You may want to consider an Excel No 2 holder and Schick Injector blade all under $6.00. The blades last a long time. I use it to graft 40-50 trees not a problem when it gets dull replace the blade for under $1.00. I agree it does not work for hard woods or lifting the bark in budding but to do veneer and cleft graft in young trees and green wood in top working trees there is nothing better. I even hone them in my leather strop for extra life and sharpness. Warning the Exacto brand does not have the same fit.

Or you can get a scalpel with replaceable blades like doctors use. A couple of extra dollars. They are not expensive and the replacement blades are reasonable. The nice thing about this type of blade is the thinness of the blades, and how effortless it cuts and the control you have.
Nice thing to have in your grafting tool box. If you know of something better for the price, let me know.
Carlos
www.myavocadotrees.com

I have been using Azomite, rock dust and is working wonders. I did a test in my avocado grove with 12 trees. I put about 4 lbs of Azomite on each of them in December and Now May 2012  there is larger and more fruit in the 12 trees. Also I have been mixing it in the potting soil for root stock plants and is working real well. I just up potted a tree that had the stuff and the roots were thick, white, no dead tissue. I would try lava rock but I have not seen it in Florida.
Carlos
www.myavocadotrees.com

That looks like root issues, related to fertilizer burn or rotting due to too much humidy.  Too much Miracle grow or Vigoro water soluble can do that as well. I have burned my share of trees in my lifetime. The avocado can grow in full sun. Once I have a few leaves on my grafts they go in full sun, my seedlings grow in full sun as long as the root sustem is in good shape they can handle it. That is why it is importan to chose rootstock good for your area.  Some times nurseries buy trees form another nursery with poor root stock some times thats the culprit. Salt from water suplies can mimic fertilizer burn,

Every time I seen that issue when the tree evantualy dies and I look at the root root system and is gone. 

Good luck, don't look at it every day, some times that helps.

Carlos
www.myavocadotrees.com

Jsvands5,
My kahaluu has a spreading growing habit. The Nishikawa grows more upright.  Nishikawa has adapted very well here is SW Florida. My tree is loaded with little fruits. Kahaluu has not fruited, yet, but is growing quite well.  According to a fellow collector, that has tasted kahaluu, it is one the best avocados in the world.  It has one of the highest oil content.  Go Hawaii! Aloha all the way!

I'm not sure how to use this forun but I agree with you. I have several Hawaiian avocado. One of my first is the Nishikawa tree I got it in mid 2011, I planted it right away it grew nicely and in January I got 7 pieces of budwood to top work a tree.  I  depleted the tree, reduced the canopy of the little tree by 40%. in spite of that it flowered and it set 5-6 fruit. Since the day I got it you can see that tree likes it in South Florida. It is unknow how thisa hawaiian avocados will taste here. I may get to find out if my nishikawa hold at least one fruit to maturity.
Carlos www.myavocadotrees.com