"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
"Jeff Layman" wrote in message
"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message

You've raised some interesting questions. She's a top grower of all
sorts of things weird and wonderful and she does things that most people
say just can't be done and that no mere mortal should be able to do in
her climate. Growing coffee and many of the other things she does should
be absolutley impossible where she lives but apparently she does it.

I wouldn't even consider a A. bidwillii or a macadamia if I wanted to
plant a hardy tree, I'd use a radiata pine Or failign that, a realy big
rose.

However, since the question was about growing an avocado in Exeter which
must be one of the mildest climes in the UK that is what we should
concentrate on and since Charlie Pridham says that avacodo can grow in
London and I can't see why it wouldn't be worth a try.

But yougot me interested about A. bidwilliii so I did a quick google.
Apparently they have been grown in Cornwall at places called Glendurgan,
Penjarrick and Mount Edgecumbe. Never heard of any of these place, but
I imagine that they'd have to be quite big gardens. No-one with less
than 3 or 4 acres should consider growing an A. Bidwillii if they were
smart (and even then I'd wonder why). The are as ugly as sin, have bark
like an elephant's bottom once mature, grow way too big on anything less
than major acreage and the nuts on those things are lethal.

London has a microclimate all of its own. I doubt there are many true
frosts in central London which are prolonged into the day. There are
many plants which could be grown there which would probably not survive
in even south-west Cornwall, and with the added bonus of a large,
south-facing wall to act as a storage heater, I am sure quite a few
"tropical" fruits are in reach. It would be interesting to see a photo
of an Avocado tree fruiting in Exeter, although I doubt it could be done
outside of glass protection!

I remain unconvinced about A. bidwillii. The photo here
http://teegee8.smugmug.com/Nature/Gl...04556979_afj3B
looks very much like A. araucana to me. If you compare it with
http://anpsa.org.au/a-bid.html or
http://www.maltawildplants.com/ARAU/...idwillii_t.jpg
you will se what I mean. I have emailed Glendurgan to see if they have -
or had - A. bidwillii there.

Well, I stand corrected! I have had a very quick reply from Glendurgan:

"There was an original that grew at Glendurgan many years ago and was
lost in a cold winter once it had reached a reasonable size. The present
tree is young but been planted now for approx 10 years and is growing
well. Although it has not enjoyed the last two winters!"

I hope it survives long enough for me to get down there to see it!

If you are that keen on them, come to Oz where there are some truly huge
brutes about. I must admit I can't understand the interest. But then the
Wollomi Pine is another plant that fails to interest me. The story of it's
discovery is interesting but the plant..... Nah!