Avocado tree ID

10 years ago

Hello avocado fanatics!

I purchased a dwarf avocado tree this spring from Home Depot in Roseville, and planted it in a raised bed about 5 months ago. I am wondering if anyone can identify the cultivar. The plant tag only identifies it as a dwarf hybrid. When I went to the HD Garden Club website and typed in the tag's plant code "THDA5155" it repeated the same information on the plant tag, that it is a hybrid dwarf, grows to 6-12 feet tall, and is hardy to 20 degrees F. When I asked an employee at the HD's Garden Center at the time of purchase, he only shrugged.

It set one pear-shaped fruit, pictured, with some sun scald, I think. I originally thought it might be a Little Cado, but I thought Hass types have more oval fruit. I don't know what a Holiday looks like. Can anyone identify this little avocado tree?

Thank you, avocado fans.

Featured Answer

swakyaby
Original Author

10 years ago

@serge94501,

I agree, Pinkerton is the only tree I know that has the shape fruit I am seeing on my tiny tree. Do you think this might be a mis-labeled Pinkerton? My planting site is completely unsuitable for anything but a dwarf tree.

Comments (15)

fireduck
10 years ago
I can tell you what it is not..Littlecado (Wertz), Holiday (xx3), Gwen. It could be this: http://reviews.homedepot.com/1999/100494481/persea-americana-don-gillogly-avocado-reviews/reviews.htm
swakyaby
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, fireduck. Is it because of the shape of the immature fruit shown?
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steve_in_los_osos
10 years ago
If you're feeling adventurous, you can make some comparisons to the UCR Avocado variety database (fruit size and shape, as well as leaf proportions,all pictures).

Here is a link that might be useful: UCR Avocado Variety Database
swakyaby
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Steve. I'll definitely look there.
tim45z10
10 years ago
I purchased two of them at HD as well. What I learned is it is supposed to be a hass grafted on the roots of a mexican avo. I stripped my tree of any fruit this year.
tim45z10
10 years ago
I purchased two of them at HD as well. What I learned is it is supposed to be a hass grafted on the roots of a mexican avo. I stripped my tree of any fruit this year.
tim45z10
10 years ago
I purchased two of them at HD as well. What I learned is it is supposed to be a hass grafted on the roots of a mexican avo. I stripped my tree of any fruit this year.
swakyaby
Original Author
10 years ago
Interesting information, Tim. Before you removed your fruit, were they pear-shaped like mine? Doesn't Hass produce a different shape avocado?
serge94501
10 years ago
My Pinkerton had mature fruits that shape.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
It could also be 'Holiday'. Your tree is very young, and the shape of the fruit may change up some, as it matures. 'Holiday' is frequently sold by the big box stores as a "dwarf" avocado tree. The easiest way to find out for sure is to call your Home Depot and ask to speak to the Garden Manager. Ask him/her where they buy their avocados from, as you're trying to ID the cultivar of something tagged as "dwarf avocado". I have had success in chasing down the grower of some of my trees to find out things like rootstock in this way.

Patty S.
swakyaby
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi Patty,

Thank you for your suggestion. I called Home Depot today, and after much computer sleuthing, they identified the vendor as Four Winds Growers, a grower well known in California mainly for their citrus trees. I have left a message for their customer service at Four Winds Growers, and am waiting for a return call.
swakyaby
Original Author
10 years ago
After leaving a phone message, I also emailed customer service at Four Winds growers, and they responded today. They said that in March they shipped Little Cado to my store, and in May they shipped Holiday. Based on my purchase in April, they said it is probably a Little Cado.

So, thank you everyone for responding!

P.S. It is interesting that my first fruit is shaped like a Pinkerton, isn't it?
johnmerr
10 years ago
Swak... thanks to you for following up and letting us know what you found.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Ah, very good. Littlecado/Wertz. And "ok" variety, I think Holiday is better tasting, in my opinion, but Littlecado will do well in our area. It has a weeping growth habit, much like Holiday. Its fruit is green, and will eventually be a little more rotund.

Patty S.