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View Full Version : The Best WI Avocado


PR-Giants
08-01-2013, 10:49 AM
:woohoonaner:

2.5 lbs
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53919 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53919)

The Russell Advantage.

excellent flavor
large fruit
small seed
thin skin
early harvest
very productive

Nicolas Naranja
08-01-2013, 11:29 AM
Is there a lot of fruit per tree?

:woohoonaner:

2.5 lbs
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53919 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53919)

The Russell Advantage.

excellent flavor
large fruit
small seed
thin skin
early harvest
very productive

PR-Giants
08-01-2013, 12:35 PM
Is there a lot of fruit per tree?

No, but a medium size tree will produce an average of 266 fruit.

I've never counted fruit and it's not very important compared to lbs per tree.

Nicolas Naranja
08-01-2013, 01:04 PM
No, but a medium size tree will produce an average of 266 fruit.

I've never counted fruit and it's not very important compared to lbs per tree.

So are you saying that your tree produces somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 lbs of fruit per year?

PR-Giants
08-01-2013, 01:16 PM
So are you saying that your tree produces somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 lbs of fruit per year?

Depends, but no for the Russell.

my trees only have around 500 lbs, but they averaged 30 oz.


and yes for unfertilized WI trees grown from seed, they will easily produce over 1,000 lbs.

Snookie
08-01-2013, 06:47 PM
Depends, but no for the Russell.



and yes for unfertilized WI trees grown from seed, they will easily produce over 1,000 lbs.

Hummmmm Will they grow here in South Louisiana? If so
How/where I get me a tree or some seeds

bananimal
08-01-2013, 09:13 PM
Hummmmm Will they grow here in South Louisiana? If so
How/where I get me a tree or some seeds

Mr Mayor ---- don't get excited. WI avos are West Indian types and just a little lick of real cold will kill the tree ded ded.

That's why I grow the Lula here in zone 10a. It can take short bouts of high 20's --- low 30's and survive. It's a hybrid of the Mexican and Guatemalan avocado races. Real good taste and texture. I just picked my first fruit from my 12 ft tree with about 80 or 90 more still hangin'. Should be full ripe in a couple of days. Will post pics later.

PR-Giants
08-01-2013, 11:11 PM
That's why I grow the Lula here in zone 10a.
I just picked my first fruit from my 12 ft tree.

Are you sure you have a Lula, they are supposed to be a Nov/Dec Cado in Fl.

bananimal
08-02-2013, 12:48 AM
Are you sure you have a Lula, they are supposed to be a Nov/Dec Cado in Fl.

Good point! That's what the literature says too. I got it from a commercial nursery in Palm City that got it from Zill. Last year it never fruited but grew 3x its size. Basic fruit and taste descriptions for a Guat/Mex hybrid are a match though.

Have not pursued ID'ing it any further.

Here's a pic --- any ideas?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53780&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53780&ppuser=820)

raygrogan
08-02-2013, 08:21 AM
The Russell looks like a winner for an early harvest variety. How evenly does it ripen? A friend has a similar looking one, seedling I think, that has all those good qualities but he says the part away from the seed ripens at a different rate, slower I think he said.

Snookie
08-02-2013, 08:22 AM
Mr Mayor ---- don't get excited. WI avos are West Indian types and just a little lick of real cold will kill the tree ded ded.

That's why I grow the Lula here in zone 10a. It can take short bouts of high 20's --- low 30's and survive. It's a hybrid of the Mexican and Guatemalan avocado races. Real good taste and texture. I just picked my first fruit from my 12 ft tree with about 80 or 90 more still hangin'. Should be full ripe in a couple of days. Will post pics later.

U say what? :}

http://www.pictureshack.us/images/34603_ama-taylor-swift-wins.jpg (http://www.pictureshack.us/)


OK well thanks for the heads up!

PR-Giants
08-02-2013, 06:35 PM
Good point! That's what the literature says too. I got it from a commercial nursery in Palm City that got it from Zill. Last year it never fruited but grew 3x its size. Basic fruit and taste descriptions for a Guat/Mex hybrid are a match though.

Have not pursued ID'ing it any further.

Here's a pic --- any ideas?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53780&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53780&ppuser=820)

Start with what you can observe, flower type, harvest time, shape, skin and seed size.

I have no experience with Guat/Mex hybrids but by looking at the stems I don't think that you are close to harvest time.

PR-Giants
08-02-2013, 06:49 PM
The Russell looks like a winner for an early harvest variety. How evenly does it ripen? A friend has a similar looking one, seedling I think, that has all those good qualities but he says the part away from the seed ripens at a different rate, slower I think he said.

If harvested at the proper time, it will ripen completely evenly and have the best flavor.

A Russell will turn to a light green color when it is ready.

The skin of a Russell is very thin and leathery, it can be peeled completely off in one piece while leaving the fruit intact.

Nicolas Naranja
08-03-2013, 04:36 PM
Are you sure you have a Lula, they are supposed to be a Nov/Dec Cado in Fl.
Don't pay much mind to those dates. This year especially.

bananimal
08-03-2013, 05:01 PM
Start with what you can observe, flower type, harvest time, shape, skin and seed size.

I have no experience with Guat/Mex hybrids but by looking at the stems I don't think that you are close to harvest time.

Had my first drop off Fri. Hard as a rock. It's sitting on the kitchen counter slowly ripening. Will post pics and flavor description when ready.

What should I look for on the stems - color? Some of the larger fruit stems have started to yellow a bit.

sunfish
08-03-2013, 05:20 PM
Do they taste like avocados or something else like cherries

bananimal
08-03-2013, 08:30 PM
Just finished dinner and the first cado was good. Definitely immature, but excellent texture and a flavor that promises to get much better when they are harvested at maturity. And I have 70 to 80 more fruit still hanging! :woohoonaner:
Will do a comparison of fruit and seed shape, fruit size and seed to fruit ratio using Pine Islands viewer.

Illia
08-03-2013, 11:00 PM
Nice Avocado! I've been fascinated with the shape and fame behind the Russell variety, and at some point soon plan to get myself one. But, I'm starting out with something a little more easy, like my Oro Negro. I don't want to jump into cold intolerant ones, find my greenhouse not warm enough, and kill it due to not being cautious enough to bring it in before it's too late.

edzone9
08-11-2013, 01:19 PM
I Cant wait for my Lula To Fruit ! Dan Great Looking Tree !...

Ed..

Nicolas Naranja
08-26-2013, 12:47 PM
Here is a Russel and 2 Keitt Mangos, grown in Canal Point
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/NicolasNaranja/2013-08-22211345_zps5130143b.jpg (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/NicolasNaranja/media/2013-08-22211345_zps5130143b.jpg.html)

PR-Giants
08-26-2013, 01:23 PM
Here is a Russel and 2 Keitt Mangos, grown in Canal Point


When was the Russell harvested and why does it look small?

bananimal
08-26-2013, 03:45 PM
Here is a Russel and 2 Keitt Mangos, grown in Canal Point
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x455/NicolasNaranja/2013-08-22211345_zps5130143b.jpg (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/NicolasNaranja/media/2013-08-22211345_zps5130143b.jpg.html)

Nick ---- where did you get the Russel? I heard this is a great WI avo.

Nicolas Naranja
08-26-2013, 05:10 PM
Nick ---- where did you get the Russel? I heard this is a great WI avo.

Erickson grows them.

PR-Giants
08-26-2013, 07:36 PM
WI x Guat - Flowered mid feb - center 31oz 10"

oct 15
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae272/keithpr1/oct15WIxGuat31oz10in_zps2b15cfed.jpg (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/keithpr1/media/oct15WIxGuat31oz10in_zps2b15cfed.jpg.html)

JCA433
08-26-2013, 10:28 PM
I have a Simmonds avocado tree planted last year. It is about 7 feet tall and very vigorous. This is a West Indian avocado and is cold sensitive and marginal even here in Homestead, Florida zone 10. The lowest temperature here the past two winters is 35 F and it has not been damaged. This year we planted an Oro Negro avocado which is much more cold tolerant. Next year I may plant the Monroe avocado.


West Indian type avocados do best in Zone 11 and true tropical climates. The advantage is early ripening before peak hurricane season. If you live in a colder climate though there are better options.