?Growing Avocado Pear

In order for Avocado Pear (Persea Americana) to thrive, the tree needs conditions similar to citrus – a well distributed rainfall and a moist but well-drained soil. When mature, will reach a height of 3o feet, but will not have the same spread as the mango. There are two main fruit types, the round and the long, and both are represented by massy varieties which vary in fruit size and season of fruiting.

There are many excellent varieties now grown commercially but these can, of course, only be obtained as budded stocks. Tuerte’, ‘Lula’ and `Pollock’ will give good results.

Sometimes the avocado is grown from seed, as patch budding is difficult and the patches have a tendency to dry out after union has formed. The seed should be planted as soon as it is taken from the fruit, or it will dry and no longer be viable, and is best planted in a permanent position right away – the seedlings do not transplant very easily.

If more than one tree is to be planted, they should be distanced 4.o feet apart.

Prepare holes for the seed the same size as those for citrus, and plant the seed not more than 2 inches deep in the centre. An annual application of mixed fertilizer sprinkled around two to three feet from the tree will be beneficial, the amount to be applied increasing from s lb. for the first three years to 3 lb. when the tree is seven years old.

Most trees produce a flush of bloom in the fifth or sixth year, but the flowers will abort: they usually only set well from the seventh year onwards. If the growing point is lost through damage by insects or some other cause, the tree will not grow into a good shape and is termed stag-headed’; such trees do not yield well.

Another species P. drymisfolia bears fruit with a thinner skin and smaller in size, The leaves, too, are smaller, and aromatic.