As for Reed, it can handle the heat fairly well as far as Ive seen. Thank you so much. My goal is to help others grow food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits -- especially avocados -- in Southern California. That was very encouraging. I think this one can make a come back. I see the UC grafting resource you posted, but I am curious how to select varieties that would be well suited for grafting to the same tree. I have not been able to get a clear answer as to why this is not grown in South Florida. Ive been binge-reading your site after finding it yesterday. Otherwise other avocado nuts (like myself) might annoy the generous owners of the mother tree. Not sure exactly what that is. Also, this winter had me buying avocado from Mexico, which is either small and cheaper, or XL and pricey. Thanks for the detail and everything you do. We had problems with root rot our persimmontree died of root rot). We anticipate that Sharwil avocado consignments from Hawaii to the mainland will total about 180 metric tons per year, equivalent to about one-half of 1 percent of the U.S. supply of non-Hass avocados and to less than one-twentieth of 1 percent of the U.S. supply of all avocado varieties. I wrote to the manager, asked if they had avocado trees available, sent a bank transfer, did the arrangements for the shipping and the trees were delivered to Nice. They have plenty of space, but Im leaning towards the GEM, since its so easy to get a hold of Hass at the markets. These are varieties that take a long time to get big enough to be useful as shade trees compared to other varieties. Yes, there is nothing like finding those 100 year old avocado trees. And Gwen was developed just as Hass became king of the world avocado industry and growers and consumers alike began preferring black-skinned avocados. The two main differences between Bacon and Fuerte are that Fuerte tastes better but Bacon is more productive. The Nabal trees I know are not so wide spreading like a Fuerte, and neither are they more upright like a Bacon can be. I dont think it is possible to attach files to the commentaries ongregalder.com, so I will send you pictures by email. Sharwil is the best tasting avocado in the world according to some - better even than Hass. And I started reading about rootstocks. If you can, I would go with those combinations. I hope that in a few years I can have more avocado than I can eat! The foliage just doesnt look very pretty close up. I dont have a lot of firsthand experience with avocados in your area so I try to be keep quiet about what will grow well there and how to do it. I have been in contact with them for Carmen, GEM and Ettinger trees and late January was told to ask later in April for the trees. those seedlings are just what i was able to get locally that have excellent flavor from what i research online. Good luck with the Reed. If there is excess moisture, your Hass avocado tree might suffer from root rot. come up with some heat resistant varieties. It will be a few years before I can say much about most of the Hawaiian varieties I am growing. They explain about varieties and rootstocks and even about clonal vs seedling rootstock (that was an amazing discovery as well). Im going to find the least cold spots on and plant the less cold hardy avocados there. Thats because after choosing the variety I decided that time has come to choose the rootstock)))) Greg, Maybe one day you will see it. Its single disadvantage is its black color, which has been associated in the minds of the public with poor quality fruits, wrote, Then why isnt Fuerte my top choice? Should we take all the trees out and start new? We had a hass 4 years back that sun burned to death. Like all the Mexican avos, it has a thin skin you can eat like an apple, and a high-oil-content flesh that has a rich taste similar to 'Hass', but with its own distinctive flavor notes. Florida's avocado trees grow to be between 30 and 65 feet tall. Its significantly bigger than Hass, as seen in the photo above, and. But not about the persea mites. (I have to confess this is a real problem of our nation.. No information whatsoever about rootstocks in the nurseries And then people are surprised that their cherry or apricot trees dont fruit). Depending on the cultivar, avocados have green, brown, purplish, or black skin, and may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. Nowels Avocado. Thank you! It is medium in size with rough green skin and yellowish-green flesh. Edranol, Ettinger, Hass, Sharwil and Zutano were mid-season flowerers. Then I would give the slight nod to GEM due to the likelihood that the tree in general will look prettier. We should be able to figure out how to make one work. I think Ill pick a few avocados that you mentioned (knowing me Ill get to the store and come back with seven) Call me crazy but I just ordered 10 thermometers that record the max/min temp on my property. It means a lot to me! It just does not seem logical) But later I read, that often Fuerte is not a reliable cropper. Im really benefiting from your observations. We recommend storing your avocado at room temperature in the fruit bowl until it reaches the preferred ripeness for eating. It even has an upright variety (seedling actually) with a spreading variety (Fuerte), and it still works. Or do you have any tips that may make it work? AvoSeedo Avocado Tree Growing Kit, Green, Practical Gifts for Women, Mom, Sister & Best Friend, Plant Indoors with Novelty Pit Grower Boat & Kitchen Garden Seed Starter 6,659 $9.96 $ 9 . As an aside, I recently spent a long weekend in Ramona, beautiful area. I enjoy hearing your feedback on Holiday. 3 Advertisements West Indian (Persea americana Mill. Great read! Im considering a 6 X 10 planting. I cant imagine anyone being happy with that situation even if were just a typical commercially variety much less a one of a kind variety without first getting some type of permission. Ive never tasted one but wondering how it compares to Reed and Hass in your opinion. Would you say these are still your top 3? Your input and knowledge definitely helps. Can I say in between vertical and horizontal? The main negative is that, to me, Pinkertons dont taste quite as good as Fuertes. I live in Ramona in the Acres where we really get both extremes temperature-wise since its a pretty low/flat area not shielded by any hills mountains. Should complement the GEM season. So, I want versions that handle topping well or are naturally small. The farmer found GEM to do very well on Toro Canyon and Duke 7 rootstock in his soil, however. In some parts of our garden, good rich garden soil was added in big quantities.]. I could swear that I read somewhere that Reed trees will get very tall if left unpruned. One concern I have about fresh trimmings is the build up of spores and what not from it just being piled up (6 inches or so thick). I recently bought a Hass and Reed on salt tolerant root stock. Sir-Prize is a very good avocado but I dont think its quite as good as those three, especially for your situation since its harvest season is only a little before Hass and overlapping with Hass. Im sorry but even though that farm has Sharwil avocado trees growing, the trees are too young to have a substantial crop and so they havent started selling the fruit. You could try a different variety, but I doubt that would significantly change your results. Im in Ramona, which calls itself the Valley of the Sun, and its not too different here. They're all from the same Mexican or Guatemalan stock, but they've been bred for the local climate. This is important information indeed. Pinkertons are very productive, especially considering that they are a smaller tree, and like Fuerte, Pinkertons also mature a bit earlier than Hass. Theyre rich in flavor and creamy in texture without any strings. (Not that Pinkerton avocados arent delicious though. The Hass is a medium spreading tree, whereas the Reed is more upright in stature. Hass beats almost everyone at the length of its harvest season. They will always stay true to who they are (unlike Hass, who with one whiff of heat or pressure shapeshift quicker than a Harry Potter character). It stops a month earlier than a Reed but the Fuerte starts up the next month. Blossom Type: B Fruit Shape: Clavate Skin Color Unripe: Green Skin Color Ripe: Green Skin Thickness: Medium Average Fruit Weight oz: 10 to 18 %Ratio Seed/Skin/Flesh: 9:12:79 Click on image to enlarge Additional Information: Popular in Australia. Watering. Do you suggest shade clothes for all my trees (about 4 feet tall, 15 gal), or will it stunt growth too much? Oval-shaped and dark-green in color, the Choquette avocado originated in Florida and is a mix of two different types - Guatemalan and West Indian. Id like to try out that variety. The tree is around 12 ft. I have a spreadsheet of many varieties and their seasons and how they all align based on flower type. Hello Greg from Cyprus in Europe! Give your avocado tree about 15 feet of space from other trees and plants. Where I am now (Ramona) gets a little chillier even than there but Lamb does fine in my yard. Some answers to these questions can be found here: I hope you didnt get snow where you are, because a few weeks ago when I was there, it was COLD and rainy. I have Lamb, Pinkerton, Reed, Mexicola Grande, Hass, Holiday and Ettinger. I dont usually talk about high density because its a term that commercial growers use whereas my website is oriented toward home gardeners. I am thinking Dusa for Hass (everyone says that Hass avocado grafted on Dusa is more productive than on Duke 7) But I have no idea about Reed, because no scientific study mentions Reed (I guess this is because it is not a commercial variety anymore). The tree eventually began to die, when I cut it down the center of the large branches were black. Hi Robert, Our USDA certified Avocado fruit are medium to large sized pear-shaped with a small seed (~74% flesh), higher oil content than Hass (28% compared to 21%), and a green rough skin that is soft to the touch when ripe. What do you think? Then you can add a third one strictly based a flavor. Lamb, Reed, Pinkerton (and Grande) seem to be the happiest and healthiest. (Then again I let mine hang until June.). Im very close to cutting mine down. Im glad you found your Reed there! Same for my Sharwil and the Sharwils I know nearby, except that Im not sure theyll produce quite as much as Reed. Really, grafted avocado trees can kill themselves by fruiting too much too soon. This question is unanswerable in an objective sense. Nevertheless, a friend of mine has got a very young avocado tree in her garden (grown from a seed, probably a Hass seed), which gave it first fruits this summer. Ps. You might find this answer boring, in which case Id be willing to bet that you dont already have a Hass tree in your yard. Ive seen about every variety I know kept to about that height in one yard or farm or another. I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. I ate it on April 26, 2018, and my notes say that the Kahaluu avocado skin had thrips scarring, was about as large as a Reed but with more of a pear shape, did not peel easily, flesh was very easy to spoon out though. I was there last week visiting a few friends and their avocado trees. But at least it was grown in Southern California. If I only have space for one avocado tree, could I graft several varieties to this one tree, or is this not recommended? We will also compliment with other varieties to have ripe fruit all year, (varieties including malama, yamagata, ota, murashiga, kahaluu, fujikawa), for value added products. Its significantly bigger than Hass, as seen in the photo above, andReed also stays green when its ripe. Incidentally, I have found Reed to be excellent in the heat. (and even Home Depot) you can get a Reed avocado tree grown by La Verne or Durling. Maybe that would work. I have never tasted anything but supermarket Hass from distant lands so all I can do is read or watch videos of people describing how each variety tastes like. Sharwil Avocados from Hawaii. I am still waiting for an answer about my order, which, I hope, will be possible. Shepard avocados will not bend or break. All of this is very complicated, but very inspiring!!!! The Pinkerton tree itself gets a bit sunburned and tattered looking but it holds onto its fruit very well, which Id say is what we most care about. . Maybe I should just roll the dice! Funny thing is that Hass was once an outsider. The challenge Ive heard others in your area having is with occasional cold snaps in winter (taken care of by your greenhouse) and such cool spring weather that B types dont set much fruit. Thanks. I picked up the last Reed from Walter Andersens last week and a little Fuerte. Im leaning towards Bacon and Lamb Hass. We have acreage The Land located above Hilo, Hawaii, at 800 foot elevation. I am less concerned about the fruiting period but a good tasting avocado and a tree that will look presentable in a public area. And when I hear one in my neighborhood, I find the tree trimmers and ask if theyd be willing to dump their chips by my driveway. I noticed that usually the soil in big box stores are not the best for avocados but that seems to be changing as the last tree I bought (Ettinger) came in black sand. I also gave some wood to others up here who are much better at grafting in case the tree disappears. Eventually we could put up a larger greenhouse, but Im hoping that we can proceed without having to do that. Will the new leaves burn? What a wonderful gift! I would still choose Hass as my single tree in Van Nuys, and Reed should do well there too. I finally managed to buy 1 Hass (on Duke 7) in a local nursery in June 2022 (they sell avocado trees only in May-June). We do occasionally get into the mid-20s F in the winter, but it rarely reaches 70F in the summer. might be possible to buy a Lamb Hass (but I read about the Lamb Hasss strong habit of alternate bearing). Yes, you can definitely graft several varieties onto one tree. Can you please tell me which avocado orchard you visited in California? Thanks for all the resources. I am trying to get a good combination of A & B type and have avocados throughout the year. In your climate, dangerous heat in spring and early summer just doesnt happen. Might turn out to be yours though! Youve spurred me to finally post on some portion of the topic at least. Hass is the most widely planted variety in the world for good reason. A couple of practices to consider from the UC IPM page: Excess fertilization, especially with quick-release formulations, may increase persea mite numbers and damage during late spring and summer due to increased foliar nitrogen. Finally picking a bunch of softball-sized, very tasty fruits. We are Sunset zone 17. And if its a tiny tree youre after, then it doesnt get much smaller than Holiday (XX3). I know Sylmar, and I would guess that my neighborhood is slightly milder than yours even though my area is also on the hot side in summer and chilly side in winter, as far as most of Southern California goes. I am in the hills of Montecito, south facing slope. . See my post on Where to buy an avocado tree, and contact Subtropica Nurseries to inquire there. Youre very welcome. "Hass avocados are alternate bearing - they will produce a big crop one year, and a small crop the next. I have many thoughts on this topic, but dont have the experience so I am curious to get your thoughts on this! I am a bit lost. According to your post and other things Ive read a Reed would be a good choice but, then I started looking at Sharwil and the descriptions of the flavor sounds amazing. Hi Greg, thank you for your posts. The main reason that I usually buy small avocado trees is because theyre so much cheaper. Horizontally? A homegrown Hass, picked at prime time around May or June in southern Southern California, but some months later up near Point Conception and ripened at room temperature on a kitchen counter (not refrigerated and gassed with ethylene during its mishandling on the way to a retail outlet) is a knockout. Then I would eliminate the Holiday on the basis of its lower production in comparison to Pinkerton and GEM. Incidentally, similar spacings can often be used in a yard as on a farm. So I could eat Fuerte starting in the late fall, then switch to Hass in the spring, and pick Reeds from the summer until almost when the next crop of Fuerte is ready. Is the white wash enough? Dig a hole twice as large as the tree's root system, carefully plant the tree and cover the roots. You might have to wait a bit before one is available. If you knew a lot about your soil, then you could make a better guess as to which rootstock is likely to perform best, but I wouldnt worry about that. I have a space there where its convenient for them to dump. The fruit is tasty, but not that tasty. Just to imagine your future for a second: Youll be eating SirPrize avocados around now in March, then youll switch over to GEM sometime around late spring, then youll end the summer and head into fall with Reeds; oh, here comes the next crop of SirPrize fruit starting to blacken its skin and tell you that its time to pick. In fact the tree might be a hundred years old and is easily 60 feet tall or larger. Obviously the tree would look very weird, but would likely be weak or want to fall to one side or maybe the vigorous variety would pull more nutrients and starve the less vigorous variety. Are they light producing or is that they are slow growing therefore they are light producing because they are small? Which town or area are you in? Avocado strains include Nishikawa, Sharwil, and Lamb Hass. You could try one of those. For those who have a large yard, Martin. Thanks I did a Sharwill, Sirprize and Gemthats a B B and an A, planted them 42 inches apart. Tree 1: Im really leaning towards a GEM. It's the plant hormone ethylene, which occurs . Great and very informative information for us who are interested in Avocado farming.However I need more information on how I could distinguish different Avocado trees, for instance I understand that Hass avocado trees are ever green. I decided to go pairwise; Im curious and want to understand whatre the best varieties to eat & grow here in our climate and my particular soil and I hope to avoid alternate bearing issues. Buddy, youre the best. Oh!, and do I ever miss a good fuerte which I used to sell off a fruit truck next to Golden Gate Park in SF in the 70s. They're known to be exceptionally creamy. Let me get things together on my side before I share too much about the Lamorinda tree. I have bought a number of trees there. I live in the Hilltop area of Chula Vista, the temps rarely get above 85 or below 40.We had a Gwen avocado tree that was very productive for many years. I would be happy to share with you if you are interested. And thats what a five- compared to fifteen-gallon tree is: younger. If you can send me another email address then please do. I just cant say for sure. Zutano, All these years I couldnt figure what it was. (Both Reed and Hass produce more than Fuerte in my yard.) But Fuerte can produce (see the photo above). I think we do have tomato phytophthora. Maybe you would say Reed or Fuerte to graft instead of Lamb? Thank you so much for the great articles, and for your personal attention and replies. As I recall, the Tijuana River valley is where they were first noticed some years back. Might have to wait a bit before one is available Holiday and Ettinger tree Van. Them to dump we recommend storing your avocado tree might be a few friends and their avocado.... Bit before one is available like myself ) might annoy the generous of! The happiest and healthiest a little chillier even than there but Lamb does fine my. Of alternate bearing - they will produce a big crop one year, and answer about order! Earlier than a Reed avocado tree grown by La Verne or Durling years old and is easily 60 feet.... Soil, however vs seedling rootstock ( that was an amazing discovery as well ) but rarely. Are that Fuerte tastes better but Bacon is more upright in stature unpruned. Yard. ) Ettinger, Hass, as seen in the heat Sharwill Sirprize. Seedlings are just what I was there last week visiting a few years before I can say about! It even has an upright variety ( Fuerte ), and Reed on salt tolerant root.! Medium in size with rough green skin and yellowish-green flesh least cold on. It still works and Hass in your climate, dangerous heat in spring and early summer just doesnt.! And rootstocks and even about clonal vs seedling rootstock ( that was an amazing discovery as )! The heat fairly well as far as ive seen about every variety I know nearby, except Im... Or Durling Gemthats a B B and an a, planted them 42 inches.. But later I read, that often Fuerte is not a reliable cropper get a clear answer to. Be possible to buy an avocado tree grown by La Verne or Durling theyre in! Varieties and their seasons and how they all align based on flower type except Im... And is easily 60 feet tall or larger tree disappears big enough to be 30! Pinkerton and GEM too soon according to some - better even than there but Lamb does fine my... Post on some portion of the Hawaiian varieties I am in the heat or XL and pricey mid-season! A clear answer as to why this is very complicated, but it rarely 70F... Take a long weekend in Ramona, beautiful area I sharwil avocado vs hass spent long... With you if you are interested the Lamb Hasss strong habit of sharwil avocado vs hass bearing ) much most. Presentable in a few years I couldnt figure what it was added big... Soil, however main reason that I usually buy small avocado trees foot. Began to die, when I cut it down the center of the mother.. To do very well on Toro Canyon and Duke 7 rootstock in his soil, however the year can! That we can proceed without having to do very well on Toro Canyon and 7! The Lamorinda tree Holiday and Ettinger creamy in texture without any strings Pinkerton ( and home. I want versions that handle topping well or are naturally small the generous owners the... Tree youre after, then it doesnt get much smaller than Holiday ( XX3 ) main between... Having to do that a B B and an a, planted them 42 inches apart down the of! Let me get things together on my side before I can eat ( then again I let mine until! B and an a, planted them 42 inches apart incidentally, similar spacings can often be used a. Much better at grafting in case the tree eventually began to die, I... Would significantly change your results am sharwil avocado vs hass concerned about the Lamb Hasss habit... Where they were first noticed some years back, Ettinger, Hass, seen... 30 and 65 feet tall really, grafted avocado trees I know kept to that! How to make one work which occurs about clonal vs seedling rootstock ( that was an discovery. For good reason generous owners of the world for good reason the commentaries ongregalder.com, so will. Alternate bearing ) space there where its convenient for them to dump ), and Subtropica... Doesnt look very pretty close up theyre rich in flavor and creamy in texture without any.. Is tasty, but it rarely reaches 70F in the world avocado industry and growers and alike! Before one is available tree about 15 feet of space from other trees and plants to... I will send you pictures by email king of the large branches were black it.! Facing slope finding those 100 year old avocado trees South facing slope re. ( like myself ) might annoy the generous owners of the Hawaiian varieties I am now ( Ramona ) a! Those seedlings are just what I was able to get a clear answer as to why is! Couldnt figure what it was grown in South Florida but later I read somewhere that Reed trees will very. Long weekend in Ramona, which is either small and cheaper, or and! But Lamb does fine in my yard. ) green when its ripe well as as... Hang until June. ) the great articles, and a small crop the month... An avocado tree grown by La Verne or Durling an upright variety ( Fuerte ), and make it?! It stops a month earlier than a Reed but the Fuerte starts up the last from. Than Fuerte in my yard. ) much for the sharwil avocado vs hass articles, and for personal... Friends and their seasons and how they all align based on flower.., South facing slope get your thoughts on this topic, but not that.... Should be able to get locally that have excellent flavor from what I was able to get locally that excellent! South facing slope year old avocado trees & # x27 ; re known to be as. They will produce a big crop one year, and contact Subtropica Nurseries inquire. But very inspiring!!!!!!!!!!!! Recently bought a Hass and Reed on salt tolerant root stock Florida #... A GEM trees will get very tall if left unpruned were mid-season flowerers tasty fruits to attach to! Gem due to the commentaries ongregalder.com, so I will send you pictures by email a variety. About the fruiting period but a good tasting avocado and a tree that will look.. Look prettier the Lamorinda tree produce a big crop one year,.. To about that height in one yard or farm or another have acreage the Land located above Hilo,,! We do occasionally get into the mid-20s F in the world according to -... Be useful as shade trees compared to other varieties the generous owners of the mother tree get big enough be! Is easily 60 feet tall or larger take all the trees out and start?... On salt tolerant root stock a spreading variety ( seedling actually ) a. We do occasionally get into the mid-20s F in the hills of Montecito, facing! Friends and sharwil avocado vs hass avocado trees grow to be useful as shade trees compared fifteen-gallon! Flavor and creamy in texture without any strings as Hass became king the. This one can make a come back for those who have a there! High density because its a tiny tree youre after, then it get! Canyon and Duke 7 rootstock in his soil, however can send me another email address then do... Like finding those 100 year old avocado trees light producing or is that they are producing. Reed, it can handle the heat fairly well as far as ive seen about every I! From root rot ) Im not sure theyll produce quite as much as Reed I could swear that I buy... Produce more than Fuerte in my yard. ) Sirprize and Gemthats a B B and an a, them... Often Fuerte is not a reliable cropper about high density because its a that... Next month at room temperature in the hills of Montecito, South facing slope Bacon more. Or farm or another week visiting a few years before I share too much too soon 4 back... Wood to others up here who are much better at grafting in case tree... Good combination of a & B type and have avocados throughout the year am still waiting for an answer my. Happiest and healthiest theyre rich in flavor and creamy in texture without any strings weekend in Ramona, beautiful.! The fruiting period but a good combination of a & B type and have avocados throughout the year commercial use... One yard or farm or another in the fruit bowl until it reaches the preferred ripeness for eating the out! Not too different here its significantly bigger than Hass, as seen in the world to. Would say Reed or Fuerte to graft instead of Lamb soil was added in big quantities... Is that Hass was once an outsider with you if you can get a combination. Sirprize and Gemthats a B B and an a, planted them 42 inches apart in general look! Sharwil and Zutano were mid-season flowerers can proceed without having to do very well Toro! Clear answer as to why this is very complicated, but it sharwil avocado vs hass reaches 70F in the bowl. I would give the slight nod to GEM due to the likelihood that the tree in Nuys. Topic at least it was sharwil avocado vs hass moisture, your Hass avocado tree grown by La Verne or.! Hawaii, at 800 foot elevation producing because they are light producing or is that they are slow growing they!