grassy flavor that's off.  It's got a thinn skin also.  I have too many projects too, it's annoying.  Why do we do it to ourselves?

Hopefully your grafts are going soon.  Mine have all started growing now.  But it has taken a lot longer than expected.

Here's the top picks for me
Sharwil, Hass, Reed, Nabal

2nd tier but still great are
Pinkerton, fujikawa, Gwen
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on March 28, 2023, 11:40:56 PM
I bought sir prize and pinkerton few months ago from maddock nursery and planted in 18 gal containers. They are doing good… on my understanding “sir prize” will not flower until few years (some case 5 years) also these leaves having similar undulate structure see attached pics…  (I do have reed , gwen shirwil having different leave structure ) Just want to know from your experience, Are they nothing but Pinkertons? Or sir prize can flower first year itself…
(https://i.postimg.cc/qzyNc4cx/5-F9-BB884-943-F-4065-8720-93-C42038-AC3-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qzyNc4cx)

(https://i.postimg.cc/dD7k18LX/A1351-FFD-6-B2-F-4272-B23-F-82590-B7-AF90-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dD7k18LX)

(https://i.postimg.cc/PCHP292s/B99-DE344-77-E7-4472-AB32-5-BDA1375-A28-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PCHP292s)

(https://i.postimg.cc/kRtBpd09/D7-F07-FEE-0-ACB-4-D52-AF77-24-A444-E3003-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kRtBpd09)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on March 30, 2023, 10:11:38 PM
First open flower of the year in my greenhouse! This is Duke:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8CknYntsD_ioeMV3SOQkPp6rAlPpzueuEbeFn4YWBJEVF9zrqG0o7T-Vf31FEmOz4bS53r9nIMd70ED3hf4kDej9qWayO_hgLU8PkI925sd05JQw4oFvass6Mh253aURjTpg08loNZtXOsyCYZnvgZkDw=w900)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 01, 2023, 02:22:02 PM
This Nimlioh fruit fell off early but was still pretty nice.  I can tell it will be really good in a few months.  The tree produced a few fruit for the first time this year and is still holding a couple.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBw2cjCW/20230401-110451.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBw2cjCW)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: jtnguyen333 on April 03, 2023, 02:03:42 PM
Brad..how does it compare to a reed? 
This Nimlioh fruit fell off early but was still pretty nice.  I can tell it will be really good in a few months.  The tree produced a few fruit for the first time this year and is still holding a couple.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBw2cjCW/20230401-110451.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBw2cjCW)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 03, 2023, 04:27:20 PM
Similar.  It wasn't fully ripe so hard to say how good it will get but it's definitely a lot like a Reed.  Fruit size is a little larger also. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on April 03, 2023, 07:52:04 PM
Does anyone know of any online/mail order nursery that sells ungrafted bundles of any of the clonal rootstocks that are popular for commercial avocado growers? I don't mean the newest/unreleased/patented ones, I mean stuff like Toro Canyon, Thomas, Duke7, etc.

I don't mind if there's a reasonable minimum order requirement, but I couldn't find anyone who is selling them, period, other than local deliveries to commercial orchards in CA as part of custom graft orders.

I'd love to add a dozen or two of those to my cold hardiness trials here, along with the seedlings I've been starting, but for some reason clonal rootstocks seem to be kept under lock and key.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on April 07, 2023, 02:18:09 PM
While waiting for the Mexicola Grande graft to stop trying to flower and start growing leaves, I let the rootstock grow a new branch. I've never seen leaf coloration like this. Almost pink variegation? I assume the pink will fade when the leaves harden, though.
(https://www.drymifolia.org/photos/thumb.php?i=513&w=600)
(https://www.drymifolia.org/photos/thumb.php?i=512&w=600)
(https://www.drymifolia.org/photos/thumb.php?i=511&w=600)

Could this be a sign of viral infection or something? Or just a new bud sport? The rootstock is a seedling of Bacon that had normal looking leaves prior to grafting. Here it was last summer:
(https://www.drymifolia.org/photos/thumb.php?i=204&w=600)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on April 07, 2023, 04:36:50 PM
Letting the rootstock grow suckers is not good for the graft. You should be removing all suckered and only let the graft grow.   
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on April 07, 2023, 05:47:36 PM
Letting the rootstock grow suckers is not good for the graft. You should be removing all suckered and only let the graft grow.

Most of my trees have both a rootstock branch and a grafted branch, since I'm hoping to evaluate the hardiness of both the seedling and grafted variety. I've seen no problems with vigor on grafts where I allow the rootstock to grow, too. I do pinch the terminal bud until the graft gets going, as I've done to this one (it's hard to see in the photos, but the terminal bud is missing above the 4th leaf). Once the graft is growing well, I'll stop pinching buds on the rootstock branch, and then just keep them balanced via occasional pruning.

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on April 08, 2023, 02:29:02 AM
drymifolia, looks like you have some variegated leaves on that avocado plant. I had some seedlings show variegated leaves but it eventually turn back to green color.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on April 13, 2023, 11:37:24 PM
The extremely tight nodes on this Duke seedling seem to have helped protect it from the cold this winter, with the leaves so well overlapped that only the tips burned for many of the lower leaves:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AJFCJaVrXAMEYMQNuTIG16c_1ob5XFMQSOh-YzgOqoe5umBPuWP4ftJL31qc3C224vt7K6JSXYS4QYQPyaG3c_xcJ5CAjEuc-ffMr1eJJpLrTgE6_RXAlS1f4bQnutFBxHIW_nuvk7WqyTM9Ubsn64zE2kk1_A=w700)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AJFCJaUR-wNQFhTgC4zZVRUNSfE2H2NIDbnP108f5HLXdJMcL2ocEXAeJ0sjEqyYJK0SVAnhfk0ionfPYhPNAtjNCN3UOp68hKmn650WsmJmbbNu3yjG9i0fCauKFW9_ZXnrL17e9SkSe4vXSlAugbSVsi6nrA=w700)

It survived a multi-day freeze with a low of 17°F with just an upside down flower pot over it, and no protection at all for multiple nights in the 24°F to 27°F range.

I wonder if it'll end up dwarfed with such tight nodes, or if it'll stretch out more as it matures. Has anyone else grown any avocados with nodes this tight? Did they stay that way?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Rauf on April 14, 2023, 04:29:13 AM
My Fantastic avocado, growing outdoors and grafted on seedling from store bought Hass avocado fruit, looks the same and has the same tight nodes. I have another Fantastic in my greenhouse with a more internode distance, but still tight
(https://i.postimg.cc/QF7zJxtF/IMG-20230311-144429.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QF7zJxtF)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: eez0 on April 16, 2023, 05:46:14 PM
Flower pruning day on this Reed. It had more than my Hass and Fuerte combined when they flowered lol

This is already with a few dozens already removed:
(https://i.postimg.cc/w3GWTv6L/IMG-20230416-22373185.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3GWTv6L)

Final result:
(https://i.postimg.cc/c6H9SYNd/IMG-20230416-165556.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c6H9SYNd)

Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on April 20, 2023, 12:31:28 PM
Does anyone have any tips for minimizing avocado fruit drop during the first weeks & months after fruit set, other than ensuring plentiful water?

My greenhouse trees are about 75% finished flowering, and after diligent 3x daily hand pollinating it looks like pretty significant initial fruit set (based on flowers that have not fallen off many days after closing, though no visible fruitlets swelling yet). I haven't tried to count, but it's around 20% of all flowers that have closed up that are holding tight.

Ideally I'd like for Duke to hold lots of fruit on both multi-graft trees, since that graft is too vigorous compared to the other varieties on the same trees, so I welcome anything to slow it down to let the others catch up. Last year it was pruned twice as much as the others and still is largest on each tree.

Some of the smaller grafts (1 year old) will need to have their fruit removed, but I might leave one on each just to try some cultivars I've never had, like Walter Hole and Ganter. But probably the wise thing is to remove them all.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on April 22, 2023, 09:55:02 AM
This is what my two babies are looking like.
Monroe planted January 2022 as small 3-gal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SXQLyyK2/20230422-092455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXQLyyK2)
Simmonds planted August 2022, as very small 3-gal.
(https://i.postimg.cc/67HrqD7H/20230422-092531.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/67HrqD7H)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: strom on July 06, 2023, 10:05:37 PM
Hey: what would you all do with a ~10 year old, 13-15ft tall avocado tree grown from seed in a thin-plastic pot that is 24 inches wide and about 20 inches tall?   Hasn't flowered or fruited yet, leaves look super healthy, it's very possible roots have grown through bottom of the pot into ground.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 07, 2023, 09:20:18 AM
Hey: what would you all do with a ~10 year old, 13-15ft tall avocado tree grown from seed in a thin-plastic pot that is 24 inches wide and about 20 inches tall?   Hasn't flowered or fruited yet, leaves look super healthy, it's very possible roots have grown through bottom of the pot into ground.
Plant it, then topwork.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: ScottR on July 07, 2023, 12:05:54 PM
Hey: what would you all do with a ~10 year old, 13-15ft tall avocado tree grown from seed in a thin-plastic pot that is 24 inches wide and about 20 inches tall?   Hasn't flowered or fruited yet, leaves look super healthy, it's very possible roots have grown through bottom of the pot into ground.
You should plant in ground like John said then can girdle plant in fall that's how they get a lot of seedling in Mexico to fruit or top a mentioned before.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on July 07, 2023, 12:43:41 PM
When unpotting, you may need to untangle or cut the roots a bit, and if so then you probably should also prune back the top. I'm impressed that it lived that long in such a small pot. I suspect you're right and it's got roots out of the bottom. To minimize damaging any roots coming out the bottom, you may want to cut the pot off in place, then try to dig it out rather than pulling up.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 07, 2023, 03:07:42 PM
Cant you just pick up on the pot and see if its stuck in the ground? 

It sounds like it is and if you mess with it during summer it will kill the tree.  Wait until its cold and raining if you are going to break its roots to transplant it. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on July 08, 2023, 11:34:29 AM
strom, leave it alone, the roots have already gone through the bottom of the pot holes. If you don't like the location, then dig up as much of the root as you can and transplant it.

I had a similar issue with my Hawaiian avocado seedling. I had it in a 1-gallon pot, forgot about it for 5yrs, the roots when through the bottom holes. I let it grow in that spot, the tree grew to 25 ft tall, burst the pot bottom, I let the pot stay on. It took many years, 17yrs before it finally had 1 fruit, it tasted ok, so I cut it down and grafted good varieties on it.

Moral of the story, just cut off the top and graft a good variety now.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 08, 2023, 12:47:16 PM
Brad, do you think this long cold, wet winter may have affected the fruit quality on the Malama? 

At this point, I think I'm finished collecting avocados.  Hopefully the scions I got from you in January take, this long winter has kept them dormant.

Looking forward to trying your varieties, but I've also come to the conclusion I need to streamline.  I'm tired and overwhelmed from too many projects and variety trials. 

Janet

I think it just doesn't grow well in CA and the fruit don't taste good.  It's not worth growing here.  The weather probably doesn't help but the fruit did get large and were not really watery but they have a grassy flavor that's off.  It's got a thinn skin also.  I have too many projects too, it's annoying.  Why do we do it to ourselves?

Hopefully your grafts are going soon.  Mine have all started growing now.  But it has taken a lot longer than expected.

Here's the top picks for me
Sharwil, Hass, Reed, Nabal

2nd tier but still great are
Pinkerton, fujikawa, Gwen
I wonder why Nabal is your top tier. Is it productive in SoCal? I have Sharwil, Hass, Sir Prize but I didn't get Nabal because it is not bearing fruit heavily.
I was thinking to get Pinkerton in my collection because it is known for heavy production and great taste. You can change my plan.


Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 08, 2023, 01:08:07 PM
Flower pruning day on this Reed. It had more than my Hass and Fuerte combined when they flowered lol

This is already with a few dozens already removed:
(https://i.postimg.cc/w3GWTv6L/IMG-20230416-22373185.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3GWTv6L)

Final result:
(https://i.postimg.cc/c6H9SYNd/IMG-20230416-165556.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c6H9SYNd)

Reed is just amazing in terms of flowering. My Reed tree is  approx. 3 year old ( I am guessing), and had much more flowers/ fruits than leaves. It dropped all fruits except one currently. I was thinking to remove all the fruits anyway for vegetative growth but it did by itself. Now it is shooting out new leaves.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 08, 2023, 01:17:05 PM
I found a bunch of dropped fruit on my malama tree.  This is a hawaiian one and I have never tried the fruit but will be in a few days.  The fruit get really big and turn black on the tree then fall off.

(https://i.postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj/20230319-161050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj)

Theres a hass, sharwil, pinkerton, fuerte seedling, and 2 malamas for size comparison.



(https://i.postimg.cc/xc0Czky6/20230319-160842.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xc0Czky6)

I haven't heard about Malama cultivar.  How is its taste and productivity?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 08, 2023, 09:28:46 PM
I found a bunch of dropped fruit on my malama tree.  This is a hawaiian one and I have never tried the fruit but will be in a few days.  The fruit get really big and turn black on the tree then fall off.

(https://i.postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj/20230319-161050.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVDN2BPj)

Theres a hass, sharwil, pinkerton, fuerte seedling, and 2 malamas for size comparison.



(https://i.postimg.cc/xc0Czky6/20230319-160842.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xc0Czky6)

I haven't heard about Malama cultivar.  How is its taste and productivity?

Not good, i chopped it down
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: slopat on July 10, 2023, 06:17:35 PM
You all see the latest news about the "Luna" avocado from UCR?

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/07/10/ucr-releases-new-avocado-tree-world-marketplace

Pat

https://news.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_550/public/2023-07/luna-lineage-TM-copy.jpg?itok=qwgim-JA
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 10, 2023, 07:41:56 PM
You all see the latest news about the "Luna" avocado from UCR?

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/07/10/ucr-releases-new-avocado-tree-world-marketplace

Pat

https://news.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_550/public/2023-07/luna-lineage-TM-copy.jpg?itok=qwgim-JA

I saw that.  You can tell from the photo it has the grit in the peel like GEM.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on July 10, 2023, 07:58:33 PM
You all see the latest news about the "Luna" avocado from UCR?

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/07/10/ucr-releases-new-avocado-tree-world-marketplace

Pat

https://news.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_550/public/2023-07/luna-lineage-TM-copy.jpg?itok=qwgim-JA

I saw that.  You can tell from the photo it has the grit in the peel like GEM.

I have found the skin of GEM to be very annoying both for that reason (which leaves bits of skin grit when you cut it) and how easily it breaks and crumbles if you try to peel it. And sometimes the flesh has bits of stringy fiber, too. Don't get me wrong, it's still a nice avocado but after 3 seasons of my local grocery store carrying them, I think I generally prefer Hass.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on July 10, 2023, 08:54:29 PM
It's related to Gwen not Gem.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 10, 2023, 09:11:18 PM
It's related to Gwen not Gem.
GEM was an open-pollinated Gwen seedling so GEM and Luna are siblings.  But do we know for sure that the photograph was actually of Luna?  It could have been a stock photo, which was actually of GEM.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: K-Rimes on July 10, 2023, 09:41:07 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s/A0-E5076-F-457-C-498-D-9-E08-F89636-ED6604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s)

Glad to finally join this thread. This is a Brokaw hass that’s been in ground less than a year. It is flying. I also have a Sir Prize, Carmen Hass, and a Reed seedling in ground I’ll add later.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 10, 2023, 09:48:38 PM
It's related to Gwen not Gem.
GEM was an open-pollinated Gwen seedling so GEM and Luna are siblings.  But do we know for sure that the photograph was actually of Luna?  It could have been a stock photo, which was actually of GEM.

Its not a photo of GEM.  The seed on GEM is not that pointed and large I dont think. Also GEM is not as pear shape.

All the UC avocados are Gwen seedlings.  They seem a bit obsessed with gwen.  Gwen is a great avocado.  Too bad their gwen seedlings are not as good.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 10, 2023, 09:51:34 PM
You all see the latest news about the "Luna" avocado from UCR?

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/07/10/ucr-releases-new-avocado-tree-world-marketplace

Pat

https://news.ucr.edu/sites/default/files/styles/scale_550/public/2023-07/luna-lineage-TM-copy.jpg?itok=qwgim-JA

I saw that.  You can tell from the photo it has the grit in the peel like GEM.

I have found the skin of GEM to be very annoying both for that reason (which leaves bits of skin grit when you cut it) and how easily it breaks and crumbles if you try to peel it. And sometimes the flesh has bits of stringy fiber, too. Don't get me wrong, it's still a nice avocado but after 3 seasons of my local grocery store carrying them, I think I generally prefer Hass.

Yes, GEM is not as good as hass.  The grit and the stringy suck.  And thry go bad really fast and get moldy.  I did have some off my tree recently that were ok but its just not something I really care to eat with better ones available.

Its a B grade avocado at best.  I have given the GEMs to friends and family and no one likes it.  They only want hass, reed and sharwils.  I had planted 3 or 4 GEMs and plan to top work them all.  I can not sell this lower quality fruit, people will not want to buy again from me.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: K-Rimes on July 11, 2023, 02:59:36 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/1fvdzCxx/13-F8-DC65-42-D6-4237-A53-F-207846-FE8842.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1fvdzCxx)
Reed seedling. It cops quite a bit of abuse because the hose flops around there when I am watering. This thing survived snow, so, I think it'll do ok.

(https://i.postimg.cc/q60scT3m/67-E808-D8-40-B2-4-BAE-B9-D1-636-B2198-BF35.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q60scT3m)
Sir Prize has been kind of floppy for me. I am very tempted to top work it upon Brad's suggestion the fruit quality is sub par

(https://i.postimg.cc/v4DNxrM4/BD55-BC49-5-C84-4544-A784-C9-A993372-A0-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4DNxrM4)
This Carmen Hass seemed like a goner, it had absolutely no leaves after winter, but it has come back very nicely.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 11, 2023, 09:43:26 PM
I tried a Hellen fruit today.  It was really good.  Seems like a winner. The color in the photo is washed out, it has a nice yellow/green color.

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDJB3Rk4/20230711-121010.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDJB3Rk4)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 12, 2023, 12:16:07 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s/A0-E5076-F-457-C-498-D-9-E08-F89636-ED6604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s)

Glad to finally join this thread. This is a Brokaw hass that’s been in ground less than a year. It is flying. I also have a Sir Prize, Carmen Hass, and a Reed seedling in ground I’ll add later.

Haas is really vigorous tree. I bought one from Costco since it was so cheap. I didn't plan to buy one. I was more interested in other varieties, but when someone offer it for a such a low price I can't resist. It is growing so fast, while Pollock didn't even budge at all ever since came from Florida. I am keeping it indoor after seeing 4 of Florida born avocado tree died. Now I have  Grow light and giving enough blue and red light for photosynthesis. I hope it will stimulate the Pollock's growth.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 12, 2023, 01:16:48 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s/A0-E5076-F-457-C-498-D-9-E08-F89636-ED6604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s)

Glad to finally join this thread. This is a Brokaw hass that’s been in ground less than a year. It is flying. I also have a Sir Prize, Carmen Hass, and a Reed seedling in ground I’ll add later.

Haas is really vigorous tree. I bought one from Costco since it was so cheap. I didn't plan to buy one. I was more interested in other varieties, but when someone offer it for a such a low price I can't resist. It is growing so fast, while Pollock didn't even budge at all ever since came from Florida. I am keeping it indoor after seeing 4 of Florida born avocado tree died. Now I have  Grow light and giving enough blue and red light for photosynthesis. I hope it will stimulate the Pollock's growth.
I think the Pollock doesn't like your climate.  We planted one in Port St. Lucie a few months ago, and it's growing like a weed.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 13, 2023, 12:12:52 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s/A0-E5076-F-457-C-498-D-9-E08-F89636-ED6604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gX7xzS4s)

Glad to finally join this thread. This is a Brokaw hass that’s been in ground less than a year. It is flying. I also have a Sir Prize, Carmen Hass, and a Reed seedling in ground I’ll add later.

Haas is really vigorous tree. I bought one from Costco since it was so cheap. I didn't plan to buy one. I was more interested in other varieties, but when someone offer it for a such a low price I can't resist. It is growing so fast, while Pollock didn't even budge at all ever since came from Florida. I am keeping it indoor after seeing 4 of Florida born avocado tree died. Now I have  Grow light and giving enough blue and red light for photosynthesis. I hope it will stimulate the Pollock's growth.
I think the Pollock doesn't like your climate.  We planted one in Port St. Lucie a few months ago, and it's growing like a weed.
I guess you are right.  However my Pollock is called " Improved Pollock" because it was from Pollock but produces more fruits than original. Nonetheless it should grow vigorously like yours since its parent is growing fast.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 13, 2023, 12:24:07 PM
I tried a Hellen fruit today.  It was really good.  Seems like a winner. The color in the photo is washed out, it has a nice yellow/green color.

(https://i.postimg.cc/jDJB3Rk4/20230711-121010.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jDJB3Rk4)

Hmmm, You read my mind? I was going to ask you about Hellen, and you answered it here already.
It seems like you are handling many avocado varieties so I'd like to ask you questions about avocado when they arise in my mind.
I am curious about Pinkerton. I heard it has superb taste and bear fruits abundantly. Have you experienced with it?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 13, 2023, 03:50:36 PM
Pinkerton has some issues.  The fruit can be good but it is not always consistent and the tree has a bad growth pattern.  I have 2 trees and am probably going to change variety on them.  For that time of year, sharwil and Hass are better than pinkerton.  Gwen also better. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 13, 2023, 05:30:00 PM
Pinkerton has some issues.  The fruit can be good but it is not always consistent and the tree has a bad growth pattern.  I have 2 trees and am probably going to change variety on them.  For that time of year, sharwil and Hass are better than pinkerton.  Gwen also better.

Thanks
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 13, 2023, 06:45:52 PM
My Pollock is called " Improved Pollock" because it was from Pollock but produces more fruits than original. Nonetheless it should grow vigorously like yours since its parent is growing fast.
Ok, so that's Julian Lara's Improved Pollock, which is a new variety.  Being a seedling, it may not act anything like its parent.  If it's a dwarf, or grows close to the ground, or however Julian has described it, it's probably not going to be too vigorous.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on July 17, 2023, 12:23:02 PM
Can anyone please help? I have these dark spots on the Sharwil tree.
What is it? What’s the treatment?

(https://i.postimg.cc/mzyxvHtc/IMG-5248.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mzyxvHtc)

(https://i.postimg.cc/mhTWQ857/IMG-5249.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhTWQ857)

(https://i.postimg.cc/ThQMQgzF/IMG-5251.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThQMQgzF)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on July 17, 2023, 02:39:24 PM
Persea mites probably? Do you have any way to look at the underside spots with magnification?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on July 17, 2023, 03:05:53 PM
Persea mites probably? Do you have any way to look at the underside spots with magnification?
not yet but I'm thinking it's  Persea mites, by looking into magnified pictures...  how to eradicate it? any idea?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 17, 2023, 05:59:18 PM
Its persea mites.

You can buy predator mites (californicus) to get rid of them.  Or sometimes they just die off on their own if your area is really hot.  I have had them in the past and they went away this last time on their own.  Just depends if your neighbors have them and what the weather is like. 

If its over 100 in your area, the predator mites will also die. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on July 17, 2023, 06:45:58 PM
Its persea mites.

You can buy predator mites (californicus) to get rid of them.  Or sometimes they just die off on their own if your area is really hot.  I have had them in the past and they went away this last time on their own.  Just depends if your neighbors have them and what the weather is like. 

If its over 100 in your area, the predator mites will also die.
Thanks for the confirmation Brad. I am in coastal area (around 10 miles) normally it never gets to 100s in my area... any other way to control? not sure where to get predator mites (californicus)...



Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 18, 2023, 04:17:54 PM
It doesnt say it attacks persea mites on their page but I am 100% sure these are the right ones, I have used them a couple times and eliminated persea mites here.  If you search for info about persea mites, the californicus is the main predator mite used in avocado orchards. 

https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r (https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on July 19, 2023, 03:40:42 PM
It doesnt say it attacks persea mites on their page but I am 100% sure these are the right ones, I have used them a couple times and eliminated persea mites here.  If you search for info about persea mites, the californicus is the main predator mite used in avocado orchards. 

https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r (https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r)
Thanks Brad,
reading more into it... looks like Neoseiulus californicus will be effective when damage is >50% of surface of the leaves. as of now the rate of is about 5%... will it work?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: K-Rimes on July 19, 2023, 05:41:43 PM
Rincon Vitova in Ventura area is a good source of predatory insects.

https://www.rinconvitova.com/
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 19, 2023, 06:55:16 PM
It doesnt say it attacks persea mites on their page but I am 100% sure these are the right ones, I have used them a couple times and eliminated persea mites here.  If you search for info about persea mites, the californicus is the main predator mite used in avocado orchards. 

https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r (https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r)
Thanks Brad,
reading more into it... looks like Neoseiulus californicus will be effective when damage is >50% of surface of the leaves. as of now the rate of is about 5%... will it work?

The photo you posted shows a pretty bad infestation.  It doesnt really get worse than that.  Is it just one tree you have?  It came like that from the nursery or did it developed recently, like it came from the neighbors?  Do the neighbors also have trees? 

If its in the area and your tree is fairly large, i would definitely get a vile of predators.  They will spread out and fix the neighbors trees too.  If you just have one small small tree that came that way from the nursery, you might be able to use a horticultural oil on it. 

The predator mites dont really have any downside other than the price.  But i dont thik they cost a whole lot for a small vile.

You can also just ignore it.  It will not kill the tree but it will put a dent in the trees ability to grow quickly since parts of the leaves will become dead and leaf drop will be bad next spring. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: love_Tropic on July 19, 2023, 10:38:39 PM
It doesnt say it attacks persea mites on their page but I am 100% sure these are the right ones, I have used them a couple times and eliminated persea mites here.  If you search for info about persea mites, the californicus is the main predator mite used in avocado orchards. 

https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r (https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/neoseiulus-californicus-1000-adults-vial?_pos=1&_sid=7b7b47e16&_ss=r)
Thanks Brad,
reading more into it... looks like Neoseiulus californicus will be effective when damage is >50% of surface of the leaves. as of now the rate of is about 5%... will it work?

The photo you posted shows a pretty bad infestation.  It doesnt really get worse than that.  Is it just one tree you have?  It came like that from the nursery or did it developed recently, like it came from the neighbors?  Do the neighbors also have trees? 

If its in the area and your tree is fairly large, i would definitely get a vile of predators.  They will spread out and fix the neighbors trees too.  If you just have one small small tree that came that way from the nursery, you might be able to use a horticultural oil on it. 

The predator mites dont really have any downside other than the price.  But i dont thik they cost a whole lot for a small vile.

You can also just ignore it.  It will not kill the tree but it will put a dent in the trees ability to grow quickly since parts of the leaves will become dead and leaf drop will be bad next spring.

Thank you Brad ,
Yes! I have a small tree abt 5 ft tall. It looks like i have that on sharwil and Gwen, but mostly on Sharwil. Already applied horticulture oil, will wait for few days and see... none in my neighborhood about 100 ft. have avocado trees. May be I got that from nursery itself...

 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 20, 2023, 03:34:18 AM
You wont be able to really tell for sure if its gone until next spring when the tree has new leaves.  If the oil isnt damaging the tree at all, do it several times.  I never had much luck with oil sprays. But maybe it will work if the trees are small.

The predators are pretty much a guarantee to fix it but it is not really urgent.  You can wait and see and it will be fine.  Its a common pest.  I went to someone elses orchard today the woman has 30 acres if avocados and I noticed her trees had them also. 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: rdrake on July 30, 2023, 03:40:12 AM
Hey, how's it going?
First time posting on the forum, and I was wondering if anyone had advice for growing Florida avocados in Hawaii's climate. I'm in zone 12b, with very sandy soil and a pretty steady source of rainfall. Both of my neighbors seem to have had success, but I am unsure what specific varieties they're growing.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: johnb51 on July 30, 2023, 02:07:54 PM
Hey, how's it going?
First time posting on the forum, and I was wondering if anyone had advice for growing Florida avocados in Hawaii's climate. I'm in zone 12b, with very sandy soil and a pretty steady source of rainfall. Both of my neighbors seem to have had success, but I am unsure what specific varieties they're growing.
Thanks!
Are you and your neighbors not talking for some reason?   :)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: rdrake on July 30, 2023, 03:42:57 PM

[/quote]
Are you and your neighbors not talking for some reason?   :)
[/quote]

Not at all! :D It's just that the trees pre-date the current neighbors by a couple of decades, and they don't really do anything to them. Plus, I think one of them may be a volunteer.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: yoski on July 30, 2023, 04:01:23 PM
Hi,
I am looking for another good Avocado for central FL. I have Brogdon, Monroe, Bacon that grow well. Oro Negro refuses to grow in my yard and Lula is growing, but not producing. I am looking for a tree that has:
- good fruit
- not prone to disease and pests
- at least moderately cold tolerant
- a decent or better producer
- can take high humidity without developing fungal problems
Any advice? Thanks much
Mike
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on July 30, 2023, 04:45:36 PM
Hey, how's it going?
First time posting on the forum, and I was wondering if anyone had advice for growing Florida avocados in Hawaii's climate. I'm in zone 12b, with very sandy soil and a pretty steady source of rainfall. Both of my neighbors seem to have had success, but I am unsure what specific varieties they're growing.
Thanks!

Just ask them for scionwood and graft their varieties to any seedlings of their trees that are an appropriate size for grafting, assuming you like the fruit of their trees. It doesn't matter much what cultivars they are, or if they are seed-grown, if they seem well-adapted to your area and make good fruit, then those would be the first varieties to try. Even if you've never grafted before, avocados are very forgiving and a good first species to learn grafting with.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on July 30, 2023, 05:44:08 PM
Why grow Florida avocados in hawaii?  Theres lots of good hawaii varieties. 

This place has the most popular ones.  Sharwils are super good, i would start with that.

https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado (https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: rdrake on July 30, 2023, 06:56:07 PM
Why grow Florida avocados in hawaii?  Theres lots of good hawaii varieties. 

This place has the most popular ones.  Sharwils are super good, i would start with that.

https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado (https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado)

I've actually got a Sharwil that I grafted from my friend's tree that's growing like a champ. I had just kept hearing great things about the Catalina variety, so I decided to gamble on some Etsy bud wood, and lo and behold they took! So I  guess this is more of an experiment now, and I was just curious how I can make these trees happy in a slightly different climate.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on July 31, 2023, 12:12:28 PM
Why grow Florida avocados in hawaii?  Theres lots of good hawaii varieties. 

This place has the most popular ones.  Sharwils are super good, i would start with that.

https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado (https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado)
That's what I was thinking. Hawaiian varieties are so good in their own soil and not doing well in SoCal. Why bother to get Florida varieties unless he wants diversity of avocado experiment.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: rdrake on July 31, 2023, 12:48:19 PM
Why grow Florida avocados in hawaii?  Theres lots of good hawaii varieties. 

This place has the most popular ones.  Sharwils are super good, i would start with that.

https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado (https://www.plantithawaii.com/avocado)
That's what I was thinking. Hawaiian varieties are so good in their own soil and not doing well in SoCal. Why bother to get Florida varieties unless he wants diversity of avocado experiment.
I just had some extra rootstocks lying around, and was curious to see if I could get a couple of Catalina trees growing in my neck of the woods.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Enkis on August 05, 2023, 07:44:05 AM
I have one question: how important is it really to let the plant develop its taproot?
I have one seed that has the tip of the taproot rotten and started to grow multiple lateral roots instead. What would this mean for the future plant?
Also how much far do you go to make sure the taproot can develop straight down when planting in pots? I always see those really tall pots being used commercially while it seems to me amateur gardeners mostly use regular pots where i guess the taproot will start to coil at the bottom pretty soon.

I remember reading in a paper that in japan the taproot of d.kaki rootstocks is cut on purpose because it's believed to produce a better root system that way. Of course persimmons and avocados are probably as far related as trees can be.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on August 05, 2023, 09:58:30 AM
I have one question: how important is it really to let the plant develop its taproot?
I have one seed that has the tip of the taproot rotten and started to grow multiple lateral roots instead. What would this mean for the future plant?
Also how much far do you go to make sure the taproot can develop straight down when planting in pots? I always see those really tall pots being used commercially while it seems to me amateur gardeners mostly use regular pots where i guess the taproot will start to coil at the bottom pretty soon.

I've found my seedlings grow much better since I switched from standard 1 gal nursery pots to taller pots for initial germination. I've tried both of these, and I like the "Tall One" pots better, but the 14 inch "Deepots" seem to produce healthier seedlings than standard #1 pots:

Steuwe Tall One Treepots (https://stuewe.com/product/4-x-14-tall-one-tree-pots/)

 Steuwe 14" Deepots (https://stuewe.com/product/2-7-x-14-heavyweight-deepot-cell/)

I don't really see a singular "taproot" with avocados like you do with some trees (e.g., pawpaw or persimmon), it's more like a branching clump of "deep roots" and then a wide mat of shallow/surface feeder roots. So I'm not sure it matters if the tip of the initial taproot gets pruned a bit, since it usually starts branching pretty quickly anyhow.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: lrome04 on August 06, 2023, 02:50:29 PM
Hello everyone, first time posting on here. My apologies if the format isn't right.. I've been reading through this thread and have learned more on avocados these past couple of days than I have know my entire life!
I'm hoping y'all can help me out with this...
My dad has this avocado tree that was given to him by a friend a couple of years ago. I believe it's a hass seedling

First of all, it is COMPLETELY covered in these spots. There isn't a single leaf that has been spared. He swears this is normal for avocados and that every tree goes through this but I always felt something was wrong. I would tell him it looks like some kind of fungus infection but I have now learned from this thread that it is actually a persea mite infestation. Is there anything I can do to recover the tree or is it too far out to remedy now?

(https://i.postimg.cc/4m0c2pLY/IMG-20230806-103335.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4m0c2pLY)

I have been tempted to remove all foliage and hope it doesn't spread to the new growth but I figure that's probably a bad idea on so many fronts. I'd probably bake it in this socal heat if it even survives. As you can see by the following picture though, it does seem to have pretty bad sunburn damage already. Will that affect the tree significantly in years to come? Should I just white wash the trunk and hope it heals?

(https://i.postimg.cc/8FwDzmr4/IMG-20230806-103432.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8FwDzmr4)

Now for the shape of the tree.. My dad likes to remove many of the lower branches to encourage vertical growth. Again, always seemed a bit off to me. I've also been tempted to cut it back completely to about waist high and  hope it branches out in a better shape. Not sure if it'll even recover though from such a drastic cut. Topping it off to encourage more lateral branches might make more sense but even that he somewhat opposes lol.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5QHMpH2M/IMG-20230806-112101.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QHMpH2M)

I guess my question to you all is whether it's even worth it trying to salvage the tree? Especially considering the fact that it's a seedling! So who knows if or when it'll even fruit. I've never grafted before but I can try and see if something sticks. My plan was to cut it back like I mentioned above and then attempt to graft onto the new growth. Is it even worth trying? Should I just rip it out and get him a grafted tree?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: sc4001992 on August 06, 2023, 03:00:50 PM
Keep the tree, graft a good variety about 5 ft from soil line. The dots are mites, will be fine, paint your trunk with diluted latent paint (50%, whitewashing) since it has sun burn.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: lrome04 on August 06, 2023, 03:36:19 PM
Keep the tree, graft a good variety about 5 ft from soil line. The dots are mites, will be fine, paint your trunk with diluted latent paint (50%, whitewashing) since it has sun burn.

What would be the best way to approach this.. Cut it back now and if it shoots new growth, graft on to that? Or wait until the spring to cut it back and graft directly on the trunk??
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 06, 2023, 04:43:55 PM
I would chop it down to about 1ft tall and then graft the new growth in January.  Now is a good time to do it and I get really good results doing that same method.  Just do 3 or 4 grafts in January.  Pick 5 or 6 of the new shoots that come out and let them grow and remove all the extras.  It may throw out 30 shoots.  Just keep a handful of them.  Then graft those in early Jan.
 
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ado on August 08, 2023, 11:46:24 PM
Anyone getting flowering from their avocados?
(https://i.postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj/PXL-20230809-013048105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: spaugh on August 09, 2023, 11:50:49 AM
Anyone getting flowering from their avocados?
(https://i.postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj/PXL-20230809-013048105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj)

Its a little late
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on August 10, 2023, 04:46:15 PM
Anyone getting flowering from their avocados?
(https://i.postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj/PXL-20230809-013048105.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PPjMbYcj)

What variety of avocado is that flowering in August? What region are you living? California, New Mexico, Canada or Pittsburgh?
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ado on August 10, 2023, 10:11:09 PM
It's scion from an orchard in Michoacán México. Supposedly it's Jimenez. I grafted it last August and it flowered in March. Has about 10 fruits hanging on and it's flowering again. I say supposedly because they really don't care what variety it is on Mexico, it's all sold as Hass. But the growers see differences in trees and fruit so that's why they said this is Jimenez. I have Flor de María also grafted and that one has not flowered yet. That tree is located in Torrance near Carson in CA.

(https://i.postimg.cc/hQJRvrHJ/PXL-20230729-221907481.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hQJRvrHJ)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Elijah on August 11, 2023, 12:56:26 PM
It's scion from an orchard in Michoacán México. Supposedly it's Jimenez. I grafted it last August and it flowered in March. Has about 10 fruits hanging on and it's flowering again. I say supposedly because they really don't care what variety it is on Mexico, it's all sold as Hass. But the growers see differences in trees and fruit so that's why they said this is Jimenez. I have Flor de María also grafted and that one has not flowered yet. That tree is located in Torrance near Carson in CA.

(https://i.postimg.cc/hQJRvrHJ/PXL-20230729-221907481.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hQJRvrHJ)
You grafted the avocado last August and it already looks so big tree. Does the scion grow very fast? Most grafted avocado trees I saw in nurseries are barely a few feet.
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ado on August 11, 2023, 08:57:45 PM
This graft took off. It's grafted onto an old avocado tree that I stumped. Its about a 15 year old tree with established roots. That's why I think it grew so fast. It's an avocado tree with about 9 different varieties. I have 3 varieties that just exploded with growth. regular Hass, that Jimenez and sharwil. I have a fourth that I thought was Lamb Hass but looks more like fuerte. I cut it way back. I like fuerte fruit but the tree grows too big and too unpredictable. That's what the tree looked like when I grafted it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zLSXbyTk/PXL-20220825-192407527.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zLSXbyTk)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: Ado on August 13, 2023, 03:48:06 PM
A better picture taken today. Small fruit and flowering on same branch.


(https://i.postimg.cc/gXGYgHLs/PXL-20230813-163114738.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gXGYgHLs)

(https://i.postimg.cc/TKmfG4rQ/PXL-20230813-162956380.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TKmfG4rQ)
Title: Re: Avocado thread
Post by: drymifolia on September 01, 2023, 05:26:36 PM
Just thought I'd share a photo of the largest seedling so far in the PNW avocado breeding project I'm organizing, it's just about exactly 8 feet tall and pushing new growth strongly up top:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_J71HmFQmWYFJu9wo0yYtlXvHWuYljdXfLxeQdGR-VHy3_CDNUVWgDHlYA3jumPMRLa-3dipR3AyZlgcrN99N5TUmIFRepplumxJ0sWwWZaD35VNB--jtNQnqovn4AuxBBeJA7MgLMDh8qESg32NAm3Q=w900)

This is a seedling of Mexicola Grande, seed was from Brad way back in 2021. It's one of three seedlings from that batch that are still alive, the other two are smaller because they were planted outside in 2021 and have had to regrow from freeze damage twice now (16°F in Dec 2021, 17°F in Dec 2022), so I'm hoping that El Niño will mean a mild winter this time around, so they all can size up like their sister above. That one was outside in a pot for the 2021 freeze (killed above soil line but re-grew vigorously last year), but spent the most recent winter in the greenhouse before getting planted out in March.