Young Reed - leave the fruit or drop them?

[Mark in Texas]

March 2012, I grafted Reed to a 6 month old Florida seedling that I started from seed and it has set quite a few fruits.  Veneer graft is super strong and thick.  Per the grower "norm", I'm inclined to pull all fruit to let the "energy" go into roots and foliage but to me that decision depends on plant health, foliage/root mass, and vigor.   Except for the impending summer heat which starts soon and lasts until September, my greenhouse avocados have the best of conditions.  IOW, they're not stressed and have a robust root system thanks to the custom backfill and RootBuilder pots.  New foliage output has just begun after spring foliage drop.

Input appreciated!   And as an aside, if you need info on the merits of root-tip termination/training, I'm your man.   







Thanks,
Mark

[BestDay]

Nice looking plant.  Those Reed Avocados are my favorite.  We can buy them here during the summer and they are locally grown.  The best tasting avocado in my opinion.

Bill

[Mark in Texas]

Thanks, considering I grafted that plant last year on pencil sized rootstock, never before having done veneer and cleft grafts....I'm damn proud of it.  The trunk is about 1" girth and the graft is so solid I can't see it anymore.

I agree, it's hard to beat a Reed for size, taste, and texture.  I mail order them SoCal farms but they're hard to find and when you do find them, they're very pricey!  If you have any sources for Reed fruit I'd love to have them.

[BestDay]

The reeds I get during the summer are from the local farmers market.  The seller grows them himself locally.  Large size as usual and $2 each.  I just planted a Hass avocado tree in my back yard.  I really wanted a Reed but it season here is only about 2-3 months.  The Hass is 10-12 months a year!  I went with the Hass so I can always just go pick a couple avocados when I need them.

Bill

[JF]

Mark, great looking tree and great job on your graft. I have notice that Reed do not do very well with extreme hot weather. Mine nearly passed three years ago when we hit 119F. We've hit 100F the last two days and my new growth was burned on the other hand my Sir Prize, Holiday and Pinkerton did not blink.

[Mark in Texas]

Mark, great looking tree and great job on your graft. I have notice that Reed do not do very well with extreme hot weather. Mine nearly passed three years ago when we hit 119F. We've hit 100F the last two days and my new growth was burned on the other hand my Sir Prize, Holiday and Pinkerton did not blink.

Being pure Guatemalan, I can see why a Reed would stress out with such high temps.  All dependent on other factors too like root mass and health, RH.