Avocados are a popular and versatile super fruit which can be used in many meals. Given the right conditions they are not a difficult tree to grow, but they do take patience. This guide will show you how to grow and maintain your own tree.
Avocados are a popular and versatile super fruit which can be used in many meals. Given the right conditions they are not a difficult tree to grow, but they do take patience. It will take about four years for a new avocado tree to fruit, but once it does you’ll have a good supply of fresh avocados. This guide will show you how to grow and maintain your own tree.
If you buy an avocado tree in store, they will always be a grafted variety. These will start producing fruit from year four onwards. And after seven years it should be producing 200 or more avocados annually.
While they grow easily from seed, they can take up to ten years to fruit, or sometimes never do. So therefore it is always recommended to use a grafted avocado tree.
Hass: This is New Zealand’s favourite avocado. It has a familiar oval shape, with thick, pebbly crocodile-skinned tasty fruit, that darkens when ripe. It is a heavy cropper, and the fruit matures from August to May. It has an ‘A’ type flowering pattern, and is cross pollinated by Fuerte or Bacon.
Reed: Large and round with thick, pebbly skin that stays green when ripe. Heavy cropper, with very nutty flesh. The fruit matures from February to June. It has an ‘A’ type flowering pattern, and is cross pollinated by Hashimoto, Fuerte and Bacon.
Fuerte: Pear shape with thin, smooth green skin that is not shiny and remains green as the fruit ripens. It tolerates some cold. The fruit matures from July to October, and has a ‘B’ type flowering pattern, cross pollinated by Hass and Reed.
Bacon: A smooth skinned green avocado, with fruit maturing July to September. It has a ‘B’ type flowering pattern, and is cross pollinated by Hass and Reed.
Hashimoto: A very vigorous green skin avocado with some cold tolerance. The fruit matures during June and July, with a ‘B’ type flowering pattern, and is cross pollinated by Hass and Reed.
Avocado trees have an interesting arrangement with their flowering and have been classified into ‘A’ type and ‘B’ type tree varieties. The trees have both male and female flowers on the tree.
All varieties are self-fertile but the weather conditions will impact the amount of fruit set.
By planting several different varieties you will not only increase the flower pollination with better fruit set, but you will also have fruit throughout many months of the year as they ripen at different times.
Having both ‘A’ and ‘B’ type avocado trees can increase the overlap time of male and female flowers increasing the opportunity for pollen transfer and pollination.
Plant in spring, as the soil temperature rises and the likelihood of rain lessens. This helps prevent against root rot when establishing the tree.
Location is the biggest influencer on success or failure when growing avocado trees. They grow best in a warm situation with fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and need protection from both strong winds and frost while the plants are young.
Once they are established the trees can withstand frost to -2o or -3o and are relatively salt hardy.
They can grow up to 12 mtres high, so choose the right spot carefully and check the variety you’re planting.
Avocados don’t like the soil too wet, so avoid areas prone to flooding. If it’s too wet, you’re likely to get root rot. So choose a well-drained area.
If you find any clay, add some gypsum to your soil to help break it down.
It is also recommended to create a shelter using 4 battens and some shade netting to protect the young trees from our harsh New Zealand sun.
Individual shelters are usually constructed from 50mm x 50mm ground-treated battens forming a 1.25 m square with shade cloth on the four sides.
This will allow adequate protection for one to two full growing seasons. The height of the battens should be 1.5 - 2.3m long, which allows for 30-50cm burial of the batten and 1.2 - 1.8m height for the shelter.
The enclosure should reach the ground to prevent damage from rabbits, possums, or beetles. The shade cloth is usually stapled to the battens leaving one side that can be unhooked for access.
Add mulch around the base of the tree to help conserve water, improve root growth, provide nutrients, reduce stress on the tree, and supress weeds.
There are no set rules when it comes to pruning avocado trees. Your pruning should aim to maximise the amount of light the tree gets and also manage tree size and shape. Avoid any major structural pruning in summer to prevent sunburn.
Remove deadwood at any time.
Heavy or wet soil can cause root rot, but other than that avocados are relatively pest and disease free – but if you have any questions, come see us in-store.
The main harvest season for avocados is September through to April.
Avocados normally fruit every second year, and the amount of fruit they produce can vary from season to season.
Unlike most fruit, avocados only ripen once picked – but if you pick them before they’re ready, they’ll stay rock hard. Once they’re at the right size, the best way to check is to pick one and see if it ripens up. If they do, you’re good to go.
If your fruit drops before it is ripe in early or late summer, your fruit probably has weak or defective seeds. The tree should produce more later in the season. If you have problems with your fruit setting, try planting a complimentary type to help with pollination. So plant a type ‘B’, if your existing tree is a type ‘A’.
