Lamb/Hass" is the result of an open-pollinated seedling of "Gwen". "Gwen" is a progeny of "Thille", and "Thille" is an offspring of "Hass". "Lamb/Hass" is therefore third generation "Hass".
PERFORMANCE
Currently the "Hass" avocado dominates more than 90% of the avocado industry and receives premium returns compared with other commercial varieties. "Lamb/Hass" is black colored when ripe and very similar in appearance to "Hass", or "Hass-like".
Production of "Lamb/Hass" is both more precocious and higher yielding compared to "Hass". Test plots throughout different California growing regions consistently have shown higher cumulative yields. Fruit set is typically evenly distributed inside a protective canopy.
"Hass" production originates from two general Southern California regions: "North" and "South". Each region typically has somewhat different maturity dates, helping to provide somewhat regular production supplies to market. Most individual growers are limited by their regional climatic conditions to harvest "Hass" fruit 4-5 months a year. "Lamb/Hass" should allow harvest dates to extend 6-10 weeks in both major growing regions.
TREE
The tree is upright, moderately dense, with slightly "weeping" branches. Leaf color is dark-green, medium-sized, with moderate to excellent resistance to Persea mite. Cold and heat sensitivity is comparable with "Hass". Production alternation is less than "Hass"- although higher yields will likely require close monitoring of plant nutrition levels to prevent tree stress. Flower type: "A". Pollination requirements comparable with "Hass".
FRUIT
Maturity
No Avocado Inspection Committee dry matter levels have yet been established. Post harvest research "suggests" levels comparable with "Hass". Fruit tends to show black color at maturity (20%+). Fruit matures significantly later than "Hass" and should probably not be harvested before May in California, except in the exceptional case where newly topworked trees produce "off-bloom" crops- these fruit typically color as early as March and will not extend the "Hass" season. These top-worked trees will "settle-down" with time. Typically crops will easily hold well beyond "Hass" season (6-10 weeks). Fruit drop is rare before the "late" season. Tree retention of fruit is good- fruit are likely to split-open on the tree before dropping.
Size
and Fruit size is larger than "Hass"; likely to decrease as trees age. The shape is an asymmetrical pear, Shape with one side slightly "necked", the other side without any indentation. The top of the fruit is slightly "blocky", and is probably the most identifiable feature distinguishing it from "Hass".
Skin
Black in color, slightly darker than "Hass". The skin bumps ("pebbles"), are slightly less distinctive, (smoother). The skin is less pliable. The separation from the flesh is consistently good, although late season skin may be brittle, breaking in chips when peeled.
Flesh
Smooth texture, "buttery", with good flavor. Flesh color and seed ratio is comparable with "Hass". Flesh fibers are slightly more distinctive, problematic only with immature fruit.
SUMMARY
"Lamb-Hass" is a precocious, high-yielding, late-season avocado with good quality. The tree is upright and compact, a good candidate for increased planting density with significant Persea mite resistance. "Lamb/Hass" has substantial potential in California and is critically important diversifying the genetic avocado pool for the commercial industry.
