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Field report: Avocado grove open house

By
Adam Campbell, digital publisher
May 16, 2022

On Saturday, May 14, the California Avocado Commission hosted an open house — or rather open grove — at Rancho Santo Thomas, owned and farmed by Mike Sanders and his son-in-law Chris Ambuul in Valley Center, CA. Attendees were educated on various aspects of avocado farming, including the grafting of avocado cultivars on various rootstocks, sustainable cultural practices, canopy management and avocado picking, as well as tips and tricks for avocado preparation. The various stations surrounded a large lawn overlooking one of the grove's picturesque irrigation retention ponds. The location, the weather, and the company couldn’t have been better.

Jan DeLyser and Marji Morrow of the California Avocado Commission did their industry proud with a first rate event promoting California avocados.
Jan DeLyser and Marji Morrow of the California Avocado Commission did their industry proud with a first rate event promoting California avocados.
Felix Aguirre of Maddock Nursery demonstrates how avocado varieties are attached to the rootstock using the whip graft method. Grafted nursery stock such as this will remain in the greenhouse for another 18 months prior to planting in the grove.
Felix Aguirre of Maddock Nursery demonstrates how avocado varieties are attached to the rootstock using the whip graft method. Grafted nursery stock such as this will remain in the greenhouse for another 18 months prior to planting in the grove.
As part of the avocado education component, attendees were schooled in commercially available varieties of California avocado. Flavor profiles were as diverse as their shapes and ranged from the lighter Reed variety to the classic buttery profile found in Hass avocados.
As part of the avocado education component, attendees were schooled in commercially available varieties of California avocado. Flavor profiles were as diverse as their shapes and ranged from the lighter Reed variety to the classic buttery profile found in Hass avocados.
Mike Sanders demonstrates how to harvest avocados using a pole harvester. The weight of the avocado is keenly felt by the operator as it drops into the pouch on the end of the pole. Pickers will commonly clip multiple avocados into a single pouch before clipping the stems by hand and emptying them into the bin.
Mike Sanders demonstrates how to harvest avocados using a pole harvester. The weight of the avocado is keenly felt by the operator as it drops into the pouch on the end of the pole. Pickers will commonly clip multiple avocados into a single pouch before clipping the stems by hand and emptying them into the bin.
Magnificent views of Valley Center were to be found from the hilltop at Rancho Santo Thomas.
Magnificent views of Valley Center were to be found from the hilltop at Rancho Santo Thomas.
A solitary Hass avocado hangs in the afternoon sun. Hass can be differentiated from Lamb Hass by the slight off centered stem and a stalkier look, while stems of Lamb Hass grow directly from the center of the fruit atop a somewhat longer neck.
A solitary Hass avocado hangs in the afternoon sun. Hass can be differentiated from Lamb Hass by the slight off centered stem and a stalkier look, while stems of Lamb Hass grow directly from the center of the fruit atop a somewhat longer neck.
Brandon Matzek of Kitchen Konfidence taught attendees how to make avocado roses. Many participants vowed to practice diligently at home to perfect their avocado art skills.
Brandon Matzek of Kitchen Konfidence taught attendees how to make avocado roses. Many participants vowed to practice diligently at home to perfect their avocado art skills.
Chris Ambuul and Mike Sanders graciously hosted the event at their farm, Rancho Santo Thomas. Sanders did not have a farming background when he and his wife moved to “the country” and he first started managing avocado groves. Now the family farms thousands of acres.
Chris Ambuul and Mike Sanders graciously hosted the event at their farm, Rancho Santo Thomas. Sanders did not have a farming background when he and his wife moved to “the country” and he first started managing avocado groves. Now the family farms thousands of acres.
A recently mulched row at Rancho Santo Thomas. The mulch helps keep valuable moisture in the soil and discourages weed growth. Over time this high pile of mulch breaks down, working its way into the ground and improving soil composition.
A recently mulched row at Rancho Santo Thomas. The mulch helps keep valuable moisture in the soil and discourages weed growth. Over time this high pile of mulch breaks down, working its way into the ground and improving soil composition.
Felix Aguirre, John Maddock and Steve Maddock of Maddock Nursery discussed avocado grafting in the shade near the irrigation pond, which can retain approximately 15 acre feet of water. Elaborate systems divert rainwater to add to the pond.
Felix Aguirre, John Maddock and Steve Maddock of Maddock Nursery discussed avocado grafting in the shade near the irrigation pond, which can retain approximately 15 acre feet of water. Elaborate systems divert rainwater to add to the pond.
Next season’s crop: a BB dangles from a stem on an avocado tree. It takes sharp eyes to spot one of these tiny, developing fruits. This one was noticed by Jan DeLyser of CAC. “I always love seeing next year’s crop,” she commented.
Next season’s crop: a BB dangles from a stem on an avocado tree. It takes sharp eyes to spot one of these tiny, developing fruits. This one was noticed by Jan DeLyser of CAC. “I always love seeing next year’s crop,” she commented.
A row of Hass avocado trees at Rancho Santo Thomas. As blocks begin to age and grow taller, the harvesting process becomes much less efficient, not to mention dangerous. Eventually trees are “stumped” and regrown.
A row of Hass avocado trees at Rancho Santo Thomas. As blocks begin to age and grow taller, the harvesting process becomes much less efficient, not to mention dangerous. Eventually trees are “stumped” and regrown.
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