Sharwil Avocado
Question from Robert:
I lived in Hawaii and could buy the amazing “Sharwil” avocado there, on Oahu at the local Manoa farmers market, grown by the vendors cousin on the Big Island. Just the fruit this year. A case or more if there is a nice price break. This is the ripe season, yes? For the super buttery sharwils? Where can I buy a case or three from a grow on the Big Island, have them shipped to mainland USA?
Answer from Pat:
I don’t blame you one bit for developing a taste for ‘Sharwil’ avocado fruit with its rich creamy flavor. It’s widely grown in New South Wales, but I’ve only tasted this variety in Hawaii or fruit that’s been shipped from there to here. (Jimbo’s might be one possible source). ‘Sharwil’ accounts for almost 50% of the Hawaiian crop, though I’m told the fruit is sometimes sold in California farmers markets. The main problem with this tree is that it’s more sensitive to frost than most varieties grown commercially in California. ‘Sharwil’ fruit is of excellent quality and medium size, with rough yellowish green skin that looks a little like Fuerte, but is a little more oval in shape. It has a high oil content, rich flavor, and a small seed. The ‘Sharwil’ tree is a moderate bearer and a “B” variety (a cross between a Guatamalan and a Mexican variety) so when you plant one you would need to also plant an “A” type for pollination or graft a branch onto your tree.
In order to find a supplier of fruit, I suggest you attend several farmers markets in your area and talk to everyone selling avocado’s. Some of them may have ‘Sharwil’ trees or know folks who do. Some of the growers you chat with at the markets will be the same guys and gals you’ve met elsewhere but some will be different. Also attend meetings of the Rare Fruit Growers in your area. Those guys try to grow everything and the more rare it is in their region the better they like having it. Just ask them and the information will gush forth like an oil well.
Other ideas are below but not as good as talking to the Hawaiian UC Extension: Here is the phone number of a flower company that regularly sells and ships papayas to the mainland. They might be willing to help you find an avocado grower who would ship fruit: 808-936-4704
Here is another phone number to try calling. These folks sell boxed bagged and packaged Hawaiian foods but they doubtless know other shippers in the food business in Hawaii who could help you: 800-819-5824
Their address is:
Hawaiian Food Online
6655 W Sahara Ave., Suite B-102
Las Vegas , NV 89146
Sorry I didn’t notice where your email was coming from. I was looking back a few days to find something else and just happened to notice that your query came from Iowa. Of course you won’t have Rare Fruit Growers or avocado growers in your state or at your Farmers Markets. (Sorry I didn’t catch on sooner.)
So back to square one: How can you find a grower in Hawaii who would ship you some Sharwil fruit from there?
ANSWER: Your best bet is to phone the Hawaiian UC Extension and talk to a Farm Advisor specializing in avocados. He would know all the growers. I would begin by phoning the Master Gardeners on the Big Island and asking them. If they don’t know the answer ask them to find you the phone number grower on the Kona Coast and go from there. Most Avocado growers in Hawaii are in the Kona area. (Don’t give up. What you are asking for is not an impossible task but it does require having the fruit inspected and it must have the agricultural stamp of approval to be shipped to the mainland.)
Here is the phone number and address to try first:
Kona MASTER GARDENERS: (ie: West Hawaii Master Gardeners:
9:00 am to noon on Thursdays: 808/322-4892
Or email anytime: KonaMg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Just now wrote you an email suggesting you contact the Master Gardeners on the Kona Coast to find a grower who would ship Sharwil fruit to you, but I’m not sure my email went through. (Sorry I hadn’t noticed you live in Iowa.)
This is the best place to begin. Phone or email the Kona Master Gardeners and they should be able to put you on the right track. I am also sending a copy of this to a friend who is in the Master Gardener program on the Hilo side of the island.
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ate/
The phone number and address of the Extension office in Kona is at this link:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/locationdetails.aspx?id=CE-HKONA
Pat,
We grow great Sharwils here in Southern
California – we call them Kona Sharwils.
Please have the party in Iowa call me at
(949) 644-2682, and I will send a small
box for the cost of shipping.
Dewey Savage
Newport Beach, Calif.
Hi Dewey,
Do you know where I can buy a couple of Kona Sharwil trees to grow in Malibu ?
Thanks, Karen
First, I am not Dewey. You have written to me, Pat Welsh. I suggest you try Moon Valley Nurseries in Hollywood. If they do not have what you want ask them where to try.
I purchased a Kona Sharwill from Atkins nursery in Fallbrook CA. Last week.
Another option if you live in zone 9b or higher, you can grow these amazing trees in the United States. They’re allowed in 38 of the 50 and are fairly compact trees (do well in your yard) and established trees are tolerant of cold to 32°. Just add christmas lights and a cloth if it’s going to get colder. They won’t pollinate themselves so buy a jan Boyce, holiday, green gold or lamb haas to plant next to it, and enjoy your fruits
Many thanks for your helpful comment!