Their skin is noted to be thin and easily damaged, but hard to peel ‘Joey’ has a small, egg-shaped fruit, with a dark purple skin and flavorful, nutty flesh. The Ettinger avocado is the most cold and wind resistant variety grown commercially in Israel today. This is a strategy that has evolved in avocados, pecans, and other plants to prevent self-fertilization and promote genetic diversity. The Mexican avocado cultivars offer hope for growers in cooler areas. (See, for example, Table 5 on page 30 of Book 1, Chapter 2 of “Avocado Production in California.”) It has a noticeably smooth skin, unlike other varieties. Avocados prefer infrequent deep watering, once established. Great for guacamole, or … It is considered to be self-fruitful. The flesh of the Ettinger avocado is pale green early in the season, Photo by Lindsay Gasik. ‘Mexicola Grande’ produces a black skinned avocado that ripens in late summer and fall. Persea americana x ‘Jim Bacon’ The Jim Bacon avocado is a selection of Bacon that produces flavorful, green-skinned fruit with smooth and creamy flesh. Subscribe to our newsletter for new blog posts, recipes & guides! shape. Limbs are easily broken by strong winds or heavy crop loads. If the skin breaks easily under little pressure, it is likely to be an Ettinger. Plus, our Cold Hardy Avocado is special because, other than the superior taste of its fruit, it can handle colder weather than most avocado trees - withstanding temperatures down to 20 degrees. Site selection is very important. Some examples to try would be our avocado salad or baked avocado fries. Avocado maturity can be determined in the early fall by picking a couple of fruit and sitting them on the kitchen counter. It is a relatively new avocado type with a medium-sized fruit having yellow, creamy flesh … Propagation Most avocado varieties do not come true from seed (i.e., The fruit is smaller with thin skins that turn a glossy green to black when fully ripe. In the effort to present a more diversified viewpoint, some duplication of material appears in the two reports. California Avocado Society 1965 Yearbook 49: 55-60 THE AVOCADO IN ISRAEL R. J. Ticho and B. Gefen Director, Dept. ‘Mexicola Grande’ produces a black skinned avocado that ripens in late summer and fall. The top of the plant’s soil will be below the top of the mound, and the graft will be above ground. If you love avocados, try giving these “hardy” avocados a try! That is a large area, which includes southern Texas and Louisiana, all of Florida, most of California, western parts of Arizona and even parts of Oregon. Trees will need protection in the first few years. The fruit has a nice nutty flavor. Rather, this avocado gets its name from the time of year it bears fruit. It is considered to be self-fruitful. Rarely, however, do you get a clue as to a variety’s sensitivity to heat. Variety: Flower Type: Taste (subjective) Fruit Size: Fruit Color: Fruit Shape: Skin: Oil % Fruit … cleanly. They absolutely must have well-drained soil, and NO seasonal wetness! It is distinctly pear-shaped and grows to around 10-20 ounces in weight. These varieties grow successfully outdoors to temperatures of 19ºF (-7.2ºC). In protogynous (female first) or “Type A” varieties, the flowers open as female in the morning of the first day of flowering. Mexicola Avocado is an excellent quality, frost hardy variety producing Mexican type fruit to 6 to 12 ounces with thin black skin.The compact tree is perfect for backyard use, doing well in … They were brought to the United States in 1954. Like all the Mexican avos, it has a thin skin you can eat like an apple, and a high-oil-content flesh that has a rich taste similar to ‘Hass’, but with its own distinctive flavor notes. Prune soon after harvest, for most varieties. The European honey bee is the most common pollinator, so the trees need to be planted fairly close to each other. Sharwil. If you try to then actually peel it, the skin should be hard to get off the flesh in one piece, because it breaks off in parts or strips. The Cold Hardy Avocado is a very special variety that can tolerate temperatures even below 230F, meaning that it can be grown throughout zone 9. It ripens from August to October, and is cold hardy to 15 degrees F (for a short period of time). It is a Mexican-Guatemalen hybrid, less cold-hardy than pure Mexican types. It can be used in virtually any recipe, but is best cold and sliced or cubed, in a salad or on its own as a snack. Avocado cultivar 'Fuerte' was brought to the United States in about 1912 from the high-elevation cloud forests of Atlixco, Mexico. It is a heavy producer, and is hardy to 17 degrees F. (Zone 8b) It is a “Type A” pollinator. Avocado Varieties. The flesh The fruit is smaller with thin skins that turn a glossy green to black when fully ripe. Cold Tolerance: Hardiest of the Avocado Cultivars; hardy to 15-18 degrees. It resembles the Fuerte in appearance but is less flavorful but more cold hardy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Improve the soil with Fox Farm Soil Conditioner. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. avocados are most easily identified by their bright green skin and pear-like A major part of the avocado area in theIsraelis along the coastal plain, but notable growing area is located in the interior hot valleys. Cold-Hardy … Avocado trees should be fed on a regular basis. The Ettinger has bright green skin, similar to Fuerte avocados. Geography/History Ettinger Avocados originated in Israel, and were first cultivated there in 1947. In protandrous, (male first) or “Type B” varieties, pollen is shed in the morning and the flowers reopen as female in the afternoon. Avocado trees need a good sized area to grow, if left to their own devices they will eventually (after about 15-20 years) grow to a tree of approximately 10-12 metres high and 4 … They flourish in a Mediterranean type climate and are able to withstand temperatures as low as 19 degrees F. (-7 C.). The tree canopy ranges from low, dense and symmetrical to upright and asymmetrical. of the fruit is pale yellow early in the ripening process, but might get a Avocados grown here originated in either Guatemala or Mexico. The maximum cold tolerance of avocado trees can be attained by planting Mexican types, which are native to the dry subtropical highlands. darker yellowish shade later in the process. The flesh should be either pale green or yellowish, depending on how long they have been ripened for. ‘Pancho/Poncho’ is a smaller size fruit, 6-8 oz., well-known for its excellent flavor. The Bonny Doon Vineyard's avocado tree is a "tough little sucker" that has survived frosts for more than 30 years. With varieties that can tolerate temperatures below 20°F, homeowners in areas that include parts of USDA Hardiness Zone 8 can enjoy the taste of fresh avocados from their own trees. Do not over water, as root rot is common with Avocado trees kept wet. A mature fruit will soften in three days to two weeks. When you see comparisons between avocado varieties, often discussed are the flower type, size of the tree and its fruit, peel color, and cold sensitivity. The fruit has a nice nutty flavor. Fertilize using well balanced citrus / avocado food using the manufacturer’s recommendations. the Hass), it has a milder flavor. Avocado trees that have been fertilized regularly are more able to deal with cold temperatures in the winter. Light Requirements: Full Sun Drought Tolerance/Watering: Good once established, Avocados prefer infrequent deep root watering. milder avocado varieties. You should be able to tell it is an Ettinger since it usually has a very appealing, uniform appearance and is not very susceptible to bruising or rot. Three-quarters of the total avocado areas in the country are planted on various types of Grumusols, heavy-textured soils containing 8-20% lime (CaCO3), with pH 7.8 – 8.2 and with fair internal drainage. Below you Produces avocados 5 years sooner than seed-grown plants; Cold hardy fruit tree plant (Mexicola Grande) tolerates temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. For the love of avocados, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hardiness Zones. Choose a south to southeast exposure to protect from winter blasts. The Ettinger is a readily available variety that falls into the category of firmer, milder avocado varieties. Nearly all varieties of avocado trees can grow successfully in areas with mild winters. The Ettinger has a considerably milder taste profile that should pare well with more prominent ingredients. ‘Fantastic’ has green, paper-thin skin, and is the most cold-hardy of the Mexican Avocados, surviving temperatures to 15°F for short periods of time. No matter where you live, just keep it in a pot on your patio during the spring, summer and fall, and bring it indoors during the winter. Open up the center of the tree so light can enter and not shade out the lower branches. Please note that the winter hardiness stated is for trees established for 3 years or more. With the Cold Hardy Avocado Tree, it's possible. ‘Wilma’ cold-hardy avocado fruits weigh up to six ounces (182g). Spring-set Carmen fruit appears almost identical to Hass fruit and blackens on ripening. Ardith A: XLNT: 12-15 oz green pear medium Jun-Dec: average UCR Israel Bacon B: fair 8-12 oz; green ovoid med-thin 18 Oct-Feb: medium upright very cold hardy-pollinizer A medium (30 ft; 9.1 m) to large (65 ft; 19.8 m) tree (Figure 2), the avocado tree is classified as an evergreen, although some varieties lose their leaves for a short time before and during flowering. Flower/Pollination: Type B; Zones: 8b-11; Growing Habits: Mature trees reach over 30 feet tall, with a very upright and dense canopy. Ettinger The Ettinger is most often grown in Israel and has a bright green skin, large seed, and mild flavor. twenty ounces in weight. The skin of this avocado is noted to be very thin and easily damaged, although harder to peel than other varieties. Pruning during the first two years is desirable to encourage lateral branching and new growth. It is comparable in shape and size to the more popular Fuerte variety. It is slightly more cold hardy than Bacon. (Zone 8b) It is a “Type B” pollinator. Mexicola cold-hardy avocado trees flourish in Zones 8-11 if planted outdoors, and in Zones 4-11 if they are in a container on a patio, able to be brought inside during cold snaps and seasons where it will continue to grow. The Ettinger avocado is a variety first cultivated in Israel. This strong tree withstands frigid temperatures as low as 20 degrees, living up to its name. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news, guides and recipes from Avocado Buddy. Avocados have a unique flowering behavior known as “synchronous dichogamy”. Winter protection is especially important in the establishment period, as young trees are not cold tolerant until the bark turns from green to brown and is rough textured. As a more cold resistant cultivar, hardy to twenty-five degrees, the Bacon avocado is also a popular variety in areas with lower winter temperatures and is said to be a good choice for avocado aficionados in USDA hardiness zones nine and ten. Avocado trees that have been well feed year-round are better able to deal with cold temperatures in the winter. Cold hardy avocado varieties we suggest include: LILA. Carmen is an A-type flowering Hass-like cultivar managed by Brokaw Nursery, California. They flourish in a Mediterranean type climate and are able to withstand temperatures as low as 19 degrees F. (-7 C.). Namely, it will sometimes produce seedless fruits. When fruits are ripe they are lime green with the middle section blushing red. The flowers close in late morning or early afternoon, then reopen as male flowers to shed pollen in the warmer temperatures. Ettinger is a readily available variety that falls into the category of firmer, Connected to this is a very unusual property that the Ettinger shares with the Fuerte variety. Accept Read More. Avocados do not ripen on the tree, nor do they fall to the ground when ripe. Because of the mild flavor and appealing color of the flesh, this variety is best used in recipes that call for raw avocados, either sliced or cut into cubes. The Sharwil is an Australian avocado with a rough, green peel and yellow flesh. can find step-by-step instructions on how to identify an Ettinger avocado. as ‘Brogdon’, ‘Ettinger’, ‘Gainesville’, ‘Mexicola’, and ‘Winter Mexican’ are even more cold-tolerant and may withstand temperatures in the low 20s. DO NOT OVERWATER! Persea americana x ‘Zutano’ The Zutano avocado is a cold hardy, consistent producing avocado variety. Have you tried any of these cultivars? content than other varieties (e.g. It should, however, not be watery, as some West Indies varieties tend to be. Because of the slightly lower fat Avocado bark is green and may be susceptible to sunburn when young. The maximum cold tolerance of avocado trees can be attained by planting Mexican types, which are native to the dry subtropical highlands. Fertilize the first two years with MicroLife Citrus and Fruit 6-2-4 at least 4 times a year and as often as once a month beginning after fruit has set. Reapply as needed. (Some varieties will open as female or male for a day or two) As you can see, the best scenario to ensure pollination would be to plant one “Type A” variety and one “Type B” variety. It can produce high yields on an attractive, upright tree. Harvest is from August to October. USDA Hardiness Zones note the regions where certain plants thrive based on climate and relative annual temperatures. Photo by Lindsay Gasik. However, these varieties may be difficult to find in the nursery trade. It can be used in virtually any recipe, but is best Hass Avocado Tree - up to 5 ft. tall trees, ready to give fruit Shipped Right To Your Door. of Fruit Growing, Israel, and Extension Horticulturist, W. Galilee This is the first of two reports from Israel. Avocados will produce fruit 2 or 3 years after establishment in most cases. Do not fill in around the trunk at this time, but over the course of 18 months to 3 years, gradually add small amounts of soil until the graft is completely buried. Pick the fully grown fruit first and allow the smaller fruit to grow larger before picking. If the fruits don’t soften, try again every week or two until they soften and achieve good taste. Mexican varieties include: Brogdon; Ettinger; Gainesville; Mexicola; Winter Mexican; Guatemalan varieties of avocado are slightly cold-hardy, surviving to 26ºF (-3.3ºC). It is a heavy producer, and is hardy to 17 degrees F. (Zone 8b) It is a “Type A” pollinator. Conclusion. The seed of the Ettinger avocado is average in size and makes up about 25% of the avocado’s weight. Simply plant your Avocado Tree in a container and bring it inside during the winter months - it will continue to grow. Cold hardy to 15°, Lila has a smooth textured flesh, with a rich nutty flavor, and tastes like an avocado should It produces a medium sized, pear shaped fruit about 6-10oz in size that remains a pretty green when ripe. @2020 - All Right Reserved. This will provide freeze protection, and if the top of the tree freezes back to the ground, the trunk will rejuvenate from the varietal wood and not the root stock. They may take a little extra work to grow in Texas, but the rewards are worth it! cold and sliced or cubed, in a salad or on its own as a snack. Mound soil 3’ wide and 1’ high, forming a “bowl” in the center to plant the tree in. The green fruits are obovate in shape with waxy bumps on the skin. but might get more yellowish with greater maturity. ‘Lila’ has a medium sized green fruit, a rich nutty flavor and ripens from July to September. Cold-Resistant Avocado Trees. Cleopatra. Brodgon . The cold tolerance of avocados depends on the variety. In California, avocado trees can be considered self-fruitful. The It is cold hard to 15 degrees F. (Zone 8b) It is a “Type A” pollinator. It is cold hard to 15 degrees F. (Zone 8b) It is a “Type A” pollinator. It has a creamy texture with a nutty flavor. The infographic below gives a better indication of those 15 avocado varieties … The most cold-tolerant types of avocado are Mexican varieties. Painting the trunk and branches with a whitewash solution made of equal parts white latex paint and water will protect from sunburn until the tree grows enough leaves to shade itself-usually within a year or two of planting. Cold-hardy 'Little Cado' avocado is a dwarf cultivar. It averages around ten to It is a good idea to apply a 3” layer of mulch to avocado trees each year to conserve moisture and improve soil quality. Carmen trees are reported to flower and fruit prolifically overseas, and from initial assessments it appears as though this is also th… If you experience regular, light freezes every year, Mexican avocados are your best option …