Interesting Facts
All parts of this plant except for the flesh of the fruit is toxic to ingest. 
Avocado
(Persea americana)
Persea are evergreen shrubs and trees with pear-shaped fruits with smooth edible flesh.
| Plant Types: | Fruit, Perennial, Tree |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 40 feet |
| Width: | 20 feet to 30 feet |
| Zones: | 9a to 10b |
| Bloom Seasons: | Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Edible, North American native |
| Type of Soil Preferred: | Acidic, Adaptable, Neutral, Sandy, Well-Drained |
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Plant Care
Planting:
The large seeds of avocados are not viable for much longer than 1 month after being removed from the fruit. Once the seed germinates it will take another 4 to 6 years before the tree will produce fruit. Additionally, avocados rarely produce seeds that result in offspring that closely resemble the parents. For these reasons, avocados are generally propagated by rooting stems.
If you wish to propagate an avocado from seed, be sure to use a fairly fresh seed. You can germinate the seed with it half submerged in water that is sitting in a cup. Push 3 toothpicks into the thickest part of the seed, so that the 3 toothpicks can act as supports on the rim of the cup. Fill up a cup with water. The cup's diameter at the opening shoud not be larger than the toothpicks protruding from the middle of the avocado. Rest the toothpicks on the rim of the glass so that the seed is partially submerged. The thicker side of the seed should be facing down. Place the cup in a bright window sill. In roughly 1 month, you should see the seed sprout.
When the sproutinng stem reaches 6" tall, transplant the seedling. If you live in an area that has a climate that is conducive to growing avocados, you can transplant the seed directly into the soil outside. If not you can plant it into a container. Remove the toothpicks. Make a depression in the soil where the seed will be placed with the roots facing down. Replace some of the soil around the seed so that it is not completely buried.
The large seeds of avocados are not viable for much longer than 1 month after being removed from the fruit. Once the seed germinates it will take another 4 to 6 years before the tree will produce fruit. Additionally, avocados rarely produce seeds that result in offspring that closely resemble the parents. For these reasons, avocados are generally propagated by rooting stems.
If you wish to propagate an avocado from seed, be sure to use a fairly fresh seed. You can germinate the seed with it half submerged in water that is sitting in a cup. Push 3 toothpicks into the thickest part of the seed, so that the 3 toothpicks can act as supports on the rim of the cup. Fill up a cup with water. The cup's diameter at the opening shoud not be larger than the toothpicks protruding from the middle of the avocado. Rest the toothpicks on the rim of the glass so that the seed is partially submerged. The thicker side of the seed should be facing down. Place the cup in a bright window sill. In roughly 1 month, you should see the seed sprout.
When the sproutinng stem reaches 6" tall, transplant the seedling. If you live in an area that has a climate that is conducive to growing avocados, you can transplant the seed directly into the soil outside. If not you can plant it into a container. Remove the toothpicks. Make a depression in the soil where the seed will be placed with the roots facing down. Replace some of the soil around the seed so that it is not completely buried.
Harvesting:
Harvest the fruit when it is plump and firm. Firm fruits can finish their ripening on the kitchen counter. If some avocado fruits have fallen from the tree, chances are the rest of the fruits are ripe and ready to be picked.
Use clippers to remove the fruit from the tree leaving some of the stem attached to the fruit. The remaining stem will fall off as the fruit continues to ripen.
Harvest the fruit when it is plump and firm. Firm fruits can finish their ripening on the kitchen counter. If some avocado fruits have fallen from the tree, chances are the rest of the fruits are ripe and ready to be picked.
Use clippers to remove the fruit from the tree leaving some of the stem attached to the fruit. The remaining stem will fall off as the fruit continues to ripen.
Plant Growth:
Avocados do not do well with freezing cold temperatures. If the temperature is predicted to drop below freezing, provide cold protection for the tree. This is why it may be beneficial to grow the tree in a large container so that it could be temporarily moved indoors if it isn't already.
Avocados do not do well with freezing cold temperatures. If the temperature is predicted to drop below freezing, provide cold protection for the tree. This is why it may be beneficial to grow the tree in a large container so that it could be temporarily moved indoors if it isn't already.
Blooming:
Blooms yellow-green flowers followed by black, edible fruit.
Blooms yellow-green flowers followed by black, edible fruit.
Soil and Irrigation:
Does well with a variety of soils, but does best where the soil is slightly acidic.
Does well with a variety of soils, but does best where the soil is slightly acidic.
Fertilization:
After the first year of growth, apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer four times per year.
After the first year of growth, apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer four times per year.
Pruning:
Avocados generally need little pruning.
Avocados generally need little pruning.
Pests:
Rodents and squirrels are fond of the fruits.
Prone to Avocado Brown Mite, root rot and leaf rolling caterpillars.
Rodents and squirrels are fond of the fruits.
Prone to Avocado Brown Mite, root rot and leaf rolling caterpillars.