Avo advice please? (forum)

sandra starts with ...
Hello, I am a complete fruit tree novice. Would a kind knowlegable reader please advise me? I live on the Illawarra Escarpment, (subtropical rainforest). We get very occasional frosts and its a bit chilly in winter. I have some reasonable topsoil about 1-2 ft deep, then horrible clay. (I know to use gypsum). The site would get sun until mid arvo. I would love a hass avocado and would like to know 1)should I get grafted as I have been advised? 2)what pollinator that would work here and still give me some delicious fruit? 3) can I get away without a pollinator as there is an avo about 500m away as the bee flies; (dunno variety but I can find out). I have a resident feral beehive on my property. I appreciate your time if you can help. Thankyou, Sandra.

Time: 24th March 2012 12:13pm

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Original Post was last edited: 24th March 2012 12:14pm
About the Author sandra9
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Brendan says...
Hi sandra, my answers:
1) Yes, buy grafted. Seed-grown avos can take 8 to 12 years to bear (some never bear), whereas grafted trees only take about 3 years.

2) There's Bacon, Edranol, Sharwill & Zutano. Any of these will pollinate a Hass.

3) Yes, you can get away without a pollinator, but I wouldn't. With two trees, it's a win win situation, more fruit on both trees etc.

You're lucky to have 1-2 ft of topsoil, I'm growing avos in 1 inch topsoil!

Time: 26th March 2012 9:14am

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About the Author Brendan
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sandra says...
Thanks Brendan for your time. Your soil sounds challenging! Not all the land here has topsoil as deep but I've reserved the best spot for the avos. I'll have a look which of this avo group may suit conditions here best. I'm afraid I know hass and more hass, and fuerte and thats about it- supermarket varieties. Do you think one is outstandingly tastiest out of the pollinators? Thanks!

Time: 29th March 2012 7:47pm

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8ZRD11R says...
Hello,

I have grown an avo tree from seed but it was nearly 10 years old when it forst fruited. They grow huge too, don't plant near a house!!!

Time: 29th March 2012 8:48pm

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Brendan says...
Hi sandra, that's an easy one, Edranol!
Easily the best tasting avocado I've ever tasted.
My brother has a 2yo 'Linda', it's also a 'B' type avo, but it hasn't fruited yet.

Time: 30th March 2012 10:05am

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Mike says...
Sandra I agree with Brendan with Edranol and then sharwil being the best tasting 'cool' B's.Once you get north of the sunshine coast I reckon shepard is the best B and reed the best A for taste and they don't blacken when cut.I also have a rain climate and clay soil with my avos having the last few fruit to be picked soon.

Time: 30th March 2012 9:24pm

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MaryT says...
They're selling Shepards in Woolies here for a couple of dollars each. They're good.

Time: 31st March 2012 12:18am

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About the Author MaryT
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sandra says...
Thanks everyone for all the fab advice; I've taken note of each reply. I'm sold on the Edranol, even though it sounds like something I might ask for at the Pharmacy with a script from the doctor! I'll look forward to getting grafted Hass and Edranol when I can. Wish I'd researched and found this site years ago- such a pleasant, happy and enthusiastic bunch of people is very encouraging for a novice. Thankyou!
P.S. what an ingeniously designed box for freighting the trees!

Time: 31st March 2012 10:01am

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About the Author sandra9
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Brendan says...
No problems sandra. And when in 3, 4 or 5 years time, & you pick a trailer load of Edranol avocados, I'll give you my postal address (just kiddin:-)

Time: 1st April 2012 8:10am

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Original Post was last edited: 1st April 2012 8:11am

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