BajaNomad - Avocado Tree (photo added 3/28)

Avocado Tree (photo added 3/28)

Bob H - 3-25-2009 at 11:56 AM

How many Nomads are growing avocado trees? I grew mine from seed, planted in 1995. It is now about 15 feet tall and this year it is FULL of blooms. I see lots of bees messing with the blooms (and some flys). I guess it's the polination process going on.

Any info on growing avocados and fertilizing them, etc. would be wonderful. Last year I only had six avocados on them, very small smooth green ones. They were very tasty.

Bob H

Edit: Photo taken last week

[Edited on 3-28-2009 by Bob H]

dianaji - 3-25-2009 at 01:36 PM

i do not know about growing them in baja...but wish i did. however, when i lived in miami, i grew one and it never got fruit...until i drove some rusty nails in the trunk and believe it or not, it got fruit that same year. i believe it the iron from the nails. i'd love to know how yours does and if it gets fruit. try the nails and be sure they are rusty.

Mexitron - 3-25-2009 at 05:53 PM

Its questionable that you'll get good fruit growing an avocado from seed--most avos are clones grafted on a different rootstock and the seed can be quite variable. Better to buy one from a nursery to better guarantee fruit. That said, it'll work sometimes!

The simplest advice for avocados, or citrus, is to foliar feed regularly with Miracle-Gro since foliar feeding delivers the nutrients directly to the leaves and bypasses the problems avos and citrus can have with getting correct micronutrients from the mainly alkaline western soils. Water evenly--deep occasional water is better than frequent shallow watering. And mulch heavily to keep the soil cool and reduce weeds and evaporation.

805gregg - 3-25-2009 at 05:54 PM

I think you need other avo trees in the area to get fruit, and some years they don't produce at all. I live in a avo growing area and they say some years it's tuff.

dianaji - 3-25-2009 at 06:04 PM

Be sure the miracle gro is "organic choice." it's important to use only onganic fertilizers on edible plants.

BajaWarrior - 3-25-2009 at 06:09 PM

Hi, I'm a Nomad and I have an Avacado tree!

I'm located twenty miles north of Tijuana near Mission Bay and I have a 20 year old tree that is just going nuts with fruit right now. I have about 300+ Haas Avacados this year.

I have heard that there needs to be another one in the area, but isn't it the bees doing Mother Nature's job?

Except for the frost two winters ago, my tree has produced each year. This just happens to be a very good year...

BW

r.avos.JPG - 43kB

cantinflas - 3-25-2009 at 06:10 PM

All of our trees that really produce alot here in socal were products of grafting.

Mexitron - 3-25-2009 at 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
Be sure the miracle gro is "organic choice." it's important to use only onganic fertilizers on edible plants.

Compost tea is a good alternative too if you want to go the unprocessed route...I think you can buy it premade some places but to make it yourself can be a little tricky as the compost has to be full of the right kind of good microbes.

Bajagypsy - 3-26-2009 at 06:16 AM

I'm very interested in this, I would love to grow an avacado tree at our place, along with an orange and lemon tree. I'm going to try to do some research on all of the above! BajaWarrior, you are very lucky with all those avacado's, I'd be sitting under the tree with my salt and pepper and eating them all!

dianaji - 3-26-2009 at 07:01 AM

Baja Gypsy,

i can grow them in california and miami, however, not sure of avocados. i just want to know SOMEONE who has accomplished this. at one time i knew of someone who lives in rosarito. he grows all kinds of fruits...if only i can find him again. if and when u find out if it can be done, PLEASE let me know. as i am VERY interested. i won't give up.

diana

pacificobob - 3-26-2009 at 08:21 AM

i have about 12 young trees. different varities. all grafted. here in south baja, different varities ripen from about august to march...one thing to add to the above good tips, remember the roots are shallow, and need to be shaded by the lower branches ....so go easy on any pruning of these lower limbs... good luck have fun.

dianaji - 3-26-2009 at 08:34 AM

pacificobob, have any of these fruited? if so, what nursery did u find them?

Bob H - 3-26-2009 at 12:47 PM

I'm getting lots of good info here. I started my tree from seed and it's not grafted - it has produced fruit two times... three years ago and last year. Only small ones, 6 avocados each time, and they were very very good! This year looks like the best year so far - so full of blooms! You can see a few bees all around it all day long, as the blooms are starting to open up (little tiny flowers).

Seed was started in 1995 in a glass of water with toothpicks holding it upright. Then transplanted to a small pot, then eventually in the ground.

All of the grafted ones I've ever tried to grow have died. They do not like the clay soil mixture in my back yard. But, the seeded one that I'm growing grew up in that soil and it loves it.

My tree is about 15 feet high and 7 feet wide at the bottom. I'll take some photos and post them soon.

Bob H

BajaWarrior - 3-26-2009 at 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
I'm very interested in this, I would love to grow an avacado tree at our place, along with an orange and lemon tree. I'm going to try to do some research on all of the above! BajaWarrior, you are very lucky with all those avacado's, I'd be sitting under the tree with my salt and pepper and eating them all!

When you say your place do you mean south or north? If north they wont survive the first night of frost, if south, they need a lot of water to get established. You want Haas if you do grow one.

The offer is still good for you guys for lodging, you can even pick some avo's to take south...

BW

David K - 3-26-2009 at 05:04 PM

Hass avos are great... but:

Just a plug for another variety... 'Reed', the Reed avocado is like the Hass (rough skin, high oil content, excellent flavour) but is ROUND (instead of pear shaped). They are not usually sold commercially because they (get this) "don't have the shape of an avocado" for marketing purposes...!

Round is easier to cut in half and make avocado bowls, etc...

The Hass avocados from Baja Warrior's tree are excellent...!!! (Chuck, if you have too many... Elizabeth and I are coming to San Diego this weekend... hint, hint :light:

)

BajaWarrior - 3-26-2009 at 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Hass avos are great... but:

Just a plug for another variety... 'Reed', the Reed avocado is like the Hass (rough skin, high oil content, excellent flavour) but is ROUND (instead of pear shaped). They are not usually sold commercially because they (get this) "don't have the shape of an avocado" for marketing purposes...!

Round is easier to cut in half and make avocado bowls, etc...

The Hass avocados from Baja Warrior's tree are excellent...!!! (Chuck, if you have too many... Elizabeth and I are coming to San Diego this weekend... hint, hint :light:

)

Our plan is to go to the Fred Hall Fishing show on Saturday but we won't be leaving for that until 10:00 a.m.

Sunday is wide open.

I'll load you up with a dozen.

rob - 3-27-2009 at 10:11 AM

Here at Rancho la Aguja on the Pacific Coast (70 miles up the beach from TS) we just planted 30 avocados from Todos Santos (Hass, judging from the size of the gift fruits that came with them).

We also have 2 trees that are about 4 years old that are doing well - we have a harsher climate than TS - stiff salty breezes through spring especially, and only about 1 in 3 trees survives.

Pacificobob, I would also ask if you can reveal your tree source, as I am expecting to have to replant several trees, despite loving care . . . please feel free to make a personal inspection of our site, will ensure cold stuff on ice.

Thanks

Rob

dianaji - 3-27-2009 at 10:16 AM

rob...

remember to put the rusty nails in the trunks...it works. i'd love to know if and when u get fruit.

diana

pacificobob - 3-27-2009 at 02:58 PM

my trees are from many different places....i have a weakness for stopping at every vivero i see. i have neighbors who have ungrafted trees...they produce friut...just not predictably. grafting is an easy thing to learn. there are lots of good books on that topic. id like to hook up with a scion from the type avaos ive tasted in the yucatan/quintana roo area...super rich/oily...almost cheese like!

dianaji - 3-27-2009 at 03:03 PM

there is a great nursery in bonita, california. they have rare fruit trees from all over the world...and he's a great guy. i will write him if anyone's interested.

David K - 3-27-2009 at 04:48 PM

Pacific Tree Farm ??

David K - 3-27-2009 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaWarrior

Quote:

)

Our plan is to go to the Fred Hall Fishing show on Saturday but we won't be leaving for that until 10:00 a.m.

Sunday is wide open.

I'll load you up with a dozen.

Yummy!! You have the best avos and limes in San Diego, Chuck! We are coming south early tomorrow to be in Santee by 10 am... perhaps we will detour by your hous in the AM? Thanks amigo!

dianaji - 3-27-2009 at 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Pacific Tree Farm ??

no, bonita creek nursery.

Bob H - 3-28-2009 at 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
rob...

remember to put the rusty nails in the trunks...it works. i'd love to know if and when u get fruit.

diana

Where in the world did you learn about the "rusty nails"? I can't imagine that would do anything... Where in the trunk and how many?
Bob H

Jack Swords - 3-28-2009 at 08:10 AM

I believe Pacific Tree farm is out of business. Dave at Bonita Creek Nursery handles many uncommon avocados.

http://www.bonitacreeknursery.com/page/page/4586446.htm

Grafted avocado trees come on a great variety of rootstocks that can handle heavy to light soil, determine ultimate size and tree vigor, and provide resistance to disease. A planted seed is unpredictable as to its production and after waiting 5+ years a grafted plant will have consistent results. In mainland Mexico, years ago, they planted seeds and "married" the mature tree by drilling a large hole in the trunk and packing it with mud to get the tree to fruit. Stressing trees usually results in reproductive efforts. Modern growers of Litchi and some other trees girdle branches to cause fruiting. By the way, mainland commercial growers in Mexico all use grafted trees now.

vandenberg - 3-28-2009 at 08:20 AM

Jack,

I do know that stress makes trees fruit. Matter of survival instinct, if their is such a thing for inanimate objects.
Wonder if playing loud bagpipe music would work. :biggrin:

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Jack,

Wonder if playing loud bagpipe music would work. :biggrin:

of course...they love music, however, i believe they would prefer classical.

about the rusty nails, i was told that it's the iron from the rust...i have always been an organic gardener at heart, although always lived in the city, a country girl at heart... why, as a young girl, i used to go to restaurants and ask for the vegetable scraps for compost and i now grow worms..., bury veggies in the ground, get free coffee grounds at starbucks, and u name it!

rob - 3-28-2009 at 08:53 AM

I'm heading up to CA shortly and I like the sound of the Bonita nursery - but I also have a deathly fear of the nuts at the fruit and vegetable checkpoint at Guerrero Negro - I could just see them confiscating my expensive graftings.

Perhaps I could get a letter from the boss in La Paz . .

Bob H - 3-28-2009 at 08:59 AM

Google "rusty nails" avocado
and see what you get... interesting
threads on the subject
Bob H

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 09:00 AM

Rob,

be sure to go there and tell david i sent u. in fact, he is looking for some needy community to donate some of the trees to. i tried to find some orphanage and another community to find a way to bring them in and of course they were interested, however, not willing to do something about it. if u are going to the nursery, let me know, and i'll tell david u are coming...he is not always there.

also, i have brought many plants in...one time covered with rattan fencing... other times just exposed... the large ones i hid and the smaller ones just weren't noticed. if u do not bring lots in, perhaps it will be okay.

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 09:06 AM

notice that it says, by appt. only...also, i'm thinking he might have some great grapes and they would grow well in baja. maybe david can give u some tips on growing the avos.

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 09:19 AM

i got so inspired that i just called david and told him about this thread, and he told me u should be able to grow avos in baja, and he could give u some tips on how...i did mention filtering the water, and he agreed. so, remember to call him first and he can even make arrangements to be there.

i may be coming down next week to see the progress of getting electricity so may go to the nursery on the way.

Jack Swords - 3-28-2009 at 11:16 AM

Rob, there used to be a gov't nursery between La Paz and Todos Santos. It was just past the "Y". Used to be marked with an overturned car and a small white sign. They always had grafted avocados and grafted Mango varieties. The Santa Fe Nursery in La Paz handles some of their stuff, including grafted Litchis and Macadamia nuts. Ask around. It's there. It would be a shame to lose expensive trees at Guerrero Negro. We have done it repeatedly, but did lose one load. No amount of trying to "pay for an inspection" nor other coercion worked. Somewhere down there somebody has some nice trees. Another possibility as mentioned, is to grow seedlings and graft over the best ones to your desired varieties.

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Swords
Rob, there used to be a gov't nursery between La Paz and Todos Santos. It was just past the "Y". Used to be marked with an overturned car and a small white sign. They always had grafted avocados and grafted Mango varieties. The Santa Fe Nursery in La Paz handles some of their stuff, including grafted Litchis and Macadamia nuts. Ask around. It's there. It would be a shame to lose expensive trees at Guerrero Negro. We have done it repeatedly, but did lose one load. No amount of trying to "pay for an inspection" nor other coercion worked. Somewhere down there somebody has some nice trees. Another possibility as mentioned, is to grow seedlings and graft over the best ones to your desired varieties.

ok, now u got me...i want one of those litchii nut trees. how far is to la paz to la mision?

Jack Swords - 3-28-2009 at 01:07 PM

Diana...you are in San Marcos? There are many places in your area to obtain what are called "rare fruiting plants." The litchi is "air layered" and essentially grown from cuttings. Try your local chapters of the California Rare Fruit Growers (Google), or Exotica Nursery, Bonita Creek, etc. There are many back yard growers who sell and trade these uncommon plants. The Fullerton Arboretum hosts a plant sale, April 18 & 19 called Green Scene. There are vendors galore with plants, many from the CRFG. Check around and ask and they all can be found. La Paz is a looong way from La Mision and then they may not have what you are wanting.

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 01:19 PM

jack,

i live 3 miles from exotica and have frequented that and just about every nursery i can find....including the rare fruit council. i am a plant nut, as u may gather. i have many great plants, including goji berry, surinum berry (want some?) blueberry, u name it. i was thinking la paz, so i would not lose it at the border...my heart would break. and thus far, i have not seen a litchii nut tree...of course i was not looking.

again, how far is la paz...there are a few people that i have talked with right here that i would also like to meet that live in la paz...so, more reason.

there is one just opened up right on the toll road between la mision and cantamar that i found, and they have some nice plants, but not litchii for sure. i can see u also know your plants, so perhaps u might tell me other places that might be closer to la mision.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-28-2009 at 06:02 PM

Diana, it's a mere 858 miles between Ensenada & La Paz according to:

http://www.mexicanautoservices.com/baja_mileage_chart.htm

So at minimum a 2-day, daylight only drive...if you leave before breakfast & don't lallygag around any unique Baja Banos or interesting nurseries you may happen to find along the way!

dianaji - 3-28-2009 at 06:18 PM

carol,

thanks for that...i bookmarked that...sometimes it's embarassing when i don't know anything past ensenada! that's a lotta miles away. guess i'll forget the litchii!

Bob H - 3-28-2009 at 06:51 PM

Attached a photo of my 1995 avocado seedling at the beginning of this link. I am so proud of that tree, it's like one of my kids.

Bob H

I'm jealous!! Great green thumb there, Bob!

longlegsinlapaz - 3-29-2009 at 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Attached a photo of my 1995 avocado seedling at the beginning of this link.]/i] I am so proud of that tree, it's like one of my kids.

Bob H

Photo added... Bob? ?? Can I help?

Bob doesn't need help, but maybe you might wanna brush up on your reading technique! :lol:

David K - 3-29-2009 at 07:09 AM

Thanks Long Legs... I like to read all the threads and generally jump to the last page on multi page threads, so I missed the top of the thread where the photo is... and this early on a Sunday, I am not reading too well, as you pointed out.

Glad I gave you a reason to respond... :rolleyes:

DianaT - 3-29-2009 at 08:34 AM

Quote:

Bob----nice tree, I hope the baby one we have in our front yard here in IB grows that well. It does appear to be very healthy.

Now, about growing one and Bahia Asuncion, Gypsy, we will give you all of our support, but we must warn you that there is a reason there are no avocado tress in BA.

Since John grew up on a small avocado farm, he was sure he could get one to grow in BA. He was going to have the only avocado tree in all of Bahia Asuncion. :yes:

Dug out a monster area to fill with dirt, planted in our most protected area and the little beast must have sent out one little root that his the salty soil---instant death. Also, there is no real way of protecting it from that salt filled wind---Avocado trees HATE salt.

Redmesa (sp) was trying one on the other side of the hill and it did not look promising when we saw it.

Our fig and orange tree seem to be hanging in there, but the lime died. We will try another one of those.

Good Luck
Diane

Iflyfish - 3-29-2009 at 09:23 AM

How absolutely cool to have raised a 15' tree from an avacado pit. I have had half a dozen of them in my window over the years develop roots and a few leaves. I can't imagine the thrill of having one of those beauties get that big and then to produce fruit. Man those avacados must taste GREAT!

Good one!!

Iflyfish

Bob H - 3-29-2009 at 12:45 PM

Here is a photo of the very first avocado from that tree. This was in December, 2005. They are small, but ever so tasty. I guess this would be like a grand kid, huh?
Bob H

redmesa - 3-29-2009 at 02:43 PM

Diane is correct...try as i might and love as i did my little avocado is dead. Not only is it the salt but the wind just trashes the delicate leave. I need a green house here in the world of sun and sea....who would have thought!

dianaji - 3-29-2009 at 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Here is a photo of the very first avocado from that tree. This was in December, 2005. They are small, but ever so tasty. I guess this would be like a grand kid, huh?
Bob H

some like to brag...like a fish tale!

i'll send a pic...

rob - 3-29-2009 at 03:41 PM

Dianaji - have been watching your adventures settling in! I guess I could try a rusty nail in one of the older trees but just watching hypodermics gives me the creeps . . .

Will definitely visit Dave at Bonita Creek thank you and Jack for that - found the place in Google maps and will call ahead. I will also take a look at Santa Fe Nursery (got a location on that?) and next time to Todos, will look for the govt nursery.

Just got back from a tour of the garden up at the front gate and of the 20 trees planted, 12 are doing well (new shoots etc) - 8 look pretty triste . . . this is a nasty time of year here with stiff salt breezes.

dianaji - 3-29-2009 at 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rob
Dianaji - have been watching your adventures settling in! I guess I could try a rusty nail in one of the older trees but just watching hypodermics gives me the creeps . . .

Will definitely visit Dave at Bonita Creek thank you and Jack for that - found the place in Google maps and will call ahead. I will also take a look at Santa Fe Nursery (got a location on that?) and next time to Todos, will look for the govt nursery.

Just got back from a tour of the garden up at the front gate and of the 20 trees planted, 12 are doing well (new shoots etc) - 8 look pretty triste . . . this is a nasty time of year here with stiff salt breezes.

don't know where the santa fe nursery is...

i talked with david and told him we were talking about his nursery on BN...he's a nice guy, u will see. anyway, the rusty nails worked for me after not having fruit for years.

as for settling in, just fixing up things, just in case i ever get there...mi cielo.

dianaji - 3-30-2009 at 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji

some like to brag...like a fish tale!

i'll send a pic...

mine is on the baja succulent thread if u want to see what i love...AND FRUIT TREES.

Bomberro - 4-1-2009 at 06:37 AM

My gardener tells me I need to cover my two trees with a red cover? He tells me it will protect the new fruit until they can get larger. We have tons of tiny fruit, they seem to drop off the trees at this time of year and just leave us with only a few that grow to full size. I did put up a wind break along the North side of the two trees and we have at least 4 times as many of the tiny guys. These are mature grafted trees about 8 feet tall. I have no idea of what he means by a Tapa Rojo? Anyone else have info on this sun cover, I have lots of shade cloth, however, I think he must want to use something else..

dianaji - 4-1-2009 at 07:13 AM

here's a great link for growing avocados.

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/avocado.html

Bajagypsy - 4-1-2009 at 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

OH my, well I'm sure if we put our heads together, we can make them grow!

I never even thought of the salt content in the soil and the air. Might have to make todd build me a green house!

Bob H - 4-1-2009 at 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bomberro
My gardener tells me I need to cover my two trees with a red cover? He tells me it will protect the new fruit until they can get larger. We have tons of tiny fruit, they seem to drop off the trees at this time of year and just leave us with only a few that grow to full size. I did put up a wind break along the North side of the two trees and we have at least 4 times as many of the tiny guys. These are mature grafted trees about 8 feet tall. I have no idea of what he means by a Tapa Rojo? Anyone else have info on this sun cover, I have lots of shade cloth, however, I think he must want to use something else..

I don't understand why anyone would cover them. They need lots of sun.
Bob H

dianaji - 4-1-2009 at 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

I don't understand why anyone would cover them. They need lots of sun.
Bob H

that was my thought. however, when there is fruit on the tree, perhaps u might put some of that mesh with large holes to keep the birds off. that's what i do with my peach tree. also, perhaps window screening might also work...not sure.