Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Click on the picture to see the short film
Avocados can take a long time to bear fruit. Grafting is the best way to insure a productive tree and fruit quality, in the shortest amount of time. .. Because you get what you graft!
Avacado from seed to graft to air layer - YouTube

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

I did a quick search and it appears that you can root cuttings from an established tree. However, there was no mention of whether or not that would shorten the time to fruiting. Does anyone know? Has anyone tried this? I've never grafted and my tiny seedlings aren't nearly big enough. Plus I do very well rooting things and I doubt I'd be allowed to air layer the mama.

BTW, pretty cat.

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Thanks for the cool 3 way video.
Very informative

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Hi Kat2
Hey about the cuttings ..
It’s like this, some plants/trees can be propagated/grown from cuttings. That’s where you cut a small twig and stick it in some growth medium/dirt. Water it and then it will grow roots.. But some plants/trees will not just root from a twig. Those you air layer as in the video. Or you plant a seed.
Example:
A mature fruit bearing tree is growing, you air layer it! That air layer is an adult tree and it will produce fruit some times in two years. The fruit from this air layer will be exactly as on the adult tree. If you take a seed from the same tree where you got you air layer it will need to go through maturity this can take years longer, and its fruit will be different tasting. Sometimes better sometimes not as good.
In other words Air layering allows you to clone the tree.. Seeds allow you to grow another tree . Seeds produce a tree in the same family but with different genetics thus different tasting fruit . YES more Varity in taste from trees grown from seed. And you wait longer for the fruits to be produced from trees grown from seeds.
How do you sneak a air layer on a tree! You air layer up high on the tree. And you paint the aluminum foil brown, like bark … I have air layered trees on golf courses and never been discovered ha ha ha .. no one looks at a tree to inspect its every nook and cranny! Yes ya need some practice to air layer properly but you can still have success on your first attempt.. Hope I helped ya some …
PS: Glad you liked the cat :) Funny thing about her is if she likes you she BITES you ...

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

I did quite a bit of airlayering in the past--mostly on my inside plants in MD--plants that grow outside here. I never did the foil thing but just "opened" the branch, wrapped it in plastic wrap filled with drenched potting soil encased in a paper tower and rubber banded it well. The tree I'd love to try belongs to someone who just recently began handing me plants and starts but guards this tree like a hawk; it produces 3 lb fruits. She has smaller starts in the greenhouse; she certainly didn't offer any of them. (She started it from seed; had 4 until the prior frost 2 years ago and this one has come back but not produced.) I might talk her out of a few sticks...maybe...or perhaps I should encourage her to let me climb up and make a couple of notches...

I had a "love" biter or 2 in my past...ouch!

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Thank you for this additional info on your air layering technique ( stealth ).
I do this on my brugs I will attempt this in the spring.

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Hi Kat,

Avocados are grafted their first year even before they are 1/4" in diameter. The success rate is higher when they are very young.

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Interesting. If all goes well I should have 4 suitable candidates by June at the latest. If my horseradish experiment goes well, I'll be in the position to trade some for scion wood. And try...oh, dear.

Re: Avacado from seed to graft to air layer
 

Yes I agree with the younger trees do seem to even respond to air layering better. I also notice in my experience when air layering a older trees 10 + years, that if I can get a ladder and select a upwardly growing branch from the top canopy my rate of success is by far much better. I suppose it’s because the canopy has all the new growth occurring and its more active up there.. That said a healthy tree is a huge help.
But it’s been my luck to be involved with abused trees. Ones that produce blooms but no fruit or fruit fall off. Or simply no fruit at all.. Mostly from lack of nutrient.