Avocados - Cold Hardy

[_Keith]

Looks like in spite of the winter from hell, we will again be making Avocados in Louisiana. Go variety 'Wilma.'

[Tropicdoc]

Keith gifted me about 15 seedlings from this tree. That is one cold hardy avocado! Not sure if they will produce true from seed. The varietal "Brazos bell" is supposed to be a form of Wilma also.

[WestCoastGal]

My backyard over the fence neighbor has an avocado at our fenceline that was totally defoliated with our temps (think we had at least a solid week of below freezing temps and then down below 25F). It's regrown it's foliage, looks healthy, but don't believe I've seen any fruit on it yet. Not sure if she knows what variety it is but I'll ask.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Keith , This Var is hard to come by in CA.... though its a hardier variety than Mexicola or Mexicola Grande which can see damage in the 21-22f range.

I have several Mexicola Grande .... but sure would like to try Wilma.... Cados are easy to graft.... any chance that I could get some sticks of wilma budwood from you?

PM me if you do... possibly a trade for something I have extras of?

Jeff

[Tropicdoc]

How about Jeff grafts a few and then mails me one back? I don't have any experience grafting, but I thought about doing it with Keith's tree. Not sure what rootstock to use. My hass from seed were killed to the ground so I guess that would be a poor choice for rootstock here

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Seems fair.

I have some duke rootstock which survived temps of 18f

Pm and we'll get it done.

Jeff

[edric]

Here's mine, Ed

[Tropicdoc]

Wonder if that's a brogden

[Silas_Sancona]

Ed, FL. Hass perhaps? Experience with cold tolerance you had described in the video sounds about right for that cultivar. Anyone here in the state have experience with Wurtz?

-Nathan-

[Alicehunter2000]

I got 3 very small trees that I have been growing from seed. All three have come back after this brutal winter.

"Gainesville"

"A Texas Variety that has seen serious cold in the past given to me by a Texas PT member a few years ago"

Store bought "Hass" variety

Ironically the one that did the best "it was also the biggest" was the store-bought Hass variety.

Would love to have some Louisiana Keith variety as well.

[_Keith]

More video fun. Unfortunately, I am not very good at it, but here you go, meet Wilma

[edric]

Thanks for the info guys, Ed

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

More video fun. Unfortunately, I am not very good at it, but here you go, meet Wilma

Keith... I'm impressed.

What was the lowest temp at your place this winter?

Jeff

[Alicehunter2000]

Great video Keith, get to attach a voice to a face....and...check out your garden. Wilma is on my hit list now....gotsta have one!

[_Keith]

In 2010 the tree endured consecutive nights of 20,19,21 with damage only small newly emerging leaves. There were quite a few other freezes that year in the upper 20s.

This year, the first bad freeze was something like 20,23, then a few weeks later an Ice Storm where it was totally encased in a light sheet of ice for nearly 12-18 hours, low in high 20s, and then a third freeze that got down to the 22-23 range. It showed little damage, but in spring when the heat came finally it shed about 30% of its leaves as it was growing new ones. And as you can see it still flowered well.

It was the combination of freezes this year that damaged some many palms and other things that sailed through 2010.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Now that's a hardy cado!

Looking forward to getting the bud wood!

[Tropicdoc]

Jeff, wouldn't it be too late this year to graft that bud wood since the tree is already setting fruit?

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Jeff, wouldn't it be too late this year to graft that bud wood since the tree is already setting fruit?

Nope... Now is fine.

I can graft anytime this summer, ( march through oct ) but may to june is best. I just grafted 5 seedlings one week ago all 5 have new buds pushing through the parafilm tape that I wrap the bud wood with.

Just choose a branch that dosent have fruit on it.

Jeff

[_Keith]

I should be able to get your root stock in the mail on Monday. Want to cut and send same day. No need to send me a rooted one, but please send one to Tropicdoc. Wilma is quite large, and I want to try the other two well known Fannick varieties.

[Tropicdoc]

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

Tropicdoc.... PM me with your address, I'll ship you one as soon as its capable of being mailed. If you dont hear from my in 2 months... PM me about the status.

Jeff

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I should be able to get your root stock in the mail on Monday. Want to cut and send same day. No need to send me a rooted one, but please send one to Tropicdoc. Wilma is quite large, and I want to try the other two well known Fannick varieties.

Keith... sounds good.! Lookinh forward to it.

Jeff

[edric]

Hi guys, my Mom bought a 'Bacon' a few weeks ago, it says it's a lot like 'Hass', ever heard of 'Bacon', thanks, Ed

[Jubaea]

Hi guys, my Mom bought a 'Bacon' a few weeks ago, it says it's a lot like 'Hass', ever heard of 'Bacon', thanks, Ed

I bought a 'Bacon' tree to aid in the pollination of my 'Wurtz' tree. The 'Bacon' tree is in a pot and sets fruit that takes good but not great like a 'Hass'. The 'Bacon' tree is hardier tolerating heat and cold better. On hardened off leaves it was undamaged by 1 night down to 25 two years ago. This past winter it saw a few nights below freezing with an ultimate low of 26 with damage to new leaves but still managed to set a good crop. I have had the 'Wurtz tree for 13 years and only had 1 good year with decent fruit production and non at all for the first 5 years. The 'Bacon' had fruit on it when I bought it in a 5 gal pot and has fruited every year that I have not done a hard pruning. I'm not sure how this compares to Florida but I hope that helps.

[_Keith]

Hi guys, my Mom bought a 'Bacon' a few weeks ago, it says it's a lot like 'Hass', ever heard of 'Bacon', thanks, Ed

I bought a 'Bacon' tree to aid in the pollination of my 'Wurtz' tree. The 'Bacon' tree is in a pot and sets fruit that takes good but not great like a 'Hass'. The 'Bacon' tree is hardier tolerating heat and cold better. On hardened off leaves it was undamaged by 1 night down to 25 two years ago. This past winter it saw a few nights below freezing with an ultimate low of 26 with damage to new leaves but still managed to set a good crop. I have had the 'Wurtz tree for 13 years and only had 1 good year with decent fruit production and non at all for the first 5 years. The 'Bacon' had fruit on it when I bought it in a 5 gal pot and has fruited every year that I have not done a hard pruning. I'm not sure how this compares to Florida but I hope that helps.

I have not heard of this variety prior to now. And everyone loves bacon, right.

[edric]

Hi guys, my Mom bought a 'Bacon' a few weeks ago, it says it's a lot like 'Hass', ever heard of 'Bacon', thanks, Ed

I bought a 'Bacon' tree to aid in the pollination of my 'Wurtz' tree. The 'Bacon' tree is in a pot and sets fruit that takes good but not great like a 'Hass'. The 'Bacon' tree is hardier tolerating heat and cold better. On hardened off leaves it was undamaged by 1 night down to 25 two years ago. This past winter it saw a few nights below freezing with an ultimate low of 26 with damage to new leaves but still managed to set a good crop. I have had the 'Wurtz tree for 13 years and only had 1 good year with decent fruit production and non at all for the first 5 years. The 'Bacon' had fruit on it when I bought it in a 5 gal pot and has fruited every year that I have not done a hard pruning. I'm not sure how this compares to Florida but I hope that helps.

Thanks for the info Dylan, Ed

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I should be able to get your root stock in the mail on Monday. Want to cut and send same day. No need to send me a rooted one, but please send one to Tropicdoc. Wilma is quite large, and I want to try the other two well known Fannick varieties.

Hey Keith , In case you haven't sent out the bud wood yet, a friend of mine, who has lots of cado grafting experience said that wrapping bud wood in several pages of damp newspaper then into a pastic bag, keeps the wood nice and fresh for shipping.

He tells me that it can be kept in the fridge for up to a month without degrading !

Jeff

[tank]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

[Mandrew968]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

You gotta take into account, Squirrels, as they always have a say in the final yield!

[tank]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

You gotta take into account, Squirrels, as they always have a say in the final yield!

I've been taking care of the squirrels. No kill. Figured out that keeping the live trap under a bird feeder works REALLY well. Plus, the feeder kind of diverts their attention from most other stuff. Relocated 5 this week. Probably have another 7 to relocate to get the population where I want it.

[Mandrew968]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

You gotta take into account, Squirrels, as they always have a say in the final yield!

I've been taking care of the squirrels. No kill. Figured out that keeping the live trap under a bird feeder works REALLY well. Plus, the feeder kind of diverts their attention from most other stuff. Relocated 5 this week. Probably have another 7 to relocate to get the population where I want it.

Do you relocate rats too? They are one in the same to me and both are shot on sight, on my grounds...

[tank]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

You gotta take into account, Squirrels, as they always have a say in the final yield!

I've been taking care of the squirrels. No kill. Figured out that keeping the live trap under a bird feeder works REALLY well. Plus, the feeder kind of diverts their attention from most other stuff. Relocated 5 this week. Probably have another 7 to relocate to get the population where I want it.

Do you relocate rats too? They are one in the same to me and both are shot on sight, on my grounds...

Fortunately I do not have a rat problem. Way too many snakes... I've been having friends release various rat snakes in my yard. They've been relocating the snakes to get them away from their chickens. Yellow rat snakes are especially fond of squirrels (and chicken eggs).

[Tropicdoc]

I planted a "Joey" from the box store and want to get a "Fantastic" soon. Both of these, I read, are considered cold hardy Mexican types. Florida types, I thought, are considered West Indian. I still have about 5 of Keith's Wilma seedlings to plant, I just gotta find a sunny spot..... six mature live oaks make that kind of difficult. I have to admit to Keith that the grafted "Joey" got first dibs since it is grafted and should fruit much sooner than the seedlings I got from him.

[Tropicdoc]

For the tree I planted, I cut off the top of a 25 gallon container to use kind of as an edging around a berm that I built with mixed native clay and potting soil. I'm trying to improve drainage in our soggy environment. Just sharing that idea.

[Alicehunter2000]

Yellow rat snakes are especially fond of squirrels (and chicken eggs).

really?...they can take down a squirrel?

[Tropicdoc]

^{Anyone out there who has had home avocado success...... any tips are appreciated. Keep in pot until brown trunk? Whitewash the trunk? Plant under canopy? Plant on a berm? Do I need a male and female (A and to make fruit? Lots of questions.}

[tank]

Yellow rat snakes are especially fond of squirrels (and chicken eggs).

really?...they can take down a squirrel?

YES! They get quite a bit larger than a red rat snake.

Sorry, couldn't resist, snake eating a squirrel:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/103/4/7/snake_eating_squirrel_2_by_allisonbrowning-d3dy2zk.jpg

[Silas_Sancona]

Tropicdoc,

As far as Avos, everything I have been taught revolves around making sure there is as little disturbance to the roots as possible when planting. Plant slightly higher than ground level and never where water may pool for extended periods. Leave any fallen leaves below the canopy around the roots as well.

As for painting the trunk?.. from all I have heard, that is done mostly to help reduce any chance of sunburn. Thinking Avos have thin skin, if I remember right.

You could start a tree under canopy but, using the example of a tree at work, if left to fight for sun, it will grow lanky and thin. Most of the time trees are planted in full sun except perhaps smaller seedlings.

As for the A/B philosophy, yea, having one of each may help increase the %'age of fruit produced, but, you will still get fruit if you plant just one or the other, especially if there is a tree within a mile or two of yours. A vs B type all revolves around what sex the flowers are at the time they first open, and what sex they have changed to the next day.

Lastly, you can train the tree to stay a certain height for easier access to fruit/ease of caring for the tree.

Hope this helps, and good luck

-Nathan

[Tropicdoc]

Tropicdoc,

As far as Avos, everything I have been taught revolves around making sure there is as little disturbance to the roots as possible when planting. Plant slightly higher than ground level and never where water may pool for extended periods. Leave any fallen leaves below the canopy around the roots as well.

As for painting the trunk?.. from all I have heard, that is done mostly to help reduce any chance of sunburn. Thinking Avos have thin skin, if I remember right.

You could start a tree under canopy but, using the example of a tree at work, if left to fight for sun, it will grow lanky and thin. Most of the time trees are planted in full sun except perhaps smaller seedlings.

As for the A/B philosophy, yea, having one of each may help increase the %'age of fruit produced, but, you will still get fruit if you plant just one or the other, especially if there is a tree within a mile or two of yours. A vs B type all revolves around what sex the flowers are at the time they first open, and what sex they have changed to the next day.

Lastly, you can train the tree to stay a certain height for easier access to fruit/ease of caring for the tree.

Hope this helps, and good luck

-Nathan

So I guess you never painted the trunk, and havn't noticed sunburn?

Like I said above, I planted on a little mound to help drainage.

As for A and B and pollination, I don't think there are any other avocado trees around so.... not sure.

I may plant some of Keith's Wilma seedlings in part sun, but they won't flower for a few years, the Joey I just planted is grafted and already has flowers.

Thanks for all of the tips, especially coming from Florida. I'm pretty sure avocado trees are not going to like my clay soil, I hope I planted high enough.

[Mandrew968]

How are everyone's avocados doing? Anyone get the "wilt"? My Opal and Wilma varieties have been growing strong and I expect a decent crop this year off of both (at least judging from the amount of flowers that appear to be setting well). Thinking about picking up some of these:

http://www.chestnuthilltreefarm.com/store/c/41-Cold-Hardy-Avocados.aspx

This nursery is located just north of Gainesville.

Their varieties are described as more in line with Haas avocados, whereas Wilma and Opal are more akin to a "Florida" avocado.

You gotta take into account, Squirrels, as they always have a say in the final yield!

I've been taking care of the squirrels. No kill. Figured out that keeping the live trap under a bird feeder works REALLY well. Plus, the feeder kind of diverts their attention from most other stuff. Relocated 5 this week. Probably have another 7 to relocate to get the population where I want it.

Do you relocate rats too? They are one in the same to me and both are shot on sight, on my grounds...

Fortunately I do not have a rat problem. Way too many snakes... I've been having friends release various rat snakes in my yard. They've been relocating the snakes to get them away from their chickens. Yellow rat snakes are especially fond of squirrels (and chicken eggs).

You are lucky to have so many snakes, but that only means you have a lot of 'food' for them. I know when I lived up that way, the most common snake was the oak snake--saw a whip snake once and also a hog nose on a couple of occasions, but the coolest ever was a giant indigo snake--must have been 10 feet long and was just about a 1/4 mile back from my beach house, in the pine forest, next to a drainage ditch. I can still remember that sheen... I felt like I had just seen a sasquatch!