Pure Mexican race avocados should have a thin, smooth skin, like a tomato. Guatemalan Race types have a thick (up to 1/4"), hard, bumpy skin. Hybrids of the two (e.g., 'Hass') are intermediate -- fairly thin but bumpy.

West Indian types have a thin (but not as thin as Mexican) leathery peel that is much easier to remove than a Mexican peel. The big green Florida fruit on the market right now are pure WI types. WI x Guat types (Florida fruit that will appear on the market in late September and onward) are also intermediate, usually somewhat bumpy but fairly thin (e.g., 'Lula').

The only WI x Mexican hybrid with which I'm familiar is 'Brogdon', which is a very thin, papery skin, much like a pure Mexican type would have.

So it sounds like your tree is likely Mex x Guat.

Malcolm

Bill doesn't have a website, but you could do what I did and just call him up:

830.663.2492

He is very nice and knowledgeable. If you ever get the chance to visit him in Devine, Texas, it is worth the trip.

Was the Mrs. Holland tree in Dallas in a greenhouse? I have been looking and looking, but I have never been able to find a fruiting avocado north of I-10 (outside of a greenhouse).

There are lots of stories, but no one has yet been able to show me a picture or point me to a mature avocado tree north I-10. I like to think that my avocado trees may be among the first.

Clayton, The budwood was brought to me at a restaurant, freshly harvested, so I did not see the tree, but as I recall, they said it was in Mrs. H's back yard, unprotected, and they remarked at the time how exceedingly cold-hardy it was that it was growing in Dallas. And this was back when Dallas was having cold winters. One of the friends we dined with has died since then, but I'm trying to contact others who were there (I have no idea if Mrs. Holland herself is alive). I'll certainly post if I can get in contact with someone who saw the tree, and hopefully, has photos.

I've posted photos of my tree and fruit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmmavocado/7749663786/in/set-72157604301522864

Once on that photo, the next 20 or so in that folder are of it. They're ripening right now in Lakeland, about 3 weeks later than 'Gainesville' and about the same as 'Brogdon'.

Charles, if you bury the union OR mound soil, leaves, mulch, etc., above the union for freeze events, 'Hass' seedlings should be fine. But no, they are not likely to be adequately hardy above ground, in Pensacola.

I will bury the graft. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I looked at the pictures. That is a nice looking tree.

Here is a Simmonds Avocado planted in June. This is a West Indian A.


This and Beta are common avocados down here.


I think you can plant Mexican avocado in North Florida. Some are as hardy as Satsuma citrus and they recover faster from freeze damage.

If I come up on some smooth skinned Mexicans I'll plant them.

If not I'll just bury the bumpy ones where I want them to grow.

I think that would be the best to ensure a good root system, fast growth and good grafting stock.

Malcom, thanks for the link to your photos. That's a great looking tree, and the fruit is larger than I had expected. Is the skin edible, or do you peel them? If you learn any more about its origins I hope you'll post the information.