The Cold Hardy Duke Avocado

[@cindyq52700]

I have a cold hardy Avacado I bought last year it is amazingly doing well in my orchard in Madera California looking forward to enjoying lots of Avacado dishes!

[@ScaryHairyGary]

Yes, there is no reason why we should keep giving our money to the drug cartel controlled avocado syndicate in Mexico when we can grow our own.

[@BillBird2111]

As someone who discovered the Duke years ago and wrote extensively about it, I wish you the best of luck. Grafting is the hardest part of the job, and the Duke is exceptionally difficult. The Duke's sister tree, called the Benedict, is a B type that is even harder to graft. Not many Benedicts exist, but there are a few still standing in Butte County. More about my adventures with the Duke Avocado can be found here: sacramentogardening.blogspot.com/2012/06/duke-rides-again.html. Duke trees are exceptionally fast growers with the right root stock (mine grew 6-7 feet a year). It also fruited in its second year.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

Yes, I've long known the lore of the Duke and the magical qualities of the Oroville microclimate and always wanted to track down the Duke in person. I first discovered it via the historic avocado source papers. Lots of great info in there on everything cado. Maybe you ran across it when you investigated the Duke. Here it is: avocadosource.com/CAS_Yearbooks/CAS_47_1963/CAS_1963_PG_28-36.pdf Anyway, I'm sure our grafts will take so we can get it going again as it deserves to be resurrected from obscurity. We should have some for sale next year.

[@RareAvoTrees]

Never heard of the Benidict is it about the same as a Duke ?

[@Mark300win]

What is the recommended rootstock for the duke?

[@BillBird2111]

The Duke, Benedict and Number 15 (it never got a name), all came out of the same test nursery in Northern CA. There isn’t much information about this nursery other than it failed rather quickly and the land was converted to pasture purposes. Some of the seeds planted in this nursery did sprout, however. Cuttings were taken from several trees. One would become the Duke. A black skinned variety was given the name of Benedict. Extremely rare. Trees exist, but they are very hard to find.

[@BillBird2111]

Hobbyist breeders use seeds from heirloom avocado trees to produce root stocks. The parentage of these trees is unknown. Some might even be older Duke trees.

[@TheVersipelis]

Guess what? I live in Central FL and I have 2 grafted Dukes from Oroville CA. The Avocados are my favorite. High oil content, excellent flavor, and they seemed very productive. Thus far, mine are doing good in the heat and humidity. I have great expectations. Thanks for the video.

[@marklazarus2584]

Maverick I live in Tallahassee and would love to get some cuttings to graft.

[@n.jorgji8101]

Thank you Gary. I like the passion you tell your stories.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

Thanks

[@kurts9596]

Looking forward to being able to purchase your own "DUKE VARIETY", Gary ! !

[@FruitTree]

Arovipa avocado can take temps down go 14 degrees. Not sure that the fruit is as good but its nice seeing that some cultivars can take this level of cold

[@masterjaykay1]

Love it mate, keep up the great work 👌🏻🥑

[@growyourownavocados]

The mother Fuerte tree was in Altixco Mexico🇲🇽

[@chuckanderson4330]

Gary, I’m very interested in your’Duke’. Grafted trees. Are they available? We’re in zone 7A in Oklahoma. Hoping to find an answer for avocados here.

[@collmacnicholas2946]

There’s avocados growing outside in London uk, they fruit aswell and the temps in winter going down to -7c sometimes, but London usually having milder winters off -1c it’s still impressive.

[@Herecomesoliver]

We need an update! How do I get some grafts of the DUKE tree?

[@larrygreen6902]

Awesome! Is there a place I could purchase some Duke seeds? I would love to do some experimenting of my own! I have the same mentality as Mr. Benedict-- I try to grow fruit trees that conventional wisdom would say is impossible in my area. There is a house in Charleston, SC with a very large and old avocado tree in the back yard. As far as I know it was planted as a seed. The tree was huge the last time I saw it. I would like to plant a lot of seeds outside and let nature select the best one(s).

[@ScaryHairyGary]

That is a great strategy. Seedlings are much more vigorous and grow to much larger dimensions than any grafted tree Ever would.

[@suburbangardenpermaculture3117]

I want some for Dallas fort worth area!! I have Joey and Mexicola grande now... Duke sounds like our type of tree!! Really hot, cold winters with several light frosts a year, BUT it's quite humid in summer.

[@deedeeholbrook1552]

I’m North FtWorth. Do you think I’m too North? And...did you ever get one of his trees?

[@suburbangardenpermaculture3117]

@@deedeeholbrook1552 no, sorry, I never did get a Duke. I DO have the Mexicola Grande still, but the Joey died early on that spring. Bad soil, and it ended up in a pot that I missed some punch-out drainage holes 🙁. Bad soil + random bad setup equaled strangled roots. The Mexicola, THIS is her year! She's now about 4 feet across and about that tall, I like how the sculpting I did has worked out for the structure! Its ALMOST in full flower right now! My greenhouse got smashed in a storm a few days back, and I've got alotbof footage to make my next video, but the last 2 on my channel you can really see how wonderful ifs done in a 25 gallon pot! To plant in the ground, are you too far north? For a young tree, surely. They need a few years protected to really harden up the wood to allow it to survive outdoors here all winter. I'm within 25 miles of you.

[@deedeeholbrook1552]

@@suburbangardenpermaculture3117 So sorry to hear about your green house! That is on my “to do” list as well! Right now, I just have my plants in the garage. So, do you think the Mexicola will work for me if I keep it in until its bigger. I have a 7 ft plumeria that I do that with, so it’s certainly possible. Would, of course, eventually like to be able to put one outside! Where did you get your Mexicola? I’m new to avocados. I have two plants that I grew from seeds. I was sad to hear that that would give an inferior avocado. ☹️ I always like the challenge of growing it myself, but I guess I have to get a graphed one if I want good avocados!

[@edialbert8035]

Another great one, Gary! I have a few questions about this one I will PM you...

[@Mrbfgray]

I want a Duke for my front yard in Chico! I currently have several common cold hardy varieties. Fantastic story all the better as it's 'next door' to me.

[@chetgallaway]

What part of Chico are you on? Rose Ave?

[@Mrbfgray]

@@chetgallaway South West, lower end 'hood just outside city limits, 1/2 acre I can do as I please with. By now I have a dozen diff types of avo in the ground for a yr. including Wurtz and Reed from Gary's nursery. I take it you too are in or from Chico?

[@chetgallaway]

@@Mrbfgray Hi Bo, shoot me an email, would you? [e-mail]

[@HuntrPat]

I reside in the mtns of Pioneer,ca would not want to waste time growing anything that will not withstand our cold weather.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@HuntrPat No one does.

[@dpm3758]

Gary, any updates om the Duke avocado trees? Thanks!

[@GardenloveHomestead]

Thats awesome! Count me in! Pls send me the sales information. Thnks

[@Mrbfgray]

I made a special trip to Gary's nursery early July, purchased two beautiful 15 gallon avos--Reed and Wurtz. And yes they *just fit* into the boot, two at once, of my BMW E92 M3 in case you need to know. HA! (who needs a clumsy truck?) Now have a dozen avos in the ground in Chico....fingers crossed for winter but good so far.

[@NMW80]

How are the avos goings? Hope they are growing well for you still 🤞 Where is Chico?

[@NMW80]

Oh it’s in North Cali. I just googled it and the weather averages look ok and you should be ok for avocados.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@NMW80 9a. Yes so far so good with avos, only killed a couple with a dozen still in the ground. Only had a problem with Fuerte cooking them in full sun, the rest managed mostly full sun at 110F with mid afternoon shade, half are thriving. Ask me about my mangos tho. :D

[@Mrbfgray]

@@NMW80 I might let a few fruit next season but I don't want to retard their growth so that can wait. Been removing blooms to date, biggest trunks less than 1.5" diameter, i need strong secure trees 1st fruit 2nd. We had a few hrs of frost which slightly punished the Wurtz and Reed, not enough to matter much just trimming new fragile growth. Hit only in ground mango hard but just leaves I think, lower leaves OK too. Normally I have my heat lamps out for the few hrs of frost 10 days per season as now. After they get well established they should 'thrive on neglect'.

[@Mrbfgray]

@@NMW80 2.5 yr avos in the ground update-- most are thriving, some are getting big, a couple not doing much out of a dozen. Biggest best are from Gary's nursery but my VERY biggest, Reed was broken off only couple ft. off the ground in recent storm, sort of knew I should top it as it was looking top heavy but it broke well above the graft with one big limb left, I expect it to vigorously recover but it's probably a yr or two set back. 2 to 2.5" dia trunks on largest trees. Reed *was* 10 ft tall, Wurz 8 ft....both had/have extremely dense foliage unlike the rest of mine for which you can see the trunk and big limbs, they still look strong and healthy just not as dense or impressive. R and W way out in front yrd due to extra beautiful foliage reputation that the have lived up to. :D

[@sharonslife6153]

Id like to purchase a Duke Avocado tree for my backyard in Pensacola Florida. You by chance have one for sale?

[@ignaciocarmelo293]

you prolly dont care but if you guys are stoned like me atm you can stream all of the latest movies and series on instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my gf during the lockdown =)

[@angelcannon922]

@Ignacio Carmelo Definitely, have been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself :D

[@dannykoda5496]

@Ignacio Carmelo Yea, been using InstaFlixxer for since november myself =)

[@adeadcrab]

god bless

[@andrewbsavage]

When will these be available? I am in a canyon by Castro Valley where the temps drop pretty low.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

1929

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I have about 15 plants available now and if you are interested in them please contact me via email at [e-mail]. Thanks

[@edialbert8035]

I had to see this episode again, what a great looking tree 🤩🌳🌿

[@IgorKosoy]

Garry, thank you for sharing. How do I get one of your Dukes? I am in SF.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I have a few up at my Winters ranch I could bring down to Richmond.

[@pavlovssheep5548]

for maximum cold hardiness , make some non grafted cuttings so the duke avocado will be on own roots

[@HuntrPat]

Hi Gary great video

[@johnsonrobbins]

I have a Lila growing right now in Dallas, getting ready to put it in the ground. It got too cold last year for my little cado (Wurtz) it sadly died. Now The DUKE just sounds Texan. How do I get my hands on one?

[@jimjiminy5836]

There are mature avocado trees that fruit in London, England. They must be the most northerly avocado.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

Yes, possibly.

[@andresdelvallemoratalla9362]

Hey Gary I live in Spain do you know how could I get hold of one of this ? Thanks for video

[@alexzamoraclips]

Andrés Del Valle Moratalla yo me voy a llevar unos a Mexico

[@user-og1gu7im3w]

in these places in winter how many degrees of cold ?

[@sunenielsen2686]

I would love to grow Duke and Mexicola in Denmark..

[@AbrahamBuckoke]

I want to buy it!

[@ScaryHairyGary]

Don't feel bad. Many who have come before you felt the same way.

[@richardlynch1094]

Put me on the list Gary! I'm in Lakeport California.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I have about 15 plants available now and if you are interested in them please contact me via email at [e-mail]. Thanks

[@LaboryFrutos]

If they have a citrus grove, it's not that cold...

[@hilberto2217]

I’m in Texas how can I get one of these from you? Will you ship to me?

[@kimhicks4781]

The Duke looks pretty tall. Do you have an idea to what size it could be kept to for smaller growing area's. Are you going to also propagate it's B variety cousin

[@hydezdice4752]

I would like to buy some avocado trees please.

[@notinterested9097]

I need an avocado tree that will grow in zone 8b in California's high desert . I have tried the Duke , the Mexicola, the Arivaipa and none of them have made it through our cold windy freezing winters .

[@watcon333]

I would like to buy a Duke, how?

[@user-og1gu7im3w]

should try to grow its seeds in canada

[@Sam-mc2dk]

Where’s the duke and big mup?

[@steezyogvive]

I’d like to purchase these I live in Paso Robles on 80 acres and have a 10 acre Loma with perfect soil!

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I think we have 5-10 available right now. I could give you a good deal on delivery when I go on a surf trip to Jalama in a week. Just email if you want me to see what we have in stock. I can probably fit 5 trees in my camper van. [e-mail]

[@brucecampbell6133]

Sounds like a great candidate for Livermore CA.?

[@lukecicero4430]

Yooo I need a duke avacado asap. I live in the sierra nevadas where it drops 5 degrees sometimes. And super hot and dry summers. Please get back to me!

[@ScaryHairyGary]

5° is asking a lot. I think they might be able to handle 15° if they're really big with some damage but at 5° they would probably be vaporized.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

But we do have two or three left for sale

[@lukecicero4430]

@@ScaryHairyGary can a Avacado survive 10-12 days in shipping

[@anthonywonderly1763]

How to buy?

[@aftermx]

I'm interested in planting some , I have about four acres of available space on Miners ranch road. In Oroville. Sandy clay soil .

[@ScaryHairyGary]

We won't have this one for a few years but you may want to plant Gem. This is the latest greatest avocado specifically bred for the Central Valley Zone 9 for commercial production where you are. We will have them available in June in 5 gal cans. However, they must be ordered now with 50% deposit paid as we have limited quantity and expect to be fully sold out by June when they are ready for shipment. Watch my video on my first Gem taste test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXfbeqRpf6-irKc

[@HuntrPat]

@@ScaryHairyGary Good job! I'm in Pioneer cold Hardy perfect for a Duke.

[@NMW80]

Gary Gragg's True Plant Stories Gary are you able to sell to Australia mate? Or is that not allowed?

[@StrugaliTurkler]

Can we buy some seeds?

[@richpena2176]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼.... I need one

[@NMW80]

How many types of duke avocado trees are there? Wish you were aloud to sell scions and seeds to Australia. Gary can you please tell me a place in USA that is aloud to ship/sell avo seeds and scions to Australians? I am having trouble trying to find Mexicola, Mexicola grande , Stewart etc. I want some good cold hardy Mexican types. We only have bacon and zutano etc from what I can see. We don’t have any pure Mexican varieties like Mexicola from what I know, it seems they are not sold over here. It sucks how we don’t have all varieties like you guys do. I have been told there is a nursery in CA that is aloud to sell over seas (has all the paper work) and sells all kinds of avocado varieties but I can’t find it. Can someone please help me find out? I will buy Mexicola seeds even I don’t mind getting the seeds but of course would rather get scions and seeds.

[@rickbellantone8215]

How can I get a duke avocado tree ?

[@NMW80]

What is the fruit like? Don’t they use these seeds for rootstock?

[@bjarkel.993]

How about planting those seeds laying around? You only get further by doing so!!

[@Mrbfgray]

Problem is you never know what you'll get from a seed.

[@fuwa7860]

Hey Gary are there any avocados trees that can survive in zone 7 (Virginia). I heard the mexicola grande is the most frost resistant avocado tree out there.

[@ScaryHairyGary]

sub 20 deg gets really tough for cados.

[@fuwa7860]

@@ScaryHairyGary what if you plant it on the south side of the wall of your house and mulch the ground. In your opinion what is the most cold resistant avocado? Do you sell it?

[@NMW80]

Do you ship overseas?

[@amberlaroque]

Do you think that this tree would be good in the southern Washington/northern Oregon area?

[@ScaryHairyGary]

That is probably asking alot but if you had a protected location on a south side of a building maybe

[@user-og1gu7im3w]

how many degrees do you have in winter?

[@s.c.5627]

Do you have trees for sale?! 😊

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I think I just have a few left at my ranch in Winters. If you call me on Friday at 925-325-2690 I can let you know.

[@nyuuparadise1183]

I want one plz give me the info so I can in the list order one

[@marcel84marcel]

I really want a "Cold Hardy" avocado tree but I'm in Detroit. Last winter it got down to -17 degrees. Can a Duke avocado survive that temperature? LOL

[@Mrbfgray]

Maybe in a decade or two? It seems tropical trees are moving North in California as it warms up. (I'm wanting a mango but no one apparently has any quite this far North outside)

[@RareAvoTrees]

17 degrees will likely kill a young duke with no protection, key thing to remember is a tree 10 years old can much better handle 17 degrees

[@JustOutHereTrustingGod]

I live in Richmond/San Pablo near Pinole and Hercules. Which avocado tree, that you offer for sale, would be best for my area?

[@ScaryHairyGary]

I would go with Reed. We had space for one inground tree at the nursery in Richmond and I chose Reed

[@vegardno]

Really great storytelling :-) Found the update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2XGpn-FmJd1hNk Also, is there a way to obtain a Duke seeds easily in Europe? I would love to buy a whole crate full and see what comes up.