Thanks for all the feedback and help from the forum (JF, Gary, Cookie Monster), I have finally picked the "chosen ones". Purchased at Top Tropicals...Mainly because...

1) They carry the most Zill varieties that ship to California.  Unless you live in Florida..this is about as good as it gets on the West Coast.

2) cheapest in prices that ships to California and does not charge the 75 dollar dollar agriculture inspection fee Pine island Nursery charges to ship to California.

3) P.O.G. lacks in varietiy

And here is the new Family I'll be patiently waiting for to produce Glorious Mangos of the Gods

1.   LZ
2.   Sweet Tart
3.   Coconut Cream
4.   Pina Colada
5.   Carrie
6.   Malika

I will attempt to contain Carrie and Malika in 26 in containers or something bigger to fit a 25 gallon size plant.....Also I will be looking to add on to my collection by adding on to my biggest trees by grafting...Also I will also be buying Nam Doc Mai, Maha Chanok, and Edward for my Mother in law since space is limited lol... Only one spot left for a Cherimoya.... Probably El Bumpo lol

Squam,

NOOB, First time Home owner, Gardner here for a lack of knowledge on some of these terms....

Tipping. are we talking about pruning the outer branches by a few inches throughout the seasons to promote growth or to achieve some other effect?

I wouldnt say I'm collecting...Just definately want these Florida Zill creations that have the forms buzzing.... Currently have Top Tropicals special ordering Pina Colada from zill. Once they get it i will be purchasing the following.

LZ
Pina Colada
Sweet Tart
Coconut Cream
Carrie   (will attempt to grow in a pot)
Malika ( will attempt to grow in a pot)

I can easily do  8 ft spacing on these trees... However I'd rather not have these trees clumped so close, but space is limited...and i want some  good mangos..So tired of eating these bland  medicine tasting mangos from walmart and Sprouts..

Gary,

Even in my dreams....I dont think the governor would get that wreckless... They could never strip the will or power of a Tropical Fruit Grower lol

JF

Your Peach Trees....do you have them pruned with the traditional open bowl scaffold branches so light can penetrate through the center? I just recently pruned mine yesterday...It hurt so bad to take its natural form away..minus the feeders on the bottom.

Hmmm...Not sure I'm willing to give up my Mango spots... I'm looking into new member registration for CRFG...Considering I work at the Naval Balboa Medical center...I'm right next door to your weekly meetings...I definately want to taste one of these at the upcoming taste sampling if possible.

GOOD!!! because I eat about a can of peaches a day...Looking forward to jarring my own organic Homegrown lol

my cherry tree is blooming, Anna Apple blooming, my
 Santa Anna Plum produced 1 plum..... Peach trees got some buds going on em... Crazyness

Quote from: johnb51 on January 24, 2014, 09:18:40 PM

I think there are varieties in the Hass family that are smaller/more compact, but SoCal people are going to have to weigh in on this.  Yes, you would be a deprived person without an avocado tree!  Zone 9, and you can grow mangos?  What area specifically?

Yes Lamb Hass is a perfect example, Gwen is another one.

JF,

 Do you have any feedback on the Lamb Hass... Could you give me taste comparison with texture if you can between that and the Real Deal Holyfield HASS.

Thanks guys for the feedback....Being stationed in Southern CA, plus the Wife being Spanish... Yeah we eat a lot of Spanish food over here lol...so Avocados are a must...And man I truly enjoy a good Hass

Will do Jeff... Thanks for the amazing break down on the overall quality of a Mango.

Gary has a couple of Zills Monsters...I dont think they're ready for taste trials yet based on their maturity. I think I might wing it and hope for the best.... I know it sounds crazy with me not even tryed anything other than a store bought Mango....But my mind is set that the rest of the yard will be devoted to MANGOS!!!!

Dont worry about variety... The house came with a set a mature beauties including.... a mature Cherry tree, Santa Rosa Plum, Mexican Lime, Blood Orange, Pear... recently planted 15 Gallon Red Barron Peach and Saturn Peach tree, Anna Dorset apple.....

Its time to grow some of Zills Monsters ....

Almost all my space in the back yard is being used or reserved a the moment.  Currently have about 8 fruit trees, plus 5 spots in reserve for Mango trees.

Their is no way I can accommodate the Legendary Hass which can become a 30-50 ft monster from what i here. Is there any small compact variety similar to Hass in texture and flavor that can be kept around 10 ft.... Not sure what kind of person I would be without a Avocado tree in my backyard living in SOCAL.H

Darn, I looked at at em both.....Walked away with the Anna...I think i might compost it and go pick up the Dorsett.. They still have some left in Bareroot at Home Depot and Lowes for liek 20 bucks

I'm with you there Gary!!!

We get the best of both worlds over here... enjoying man of the tropical fruits and trees, to many of the cold varieties that require a few hundred chill hours such as apples, plums, and cherries....

You have the Lemon Zest and Pina Colada which are both Zill varieties I believe. Have their taste been compromised by are more Mild Climate( better?) compared to what  Ripe Lemon zest from Florida would tast like?