Did You Know
The avocado (Persea americana) is an evergreen tree native to the Central America region and Mexico is the largest producer. The tree can get as large as 60 feet tall and the fruit it produces is a large single seeded berry. The fruit has been in cultivation for 5000 years. The Nahuatl word for avocado is āhuacatl, which translates to a wrinkly part of the male anatomy – use your imagination. Avocado is also known as alligator pear in some regions because of the texture of the skin.
Types of Avocado
There are three species of avocados: Mexican, Guatemalan and West Indian with over 500 named varieties of these species or hybrid crosses. The Mexican species are the most cold hardy and the ones most often grown in Texas. Avocados are also defined by how they pollinate. Some have receptive female flowers in the morning and pollen the following afternoon. Others have receptive female flowers in the afternoon and pollen a day later in the morning. Commercial growers usually plant some of both species for the best fruit set. Some cold hardy varieties include Del Rio, Bacon, and Wilma.
When to Plant
As a subtropical species, avocados can only take moderate cold before they experience fruit loss and tree damage thus most are grown where freezing temperatures are unlikely. Since 2023 Brazos county been classified as zone 9a (used to be 8b), still, even cold hardy varieties will require freeze protection at times and may be best grown in a greenhouse or a large container that can be moved indoors. The trees also prefer protection from high winds – particularly when flowering. Like citrus, it is best to purchase avocado trees after winter so they can acclimate to their new environment before winter freezes roll around again. Remember that avocados want to be trees so choose how to grow them accordingly.
Harvest and Storage
Avocados can ripen off the tree (they are climacteric) and commercially are usually picked firm and green for shipping. In a home garden the fruit can be left on the tree for several weeks after reaching full size but should be picked before the fruit falls off and is damaged. Once picked, avocados will continue to ripen for a week or two at room temperature. Ripening can be sped up by storing the avocados with apples or bananas which emit ethylene gas. To slow ripening, avocados can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Avocado puree with added lemon or lime juice can be frozen for several months.
By: Michael Vidrine
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