BajaNomad - growing avocado trees (for Barb)

growing avocado trees (for Barb)

dianaji - 9-20-2008 at 07:37 AM

or anyone else...

http://www.walterandersen.com/pdf/Citrus_Avocado%20.pdf

Barbareno - 9-20-2008 at 07:41 AM

Hey thanks Diana...running off to work but will check on that link tomorrow.

Barb

[Edited on 9-20-2008 by Barbareno]

David K - 9-20-2008 at 07:48 AM

If you need help/ info on setting up an irrigation system, just ask! On the Baja Nomad 'Baja Home Building and Living' Forum are irrigation details...

Woooosh - 9-20-2008 at 08:44 AM

I don't have an avocado question- but I do need to replace two huge potted banana trees that over overstayed their welcome.

Can anyone recommend a fruit or flowering tree (not succulent) that would do well in a container, in full afternoon sun and is sea-wind resistant?

bajajudy - 9-20-2008 at 08:58 AM

Woooosh
Did your bananas ever produce fruit in a container?
Remember that that are very invasive if you replant them in your yard.
I dont have any suggestions for your question,

Udo - 9-20-2008 at 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
I don't have an avocado question- but I do need to replace two huge potted banana trees that over overstayed their welcome.

Can anyone recommend a fruit or flowering tree (not succulent) that would do well in a container, in full afternoon sun and is sea-wind resistant?

Quote:

Bouganvillas(sp) and Hybiscusses will do very well in those containers, and they flower year-round] :spingrin:

Bob H - 9-20-2008 at 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Can anyone recommend a fruit or flowering tree (not succulent) that would do well in a container, in full afternoon sun and is sea-wind resistant?

A Key Lime (Mexican Lime) tree does very well in a large container (plant in a mix of soil and sand). I have one that is about five feet tall and is covered with hundreds of limes and blooms! (Bring on the Pacificos) Once it gets root bound you must plant it in the ground, but it takes years for that.
Bob H

[Edited on 9-20-2008 by Bob H]

Bob H - 9-20-2008 at 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
or anyone else...

http://www.walterandersen.com/pdf/Citrus_Avocado%20.pdf

Great link.... we grew our avocado tree from a single seed, started in 1995. After about a year, my wife said I should put it in a pot with a mixture of our local soil with potting soil (local soil has lots of clay in it). We grew it that way for the next three years changing out to larger pots. Then we put it in the ground (sunny location) in a very large hole with good soil and about 1/4 of it mixed with our local soil. The tree is now bearing fruit and is about 12 feet tall and 7 feet wide. It's a beautiful tree and I expect it to just take off from now on. Oh, and regular fertilzing with citrus fertilizer every two or three months, lots of it!
Bob H

July 2008

[Edited on 9-20-2008 by Bob H]

BajaWarrior - 9-20-2008 at 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Can anyone recommend a fruit or flowering tree (not succulent) that would do well in a container, in full afternoon sun and is sea-wind resistant?

I have a Mexican Lime in the ground and it is borderline ridiculous with growth right now. Plenty of limes for this year!

Bob H - 9-20-2008 at 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaWarrior

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh
Can anyone recommend a fruit or flowering tree (not succulent) that would do well in a container, in full afternoon sun and is sea-wind resistant?

I have a Mexican Lime in the ground and it is borderline ridiculous with growth right now. Plenty of limes for this year!

Great.... yes, the limes bloom in 'clumps' of limes. Unreal!
Bob H

Lindalou - 9-20-2008 at 11:33 AM

This may sound stupid, but how do you plant a Mexican lime tree? Do you have to buy one from a nursery?

Planting lime tree

dianaji - 9-20-2008 at 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichnLinda
This may sound stupid, but how do you plant a Mexican lime tree? Do you have to buy one from a nursery?

Yes, u must buy the tree from a nursery. it would take years to have fruit from a seed, and they may not good limes.

Juet have someone dig a hole larger than the tree, put in some compost, rich soil and plant. It's best to get grafted trees to get good fruit.

no question is stupid..."he who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes, he who never asks a question is a fool forever."

Avacados

bacquito - 9-20-2008 at 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
or anyone else...

http://www.walterandersen.com/pdf/Citrus_Avocado%20.pdf

Great link.... we grew our avocado tree from a single seed, started in 1995. [Edited on 9-20-2008 by Bob H]

We planted a Avacado tree about a year ago and purchased it in Ensenada. It had a different root stock from the top growth. We irragated, fert. and no matter what we did the tree died. You planted from a seed and got good results. Perhaps I'll try again. Thanks for your comments and the advisory on planting Avacados.

Shark18 - 9-20-2008 at 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito
We planted a Avacado tree about a year ago and purchased it in Ensenada. It had a different root stock from the top growth. We irragated, fert. and no matter what we did the tree died. You planted from a seed and got good results. Perhaps I'll try again. Thanks for your comments and the advisory on planting Avacados.

Avocados are very salt sensitive. The water in the Ensenada area, and just about any area in Northern Baja is way too salty for them. Look around and you won't see any avocado groves. You can only grow them if you have a good well water supply that is not from along the coast.

avocados

bacquito - 9-22-2008 at 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shark18

Quote:

Originally posted by bacquito

Avocados are very salt sensitive. The water in the Ensenada area, and just about any area in Northern Baja is way too salty for them. Look around and you won't see any avocado groves. You can only grow them if you have a good well water supply that is not from along the coast.

Thanks for the information. I will therefore avoid growing them.

Bajagypsy - 9-22-2008 at 12:06 PM

now if only I could grow a pina colada tree!!

Woooosh - 9-22-2008 at 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
Woooosh
Did your bananas ever produce fruit in a container?
Remember that that are very invasive if you replant them in your yard.
I dont have any suggestions for your question,

Yes we got some bananas. They were small but very sweet. The fruit bearing stalk died and it put out three "puffs"- which are breaking the pottery. I like the lime trees idea- would save a lot of trips to the mercado too. Thanks all.

Lindalou - 9-22-2008 at 12:43 PM

Thank you Di......Linda

Sallysouth - 9-22-2008 at 03:17 PM

We have a Plumeria tree and a Meyers lemon tree in pots on the front patio, west facing, lots of direct sun. Both are thriving, blooming and bearing fruit.Miracle grow makes em happy, once a week.I specially love my Plumeria as it is a very clean plant, smells wonderful and hardy as all get out, also seems to be very pest resistant.

dianaji - 9-22-2008 at 04:11 PM

the miracle gro is ok for the plumeria, however, i would not use it for the lemon tree or any other fruit or vegetable. it's best to use an organic fertilizer on anything that is edible.

dianaji - 9-22-2008 at 04:15 PM

here is a link that might help...for the lemon tree and other edibles...

http://www.backyardgardener.com/forums/forum16/1038.html

Mexitron - 9-22-2008 at 05:33 PM

Miracle-Gro works great on Citrus and Avocados since it can be used as a foliar feed--Citrus in particular have problems getting all their micronutrients from the soil and foliar feeding bypasses that issue and works directly. For organic you can probably use compost tea...???

DianaT - 9-22-2008 at 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barbareno
Hey thanks Diana...running off to work but will check on that link tomorrow.

Barb

[Edited on 9-20-2008 by Barbareno]

Barb,
Are you thinking about trying to grow an Avocado Tree in Bahia Asuncion??? We wish you lots of luck---you will need it.

Even with all the beautiful little gardens around Bahia Asuncion, you might notice that there are no avocado trees there---not any we have found, and our friends there told us they would not grow there.

Well, since John grew up in the middle of an avocado grove, has planted lots of avocados, grafted, them, cared for them, etc., he was determined to have the first avocado tree in Bahia Asuncion.

In this case, wind and salt are the enemy ---same for lots of plants. John dug out a huge area and filled it with the planting soil and mesquite dirt and with tender loving care, he planted our little tree.

Well, it tried to be good, but the salt and wind won the battle.

So we have to settle for our new avocado tree in Imperial Beach.

Diane

Sallysouth - 9-22-2008 at 08:37 PM

dianaji, Very interesting.I have wondered about the effects/taste, that the Miracle Grow would have on vegis or fruit.I will pass this info onto my other half, as he is VERY insistant that MG is the only way to go.We have an Avocado tree in the front yard also, a dwarf variety.No MG for that one, but it has not flowered/bore fruit yet either!It's about three, four years old.I'm waiting, waiting, wanting to make guacamole!! :yes:

Barbareno - 9-23-2008 at 05:35 AM

Barb,
Are you thinking about trying to grow an Avocado Tree in Bahia Asuncion??? We wish you lots of luck---you will need it.

I am. :lol:

I was hoping I would hear back from you or Shari on that. Still gonna give it a whirl.

Barb

Miracle gro vs. organic

dianaji - 9-23-2008 at 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sallysouth
dianaji, Very interesting.I have wondered about the effects/taste, that the Miracle Grow would have on vegis or fruit.I will pass this info onto my other half, as he is VERY insistant that MG is the only way to go.We have an Avocado tree in the front yard also, a dwarf variety.No MG for that one, but it has not flowered/bore fruit yet either!It's about three, four years old.I'm waiting, waiting, wanting to make guacamole!! :yes:

Miracle gro does well with advertising and there are those that want to believe it. yes, they may grow beautiful looking fruit, however, organic may not be so beautiful to look at, however, the quality of nutrition and the taste are far superior...like many beautiful people, what is inside is what counts. it took me a lifetime to learn this...and i have learned well!

diana

DianaT - 9-23-2008 at 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barbareno
Barb,
Are you thinking about trying to grow an Avocado Tree in Bahia Asuncion??? We wish you lots of luck---you will need it.

I am. :lol:

I was hoping I would hear back from you or Shari on that. Still gonna give it a whirl.

Barb

We will be there to cheer you on. :yes:

Diane

so, let's talk about worms!

dianaji - 9-23-2008 at 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Jorge

However, if you have the right conditions, good water, decent soil and frost free it can be done.

The best exmple of avocado success I have seen in all of Baja is on Pepe Collins ranch on the western slopes of Valle de Guadalupe. Pepe passed away some years ago, but his family still grows citrus and avocados on the ranch.

It is located on the road from Guadalupe to San Jose de la Zorra which continues on to La Mision. It is the ranch property right before the cattle guard at the summit of the vally before you descend into the ejido which belongs to the folks at San Jose de la Zorra.

They have foothill property with nice air drainage, so the frost is light, the soil is mostly decomposed granite and loam and they have very good well water, not much, but with ingenious management it is enough to grow a very impressive orchard.

Ah, the Miracle Gro vs "organic" debate. Suffice it to say real health comes from that which we are just beginning to understand, micro nutrients, free radicals, oxidants, anti oxidants, bacterial action etc...Real taste comes from the earth, dirt, in which the plants we use for food are grown.

If you miss the old southern California take that road from Guadalupe to La Mision. It is a glimpse back in time.

ah, a man after my own heart! i so love what u said, "Real taste comes from the earth, dirt..." just like the chickens, grown free range, worms, natural feed...eggs will be tastier, healthier.

so, if i can find some decomposed granite, save some rain water, perhaps i can grow some avocados. and btw, can i buy some of those avocados from pepe collin's ranch? that is, if i can find that road. i am planning to visit Guadalupe first chance i get and i want some of that stuff!

diana

Bob H - 9-23-2008 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sallysouth
We have an Avocado tree in the front yard also, a dwarf variety.No MG for that one, but it has not flowered/bore fruit yet either!It's about three, four years old.I'm waiting, waiting, wanting to make guacamole!! :yes:

My avocado tree was nine years old before it had any fruit. Then none the following year and now I have blooms and fruit every year. The tree is now 13 years old! You can see a photo of it early in this thread, from July 2008.
Bob H

Sallysouth - 9-23-2008 at 01:21 PM

Yeah Bob, I have been told that it takes 6 to 8 yrs for an Avo tree to bear fruit.Ours is about a foot taller and three times as wide as yours in the pic.Anyone have knowledge of the Dwarf varieties?Patience is a virtue with theses guys! And thank you dianaji, for the U2U and info.It all makes perfect sense.

DianaT - 9-23-2008 at 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Jorge
can grow in Baja, but there is no bigger challenge to either hobby gardeners or professional growers in Baja.

As stated by others, avocados cannot toleate salt. Almost all irrigation water in Baja is too "salty" to successfully grow avocados for fruit production. Really doesn't matter how close you are to the ocean, the limestone formations which hold most Baja aquifers contribute plenty of precipatates to the irrigation water and keep avocados from thriving.

However, if you have the right conditions, good water, decent soil and frost free it can be done.

The best exmple of avocado success I have seen in all of Baja is on Pepe Collins ranch on the western slopes of Valle de Guadalupe. Pepe passed away some years ago, but his family still grows citrus and avocados on the ranch.

It is located on the road from Guadalupe to San Jose de la Zorra which continues on to La Mision. It is the ranch property right before the cattle guard at the summit of the vally before you descend into the ejido which belongs to the folks at San Jose de la Zorra.

They have foothill property with nice air drainage, so the frost is light, the soil is mostly decomposed granite and loam and they have very good well water, not much, but with ingenious management it is enough to grow a very impressive orchard.

Ah, the Miracle Gro vs "organic" debate. Suffice it to say real health comes from that which we are just beginning to understand, micro nutrients, free radicals, oxidants, anti oxidants, bacterial action etc...Real taste comes from the earth, dirt, in which the plants we use for food are grown.

If you miss the old southern California take that road from Guadalupe to La Mision. It is a glimpse back in time.

John so hoped he could win the challenge in Bahia Asuncion---The Avocado grove he grew up with was in Camirillo, California, and the conditions you describe sound a lot like Fallbrook, CA where avocados thrive.

Our water in Bahia Asuncion comes from wells near Vizcaino and are probably just as you describe. I know I took a big driink of it one day (by mistake) and it sure tasted like it was full of all kinds of minerals.

I love your description of "real taste"and healthful things from natural conditions---you could also add it also produces more simple beauty --- something that is lost in flowers grown with lots of miracle grow. IMHO, nothing prettier than an old-fashion simple natural grown rose, hibiscus, etc.

Don't worry Barb, we will still cheer you on and hope for the best.

Diane