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Post by Xiousia on Jun 3, 2011 14:40:33 GMT 12
Growing avocado Avocados are healthy and delicious but can be on the expensive side to buy. But did you know that you can grow an avocado from the stone in the middle of an avocado purchased from the shop? All you need to do is put it suspended over a jar of water with just one end in the water and once it has sprouted, transfer it to a pot until it grows too big for the pot. Avocados are quite large trees so make sure you have the space to grow it.
Alternatively, if you want to grow avocados without sprouting from the stone, get a grafted tree from a garden centre. Hass is the most common variety of avocado and is the one you will find in supermarkets these days but ‘Reed’ is a smaller tree, better for home gardens.
Your avocados should ripen throughout the year apart from a short time in early winter. They are very healthy being rich in monosaturated oils as well as vitamins A and B, and are low in sugar and cholesterol.
The trees likes all-day sun, and some protection from wind and frost and they don't like soil that is too wet. It takes a while to start reaping rewards from your harvest with the first fruit occurring around three or four years after planting. But it is worth the wait as a 7-year-old grafted tree can bear more than 200 fruit annually. At around $2 an avo, that is a big saving each year!
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Post by Xiousia on Jun 3, 2011 14:42:55 GMT 12
"Avocados can stand only very light frosts. In general, their susceptibility is similar to that of standard lemons. Good fruit production is dependent on favourable climatic conditions, especially during blossoming. Flower initials may become tender, even before buds have swollen much. These, as well as the open flowers, may be killed by a light frost, so that nearly complete crop failure may result. On a dry, still, clear night, flowers and opening buds may be killed on the upper part of the tree when exposed to the clear cold sky. And this even when air temperature is hardly down to freezing. Spring conditions in New Zealand are generally wet and cold: adverse for good setting of avocado crops. Shelter: Under New Zealand conditions avocados require good protection from winds, as do citrus trees. Cool prevailing winds in spring may keep the daytime temperatures too low for good setting. Shelter belts help keep the air in the orchard still enough to permit flowers, fruits, and twigs to hold some of the heat they absorb in the sunlight, and so have a temperature that may be more favourable for setting. Also, branches of avocado trees are fairly brittle, and easily broken by strong winds." I recommend reading the whole thing: www.avocadosource.com/CAS_Yearbooks/CAS_55_1971/CAS_1971-72_PG_152-155.pdf
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Post by Indilwen on Jun 3, 2011 14:49:37 GMT 12
With right conditions, it is possible to grow your own avocados at home. Avocado trees are extremely attractive, and evergreen. A mature tree can produce up to 140kg of fruit in one season if the tree requirements are being met. CHOOSING A PLANT Avocados are generally sold in tall planter bags, as these improve drainage and allow unrestricted root growth. You must buy a grafted tree as seed grown avocados are unreliable and probably won't fruit. Make sure the tree is healthy and the graft is healed. The tree should be secure with sturdy roots. POSITION Avocados require all day sun, protection from the wind and frost when young. Avocados develop into large trees, so it is important that they are planted with plenty of space in mind. SOIL The soil need to be extremely well drained for avocados to grow well. If the soil is too wet, they will not survive, the leaves turn yellow, then brown, and then fall off. Boggy soils may also increase the risk of phytopthera root disease. PLANTING Purchase your avocado between September and March as this is the best time to plant. Planting in early spring is optimal. Break up soil to 30-60cm deep (deeper if soil is heavy), then mix in Kings Organic Compost, Gypsum and Kings 24 Plus fertiliser. Continue to add compost until you have created a mound about 20cm above the existing soil level. Remove from the planter bag, and plant your avocado at the top of the mound. FEEDING AND WATERING Both feeding and watering are extremely important, particularly in the first few years. Deep water your tree thoroughly and liquid feed regularly for the first two summers. After the third year apply about 750g-1kg of Kings Citrus food in summer. Don't feed in spring as this can interfere with fruit and flower production. Avoados are rich in monosaturated oils and vitamin A+B, but low in sugar and cholesterol. They are great in salads, eaten raw or used in cooking. PRUNING Should only be to shape the tree. Avocados fruit on last year's wood, so any pruning reduces the crop. Massive amounts of flowers are produced, however not all will set fruit. First fruit should occur 3-4 years after planting, some trees drop a portion of their crop before maturity, if they can not hold all of the fruit. PLANT PESTS Avocados are susceptible to the common insect pests in the garden: scale, mealy bug, bronze beetle, leaf roller caterpillar. Spraying with Yates Confidor or Target will control these pests. FAVOURITE VARIETIES Hass: Easily the most common variety, medium sized "pebbled" fruits are nutty flavoured. Matures Nov-Mar. Leave to darken and soften before eating. Reed: a smaller growing tree well suited to the home gardener. Large round smooth fruits are buttery and very tasty "highly recommended" ripens Feb-Apr. Eat when green and soft. source: www.kings.co.nz/Growing+Guides/Avocado.html
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Post by Indilwen on Jun 15, 2011 16:03:20 GMT 12
AVOCADO NOTES NZ
Like many valuable horticultural crops (avocados are priced around NZ$3 /kg fob), avocados are extremely fussy when it comes to the soil conditions under which they will flourish. For instance, they are very prone to 'wet-feet' fungal disease problems, they are very susceptible to calcium deficiency and they require a low soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (so lime should not be applied to correct a soil calcium deficiency).
Avocados are litter feeders, with most of their 'feeder' roots in the top 10 cm of soil and in the natural organic mulch under the tree. The slow mineralisation of the organic component of this mulch serves as an important source of slow-release nutrient. The use of gypsum as a source of calcium also helps to give stability to the organic components of the soil. Meanwhile, the sulphur content of gypsum helps to prevent the loss of valuable nitrogen from this organic layer by trapping the ammonia (released by bacteria) and converting this to ammonium sulphate - a fertiliser.
Acid loving Avocado trees are acid loving plants. Although they will tolerate a slightly greater pH range they grow best in soils with pH values falling in the very narrow band between 5.8 and 6.3. Gypsum applications are a good way in which to obtain the high calcium levels required by this crop without raising soil pH.
Root problems Avocado trees are very susceptible to root rot caused by Phytophthora sp. This disease is exacerbated by poor drainage and by anaerobic soil conditions. The physical improvements that gypsum can make to soil structure (where the underlying soil is heavy) and, particularly to drainage and aeration, will assist in reducing the severity and incidence of Phytophthora infections. In addition, a low soil pH has a suppressive effect on P. cinnamomi.
Calcium nutrition Calcium plays an important role in avocado nutrition. It is involved structurally in the plant and is an important component of both cell walls and cell membranes. Fruit calcium status has long been recognised as involved in determining fruit quality, particularly affecting long-term storage. Good keeping properties are essential if avocado fruit are to survive shipping to distant markets.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency in avocado include: • Young leaves have distorted or irregular margins • Older leaves are sensitive to sunburn and fading • Leaves develop spotted or necrotic areas • Leaves show necrosis at the tips • Defoliation in cases of extreme calcium deficiency
Healthy high yielding trees typically have leaf calcium levels of 1.6% or more, levels over 2% are desirable. Typically, gypsum applications for avocados vary from 200 to 1,000 kg/ha twice a year. Actual rates will depend on soil type and thus on the goal of application. Lime is generally unsuitable for avocados except where the soil is extremely acid.
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Post by Indilwen on Jun 15, 2011 16:05:21 GMT 12
IMAGE OF AVOCADO Attachments:
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Post by Xiousia on Jun 23, 2011 13:01:40 GMT 12
Avocados are native to Central America. Avocado culture is very ancient and was a staple diet for many cultures. Once discovered this strange fruit was carried to different parts of the world. There are three types of avocados - Mexican, Guatemalan and West Indian. All varying in fruit, leaf type and hardiness to the cold.
Late 19th century early 20th century Europeans started to select seedlings from Mexico and the rest is history as the avocado spread world wide so we all can enjoy the creamy healthy avocado.
Landscape Value Beautiful evergreen tree. Ideal as a specimen tree in a good sized garden.
Nutritional Value Rich in oil (mono-unsaturated), protein and Vitamins A and B. Low in sugar and cholesterol. Large amount of minerals, calcium, iron and potassium. A great all-round food.
How to Eat On its own or in a salad, meat dishes or make your favourite guacamole. There are endless uses for this fruit. The fruit should be clipped from the tree with part of the stem attached. Do not refrigerate until the fruit has softened.
Expected Yield A 7 year old grafted tree can bear in excess of 200 fruit annually.
Generic Fruiting Time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Growing Sun Provide a warm, sheltered sunny position.
Wind Protect from wind when young. Salt tolerant.
Climate Winter and spring rainfall is probably sufficient but give supplementary water in the summer. DO NOT LET YOUNG TREES DRY OUT OR SIT IN WATER.
Soil Any free draining soil is suitable. If planting in clay soils incorporate a clay breaker prior to planting.
Fertiliser Fertilise every 3-4 months during the growing season. Young trees, 100gms of high Nitrogen fertiliser per application. Older trees gradually increase the rate. Organic fertiliser in early spring like chicken manure will help soil texture and improve the plant tolerance to Phytopthera (root disease).
Pruning Prune to maintain the desired shape and size.
Pests Phytopthera
Hardiness Frost tender, especially while young, so protect with frost cloth. Hardy to -2 to -3°C once established.
Special Conditions Add blood and bone in and around the hole prior to planting. When planting DO NOT DISTURB THE ROOT SYSTEM
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Post by Xiousia on Jun 23, 2011 13:03:17 GMT 12
Avocado Reed
Large round green fruit with a smooth dark, thick glossy skin. Smooth and delicate flavour. The skin ripens green.
Habit - Avocado tree forms a thick canopy giving dense shade with it's large, dark green, leathery leaves.
Size - 5m x 4m
Pollination - Light yellow/green flowers appear in abundance on the end of the branches in spring. This flower has both female and male parts. The female part opens for only one morning and then closes only to open the following afternoon as male. Hence cross pollination of two varieties helps in the warmer climates. In the cooler climates opening and closing of the flower tends to overlap therefore making them more self-fertile. Bees and flies are the pollinators. Cross pollination will improve fruit set.
Harvest - February to April. Fruiting will begin 3 to 5 years from planting. The fruit take 9-12 months to mature depending on the variety and the amount of heat during the year. At maturity pick fruit and ripen at room temperature.
Avocado Fuerte
Medium sized pear shaped fruit with a green leathery skin, easy to peel. Creamy flesh of mild and rich flavour. The skin ripens green.
Habit - Avocado tree forms a thick canopy giving dense shade with it's large, dark green, leathery leaves.
Size - 6m x 4m
Pollination - Light yellow/green flowers appear in abundance on the end of the branches in spring. This flower has both female and male parts. The female part opens for only one morning and then closes only to open the following afternoon as male. Hence cross pollination of two varieties helps in the warmer climates. In the cooler climates opening and closing of the flower tends to overlap therefore making them more self-fertile. Bees and flies are the pollinators. Cross pollination with Hass will improve fruit set. Fuerte is an ideal pollinator in cooler climates.
Harvest - August to October. Fruiting will begin 3 to 5 years from planting. The fruit take 9-12 months to mature depending on the variety and the amount of heat during the year. At maturity pick fruit and ripen at room temperature.
Avocado Hass
Medium sized ovate fruit with a black pebbled skin. Nutty rich flavour. The skin ripens black.
Habit - Avocado tree forms a thick canopy giving dense shade with it's large, dark green, leathery leaves.
Size - 6m x 4m
Pollination - Light yellow/green flowers appear in abundance on the end of the branches in spring. This flower has both female and male parts. The female part opens for only one morning and then closes only to open the following afternoon as male. Hence cross pollination of two varieties helps in the warmer climates. In the cooler climates opening and closing of the flower tends to overlap therefore making them more self-fertile. Bees and flies are the pollinators. Cross pollination will improve fruit set.
Harvest - November to March. Fruiting will begin 3 to 5 years from planting. The fruit take 9-12 months to mature depending on the variety and the amount of heat during the year. At maturity pick fruit and ripen at room temperature.
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