Cleggs nursery here in Baton Rouge just got some avocado's in. 1st year they have carried them, and it is the first time I have seen them for sale
anywhere in town. Varieties are Joey, Poncho, Opal, Wilma, & Mexicola Grande. I asked and the lady said she ordered them because they were supposed to be cold hardy and growing in Austin, Tx. She didn't now anything about them. Anyone familiar with Joey and Poncho? Anybody have any recommendations?

What size are they and what are they getting for them Gary? I believe all of those are suppose to be hardy to some degree.

Ned

Gary,

The Wilma and Opal avocados are from Bill Schneider of Devine Avocados in Devine, TX. It’s near San Antonio, TX. His large Opal tree survived a 14 deg night. The Wilma is supposed to be about the same.
Bill isn’t much for emailing. He emailed that I could stop by and pick one up. That’s over 1400 mile drive each way for me. I emailed him about mailing me a Wilma and an Opal. He never answered.
Also, I don’t know if they are “A” or “B” blooming avocados. He sells gallon grafts for $40 if you can drive there.
But find out how big they are and the price at the nursery. See if the nursery ships. I still haven't found a source for them that ships.
Terry
Opal

Wilma

They are about 3ft high, and around $40.00 dollars. I don't imagine they ship, although they might. I wouldn't think there would be any need for them to ship. All there business is local. No one knows anything about the Joey or Poncho avocado?

Terry -Wilma and the following other good cold tolerant avocados: Poncho, Winter Mexican and Mexicola are all available here:

http://www.riversendnursery.com/product.asp?product=AB69349D

I've had good dealings with the stock and shipping from there.

I have an Avocado labeled "Opal-Holland" that I purchased from Bantings Nursery in Bridge City Louisiana. It's doing well so far (in the ground for ~10 months). The Lula I had before it succumbed to short exposure to 28 degree temps.

You can try an avocado in Baton Rouge. Be prepared to cover on every freezing night until the tree is mature. BTW, you have to have an A and a B tree both to get fruit. They are enormous when they get large. They are also extremely sensitive to excellent drainage. I've decided not to plant in the ground here in Beaumont, TX. I bought a couple a few years ago to get budwood from Mexicola and Gainesville, two supposedly cold hardy ones. I get 99% take on citrus and 5% on avocados. I'm giving up on grafting after getting only 3 or 4 takes in 50 or 60 tries over several years and several methods, budding/cleft and selling my potted plants to dreamers who want to baby them thru freezes.