Yeah, we're a bit limited here, rootstocks included, unless we can order from TreeSource. I was leaning toward the  Gold Nugget because it ripens later than my Owari, plus I've ordered from the two vendors and the one who has the GN has sent me bigger trees. We'll have Dekopon available someday, then I'll replace my snag of a navel tree with one.

I have a lot to say about the linked article, but for now, just two comments.

I am not a Jerry Brown partisan. He does not want to dictate who gets water and who doesn't, no "Ceres-on-the-Bay". But he can, and somebody has to try to do something, even if it's not the best solution. Anything that keeps the California legislature out of it is a good thing, and I reside in a Central Valley town that's facing a 35% cut.

Second, anyone who brings up the smelt is trying to push a "hot button" and reduce a complex ecosystem into a single insignificant issue, and probably shouldn't be taken seriously.

The water that is released into the San Joaquin Delta supports a myriad of entities, including the smelt and the salmon. There are vast farms in and around the delta that use that water, there are small towns, there is a water sports industry, fishing and hunting, and the ports in Sacramento and Stockton. The ports would survive if salt water backed up all the way to Sacramento but little else would.

And one more thing. "Open market, open market!" The great right-wing, snake-oil cure-all mantra.

That's great for shoes or sox because there are different price levels based on perceived quality. Few people have to go shoeless or sockless. Petroleum products are not a basic necessity - cut back on driving, put a sweater on and lower the thermostat. Water? Sorry gotta have it. Shower sometimes. Brush my teeth. If it's brown it goes down (which would have made a great political slogan). Water my fruit trees and tomatoes (which I could let go if it came to that - again, my older, established trees get only what falls from the sky).

I have no lawn, haven't had for 24 years. But then, I don't live in a Home Owner's Association controlled neighborhood where a bunch of yard-nazis tell me I can't have a clothesline (to supplement the government-designed, energy-saving dryer that doesn't do the job).

Anyone who lived in California when electricity was "deregulated" and put on "the open market" knows exactly what would happen. Talk about "political shenanigans, cronyism, inefficiency, and corruption."

The author tries to distance himself from those who will try to blame it on "the Koch brothers, illegal immigrants, or the Federal Reserve" but he's just doing that in hopes that you won't see the tin-foil hat he wears.

I have a Hardy Chicago fig in a 15 gallon pot. Last year, from August thru October, it ripened several fruits a day. It's only about 4' tall.

gary

What varieties? Pics might help.

How about this - http://www.groworganic.com/clip-n-pick-pruner-head-only.html

Jerry Brown imposes mandatory water restrictions

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/01/us/california-water-restrictions-drought/

Well if you swear on the quality, then it can only be sour orange from that era. Also highly drought tolerant.
It's making a comeback in Florida as some growers say less effected by greening.  They seem to be discounting the high risk of CTV.

That's interesting. Maybe the greening resistence offsets the CTV risk.

Are almonds a higher value crop than citrus? Other orchards are being replaced with almonds and almonds are being planted in marginal areas, not even fit for grazing. The growers are sinking wells to support their trees. Is the citrus crop not valuable enough to drill wells?

gary

Is it possible to farm citrus without irrigation?

I have two Owari mandarin trees that receive only what falls from the sky. They are 40 years old on whatever full-sized rootstock was popular at the time. I also have a grapefruit tree that  is from the same time period and also receives no additional water. One of the Owaris has gone alternate year bearing but the other one and the grapefriut produce huge amounts of fruit every year, even during these drought years.

gary

There just isn't enough water, as nullzero said. No amount of money can make it rain and it's pointless to build more dams when the extant reservoirs can't even be filled. Deep pocket almond grower/exporters will "drill, baby, drill" until the already dangerously depleted aquifers are dry. 2000 new building permits issued for an area of Sacramento; 2000 new homes planned northeast of Modesto. Build it now, pump it now - grab what you can with no thought to the future. I'm not a "green" but Calfornia is killing itself. Maybe all of these people will go elsewhere when the valley starts looking like the Mojave.

gary

The folks at Arboreum say it's self-fertile and they know their stuff.

gary

Thanks for all of the replies.

I don't want to set myself up to fail so I think I'll go with a Cogshall.

 I did a little research on Angie and it sounds like a good choice, just need a supplier that can ship to California.

Any thoughs on Neelam?

Thanks,

gary

Could an Edward mango tree be grown and kept in a container or is it just to vigorous?

Thanks,

gary