applestar wrote:Hmm... I thought I DID give advice that would help.

What else do you want to know?
AS,
You sort of did but it was stuff I can find (and did). I guess I'm looking for stuff that only growers would know that I should know:
Personally, I like ordering from nurseries that are closer geographically and climatically to my own garden. Shipping distance unless you're willing to pay for premium faster shipping, and adapted winter hardiness and weather conditions.
I've searched as many sites as I can and Raintree seems to offer the best trees, based on size, rootstock and other factors.
I look for disease resistant cultivars, based on locally prevalent diseases.
Alas, not many growers around here to ask info from. Plus, a big big plus, I don't have a clue what to ask. It's the ole "it's what you don't know to ask about that will hurt you" syndrome!
Finaly, study the root stock information, and call and ask if not listed. JONAS recently posted some info on that.
Root stocks can not only affect mature size but also varies in ability to handle soil conditions. Also some ROOTSTOCKS are more disease resistant or more susceptible.
This part, I have been researching and trying to learn.
Treat me like a kid that is trying to learn everything possible - from how deep and when to plant, staking, watering, how long to expect fruit to appear, other things I have not thought to ask. You will not insult my lack of intelligence!
Mike