INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER CRFG
MAY 2012 NEWS BULLETIN
In Memory of Joe Casey
Joe was a genuine, caring, and friendly gentleman. I had the pleasure of conversing with him on several occasions--far
too few unfortunately. Nevertheless, my assessment comes from the hearty handshake, the sincerity of his words, the
honesty of the look in his eyes, and the genuine smile each time I saw him.
My wife was receiving physical therapy where she met Joe and shared many interesting conversations with him at the PT
office. They both later realized that he knew me and they marveled at "what a small world" it really is. Her impression of
Joe is not any different than mine. I am sure he left the same impression with everyone else he met too. I am even more
certain that he was loved greatly by his family and will be missed by them and everyone else who was blessed to have
known him.--Daniel Arredondo.
In 1996 my wife, Donna and I moved to a 2 acre property in Riverside while still working (at Autonetics) The property
had a small orchard in the back of the property. I needed help to care for the fruit trees, there and in other areas of the
property. A secretary at work suggested joining the CRFG. She knew of a chapter in my area. When I joined in 1997 I
first met the happy face of Joe. Although our mutual focus was on paying dues (he was the chapter treasurer) he took the
time to review a little bit about what the CRFG was all about. Because of Joe, I continued to attend the meetings and
absorb what I could, given my background in Physics, not agronomy. Not wanting to take without giving something back
a little, in late 2004 I heard of an opening for a corporate Marketplace Manager when Shirley Popko took ill. I just recently
retired from that position. I give a lot of credit to Joe for his early support to me and his enthusiasm for the CRFG.
Jack Burgard
It has already been said, but worth repeating........Joe was a good man, funny, thoughtful, & appreciated.
Lee Johnson
Joe will be remembered and we'll miss him so much at the meetings. At one time the Inland Empire group was
huge and you could have your dinner at every meeting. Then things became lean for us and we got down to only
10 people attending the monthly meetings--Joe always being one of those 10. He helped carry the group being
Master of Ceremonies, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and most of the group's attending Board. It was so sad but
Joe stuck it out and helped bring the chapter back to life. Roger and Shirley Meyer
Joe Casey, is a faithful steward and friend of the Inland
Empire Chapter of California Rare Fruit Grower. Through
his help and faithfulness in executing his duty our chapter
has grown and remained solvent through the years.
He is very appreciative for our visits and
prayers, during the times he was sick in the Redlands
Community Hospital and became stronger in health as a
result. Unfortunately he is now departed from us.
However, he has earned his rightful rest.
Good bye Joe and may God keep you safe until the
resurrection day.
Charles P. Lee
The Ubiquitous Joe Casey
I met Joe Casey when I joined the Riverside Rare Fruit
Growers in approximately 2002. He was the Treasurer and
Newsletter Editor, always wearing and selling CRFG Tshirts, and a source for purchase of aluminum plant labels. He always had aluminum plant labels inside of his briefcase. I
remember his signature hat and gloves. He and I attended the talk on Air Layering given by Tom Del Hotal during the
2003 Festival of Fruit sponsored by the Riverside Rare Fruit Growers. In the years that followed, I joined additional garden
clubs and to my then surprise, Joe was already a member! He later told me he belonged to seven garden clubs. I would
see him at the Moreno Valley Garden Club, the Gates Cactus and Succulent Society, at the Redlands Flower Show; at
times, at the Granite Hill Gardeners, and, of course, at the Riverside Rare Fruit Growers. I could count on seeing him
taking photographs at the cactus and succulent plant shows held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. In fact,
Joe seemed to always have a camera strap around his neck and be holding a camera to focus on taking pictures of plants
at gardening events. In addition to being an avid photographer, he was also a consummate plant enthusiast.
Joe was also a perennial supporter of the Redlands Bowl. I and others would join him on the lawn before the Redlands
Bowl performance began. We'd bring lawn chairs, sit together in a circle, and then share food. Joe would also bring wine
to share. It was so refreshing to sit by the large trees and feel the gentle, cooling breezes. Then we'd put our lawn chairs
in our respective vehicles and sit together as a group in the outdoor amphitheater to enjoy the Redlands Bowl
performance.
Joe was so kind and low-key that I did not realize he held the rank of colonel. I learned that he was a colonel when I saw
his obituary.
Several years ago, Joe and I became e-mail pals. We would exchange jokes (his were very, very funny!); political satires;
religious; military, with an emphasis on airplanes; miscellaneous YouTube videos; scenic landscapes; wildlife; and, of
course, plants. I miss his late night e-mails, and I will miss seeing him at plant clubs and events. Joe was a true friend and
a great e-mail pal. Helen Hibbing
My memories of Joe Casey started when the Arizona chapter of the Rare Fruit Growers had their first Festival of Fruit. I
had just retired in 2000 and could attend meetings of CRFG. There were several members, Joe Casey among them, of
the Inland Empire chapter at that Festival of Fruit. They welcomed me and invited me to the chapter meetings in
Riverside. Joe was always a prime mover in the chapter and my favorite memory of Joe was at Sims where he gave me
his personal tour of the Joe Casey cactus-succulent garden. Tom Pope
In my case, the legend preceded the friendship. Ten years ago as an employee of Susan and Gary Sims (Sims
Tree Specialists), I would pass an area on the property set aside for cactus and succulents. The sign marking
the area reads “Joe Casey’s Cactus Garden” It was several years later that I met Joe at an Inland Chapter
CRFG meeting.
Joe was a tremendous asset to our club…as newsletter editor, treasurer and volunteer at plant sales. He also
stepped up to opening the meetings when we had no acting chairperson. His participation was constant and
extensive. Chapter functions won’t be the same without him…he’ll be missed! Sandy Millar
April Meeting
For those of you who were unable to attend, Helen Hibbing was kind enough to take notes and provide us
with an accurate account of the presentation plus detailed diagrams!
Techniques for Efficient Watering
Frenchy shared his techniques for efficient watering of three growing areas on his one acre property: two areas, each
measuring 300 feet by 7-1/2 feet; and a third area, measuring 35 feet by 16 feet. He patterned his irrigation system on the
same principle as a miniature leach line. In a leach line a level perforated pipe is used to distribute water throughout a
rock absorption system where it eventually soaks into the soil particles.
Frenchy stressed to use common sense in planning one's irrigation system. He conserves water by not having a lawn, by
using mulch on growing areas, by doing all watering at night, and by employing pressure regulator valves to decrease
initial high water pressure supplied by Western Municipal Water District (WMWD) of 80 to 90 pounds per square inch
down to 55 to 60 pounds per square inch. This also saves on water usage inside of the house because the water flows at
a slower rate. He stated that if one does not have high water pressure, then one does not need to use water pressure
regulators. He also saves on water because his soil consists of heavy clay so water does not quickly drain away. If one
has sandy soil instead, then one would have to use more water.
First Growing Area - Fruit and Nut Trees
Please see Illustration 1 detailing irrigation system for first growing area of 300 feet by 7-1/2 feet. Frenchy uses horizontal
trenches 8 inches deep by 4 inches wide in which a level 5/8 inch drip line with drippers 18 inches apart is used to
distribute water throughout a rock absorption system where it eventually soaks into the soil, i.e., a miniature leach line. He
placed a piece of 6 mil construction plastic on top of the 1/4 inch size rocks and drip line to keep the dirt from filling in the
area and clogging the drip line. He installed this irrigation system eight years ago and has not encountered any problems.
Frenchy computed his water usage for this first growing area as follows:
The drippers are 18 inches apart with an output of 1 gallon per hour.
In a 300 foot long drip line, with drippers every 18 inches apart, there are 200 drippers.
(300' x 12" = 3600"
3600" divided by 18" = 200 drippers)
200 drippers per line x 2 drip lines = 400 drippers
Irrigation Time: 15 minutes 2 x a week = 1/2 gallon per week per dripper
Per Month: 4 (weeks) x 1/2 gallon = 2 gallons per month per dripper
2 gallons x 400 drippers = 800 gallons per month
(1 unit of water per WMWD = 747.xx) 800 gallons per month x $1.90 a unit of water = approximately $2.10 per month
Since usage is 800 gallons instead of 747.xx gallons, the cost per unit is slightly more, so approximately $2.10 per month
for the whole unit. This cost is for irrigation of approximately 32 fruit trees.
Second Growing Area - Planter Bed
Please see Illustration 2 detailing irrigation system for second growing area of 35 feet by 16 feet. Frenchy grows
tomatoes, squash, peppers and other vegetables in this planter bed. He uses eight soaker hoses 35 feet long, spaced 22
inches apart. He dug trenches and buried the soaker hoses about 3 to 4 inches deep so there is no evaporation. Every
November he removes the soaker hoses in order to rototill the soil and adds gypsum and other amendments. He then
replaces the soaker hoses.
Frenchy computed his water usage for this second growing area as follows:
1 soaker hose = output of 1 gallon per foot
8 soaker hoses x 35 feet in length = 280 feet
1 gallon per foot x 280 feet = 280 gallons per hour
Irrigation Time: 15 minutes 2x a week = 1/2 gallon per week per foot
Per Month: 4 (weeks) x 1/2 gallon per week = 2 gallons per foot per month
280 feet x 2 gallons per foot per month = 560 gallons per month
(Per WMWD 747.xx gallons = 1 unit of water at $1.90 per unit)
Since Frenchy uses less than the 747.xx gallon rate (He uses 560 gallons), the cost per unit is less than $1.90,
approximately $1.50 per unit per month.
Third Growing Area - Citrus Trees
Please see Illustration 3 detailing irrigation system for third growing area of 300 feet by 7-1/2 feet. Frenchy again uses
horizontal trenches 8 inches deep by 4 inches wide in which a level 5/8 inch drip line with drippers 18 inches apart is
placed. Instead of placing 1/4 inch size rocks underneath and aside of the drip line as in Illustration 1 of the first growing
area, he uses a 1 inch in diameter white PVC pipe cut in half lengthwise to cover the 5/8 inch drip line. He cut the PVC
pipe into 14 inch lengths and centered each over the drippers with 4 inches of dirt between the spaces. The PVC pipe
allows more uniform water filling. He then placed a piece of 6 mil construction plastic over the PVC pipe to keep the dirt
from plugging the drip lines. By omitting the 1/4 inch size rocks, this irrigation system is easier to construct and less
expensive material-wise.
Frenchy computed his water usage for this third growing area as follows:
The calculation for water usage for this third growing area is the same as in the first growing area.
Frenchy is, obviously, well-versed in irrigation systems. He demonstrated a variety of efficient irrigation systems and
provided cost calculations.
(See attached diagrams #1, 2 & 3)
Irrigation Trivia
Joe Kamrani asked an irrigation trivia question: "Who in the 1960's developed hoses for irrigation?" He answered, "The
Israelis" and explained that a Professor of Irrigation at Haifa University was growing a new variety of stone fruit. Huge 41/2 to 5-1/2 inch pipelines were in the area, and one of the pipelines went by one of the trees, dripping water around it. In
three to four years, the tree grew huge and was very green and healthy compared to the other trees. There was no
difference in the soil or nutrition between the trees. The only difference was irrigation versus non-irrigation. The drips of
water from the pipe made the tree healthy because they fed the tree constantly. He stated that the Professor of Irrigation
patented the drip line and now everyone who purchases this drip line pays a royalty of 1-1/2 cents per foot. For additional
trivia on drip irrigation history in Israel,
see http://www.relaxirrigation.co.za/rg/drip.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drip_irrigation.
Now for your next treat…Helen Hibbing and Daniel Arredando have drafted articles and supplied
pictures of an ‘Avocado Tour’ at the South Coast Research and Extension Center!
***Please see the attachment for Daniel’s article.
Further Observations
by Helen Hibbing
Three Avocado Rootstocks Soon to be Released
The information presented during the tour of the avocado growing grounds at the SCREC was cutting edge. Three new
rootstocks developed at the SCREC: Uzi, Zentmyer, and Steddom are soon to be released, per Mary Lu Arpaia,
University of California, Riverside. The primary requirement of avocado rootstocks is tolerance to Phytophthora
cinnamomi (root rot). An ideal rootstock would also have high tolerance to salinity and frost, but so far none have high
tolerance to all of these factors. http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/files/16434.pdf Chart of Characteristics of Avocado
Rootstocks [tolerance to P. cinnamomi (root rot) and other deseases; salt and frost tolerance].
Why Develop Other Cultivars in Addition to Hass?
Mary Lu Arpaia briefly addressed the pressing need to develop other cultivars in addition to Hass. The single variety,
Hass dominates the California avocado industry. While Hass has excellent attributes such as good eating quality,
relatively high yields under favorable conditions, and fairly reliable postharvest attributes, it also has problems which
include small fruit size (especially as the tree ages); intolerance to extreme climatic conditions, alternate bearing and
sensitivity to certain insect pests (greenhouse thrips, persea mite and avocado thrips). Two new avocado cultivars "Lamb
Hass" and "Sir Prize" have been recently patented and released by the University of California. Both show promise as
new varieties for the California avocado industry.
Avocado Varieties
Julie Frink, SCREC volunteer (who has also been a speaker on avocados at our own CRFG group) gave excellent
commentary about many of the varieties growing at the SCREC. There are 172 varieties in the avocado collection at the
SCREC! Julie Frink's top choices for avocados based on taste are Sharwil, Hellen, TX 531 or Ardith, Hass, Reed, Holiday,
Edranol, and Jan Boyce. Hellen is named after Dr. Hellen in La Habra. The fruit ripens in July on a rather large tree. The
large, green pear-shaped fruit are beautiful with great color and peel like a banana. Jan Boyce or "JB" is a small fruit with
a tiny seed. It does not peel well and oxidizes, but it has great taste. Edranol is another of her favorites which she has
growing in her yard. It is an alternate bearing small tree. Another choice, which has not been released and, therefore, is
not available to the public, is PT 37, nicknamed "Party Time." This is a very large avocado that can fill a plate with one
fruit, and the seed is not that big. The fruit tastes great. Julie Frink wants this avocado when it becomes available. Many of
the varieties growing at the SCREC were available at the January Orange County CRFG Scion
Exchange. http://www.ucavo.ucr.edu/AvocadoVarieties/AvocadoVarieties.html#Anchor-49575 [List with photographs of
most of the varieties in the SCREC collection in Irvine and Variety Database containing over 1,000 varieties].
Other Curious Avocado Varieties
Julie Frink pointed out the Northrop avocado tree which is noteworthy because its leaves were dried and used to make
tea in the early 1900's. This tea recipe is contained in the California Avocado Association 1917 Annual Report
3:104 http://www.avocadosource.com/CAS_Yearbooks/CAS_03_1917/CAS_1917_PG_104.pdf. Julie Frink stressed to
only use leaves of Mexican race avocado varieties (Persea dryminfolia) and not Guatemalan race varieties (Persea
American). See Varieties, Mexican Race http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/avocado_ars.html
Leaves of the Guatemalan race are toxic. Thus, leaves from Hass (85% Guatemalan origin), Pinkerton, and Reed are
toxic because they are either wholly or substantially of the Guatemalan race. So do not use these leaves for tea or
cooking! She mentioned using avocado leaves to flavor foods is similar to using bay leaves, but with a different flavor.
Both are in the Lauraceae family. For information and recipes using Mexican race avocado leaves (hojas
aguacate): http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Exotic-Herbs-Spices-and-Salts-639/avocado-leaves.aspx
Another avocado of interest is named Enamel because the exterior of the fruit literally looks like green enamel. The fruit
does not taste good but is kept in the collection for its uniqueness. The oiliest avocado fruit is Green Gold. Collins Red,
which has red coloring in its skin is used for "show and tell" but not for taste. An avocado fruit that resists oxidation is
Nimlioh, which is of Guatemalan origin and has large black fruit. Julia, a seedling of Nabal, has a sweet, creamy taste and
is the sweetest avocado in the collection. Carmen, named after Carlos Mendez, is a new variety in the collection. Carmen
blooms throughout the year.
Cloning Rootstock
The main purpose for cloning avocado rootstock is to propagate rootstocks tolerant to Phytophthora cinnamomi (root rot).
Other reasons are for salinity tolerance, improved productivity, compatibility of the rootstock and scion and genetic
uniformity of the orchard. For an excellent article on how to clone avocado rootstock step-by-step, see
Clone Your Own Avocado at Home http://www.avocadosource.com/Journals/SFN/SFN_4_2_Pg4.pdf Another excellent
article is Micro Cloning Technique http://www.avocadosource.com/WAC4/WAC4_p217.pdf.
Contact Information
Joanne Watkins
Center Superintendent
South Coast Research & Extension Center
7601 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-1816
jawatkins@ucdavis.edu
http://ucanr.org/sites/screc/
Mary Lu Arpaia
Dept. of Botany and Plant Sciences
University of California, Riverside
arpaia@uckac.edu
(Please see attached photos)
***More info on avocados http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/5551
UPCOMING MEETING
May 10 (Thursday) 7-9 pm
Cherries by Steven Murray
Steven Murray, a sixth-generation California farmer, will be speaking about and sharing samples of some of the best
cherries in the world. Steven's family is originally from Riverside, moved to Bakersfield and now farm a wide variety of
cherries, berries, and other fruit for commercial and direct market. Steven, a Plant Science student at Cal Poly Pomona,
has received scholarships from the Orange County CRFG chapter over the last two years and in 2011 received the
national scholarships in Phoenix. A rare fruiter, Steven has one of the largest rare fruit collections on the West Coast and
is knowledgeable about most of the rare fruit grown in California. You will find Steven, a polyglot who speaks 8 languages,
both knowledgeable and interesting. Murray Family Farms grow the earliest cherries harvested in California (their cherries
will be the first fruit picked in the USA this year in April) to some of the latest cherries harvested and they are sold in 27
farmers markets. Come sample cherry varieties such as Brooks, Tulare, Coral Champagne, Royal Rainier, Royal Lee,
Minnie Royal and Sequoia. Steven will also talk about ways to make cherries produce in warm climates.
Don't forget to bring a treat to share at the "Tasting Table."
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center 7621 Granite Hill Dr. Riverside,Ca 92509
Contact Sandy Millar (951)369-9784 or rustlover@gmail.com
ELK’S FLOWER SHOW
First of all, I’d like to thank those of you that were able to pitch in and help at the show!! We sold
approximately $400 worth of plant material and had fun doing it! The public was wonderful! Seventeen people
signed up to receive a copy of the news bulletin so they could attend a future meeting and we gained a new
member, Earlene Ketchum! Welcome Earlene!!
JURUPA MOUNTAINS DISCOVERY CENTER GREEN FAIRE
Our next (and last this year) chapter plant sale will be May 18th and 19th Friday and Saturday 9am-4pm. Please
bring any plants you wish to donate to the May meeting. Please contact me if you can spare some time to
work the sale! I’ll have a sign-up sheet at the next meeting. (see attachment for info)
UPCOMING EVENTS
May meeting
May 10 (Thursday) 7pm-9pm
Cherries by Steven Murray (read more in the next issue of Fruit Gardener)
JMDC 7621 Granite Hills Dr. 92509
JMDC Green Faire
May 18th & 19th (Friday & Saturday)
Plant Sale
JMDC 7621 Granite Hills Dr. 92509
June meeting
June 16th (Saturday) 10 am – 1pm
Tour of Larry & Martha Dodson’s Property (read more in the next issue of Fruit Gardener)
Woodcrest
July meeting
July 12th (Thursday) 6pm-8pm
Annual BBQ & Plant Sale to members
JMDC 7621 Granite Hills Dr. 92509
FOR SALE
Raj Desai is selling ducklings and chicks / duck and chicken eggs!
(951)242-8700 or (951)538-8494