There are many, many different varieties of avocado. Among those varieties commonly grown in California and in Columbia there is some overlap--but there are also some varieties that are grown specific to the region(s). Even within the U.S. there may be some varieties that are grown in Florida, for example, that are not as well adapted to California's climate. Unfortunatetly, big agriculture businesses often grow what is prolific over tastiest. But you can find some wonderful varieties offered by farmers at farmer's markets and in specialty produce shops. Unfortunately, I tend to not remember their names because I do not consume a large number of avocados per year. In Central and South America, more commonly than in the United States I believe, specific varieties may be only grown in limited-sized regions. For example, one family's seedling tree may have especially fine fruit and the locals in the town may propagate and choose to grow that variety(but it may not even have a true variety name). There are also some fruits that are related to avocados that are grown (such as coyo, which is more often grown in Mexico and Central America). I am not familiar enough with the avocado family to know if there are others that may be grown in Columbia.

Thanks for the Great fall swap, Kathy (I'm using the door prize I got - weed digger - to do just that). It was good of you to help me find and get signed up on this website ....and then for niggling me to get on and make comments ~ even if I'm the last one to do so! I loved visiting with each of you vibrant people. It was great to see all of you from last year ~ my garden was enriched by your exchanges. And, it was delightful to meet and greet and swap with all of the new plant-swapper gardeners that hooked up with Kathy and company this year. As I walk out my door into the sunshine and look out at the plants each of you exchanged with me, my face glows with happiness (really)...my heart is glad! I will just say that I am very thankful for the generosity of each one of you. Linda D....All of your deer-proof plants are thriving. Some are already in the ground...others will go in the hot house. I love the mule ear kalancho. Maybe it'll have little ones to share next year. Looking forward to receiving the Dutchman Pipe Vine seed. Tanya....the Mexican Flame Vine looks so healthy ...and like it would love to start growing up a trellis right now...but No...It will have to go in the hot house for the winter months. Joey...Your Blue Passion Vine seed are drying until I think where I want to plant them, which I hope to do this week. Gina...Can't wait for early spring to sow the Lettuce Leaf Basil & Garlic Chive seed. I love Basil & Garlic & Chives! Pat...The colorful orange kids hat you gave away has been a fun thing for me...I've used it as a fall decoration on my table with gourds & such! BossJim...The Morning GLory tree is healthy and am looking forward to it's prolific blooms come spring....And the Persian Palm will be protected for the winter...planted early spring. Can't wait to see it's elephant ear leaves reaching for the sun. Also can't wait for the Crocosmia Bulbs to come up in the spring. Oh yes thanks for sharing your botanical knowledge - giving me the correct name for the Peacock Ginger I was calling a hosta. Donna....The Clerondendron ugandens plant and Hibiscus 'Snow Queen' rootings are doing well...I know in the spring I'm going to be amazed at their bounty. The Vitex is sitting there as if dormant...which it may be this time of year...but the blue blooms are worth the wait. Sheila...Thanks for the Chiricanos Rojos Panama (pole bean)pods from Panama that grow 10-12' tall. This will be fun to grow in the springtime. Shirley...The Creeping Fig is beginning to creep just a few weeks after I swapped for it. It's a great plant...and I'm glad you traded it to me. Someone traded me a small verigated agave which I think is a treasure! Was that you Pat? If I've forgotten anyone...or anything I apologize. ~ Joan (flourish7 on Gardenweb)

LOL! Y'all are too funny. Believe it or not this is the first time I've looked at that leaf since I came home from the swap. So, Jolan, you should have great success, too. (Just remember the moon!) Patty, one person said they would attend for an hour or so if we had it, but unfortunately there have been no other takers. =(

Hi Marlingardener and everybody! I thought about the advertisement part when I posted this, but both the Antique Rose Emporiums; the one in Brenham, and the one here in San Antonio, are such neat place to visit it's kind of nice to be reminded once in a while. In fact, my friend Lesli, who I met on the Rose Forum years ago, came in town today and we went! I just posted some photos on the Gallery. After ARE, we ate lunch in Bracken at a restaurant introduced to me by my friend Patty, Castro Gardener. Being only 25 minutes from Schumachers Country Gardens in New Braunfels, of course Lesli and I had to go there too. Schumachers still has their sale on. The summer sale was supposed to be on until it rained so they must have had about as much rain there as I did at my house. The four inch pots were still $1.00 and one gallon are $3.00. Other sizes are on sale too. Hard to beat those prices so we loaded up. Here is a link that might be useful: A few pics of ARE on the Texas Gallery