Comments on: Pollination of Avocado trees

By: Pat

Pat — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:50:31 +0000

Large avocado trees can sometimes be found for sale in boxes at large tree farms, but usually will be severely stressed. I am strongly opposed to planting large-size avocado trees. It is much wiser to plant smaller sizes—no bigger than 15 gallons, if that, since the smaller trees will get going faster and within five years will outpace and outgrow the larger ones. They will also be healthier and have less chance of arriving with root rot or other problems. Three hundred feet is a little far for cross pollination. However, most likely it will work if there are bees. Optimum is twenty feet. Or you can graft some pieces of the other variety onto your tree or purchase a tree with two varieties already grafted. Better yet plant the two varieties together in one hole. That will give you a bigger tree right away in a safer way than buying a large tree.

By: Lynn Jamison

Lynn Jamison — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:07:13 +0000

Where can I buy a very large avocado tree? I am looking for a tree in a 24 inch box minimum, and I live in L.A., but can travel to Ventura. I really want something with spread.

I am also interested in knowing how far apart two avocado trees can be in order to pollinate. Is 300 feet too far?

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:53:36 +0000

How close must avacado trees be for pollination?

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:17:09 +0000

Dear Jon:

Thanks for the heads up about Growquest, but I am also aware that scathing information on the internet is not always correct and is sometimes malicious.

That said, I reread what I wrote and noticed that I was not recommending Growquest, but only naming sources. I have never been there and know nothing about the company. Your comment is well-taken, however, since from now on I should refrain from suggesting sources in case readers think my mention of them is a recommendation when in fact my only desire is to be helpful.

Regarding kumquat and lemon. I have seen kumquat grown as an ornamental patio tree and thriving in a pretty big Italian clay pot, 20-inches across or so filled with potting soil.

As far as Meyer Lemon goes, be sure to get a dwarf ‘Meyer Lemon Improved’. They grow very well in whiskey half-barrels. Drill about 14 large holes in the bottom of the barrel. Cover each hole with a piece of broken crockery and fill the barrel with a good quality potting soil. Garden soil won’t work in containers. Fertilize regularly during the warm months of the year with an organic fertilizer recommended for citrus.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:16:24 +0000

Thank you for the great info. I wanted to let you know that I visited Growquest Growers and I was initially very excited about what they offered – especially in Avocado trees. But then I found some very scathing information about them at this website (and others too):

http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/comments.php?compid=3143&type=2.

I thought you might want to know about this since you are putting forth their name as a possible recommendation.

On a separate note, I am interested in doing some citrus trees in containers – kumquat & meyer lemon. Do you have any recommendations about how to go about that i.e. what type of soil I should use, container size, etc. I have purchased a 7 gallon kumquat and will purchase a 15 gallon meyer.

Thanks again in advance.