I just wanted to give you all an update on the Mrs. Holland that I got from Dr Manners and grafted on a seedling several yrs ago.

That tree is now over 15 ft tall--even after fighting with a pecan tree and several shrubs. It has produced fruit for the last 3 years--self pollinated (there is not another avocado within miles). This yr it probably had at least 2 dozen fruits. The do seem to ripen in early August--most within a few weeks.

We had a relatively mild winter last yr, but it has gone thru at least 2 winters with lows hitting 20 with no protection at all and not even minor leaf damage.

I grafted a piece of my tree onto 2 seedlings for a friend and they both took and are growing fine.

I also had 2 other varieties that Dr Manners sent me--the grafts initially took and grew the next yr. but they never grew as vigorous as Mrs Holland and have not survived long term. The Duke variety lived for a couple years--it may have not had the conditions it needed--it was in a really dry area.

I will post a few pictures later.

Here is a picture of one of the avocado fruits.



Here is a picture of the tree--fighting with pecan tree on the right and shrubs all around--the trunk of the avocado (in the center) leans to the left. This tree is only about 6 yrs old.

Welcome back. I really need to get one of these trees!

I would be glad to send some budwood. Dr Manners originally told me Nov was the time they had best success. I tried in Nov one yr, but it appeared to me that the rootstock was already going dormant, so the next yr I asked for budwood in Oct--it worked. Last yr I grafted two for a friend in Oct---they both worked. So for our climate mid Oct seems to be good. Our first frost is usually mid to late Nov.

Laaz might need it a little earlier. I would think he gets a frost near the beginning of November.

Does anyone know the harvest season for these varieties, and particularly for Gainesville? Several - Joey, Fantastic, Lila - seem to ripen Aug.-Oct., but I'm hoping that Gainesville might provide an extended harvest.
Thanks.

I don't have anything to graft it to.

No we don't usually get a frost here until late Dec.

Plant an avocado seed now, it will be ready to graft by next fall. I just plant the seed directly in a pot.

OK, after reading up more on these where can I buy a Mrs. Holland avocado tree?

From what I could decipher Mrs Holland = Opal(TM) = Lila. I think I got mine from Chestnut Hill Tree Farm but it looks like they don't ship them anymore. Plant-O-Gram has them listed as available. You can try also rooting a cutting(s) from Skeeter. Avocados are not easy to root but I know it can be done.

Thanks G.

What type are you using as rootstock?

So the purple / green ones will work? Just remove the flesh & bury the seed? I believe the sticker said Hass.