Akula

Anybody have any advice on a cold hardy avocado variety for Gulf Coast 9a/8b and a reputable supplier or source? Thanks!

sddarkman619

me..
I would start with a Bacon or a Fuerte, I think the bacon would be Hardier for your zone. I know you gave zone but what's your experience with the actual temps? How cold

for my avocados:
https://www.bountifulgardennursery.c...egory/avocado/

read this about Florida and avocados:
https://www.flgardening.com/growing-...os-in-florida/

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Akula

Thanks Larry. I'll check those links you provided.

I usually get a couple hours below freezing in the early morning to late morning ( 4am to 10am) maybe two to three times each year. With a major spike low of maybe 21F to 24F for a few hours once every three years it seems. All my sensitive stuff is South facing and gets sun by 9 am every morning. There is some protection from the N (big trees/neighbors house). Frost cloth has worked well for me.

The leaves on my bananana plants burn off every winter with a few exceptions but the pstems make it through he winter. The usuall cold hardy stuff of course.

cincinnana

Bananas.org - View Profile: bananimal

This forum member is affiliated with the local fruit council in the Port ST Lucie area.
These fellas are serious about local fruit on the east coast.
These fellas crush grow Knowledge of local fruiting stuff.

This forum member grows football sized avocados as well .

And can be used as a source for other exotic plants.

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sddarkman619

Thos football sized avocadoes are Florida or often times called Dominican avocados and are dfferent than "regular" avocado.
They are more of a watery type whereas the mexican or hass, fuerte bacon etc, are more oily.

I'm from Florida but I prefer the oily avos!

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Akula

The "Florida Avocado" is sold at my local Publix as "Slimcado" because it has half the calories and also half the taste of a normal avocado. I don't want one of those!

My BIL lives in West Palm Beach and he had a huge Marcus Pumpkin Avocado tree that produced soccer ball size avocados. Those things were very tasty! I've read comments that Marcus Pumpkin are not very good tasting but that has not been my experience.

Larry, does the Bacon Avocado require a second tree to produce or does one tree produce enough for a family? Can they be maintained at smaller height/size through pruning? Thanks!

sddarkman619

avocados are either type A or type B.
They are self fertile but if you have an A and a B due to the different flowering times they will produce more due to the more pollination factor.

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hdynad

I have been growing Lila for a couple of years. Tast is rich, she is a cold hardy avacado with Temps down to 10 to 15 degrees. Height at maturity 10 to 15ft.. I had her in the greenhouse this past winter and we lost power during the Texas freeze and went down to 6 degrees. Thought she was a goner but she has come back strong and I even have 1 avacado! She is also self fertile! Check her out!
I am in Montgomery Texas just north of Houston.

Happy growing
Darla

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Akula

Thanks Larry and Darla for sharing your experience and recommendations.

I ordered a Lila (Type A) avocado. Hopefully I get the real thing and not the "ice cream" avocado version. LOL.

I live in a flakey 9a area. We usually have quite warm winters as prreviously mentioned and I haven't really had any problem with my banana plants but with further research it seems that about every 5-10 years we can get hit with a serious deep dive to 15F - 18F. Bananas can re-grow and be back in the game in a year but avocados requires 3-5 year time committment to get fruit, hence more cold hardy varient is required.

I lost a Pakistan Mulberry (newby 2'-3') this past winter so am concerned with winter temperatures. I will put the plant(s) in the front yard which is completely open on three sides i.e. just grass so a ton of exposure although protected from the N by my house.

I might get a Type B in the future and am considering the Bacon, Wilma, and Joey. I'm getting old and winter protection is getting tougher and tougher each year!

Thanks again!

Snarkie

I've heard a lot about avocados but am afraid to taste one. What are they like?
Seriously, Lila down to the teens? They would grow here in NC for certain, then.

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sddarkman619

Yeah I'm going to talk to my supplier about those.

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