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Wow, I can't believe 4 years has gone by since I created this post. I want to share our success with our new Dwarf Reed Avocado tree. I went to Kingsman nursery in North County to find this particular type of avocado because I really wanted a dwarf and a friend of mine had given me a Reed from her mature tree. It was buttery and delicious like a Hass, but as big as a softball!
I was instructed to plant it on a "pitcher's mound" and allow every leaf to remain as they fall - this keeps the ground cool and regenerates the soil as they decay. Also, the first year he recommended that we water 3 times per week and then deep water once a week to remove salts from the soil. After the first year we went to twice a week at 10 minutes. The first year we had several flowers and 2 avocados, the second year we had 20...this past year the tree grew by 30% and it has now reached what I hope
will be it's full height - about 16 feet. There are only 9 avocados this year that we can see so far, but I've heard that avocado trees bear heavy one year and light the next.
Would love to hear input from anyone about trimming it a little for shape..if so when ? and should the branches be supported at all as it bears heavier fruit (hopefully)?
Thanks
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Yes this is exactly what my trees look like. I contacted the Master Gardener's Association as well, and they said that young citrus trees are very susceptible, however older trees usually fend it off. Last year was the first year that our 2 year old tangerine tree had the problem and it is definitely here again, however we have at least a hundred tangerine this year, so it doesn't seem to be affecting the fruiting ability.
I may purchase the systemic product for my other two trees that are young and not thriving. Thanks!
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My Climate Zone
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USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a -
Sunset Climate Zone
Zone 23 -
City
La Mesa -
State
CA -
Zip Code
91941 -
Country
US
Gardening Background
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Biographical Information
born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Moved to San Diego in 1981
My Mulch Profile
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Website
http://www.pretaportersalon.com -
Occupation
salon owner/stylist -
Gardening Ability
4 - Experienced -
My 5 favorite plants are
roses, foxglove, hydrangea, hollyhock, sweet peas -
What is your favorite gardening outfit or costume?
tank top and sweats -
Who is your own favorite gardening personality on TV, radio or in print? Why?
really don't have time for it -
Do you have a gardening philosophy you would like to share with other gardeners? What is it?
absolutely- that we really should not put anything into the earth that will harm it- I've not used any chemicals for 15 years and I have great success in the garden. -
If you could grow only one plant, what would it be?
a rose -
What plant have you tried to grow that has given you the most trouble? Or, what plant would you like to grow and can't, and why?
sunflowers - we know how easy they come up but they get eaten at my house every time before they are 3 inches high -
What is your favorite time in the garden?
early morning -
What is your favorite color in the garden?
purple -
What is your favorite place or activity in the garden?
Dividing plants or planting new plants or seeds -
What is your favorite public or private garden in the world? Why?
Although I've gardened alot, I've only been to a couple public gardens. The rose garden here in Balboa Park, which I loved, and in New York City, Mark Twain's House when he was a child had a fantastic garden -
What individual has influenced your gardening interest the most? How?
my mother because although I didn't realize it at the time, when I was a child and she gardened all the time, I watched. She is now a Master Gardener and very helpful to me - she is very into propogation and has 6 acres and a big greenhouse in Tennessee -
Gardening Dilemmas
How to really fill in the landscape and make it look lush -
What do you dislike most about gardening?
slugs -
What do you like most about gardening?
creating beauty/designing -
Company/Organization
Pret-a -Porter Salon & Spa -
Favorite Nursery
Summer's Past - I can always find unusual herbs there that are not in the other stores -
Cat or Dog person
Dog Person -
What is your Garden Test Score?
16-20 Very Good
Education
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Favorite Quote
If you don't believe in yourself, who will? -
Interests
plant propagation, oil painting, ballroom dancing, cooking, photography

