avocado
Persea americana
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Grafting Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
10 - 12
Flowers:
Greenish-yellow Flowers
Sun:
full sun
Fruits:
green,purple,black Fruits Ready In Fall
Edible:
Yes
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Tropical:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Avocados should be watered deeply and infrequently. During the summer they should be watered every 1 to 2 weeks, and during the winter they should be watered about every 3 to 4 weeks. You should allow the soil to dry out between waterings. The amount of water that you should use will depend on the size of the plant, soil type, ambient temperature, and other factors. In general a good rule of thumb is to water the plant until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. An extra soaking when it is dry out may be beneficial, but it is best to check the soil before watering to ensure the plants needs are being met.
sunlight
Avocados need between 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day and should be planted in a spot that receives full sun in the morning and some shade in the afternoon.
pruning
Avocados should be lightly pruned throughout the growing season to maintain a desirable shape and to remove dead and damaged growth. The most significant pruning for avocados should take place in late winter to early spring. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches, then prune back any shoots or selective branches that are either too tall, too dense, or unproductive. When pruning, always maintain a slightly rounded crown on the tree to encourage good airflow. Cutting the main trunk or branches too severely can limit future growth and development of the avocado tree.
FAQ
Do avocado trees need a pollinator?
Yes, avocado trees need a pollinator. The two most common types of pollinators for avocado trees are bees and birds. Insects, such as bees and butterflies, transfer pollen from the tree's male flower to the female flower, which helps initiate fruit production. Birds are also necessary because they aid in dispersal of the seeds, ensuring new trees are planted. Additionally, wind can help with the pollination of some avocado trees. All of these methods of pollination are necessary for the development and ripening of the fruit.
Are avocado trees evergreen or deciduous?
Avocado trees are evergreen trees, meaning that they retain their leaves all year round. They do lose some leaves throughout the year, but this is in order to replace old, worn out leaves with new, vibrant leaves. Therefore, avocado trees are always full and luxurious.
Should avocado trees be grown from seeds or grafted?
It ultimately depends on the goals of the planter. Grafting is typically beneficial when an avocado tree's desired fruits must maintain the same quality or similar shape and size of the desired fruits. However, growing an avocado tree from a seed will require almost twice as long before the tree begins to bear fruit. Still, grafting is more expensive and there is no guarantee that the grafted tree will produce fruit, whereas growing from a seed guarantees a new seedling and fruit. Therefore, the decision of whether to choose grafting or to grow from seed will depend on the desired result and budget.
Could avocado trees grow in cold climates?
No, avocado trees cannot grow in cold climates. Avocado trees flourish in the tropics, subtropics and some parts of Mediterranean climate zones, usually where temperatures range between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to thrive, avocado trees need long, warm growing seasons and cannot survive or bear fruit in cold climates. If exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, their flowers and fruit will be damaged.
Do avocado trees have a long lifespan?
Avocado trees have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, although some may live up to 30 or 50 years in optimal conditions. It is important to create an ideal environment where they can thrive and the growth period can be extended. Good water, fertilizer, and sun exposure are key. Pruning and other maintenance needs should be done regularly as well in order to maximize the lifespan of an avocado tree.
Are avocado trees self-fertile?
No, avocado trees are not self-fertile. In order for an avocado tree to produce fruit and generate an effective yield from flowering, cross-pollination from another tree with compatible variety is required. Depending on the variety of avocado tree, the best pollinators may be those that are located up to about 500 metres (1,640 feet) away. Avocado tree pollinators should have similar blooming periods as well. Thus, it is important to choose the right pollinator for the variety of avocado tree you are planting.
Do avocado trees produce fruit all year round?
No, avocado trees do not produce fruit all year round. Most varieties of avocados bear fruit between the months of May and November. With peak production happening between late summer and early fall. The time of year an avocado tree will produce fruit depends on the variety and differ from region to region. In some areas, like Florida and Texas, avocados can bear fruit multiple times during the year.
Do avocado trees have flowers?
Yes, avocado trees do have flowers! The flowers are small and green in color, and can only be seen with a magnifying glass. Avocado flowers come in two forms - perfect and imperfect. Perfect flowers have both male and female organs, and are able to self-pollinate. Imperfect flowers, also known as staminate flowers, contain only male organs and are pollinated by other trees. The flowers bloom from late winter to mid-spring, and the pollinated flowers turn into avocados over the course of the year.
