This document discusses research into forcing evolutionary traits in tropical plants to adapt them to growing in Alabama. The researcher is experimenting with grafting avocado roots and berries onto sassafras trees using various grafting techniques, including root grafts and tongue grafts. The goal is to allow tropical plants to survive Alabama's hardiness zones 7-8 and reduce reliance on produce transportation from other regions with water issues. Initial experiments grafting avocado roots to sassafras are in progress, with future plans to test other tropical fruits if successful. The researcher hopes this can provide a local source of tropical plants and fruits.

1. We find plants and trees growing and thriving in places we
never thought would be possible and want to have that
tropical plant or fruit or other plant to survive in our own
back yard. We go to a lot of trouble planting every year and
having to replant the same nice plants because below
temperature comfort terminates the plants.
We also notice most of our fruits and vegetables come from
California. They have and had water shortage issues. Our
desire for the produce from there is very demanding. It is
going to either be depleted or at a much higher price.
My research is in making or forcing evolutionary traits in
tropical fruit grown in Mexico or California to adapt in
Alabama, mainly in hardiness zones 7 & 8; 0-10 F° and 10-
20F°. This would take the demand off other areas of
drought.
This would cut much cost in transportation and give
Alabama a new market where others may fail.
My study is a berry an avocado and a known surviving
deciduous tree a sassafras in Alabama. This is being tried in
zone 3d of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Both are in the
Lauraceous family. The more similar up the ladder from
kingdom to the family the better chances of a graft being
positive.
Many test in different temperatures will determine outcome
and success.
Avocados
Methods Conclusions
Geographical Adaptation in Alabama
Billy Wayne Fondren©
Fondren, William W.
"Geographical
Adaptation in
Alabama." (n.d.): n.
pag. Web.
CHART or PICTURE
.
I have sprouted the Mexican avocados many times in several
ways. Water bottle cut and stapled, jar suspending seed by
toothpicks, etc., but never able by direct bury.
Now the Woodstock or host plant aka sassafras is grafted on
this years growth, actually split with a razor doing least
damage as possible. At angles and joined. I use dental floss
and a sail needle to wrap. This is called tongued graft. The
balance of thread will be woven around the two stems. The
final wrap will contain peat and sphagnum moss. The
implant aka scion the avocado root will be threaded through
the host root later being liberated from the wood stock once
the scion is thriving off the wood stock root aka sassafras.
This is called a reversed root graft. Physically inserted in the
root by a large sail needle and dental floss, larger root would
be best drilled ¼”. Water on a constant basis would be a
water bottle attached to the tree or even on the ground and a
natural tube of extraction from the water supply. Do not let
dry out. Plus you have split and wind factors later. Support
for the young against wind damage is important in their early
years. Conditioning them for outdoor environment is good in
early growth to make them adapt.
This is been my research for 4 years now and it is still open to
argument.
Sprouting Avocados
.
The actual experiment is in progress and there was the theory
of reversing back and forth the sassafras an avocado..
Results from this experiment will direct me to explore other
possibilities for growth of tropical plants and fruits and berries
that are normally grown in places with climate issues that
prevent them from a cheaper harvest.
Reversed root graft’Avocado is in the root of the sassafras
If my research is positive then I will bring in more species of
editable fruit trees and berry trees to Alabama’s black belt region
where we have grown accustomed to certain plants and grasses
and trees growing normally under the climate we are in. Surely it
has a positive side to be able to feel comfortable with planting an
avocado tree that will furnish your family with food for years to
come in Alabama or the southern region of the south. This goes
the same for any tropical plant that we depend on from other
countries or other states far away, thus shipping cost and pest and
handling etc. Always a worry where your food has been and what
is on it or in it.
Your tree, your fruit, your berry, you grew it and you live from it.
How a nice the comfort and satisfaction knowing you do not have
to rely on a system that has issues.
Inlay graft and the reversed root graft
Introduction Results
Sassafras
Tongued Graft