Is a Shepard + Lamb avocado combo a good idea? (forum)

worldztraveller starts with ...
I've joined onto the avocado craze because of how expensive they are in the shops.

I want a variety that won't grow 8-10 meters because I might not be around to prune them. A Lamb Hass and Shepard seem to be semi-dwarf varieties, are an A and a B, and fruit at different times of the year (in total over half the year!).

I'm in Adelaide with typical Adelaide clay soil that shifts a bit. I don't know what "e;waterlogged"e; soil is, because although it's heavy clay I don't ever see water puddles in the soil. I'd mix in plenty of dead leaves into the soil (my compost bin is too slow) to try lighten it up a bit, or maybe add some gypsum.

The only spot I have is on a north-south axis with a tree to the north, so they'd get plenty of harsh afternoon summer sun, which absolutely killed my banana plant, choko vine, grape vine and even burned my chillis! I'd look at using shade cloths for the first few years.

What do you think of this plan?

Time: 5th April 2018 10:05pm

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About the Author worldztraveller
Adelaide
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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Worldz

I think your proposed avos are a good combo. They have both good resistance to anthracnose and can take a bit of frost.

Your plan to install a shade cloth is a good idea because avos are easily sunburnt especially when young. Good drainage is a must as well for guacamoles to avoid root rot.

Happy gardening :-)

Time: 6th April 2018 12:45pm

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Original Post was last edited: 6th April 2018 12:46pm

About the Author Fruitylicious1
TAMWORTH,2340,NSW
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Markmelb says...
Shephard can still grow quite large - there aren't really any semi dwarf B types - Lamb Hass is excellent and mines topped out at 4mt (5yo) Ederanol is another nice tasting B as well. Keep the shade cloth surrounding them for at least 3 years to get a solid canopy if you can. I planted a double grafted Wurts/Ederanol at my community garden a surrounded it in shade cloth and a shade canopy for afternoon sun and is growing like a weed.

Time: 6th April 2018 9:52pm

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Original Post was last edited: 9th April 2018 10:55pm

About the Author Markmelb
MOUNT WAVERLEY,3149,VIC
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