Avocado Trees a Quick Introduction
Persea americana
By: Jason "Pepe"
Before finding it's way to Florida the evergreen avocado tree and it's fruit, had a long journey around the world.
The tree originates from Central America. The Aztec indians enjoyed avocado along with a wide range of other fruits and vegetables. The fruit has been cultivated for over 7,000 years.
The avocado was introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese Conquistadors to the Antilles and the Caribbean circa the 1500's. Indonesia was next to meet and greet the avocado around the year 1750 and Florida began to see avocados in the mid 1800's.
The avocado is classified into three races. They are the Mexican, Guatemalan and the West Indian. Today many hybrid varieties exist between these races. The finest avocado trees are often hybrids with a rich history and also displaying superior charecteristics. Each avocado cultivar (Hybrid) has it's own name to reflect the uniqueness of the fruit. We are confident that today's avocado fruit would make an Aztec smile as he or she enjoyed dipping the tortillas into the bowl. How about you? Do you like avocadoes? Read more about the different types below.
Did you know this about the avocado?
In Brazil they make avocado ice cream. Not sure about this one but hey what the heck, I would give it a try!
Tip: Avocado fruit will not ripen on the tree. Fruit does not fall to the ground when ripe. After being picked, a mature fruit will soften within three to seven days. So pick them as needed and enjoy.
Powerful Nutrition: The avocado is high in monounsaturated fat (good fat)
Benefits: Provides you with a rich source of energy and also antioxidants, folate and potassium.
Note: Your Avocado tree will need to be planted in a well drained location and it needs plenty of sunshine! Trees planted in areas that flood will kill the tree in 24 to 48 hours!
The tree originates from Central America. The Aztec indians enjoyed avocado along with a wide range of other fruits and vegetables. The fruit has been cultivated for over 7,000 years.
The avocado was introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese Conquistadors to the Antilles and the Caribbean circa the 1500's. Indonesia was next to meet and greet the avocado around the year 1750 and Florida began to see avocados in the mid 1800's.
The avocado is classified into three races. They are the Mexican, Guatemalan and the West Indian. Today many hybrid varieties exist between these races. The finest avocado trees are often hybrids with a rich history and also displaying superior charecteristics. Each avocado cultivar (Hybrid) has it's own name to reflect the uniqueness of the fruit. We are confident that today's avocado fruit would make an Aztec smile as he or she enjoyed dipping the tortillas into the bowl. How about you? Do you like avocadoes? Read more about the different types below.
Did you know this about the avocado?
In Brazil they make avocado ice cream. Not sure about this one but hey what the heck, I would give it a try!
Tip: Avocado fruit will not ripen on the tree. Fruit does not fall to the ground when ripe. After being picked, a mature fruit will soften within three to seven days. So pick them as needed and enjoy.
Powerful Nutrition: The avocado is high in monounsaturated fat (good fat)
Benefits: Provides you with a rich source of energy and also antioxidants, folate and potassium.
Note: Your Avocado tree will need to be planted in a well drained location and it needs plenty of sunshine! Trees planted in areas that flood will kill the tree in 24 to 48 hours!
Florida Haas & Haas
Haas is the number one commercial variety in California. This tasty Avocado is best known for it's rich nutty flavor and high oil content. Hass Avocados often sell for more than $3.00 each.
The Florida Hass is a separate variety from the California Hass.
Florida Hass is green skin unlike the dark skin Hass of California.
Season:
October – November Flower Type: A
The Florida Hass is a separate variety from the California Hass.
Florida Hass is green skin unlike the dark skin Hass of California.
Season:
October – November Flower Type: A
California Hass also grows in Florida.
Fertilizer Recommendations for Avocado Trees in the landscape.
Avocado trees in the landscape are fertilized
with either an 8-3-9-3 or you could use
10-10-10-3 or similar.
Young trees: 1/4 lb every 2 months
Mature trees: 4-6 lbs is applied
4-5 times per year.
Maximum of 25 lbs per year.
Do not fertilize in winter!
Avocado varieties you should consider growingORO NEGRO
This variety name means black gold in Spanish, and is an excellent name for this fruit. This hybrid developed from a seedling sprout discovered in an avocado grove in Miami, Florida in 1989. Now after 20 years of evaluation it is highly sought after for dooryard and commercial use. It is believed to be a cross of a Monroe seedling and a Hass or other black skin type. The flesh is rich and buttery with a creamy texture, absolutely mouthwatering! This variety is very popular and not always easy to find. Get one, when you see one, before it's gone. Season: November-January Flower type: B RUSSELL Easily recognized by its unique gourd like shape. This cultivar originates from Islamorada in the Florida Keys. A very popular fruit tree among Latino communities in South Florida. This Avocado is an excellent choice for the Avocado Lover. Very popular with chefs, who enjoy the interesting shapes on a plate from the slices. Season: July-August Flower type: A SIMMONDS One of South Florida's most popular early season avocado. Good production and superb eating. Dates back to 1913. Season: June - August Flower type: A BERNECKER
A wonderful large pear shaped cultivar that is popular with commercial growers and home gardeners. The fruit has very little fiber, and an excellent flesh to seed ratio. Season: August- October Flower type: A BROGDON An excellent cold hardy avocado with purple skin. The fruit average 14 ounces each. It is a great choice for guacamole and has a similar rich flavor of the Mexican types. Season: September – November Flower type: B CATALINA You don't have to be Cuban to fall in love with Catalina. Have a taste and your hooked! Fruit weighs about 1.5 lbs average. 20' - 25' tree with good production. This Avocado was introduced to Florida by Cuban Immigrants. It is a very nice mid-season pear shaped fruit that is especially rich and creamy. It is wildly popular here in South Florida. Once you taste it, you will know why. Season: August-September Flower type: A Try a Cuban Avocado salad: Catalina avocado sliced wedges with olive oil, vinegar, salt and black pepper. Done and so simply delicious! CHOQUETTE This Avocado is a late season goliath that is grown both commercially and excellent choice for your backyard grove. High quality fruit and high production. 2 lb average weight per fruit. Tree grows to 25'. Season : November - January Flower Type: A DAY is an excellent Avocado tree that is cold hardy to 23 degrees. A heavy producer of 16 ounce fruit. This green skinned beauty is delicious and creamy. Season: July - September Flower Type: A DONI Florida’s first quality avocado to hit the commercial market. It is large, tasty, and it is harvested before hurricanes become a threat. Season: May-June Flower type: A lULA Now this is one sweet tasting avocado. One of the finest cold tolerant varieties. Excellent for central florida. The tree is a very productive, consistent bearer that offers a long harvesting season. Season: October-December Flower Type: A MONROE is a superb cold hardy variety that is a commercial favorite in Florida and throughout Tropical America. The fruit is large, abundant, and of excellent eating quality. Season: November-January Flower type: B MIGUEL A productive large avocado, of excellent eating quality. Simmonds, has the same blooming period and opposite flower types. For maximum fruit production, consider planting one of each so cross pollination increases yields. See chart on right. Season: August- September Flower type: B Pepe's Says.....
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