Avocado tree on it's way...please advise

[Deb]

I think it has been planted for 3 years.  It is a multi-variety that had 4 different varieties grafted onto one rootstock.  One died, but the other 3 had a few cherries last year.  It is a dwarf size that I bought as a bare root - I think it was a year old when I got it.

My concern is that it will grow too big (bushy?) to ever move down the stairs from the upper deck.  So I keep thinking about moving it out to the orchard.  The one my sis planted in ground at the same time, from the same source is much bigger than mine.  I think she feeds hers more.

Deb

[heatherbynum]

I think it has been planted for 3 years.  It is a multi-variety that had 4 different varieties grafted onto one rootstock.  One died, but the other 3 had a few cherries last year.  It is a dwarf size that I bought as a bare root - I think it was a year old when I got it.

My concern is that it will grow too big (bushy?) to ever move down the stairs from the upper deck.  So I keep thinking about moving it out to the orchard.  The one my sis planted in ground at the same time, from the same source is much bigger than mine.  I think she feeds hers more.

Deb

Thank you for the info. From what I've read, your sisters tree is bigger because it isn't confined by the size of the container. You can keep pruning it to be about 7' tall. Prune off the suckers too. Also, you might want to pull it out and check the roots, you can prune those too! I'm so glad to hear that it has survived and produced fruit for you. Those 3 in one, and 4 in one trees are difficult to maintain all the grafts, but great for a small yard or limited space. What kinds of cherries do you have? I have a white gold cherry tree in ground. This is it's second spring and no flowers again

[ErnieHodge]

Heather,

After I posted in here about maybe planting it in your yard I realized something I had forgotten.

When I first ordered my EBs in 2002 they were ordered because of a flyer I either was mailed or given. On that flyer were pictures of EBs with different things growing in them and one of the pictures was of a Papaya tree. It looked like it was about two or three feet tall and it had fruit on it. Maybe if you keep your avocado tree on the small side it won't tip the EB over.

We used to live in Seminole (St. Pete area) and almost everyone on the street had an avocado tree. We had one in the back yard that put out over 400 one year and they were the two pounders. I'm like you, I'll eat them any way including cold avocado soup. (If you've never had it you've got to find some.)

[seansmum]

I have a lime tree in an EB. It's about four feet tall and doing well. We've had several limes from it but I'm sure once I can move it outside it will do better. Where it is right now the blossoms have to deal with constant wagging, of a very special, chocolate labs tail.
My kitchen floor probably has several dozen very fragrant flowers on it.
Sue

[dkaufmann]

Sue - are you planning on moving it out for the summer and then back inside? Is that what you have been doing?

[heatherbynum]

I have a lime tree in an EB. It's about four feet tall and doing well. We've had several limes from it but I'm sure once I can move it outside it will do better. Where it is right now the blossoms have to deal with constant wagging, of a very special, chocolate labs tail.
My kitchen floor probably has several dozen very fragrant flowers on it.
Sue

Sue, You should thank the dog, he is probably helping to pollinate it with all that wagging.

[seansmum]

I have had it outside for the summer and inside while we get frosts in the past. This coming winter I plan to keep it in the greenhouse we are in the process of putting up.

Sue, You should thank the dog, he is probably helping to pollinate it with all that wagging.

I'm glad he's so happy. For that I'll forgo a few limes.
Sue

[mjb8743]

I have had it outside for the summer and inside while we get frosts in the past. This coming winter I plan to keep it in the greenhouse we are in the process of putting up.
Sue

I'm putting blueberry plants in large 12-gallon pots and a couple of half-barrel pots. There's no way I can bring them inside. My thought is to generously wrap the pots with bubble wrap and lay a thick mulch on top of the soil. I can get the wrap at Staples, but will shop around for a good price. The pots are black, so they should absorb the sun heat right through the wrap. The name of the game is to keep the soil/roots from freezing. I think that will work. It should also help my poor rosemary survive the winters.

Maybe the wrap could supplement your greenhouse protection?

Mickie

[seansmum]

I have had it outside for the summer and inside while we get frosts in the past. This coming winter I plan to keep it in the greenhouse we are in the process of putting up.
Sue

I'm putting blueberry plants in large 12-gallon pots and a couple of half-barrel pots. There's no way I can bring them inside. My thought is to generously wrap the pots with bubble wrap and lay a thick mulch on top of the soil. I can get the wrap at Staples, but will shop around for a good price. The pots are black, so they should absorb the sun heat right through the wrap. The name of the game is to keep the soil/roots from freezing. I think that will work. It should also help my poor rosemary survive the winters.

Maybe the wrap could supplement your greenhouse protection?

Mickie

Mickie, They actually sell bubble wrap that is designed with extra large bubbles expressly for insulating greenhouses. I do plan to use bubble wrap but I'll just use the regular stuff since I have a freind who can get it for me free .
Sue

[grandmamac]

How cold does it get there, Mickie? I have dwarf blueberry plants in glazed terracotta pots that have survived the two very cold (for us -15C)  and prolonged winters without bubble wrap although I do move them up against the patio doors. They are covered with flower buds just now. Time to move them six foot to the edge of the patio.

My rosemary succumbed the first cold winter in its glazed pot. But its a Mediterranean plant and the blueberries are quite tough.

Belated thanks to the forum for piquing my interest in blueberries; my first venture into soft fruits. I'd tried a supermarket pack and couldn't see why people liked them.

[heatherbynum]

Belated thanks to the forum for piquing my interest in blueberries; my first venture into soft fruits. I'd tried a supermarket pack and couldn't see why people liked them.

You know I've been thinking the same thing about all this Fig talk. I have never had a fresh fig, only fig newtons. Blueberries are so good off the bush. Last year I was able to get about 10 off before the birds. Raspberries are especially good right off the vine too, and they are my favorite berry!

[mjb8743]

How cold does it get there, Mickie? I have dwarf blueberry plants in glazed terracotta pots that have survived the two very cold (for us -15C)  and prolonged winters without bubble wrap although I do move them up against the patio doors. They are covered with flower buds just now. Time to move them six foot to the edge of the patio.

My rosemary succumbed the first cold winter in its glazed pot. But its a Mediterranean plant and the blueberries are quite tough.

In my zone 7, most of the winter lows hover between 20F & 30F, but once in a while, we get what's known as an 'Alberta clipper' where an arctic blast sweeps down from Canada in a SE direction... then the temps can dip to 10F with gusty high winds. Brrrrrrrrrr!!

I'm pretty sure the berries will survive without too much extra protection once they grow into their large 12-gal pots. The bubblewrap is more for the smaller pots and the rosemary.

Mickie

[seansmum]

In my zone 7, most of the winter lows hover between 20F & 30F, but once in a while, we get what's known as an 'Alberta clipper' where an arctic blast sweeps down from Canada in a SE direction... then the temps can dip to 10F with gusty high winds. Brrrrrrrrrr!!

Mickie

Sure,
 I know about that cold Canadian air . Americans like to blame us for a lot , especially the air temp . I wasn't aware that temperature had anything to do with borders .LOL
Sue

[movrshakr]

No, no, no.  We LOVE Canadians.  If you weren't there, the US would slide up where you are and we'd be the ones COLD!

Said by a Floridian...well, a transplanted one anyway.

[ErnieHodge]

You know I've been thinking the same thing about all this Fig talk. I have never had a fresh fig, only fig newtons. Blueberries are so good off the bush. Last year I was able to get about 10 off before the birds. Raspberries are especially good right off the vine too, and they are my favorite berry!

You know how much you said you liked avocados? Fresh figs are that good.