The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Polypterus on September 21, 2021, 10:40:22 PM
-
I'm entirely ignorant when it comes to avocados, but after a bit of reading I learned that there are a few varieties that should theoretically be able to grow year round in my climate, as our yearly lows are about 20-22.
This brings me to my question, is rooting avocado cuttings easy/possible, and if so, is grafting or rooting more commonplace? Does the variety of fruit the seed came from matter when it comes to vigor and cold tolerance?
Of the self fruitful cold hardy varieties (15-20 degrees), which are most commonly regarded as the best tasting? Looking at the varieties on this link, the amount of choices that can tolerate 15-20 degrees is somewhat overwhelming considering that I only have space for 1-2 trees. https://www.anaturalfarm.com/live-plants/avocado (https://www.anaturalfarm.com/live-plants/avocado)
-
I've never heard of rooting avocado cuttings.
-
I've never heard of rooting avocado cuttings.
Neither have I, which is why I was curious if it's possible. It's a lot less work for me to root cuttings that it is to graft them, so I prefer to root them when possible.
-
Yearly low temps are just part of the equation. When they say that avocado tolerates a low temp that doesn't mean for very long. Duration of your low temp will probably be longer than a few hours. In 2020 you had a Christmas cold snap with temps in the 20's night after night for several days.
It would only take the odd cold snap like that to kill your tree, or one late frost to kill off a bloom which would happen early spring.
There is a good reason why avocado isn't a real crop in your zone.
-
Avocado is famously impossible to root. Google "etiolation".
-
Avocado is famously impossible to root. Google "etiolation".
Given that rooting is out of the equation, does the seed that the rootstock comes from matter when it comes to cold tolerance, given that the seeds don't grow true? Would I be able to grow cold hardy varieties on a hass seed, or should I try to purchase rootstock that can tolerate cold better?
-
i would get seeds from known cold hardy avocados. and try a bunch.
-
Duke 7 and Toro Canyon seedlings keep some of the characteristics of the parent even though they may be openly pollinated seeds. If you graft these high, 2-3 feet above ground or even plant the seedling, probably the best choice, and graft on branches 2-3 feet above ground worst case scenario you loose the grated variety but you can re-graft the cold tolerant stumps