Exotic fruits are especially popular today. Pomelo and lime, bananas and avocados have long ceased to be something special for Russians. The hobby for growing these plants at home has also become popular. And the avocado, whose homeland is Mexico, is no exception. Even if he does not give fruit, he is able to decorate the dwelling. In the article we will talk about the fruits of the avocado tree, about the homeland of the plant, about how to grow it at home and in the open field.
Persea americana
This is the name of the avocado tree, whose homeland is the tropics and subtropics of South America. Other names that were previously called avocado fruits are alligator pear, agakat.
The avocado tree (photo below) belongs to the Perseus genus and the Lauraceae family. This genus includes 150 species, but only American Perseus has edible fruits. At the same time, there are about 600 varieties of avocados, whose homeland is the tropics andsubtropics of America, East and South Asia, Africa, Oceania.
Different avocados
There are three main races of this fruit tree:
- Mexican avocado (where the birthplace of the plant is clear from the name). This is the most cold-resistant race, plants can tolerate temperatures down to -6 ° C. The most common varieties are: Mexicoola, Norton, Caliente, Puebla. Only the leaves of this race, when rubbed, radiate an anise aroma.
- South of Mexico (in Guatemala) grows another race of avocados, for which the temperature of -4 °C is fatal. Varieties: Rita, Nitmeg and Dickinson. The fruits are large (up to 1 kilogram), with a thick woody peel.
- The third race - the West Indian - does not tolerate even the weakest frosts. Tropical climate and very high humidity, as in the homeland of origin of this race of avocados, are the main growing conditions. Varieties: Trapp, Purple, Green. The skin of the fruit is smooth and dense, and its weight is 200-800 grams.
Botanical description
Regardless of where the tree grows, the avocado is an evergreen plant that can reach a height of 20 meters and a trunk diameter of 0.6 meters. The tree is erect with a branching stem.
The leaves are broad lanceolate, leathery and shiny. The upper side of the leaf has a bright green color, and the lower side is whitish. It is worth noting that the leaves contain essential oils and toxins that are dangerous for humans and pets.
Avocado flowers are inconspicuous and small, collected in panicle inflorescences. Avocado blooms in nature for 3-4a year of life, and a tree lives up to 20 years.
Alligator Pear
Avocado fruit is a drupe berry. At the same time, avocados, whose homeland is Mexico, have the smallest fruits.
Pear-shaped or oval avocados weigh from 0.05 to 1.8 kilograms. The color of the fruits is different - yellow-green, dark green, reddish, purple. Under the skin of the fruit is an edible pulp of yellow color and oily consistency. It is rich in vitamins (A, E, D) and trace elements (potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphoric iron). In addition, 30% of the pulp contains polyunsaturated fatty acids of omega 3 and 6 groups. The energy value of 100 grams of pulp is 218 kcal.
In the middle of the fruit is a stone with a hard brown shell. The stone itself also contains toxic substances and can cause poisoning.
There have been cases when parrots died, which were left with an avocado stone to grind their beaks.
Terms of fruit ripening from 6 to 17 months. At the same time, the final ripening occurs after picking the berries for 2 weeks at room temperature.
Why won't an avocado on a windowsill bear fruit?
The answer lies in the complex process of flower pollination. Although the flowers are bisexual, avocados cannot self-pollinate. The fact is that the avocado flower opens twice during the flowering process. First, the pistil ripens in the flowers - and the flower opens so that the pollen of another plant can fall on it. Then the flower closes. The second time the flower will open a little later - on average, in a day,when stamens ripen in it to pollinate other flowers.
That is why avocados are planted en masse in the cultivation of avocados. And even in the avocado grove, only 2-4% of the flowers set fruit.
Green beauty
From the above, it is clear that an avocado plant in a pot on a windowsill is a beautiful evergreen plant that, if pruned properly, will make a striking decoration.
It should be borne in mind that the plant is absolutely unpretentious in relation to the soil, but the root system does not tolerate excessive moisture. Therefore, good drainage is a must for growing avocados.
The plant is resistant to pathogens of most diseases, but this, as well as how to care for the avocado tree, will be discussed later.
The plant is propagated by fruits and cuttings. Avocado cuttings take root poorly - only 10% of plants give roots. Therefore, bones are used for reproduction.
Avocado from the stone
To germinate a plant from a seed, ripe fruits are needed. There are two ways to germinate a bone:
- You can grow an avocado tree simply by sticking a stone with the wide side into the soil to a shallow depth (up to 2 centimeters). The plant can germinate from 1 to 3 months.
- A more complex, but also more beautiful way to germinate a seed is open. To do this, the bone is germinated in water in a suspended state. To do this, you can use 4 toothpicks and a transparent glass (to observe the beauty of what is happening). Toothpicks serve as a support,so that only the lower part of the bone is constantly in the water. With this method of germination, the first root will appear on the 20-30th day. When the root reaches a length of 4 centimeters, the plant can be planted in the ground.
You can use modern tools for seed germination, for example, hydrogel. It is better to use settled water, and its temperature should be + 23 … + 25 ° С.
You can add charcoal (charcoal or activated) to the water. But even without additional additives, the seed will definitely germinate if the fruit was ripe.
Conditions for successful plant development
When planting in the soil, the avocado seed should be two-thirds on the surface. For starters, a small flower pot will do. But do not forget about drainage, and the soil should be loose enough.
This is a light-loving and heat-loving plant. Therefore, the sunny side is suitable for him, but provided there is no direct sunlight. The plant does not like drafts, and the temperature should not drop below +12 ° C. In this case, the avocado may shed its leaves and fall into a state of dormancy.
Moderate watering and humidity
Watering the plant is necessary taking into account the air temperature. It is worth remembering that excess moisture is detrimental to avocado roots.
This is a plant of the subtropics, where the humidity is quite high. At home, spraying will fill this gap. But water should not fall on the leaves of the plant. A good way out is a pallet with wet claydite.
The plant practically does not need to be fedfertilizers. If its growth has slowed down, then you can use citrus bait.
The plant is transplanted, on average, once every three years.
Crown formation
Avocado can be trimmed at home. Alternatively, you can plant a few sprouts in a pot and twist them while they are young.
The first pinching is carried out when at least 8 leaves have appeared on the plant. Cutting off the top, the plant will begin to form side shoots. After their growth, you can also remove the apical bud from them.
It is desirable to do these procedures in early spring, during the period of maximum vegetation.
Problem issues
Avocado is a plant resistant to diseases and pests. But scale insects and spider mites can kill a plant, especially a young one.
If the tips of the leaf plate begin to dry on the avocado, pay attention to watering. The reason for this phenomenon may be a lack of moisture in the air.
Leaves can fall at low temperatures and with constant drafts.
Leaf plate may become pale. In this case, the reason is insufficient lighting.
Leaf-decorative decoration
In six months, an avocado at home can grow up to 50 centimeters. It does not need props for the stem, but if you do not engage in the formation of the crown, then you will get a long trunk with a few leaves at the top.
Leaves on a he althy plantrich green color and, when kneaded, they emit a pleasant anise aroma, which, by the way, helps in the fight against depressive states. But do not forget that they contain toxins and avocados should be hidden from pets. When eaten, cats and dogs can experience acute poisoning.
With proper care, at 3 years of age, avocados can begin to bloom. And if you grow two plants, then you can hope for fruit. Although the likelihood of homemade avocados ripening is very small.
Will an avocado grow outdoors?
Today, avocados are successfully grown in Spain, Mexico (the world leader in the production of this fruit), Peru, Guatemala, the southern states of the United States, the Arab East, South and East Asia, southern Africa, Australia, the Philippines and Malaysia.
In Russia there are no sufficient conditions for the growth of this plant in the open field. The exception is the Black Sea coast. Only here you can grow a plant on open ground and only the Mexican race. It is important to plant at least two plants for their cross-pollination. This is the only way to get the fruits of this tropical fruit.
And finally, a few facts about avocados
In the homeland of the avocado, it has long been considered a powerful aphrodisiac.
Thus, in the Inca culture, avocados were placed in tombs, believing that these fruits would give power to the dead in the afterlife.
The Aztecs called this fruit ahua catl (egg tree), and they also considered the tree an aphrodisiac. During the periodavocado blossom girls were not allowed out of the huts.
The first conquistadors and conquerors of South America excluded avocados from their diet. They believed that the fruits had a stimulating effect, which could violate military discipline.
Whether it's true or not, today this fruit is popular with true gourmets and exotic lovers.
