Where does avocado grow on earth? Where avocados grow, in which countries: list, interesting facts. Does a tree grown at home bear fruit?

An unusual pear-shaped fruit for Russians called avocado is exported to us from tropical South American and African countries. Its rough, pimply green peel resembles crocodile skin, hence the second name - alligator pear. The avocado tree bears fruit only in hot climates. Fruits with yellow-green oily pulp have a high fat content and contain many useful substances. Is it possible to grow avocados here?

Features of growing avocados in Central Russia

Evergreen avocado (Persea americana, forest oil, egg tree) cannot be counted among the common crops in our country. Successful cultivation in open ground is possible only in the humid subtropics of the Russian Black Sea coast, where summer lasts six months and there is no climatic winter at all. But even in such favorable conditions, only avocados of the Mexican race (Mexicola) survive (and bear fruit!).

For avocados, select sunny, slightly shaded areas with loose, well-drained soil rich in humus, for example, on a hillside. Seedlings are brought from the Sukhumi arboretum or purchased from local gardeners. Pollination can be successful if there are at least two avocados in the garden with different types of flowers. Single trees rarely bear fruit. In Sochi avocados, the fruits can reach a weight of 100 g, in tropical species - more than 1 kg.

In central Russia, avocados are grown only at home. But you shouldn’t expect flowering and fruit from it. Perseus can only please with a sweeping decorative crown on a one- to two-meter trunk. Ripe seeds are selected for planting.

What are the benefits of avocado?

Avocado is a hearty fruit with easily digestible, tender pulp, similar to a mixture of butter and finely chopped herbs. Its main advantage is the rich composition of fats, vitamins (E, K, PP, D, F) and minerals necessary for healthy skin, hair, cleansing of blood vessels, and lowering blood pressure. Avocado is a welcome participant in a diet for weight loss, prevention of cancer, and in nutritional value it is even ahead of meat and fish oil.

Avocados have virtually no sugars, fruit acids or carbohydrates, but they do contain substances that break down bad cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, avocados are classified as dietary foods.

Unripe fruit has no taste; when placed in the refrigerator, it becomes simply wooden. But, if you keep it in a vegetable basket for several days, the avocado will ripen and become soft with a nutty-pine flavor. Ripe avocados are used in cooking to prepare vegetable and fruit salads, sandwiches, sauces, and seafood snacks. In vegetarian cuisine, it replaces meat and eggs, and is also included in nutritious milkshakes and sweet creams.

In some countries, the unique persea is consumed as the main dish of a meal with bread and cereals, in others - as a fruit dessert or viscous drink.

Types of Avocado

Avocados are classified according to the following areas: growing conditions, type of flowering and fruiting, characteristics of the fruit and leaves. The first direction is conventionally divided into three categories or races:

• Mexican (tolerates frost down to -4°C, the period between flowering and fruiting is 1.2-1.5 years, fruits with thin skin, hardiness (relatively!) of the orange tree);
• Guatemalan (withstands temperatures down to 0°C, bears fruit a year after flowering, fruits with thick skin, “capriciousness” of the lemon tree);
• West Indian (grows only in tropical climates, flowering and fruiting occur in the same season, fruits have a thin, smooth skin).

Avocados are cross-pollinated plants, the male and female flowers of which open at different times:

• type A (women - in the morning, men - the next day);
• type B (women - after lunch, men - the next morning).

Avocado fruits are distinguished:

• in shape (oblong, pear-shaped, round, oval);
• pulp color (yellow and golden green);
• peel color (light green, purple, black);
• taste (creamy, nutty);
• sizes (from 50 g to 1.8 kg).

The peel of some remains green from conception to full maturity, while for others it gradually darkens and even turns black.

You can see the whole variety of exotic fruits at Asian food markets, some of them also go to Russian supermarkets:

• Bacon is a Mexican variety of avocado with yellowish-greenish flesh and green thin skin;
• Gwen, with golden-green flesh in a thick, pimply skin;
• Hass is a successful export product with a long shelf life, turns purple-black when ripe, and has light green flesh;
• Lamb Hass, has a nutty taste, the weight of the seed in the fruit is 15%;
• Fuerte is a winter-bearing variety, the thin peel is easily separated from the pale green pulp with a creamy consistency;
• Pinkerton is a hybrid variety with pear-shaped fruits (240-560 g) and small seeds;
• Reed is a Guatemalan type variety, round fruits in a thick green peel weighing up to 540 g;
• Zutano is a watery-tasting, pear-shaped fruit with a shiny yellow-green skin and the seed takes up a quarter of the fruit's weight.

There are about 400 varieties of avocados in total, and the work doesn't stop there. In the Russian Federation, cold-resistant varieties of the Mexican race are grown in open ground and at home (mainly in the Caucasus): Mexicola (fruits up to 100 g, ripen in September), Puebla (harvest in November-December, weight up to 200 g), Nortroy, Gunter , Fuerte hybrid.

Homemade avocado

Avocado is grown in the house as an ornamental plant for interior decoration. It is difficult to achieve flowering even with very good competent care. But fruiting occurs only in 5% of cases, and then in the third to seventh year of life. The grown fruits are inferior in taste and size to store-bought avocados, but as breeders continue to develop new varieties of egg trees, there remains hope for a versatile avocado.

Growing an avocado from a seed at home is not difficult. The rapid growth of the stem at the beginning of the operation is amazing. The plant is in no hurry to acquire side shoots. Only after it is pinched does growth slow down and a crown begins to form. Avocado leaves are wide, glossy, and can grow up to 30 cm or more in length.

Formative pruning of the top is carried out in the spring, when there are 8-10 leaves, and side shoots - after the fifth leaf. This stimulates the persea to form new growth. If, as the plant grows, it begins to shed its leaves, it means that the air in the room is too dry or the flower container is small. After replacing the pot and soil, and regular spraying, new greenery will not take long to appear.

The decorative crown of an avocado, which effectively purifies the air, can be destroyed by spider mites or lack of light. Therefore, the room is illuminated with fluorescent lamps, especially in winter, and treated with fungicides. The favorable period for replanting is the end of February, and the optimal growth of the tree is 15 cm.

When deciding to grow an avocado, you need to take into account that the leaves of the plant contain substances that can cause an allergic reaction in humans and pets.

How to grow an avocado from a seed in the garden

In its natural habitat, each avocado tree covers an area of ​​up to 6 square meters. m. with a height of 18 m and above. Gardeners grow three-meter-high indoor crops in winter gardens and greenhouses from an ordinary seed the size of a quail egg. To do this, choose a ripe, dense fruit with a dark peel and elastic pulp. Unripe avocados are brought to the desired condition in a couple of days at a temperature of 18-23°C. Simply placing apples and tomatoes nearby speeds up this process.

-how to germinate an avocado

Avocados are germinated in pots filled with a nutrient mixture of humus, garden soil and coarse sand (1:1:1). Expanded clay drainage is placed at the bottom of the container. The seed extracted from the fruit is washed and soaked for half an hour in hot water. When the bone warms up, the shell is removed from it, the tip on the narrow side is cut off and treated with an antifungal agent. The wide end of the seed is placed into the soil mixture, leaving the sharp tip above ground level.

The soil is watered and, covered with a glass cap, left in a warm (21°C) illuminated place until sprouts appear. This process can take up to 1 month or more. The strengthened seedlings are transplanted into different pots.

Another way is to grow in water. To do this, make 3-4 holes for toothpicks in the middle part of the seed, and hang the structure over a glass of water. The supports will prevent the seed from being completely submerged in water or hydrogel. The punctures should remain dry. The water in the glass is topped up or changed every 2-3 days. After 1-1.5 months, the first roots appear. The seed will be ready to be planted in the ground when the sprouts reach 4 cm.

You can germinate a seed by wrapping it in damp cotton wool and constantly wetting it. Readiness for planting is confirmed by dividing the seed into two halves. The seed is planted in a pot and wait for sprouts to appear. The germination procedure can take up to six months. All this time, the soil is kept moist and fed with mineral fertilizers in the spring and summer.

-how to plant an avocado

Avocado seedlings with a closed root system are planted in open ground in the spring, when the ground warms up. Rooting can also be done by cuttings, but the survival rate is low (25%). Humus (40 cm layer) is poured into the trench and trampled down. Every 1.5 meters, seedlings with an earthen lump are placed on earthen hills (35-40 cm). The space is filled with nutritious soil.

Every spring, the seedlings are trimmed so that they do not protrude from the trench and covered with polycarbonate. At the end of autumn, the light “roof” is removed and a more serious protection is built - from boards, a thick layer of earth, dry leaves and straw. In the spring (late April) the polycarbonate is returned to its place. If you are lucky with the weather and the care is correct, the fruits of the Mexican avocado may appear in 5-7 years.

The best results are obtained by simultaneous planting of seedlings belonging to group A (variety Caliente, Puebla, Collinson) and B (Fuerte, Mexicola, Northrop, Gunter).

-Avocado care

When caring for avocados in open ground, we must not forget:

• mulch the soil in tree trunk circles;
• water abundantly during the growing season, moderately in autumn and winter;
• feed the seedlings every 2-3 weeks during the growth period (60 g of complex fertilizers per 1 sq. m) with an interval of 2-2.5 months;
• feed mature trees in spring (100 g of nitrogen per 1 sq. m) and autumn (100 g of potassium and phosphorus per 1 sq. m);
• thin out the crown when thickened, remove weak and dying branches;
• prune in spring when the danger of frost has passed;
• cover the plant for the winter with non-woven material or plastic film.

If climatic conditions for avocados are unfavorable, it makes sense to grow them in a container and transfer them to a heated warehouse or greenhouse at the right time. Dwarf plant varieties are suitable for this.

The benefits of avocados in the garden

Avocados are grown at home as an exotic plant, and in natural conditions - for business projects. Catering and restaurant businesses are happy to buy healthy fruits grown on steep coastal slopes (the avocado is surpassed only by the olive in terms of fat content!).

To speed up the fruiting of Persea, agricultural producers propagate it by air diverting. In early spring, cut off the bark on the side shoots in a ring no more than a centimeter wide, cover the damaged area with garden varnish and put a plastic bag without a bottom over the shoot. By wrapping the bag with twine below the cut point, you get a bag into which sphagnum moss or rotted, moistened peat is placed. The bag is tied with twine on the other side, and the contents are checked and moistened once a month. Rooting occurs on the plant. This method bears fruit the very next year.

Avocado mono-gardens do not like alien plants and can negatively affect them with their secretions. In indoor conditions, greenhouses and winter gardens, Persea gets along well with its neighbors, since its long roots do not bother anyone. For patient gardeners, it sometimes even blooms.

To achieve exo-fruits (through cross-pollination), you can try growing several avocados in the same pot by intertwining their trunks in a braid shape.

Let's start our acquaintance with the question: “Avocado - what is it?” This tree is evergreen, it belongs to the genus Perseus and, surprisingly, to the laurel family, which means it is a relative of laurel. It is considered an important fruit crop.

The tree blooms with small, inconspicuous flowers located near the leaves in the axils. Can be of both sexes. Each flower has six petals and nine stamens.

Trees of this species grow quickly and reach 17-20 meters in height. Avocados have a straight trunk that branches actively. Avocado leaves are ellipsoidal in shape and up to 35 cm long; leaf fall is observed all year round.

Avocado fruit is exactly what the plant grows it for. They are often called berries, but in fact they are drupes. The fruit can be shaped like a pear, an ellipse or a ball. Most of the fruit is occupied by the seed.

A ripe avocado fruit has a length from five to twenty centimeters, and a weight of up to a couple of kilograms. The pulp is oily and green, sometimes yellow-green), the peel darkens as it ripens. In addition to the avocado fruit, wood is also important. Because of their excellent taste and beneficial qualities, avocado fruits are used in vegetarian cuisine (an excellent replacement for meat products), for preparing sweet dishes and cocktails, salads and much more.

The pit, leaves and peel can be toxic because they contain persen, a substance with a fungicidal effect.

Types and name

The name of the tree comes from the Aztec word huacatl. The modern name appeared in the 16th century. Besides, they call it an alligator pear. His Latin name is Persēa americana(i.e. American Persea). Typically, all plants from the genus Persea are often called avocados. The word avocado itself means “oil from the forest.”

There are many varieties of avocado, but the most popular are:

• Fuerto (one of the most delicious);
• Zutano;
• Ettinger (the leanest, its tastes may vary);
• Ryan (tasty, but fatty, almost never ripen if picked unripe);
• (known for their purple-black skin and have many fans);
• Gwen (they have a small bone, but the size is not too outstanding);
• Reed (fat and large);
• Ardis (somewhat similar to hass);

Homeland and distribution

So, let's move on to the question of where avocados grow, in which countries? Fruit comes from South America, where it was actively cultivated several thousand years ago. Today, avocados are grown in all countries located in the tropics: the southern United States, Africa, Israel, South America, Hawaii, Australia, and Spain.

Photo

This section presents photographs of leaves, fruit, and trees that can easily be grown at home.

Pests and diseases

Late blight is a fungal disease that cannot be treated. At the same time, you can control its development if you remove all damaged parts of the plant. The main symptom is cankers on the plant.

• Powdery mildew. Type of mold. In order to destroy it, spray the avocado with a fungicidal agent.
• Spider mites and scale insects. Appear due to too dry air. In order to destroy a tick, you need drugs from the avermectin group: Fitoverm, Vermitek, Actofite. To combat scale insects, you can add washing the plant with water and tar soap to the preparations. You also need to make sure that the air in the room is humid.

You will find more detailed information about avocado diseases and their treatment.

Harm and benefit

Exotic fruits are especially popular today. Pomelo and lime, bananas and avocados have long ceased to be something special for Russians. The hobby of growing these plants at home has also become popular. And avocado, whose homeland is Mexico, is no exception. It may not produce fruit, but it can decorate a home. In this article we will tell you about the fruits of the avocado tree, the homeland of the plant, and ways to grow it at home and in open ground.

American Perseus (Persea americana)

This is the name of the avocado tree, which is native to the tropics and subtropics of South America. Other names that previously called avocado fruits are alligator pear, agacat.

The avocado tree (photo below) belongs to the genus Perseus and the Laurel family (Lauraceae). This genus includes 150 species, but only Persea americana has edible fruits. Moreover, there are about 600 varieties of avocados, which are native to the tropics and subtropics of America, East and South Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Various avocados

There are three main races of this fruit tree:

• Mexican avocado (where the plant is native is clear from the name). This is the most cold-resistant race; plants can tolerate temperatures as low as -6 °C. The most common varieties: Mexicola, Norton, Caliente, Puebla. Only the leaves of this race, when rubbed, emit the aroma of anise.
• To the south of Mexico (in Guatemala) another race of avocados grows, for which temperatures of -4 °C are destructive. 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 slightest frost. A 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 is bright green, and the lower side is whitish. It is worth noting that the leaves contain essential oils and toxins that are dangerous to humans and pets.

Avocado flowers are inconspicuous and small, collected in panicle inflorescences. Avocados bloom in nature at 3-4 years of age, and the 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.

Avocados, pear-shaped or oval, 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 there is an edible pulp of yellow color and oily consistency. It is rich in vitamins (A, E, D) and microelements (potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus iron). In addition, 30% of the pulp is 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 there is a seed with a hard brown shell. The bone itself also contains toxic substances and can cause poisoning.

Cases have been recorded of parrots dying after being left with an avocado pit to grind down their beaks.

Fruit ripening period is from 6 to 17 months. In this case, final ripening occurs after picking the berries for 2 weeks at room temperature.

Why won't an avocado on the windowsill bear fruit?

The answer lies in the complex process of flower pollination. Although the flowers are bisexual, self-pollination is impossible in avocados. The fact is that an avocado flower opens twice during the flowering process. First, the pistil ripens in the flowers - and the flower opens so that pollen from 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 the stamens in it ripen in order to pollinate other flowers.

That is why, when growing avocados, plants are planted en masse. And even in an avocado grove, only 2-4% of flowers set fruit.

Green beauty

From the above, it is clear that the plant on the windowsill is a beautiful evergreen plant, which, if properly pruned, will become a bright decoration.

It should be borne in mind that the plant is absolutely unpretentious in terms of 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 an avocado tree, will be discussed a little later.

The plant is propagated by fruits and cuttings. Avocado cuttings do not root well - only 10% of the plants produce roots. Therefore, seeds are used for propagation.

Avocado from the pit

To germinate a plant from a seed, ripe fruits are needed. There are two ways to germinate a seed:

• You can grow an avocado tree by simply sticking the seed 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 seed 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 means to germinate the seed, for example, hydrogel. It is better to use settled water, and its temperature should be +23...+25 °C.

You can add charcoal (charcoal or activated) to the water. But even without additional additives, the seed will definitely germinate if the fruit is ripe.

Conditions for successful plant development

When planting in the soil, two-thirds of the avocado pit should be on the surface. A small flower pot is a good place to start. But don’t forget about drainage, and the soil should be quite loose.

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 go dormant.

Moderate watering and humidity

It is necessary to water the plant 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 air humidity is quite high. At home, spraying will fill this gap. But water should not get on the leaves of the plant. A good solution is a tray with wet expanded clay.

The plant practically does not need fertilizing. If its growth has slowed down, then you can use bait for citrus fruits.

The plant is replanted on average once every three years.

Crown formation

At home, avocados can be trimmed. In addition, you can plant several sprouts in a pot and intertwine them while they are young.

The first pinching is carried out when at least 8 leaves appear on the plant. By cutting off the top, the plant will begin to form side shoots. After their growth, the apical bud can be removed.

It is advisable to do these procedures in early spring, during the period of maximum growing season.

Problematic issues

Avocado is a plant resistant to diseases and pests. But scale insects and spider mites can destroy a plant, especially a young one.

If the tips of the avocado leaves begin to dry, pay attention to watering. The reason for this phenomenon may be a lack of moisture in the air.

Leaves may fall off at low temperatures and in constant drafts.

The leaf blade may become pale. In this case, the reason is insufficient lighting.

Foliage and decorative decoration

In six months, an avocado at home can grow up to 50 centimeters. It does not need supports for the stem, but if you do not form the crown, you will get a long trunk with a small number of leaves at the top.

The leaves of a healthy plant are rich green in color and when kneaded they emit a pleasant anise aroma, which, by the way, helps in the fight against depression. But do not forget that they contain toxins and avocados should be hidden from pets. If they are eaten, cats and dogs may experience acute poisoning.

With proper care, in the 3rd year of life, an avocado can begin to bloom. And if you grow two plants, you can hope for fruit. Although the likelihood that homemade avocado fruits will ripen is very low.

Will avocados grow in open ground?

Today, avocados are successfully grown in Spain, Mexico (the world leader in the production of this fruit), Peru, Guatemala, the southern states of the USA, the Arab East, southern and eastern Asia, southern Africa, Australia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

In Russia there are not sufficient conditions for the growth of this plant in open ground. The exception is the Black Sea coast. Only here can you grow a plant in open soil and only of the Mexican race. It is important to plant at least two plants for 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 (testicle tree), and they also considered the tree an aphrodisiac. During the avocado flowering period, 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 this is true or not, even today this fruit is popular among true gourmets and exotic lovers.

• June 4, 2019
• Gardening tips
• Rezeda Zaripova

Russian climate conditions do not allow the cultivation of avocados on a large industrial scale, so this fruit is supplied from abroad, and it costs a lot of money.

Just a few decades ago, the avocado was euphemistically called an “alligator pear.” This was due to the fact that the fruit is characterized by rough, dark green skin, as well as a shape similar to a pear.

Where does avocado grow, in what country? The answer to this question can be found in this article.

Features of a tropical fruit

Avocado is a fruit that grows and is cultivated in subtropical and tropical climate regions. It grows on evergreen trees and has a fairly large seed.

An interesting fact is that a chemical analysis of the plant’s fruit shows that it is closer to vegetables, since its pulp contains very little sugar, but its energy value is high. The faded taste is practically undelightful. These properties of the fruit allow it to be used as a component in various salads and other combined dishes.

A little history

Where did avocados grow before? The first description of this plant was made by Spanish invaders in 1526. The colonialists compared this fruit to a peeled chestnut.

As a result of research and archaeological excavations, it was concluded that avocado was known even in the 8th century AD. According to ancient drawings, this fruit grew in the gardens of the ancient ancestors of the Aztecs 7-10 thousand years ago. Scientists were able to find out that already in those days the seeds of plants in the wild were smaller than the seeds of cultivated plants. According to linguists, the word “avocado” comes from the Aztec language from the word “Nahuatl”, which literally means “egg tree”. It is possible that this plant caused such associations among the ancient Indians.

How does avocado grow in nature? Where are these fruits grown? This and much more is discussed further in the article.

What does the tree look like?

Before we find out where avocados grow and in which countries, let's look at the tree itself. In nature, the avocado (or American persea) is the only edible representative of its genus, which is part of the laurel family.

On average, the height of an adult tree, characterized by a wide crown, is 6 meters. Although avocado is an evergreen plant, there are some varieties that shed their leaves, albeit for a short period of time. After the growth period ceases, the diameter of the trunk reaches 0.3-0.6 m. At the bottom, the trunk is straight, closer to the crown - branches out. The leaves are elliptical in shape. They are green on top and below - whitish. Avocado foliage is rich in essential oils, but they also contain substances that are harmful to health.

Having learned about how avocado grows in nature (photo presented in the article), let's move on to its origin. Where does this amazing exotic plant come from?

Origin

Where does avocado grow? These fruits grow on a tree that naturally reaches up to 20 meters in height. According to botanists, this culture is close to the noble laurel, which was widely cultivated in ancient times by the Greeks. For the first time, this crop began to be grown en masse in Israel, so this country can be called a second homeland. Although she comes from the North American continent, or rather from the territory of what is now Mexico.

Contemporaries living in those places, just like the Aztecs, love and respect this culture. Avocados are an important part of the cuisine of many Caribbean countries.

Today, this plant is grown on a large industrial scale in many countries with tropical and subtropical climate conditions. From one tree the harvest volume reaches 200 kg. There are more than 400 varieties of avocados.

Where does avocado grow? Huge plantations of this crop extend across Indonesia.

Varieties and growing conditions

As noted above, avocado grows in the tropics and subtropics, however there are some differences between its varieties:

• Mexican varieties are the most resistant to bad weather. This group is able to withstand short-term frosts of 4-6 degrees. Where oranges ripen well, Mexican avocado varieties can also produce a good harvest. They can be recognized by their characteristic anise aroma.
• The West Indian selection of varieties can die from even minor frosts. This means that there is no chance of growing them in the southern territories of Russia (except for greenhouses heated year-round).

How does avocado grow in nature and under what conditions? This plant can tolerate shade, but its development mostly goes into the crown. Avocados bear fruit only in open areas.

This plant requires loose soil with good and fairly deep drainage, and the alkalinity and acidity of the soil are not particularly important for growth. Good results are achieved on sand, limestone, red clay and loam of volcanic origin.

A prerequisite for successful cultivation is loosening the root area to create good aeration. Strong winds are unsuitable for American varieties, and dry air worsens the pollination process, resulting in a reduced yield. Excessive feeding with fertilizers is also harmful for avocados. It should also be noted that the water for irrigation should contain a minimum amount of mineral salts. The productivity of the plant depends on this.

Where avocados grow, moderately moist soil has good natural drainage.

Bloom

The flowers, inconspicuous in appearance, are small in size. The color is predominantly pale green or yellow-green. Inflorescence type - panicle. Most flowers have one pistil with one pair of cups with 9 stamens.

Avocado flowers abundantly, but due to the complicated pollination of the plant, the ovary is formed on only 4% of the flowers. Avocado cultivation is possible with several varieties at the same time.

Fruit

The avocado fruit is a type of pear-shaped drupe berry. The length can reach up to 330 mm, and the width is 150 mm. Weight has a very wide range: 50-1800 g.

Avocado skin can have 4 shades:

• dark green;
• yellow-green;
• red-violet;
• dark purple.

The edible pulp is located just under the skin. Next is one seed, shaped like a circle, cone or egg. In case of poor pollination or other reasons, some berries may be seedless.

The fruits fully ripen in 0.5-1.5 years (the period depends on climate conditions and the variety). Final ripening occurs after the fruit is torn from the stalk (at room temperature, 7-14 days are required).

Fruit composition and properties

Those countries where avocados grow are probably lucky. Which fruit contains many valuable organic substances and microelements? In avocado. Here's what they contain:

• iron;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• amino acids;
• cellulose.

Avocado has not only dietary properties, but also the ability to have a preventive effect on the body against many common diseases. This primarily applies to cardiovascular and oncological disorders. Doctors believe that avocado is useful for disorders of the digestive tract.

In addition to all of the above, this exotic fruit improves the process of supplying the body with water. At the same time, it is for this reason that it has contraindications: it should not be eaten by those who suffer from water-salt imbalance. In addition, consumption of the fruit is undesirable for allergy sufferers (intolerance exists).

Where does avocado grow in the world?

Both in Russia and all over the world, biologists and gardeners are trying to grow this exotic plant. Traditional areas for avocado cultivation are Southeast Asia, Australia, the Philippines, Peru, and the countries of South and Central America. This tree grows especially easily and effectively in Thailand and Malaysia. Avocados are also grown in Africa and Israel. Today, the main exporters are countries such as Chile, the USA, and the Dominican Republic. This includes Mexico. - the ancestral home of the avocado. Huge fruit plantations are shown in the photo.

Where does avocado grow in Russia? It can only be grown on the Black Sea shores, and only representatives of Mexican varieties are suitable for this. Abkhazian conditions are also favorable: fruits with a high content of oils ripen in Abkhazia.

The beauty and exoticism of a fast-growing, evergreen avocado - quite a compelling argument for trying to grow this tropical plant at home.

How to grow an avocado at home from a seed?

In order for an avocado seed to germinate, it should be buried in the ground to a depth of about three centimeters with its wide bottom side. But first you need to remove the shell from the bone.

You can also germinate the seed using the open method, in which the shell is not removed from it. First, in the bone removed from the fruit, you need to carefully drill three small holes (at an angle of 120 degrees) at the level of its middle circumference, into which you then insert 3 matches. The latter will serve as supports by which the bone is suspended in water in a glass. When sufficient roots appear, the seed should be planted in a pot. You can also put it in damp cotton wool, and then constantly wet it. You can plant it in a pot after the seed splits into two parts. In a couple of weeks a sprout will appear.

It is important to remember that the branches of a young avocado need support, which will help the young shoots not to become deformed. When natural precipitation is sufficient, special soil moisture is not required. Fertilizing is required quarterly (complex and mineral fertilizers and other special mixtures). If a variety develops a cone-shaped crown, pruning should be aimed at rounding it. Mature trees do not need to be pruned.

Gardeners do not have to buy sprouted seeds in a special store. Embryos from purchased fruits can also give excellent results. You just need to make sure that the purchased fruit is ripe, and the seed for planting should be used immediately.

Features of growing in Russian conditions

What are the conditions like where avocados grow? We know in which countries it grows and what the climate is like there. This means that every effort must be made to make the plant feel comfortable. First of all, it should be remembered that this culture is difficult to tolerate transplantation, so it must be planted in a permanent place immediately.

There are the following planting methods: container and soil. The choice of method is determined by the climate conditions of a particular region. If there is a risk of frost below -7 degrees in winter, it is better to use containers. During the cold season, transferring avocados to heated rooms or greenhouses is mandatory. In this regard, the tree should be periodically pruned or dwarf varieties grown. Since the plant’s growth rate is quite high, it has to be replanted regularly (although, as we know, the plant does not like this procedure).

At the very latest stages of growth, even the largest container cannot cope with its task. Therefore, there is a need to use barrels and other large containers. Containers with wheels that are easy to move are convenient for this.

The fruits should be removed before the onset of frost, since as they cool, they begin to turn black and become unsuitable for food. A young plant needs to be covered from frost with a special covering material.

Finally

How will a person answer the question, where do avocados grow? “In Africa, India,” most people will say. As it turned out, it has more than one homeland, and today it is grown in a variety of countries.

Avocado is cultivated in more than 20 countries around the world. Only hard fruits are selected for commercial shipment to other countries. To check the maturity of the fruit, agronomists recommend that consumers focus on the state of the stalk: in a ripe fruit, it becomes darker or falls off.

It should be remembered that the seed is not suitable for human consumption. Firstly, it is tasteless, and secondly, it can be hazardous to health.

Botanical name: Avocado, or American persea (Persea Americana), is a species of evergreen belonging to the genus Persea of ​​the laurel family (Lauraceae). Avocado fruits are a valuable food product.

Homeland of avocado: Mexico.

Lighting: photophilous.

The soil: well drained, rich in humus.

Watering: abundant, limited in indoor culture in winter.

Maximum tree height: 20-25 m.

Average lifespan of a tree: up to 100 years with good care.

Landing: seeds, less often cuttings.

General information and photos of the avocado plant

A fruit tree with a straight, highly branched trunk, thick gray bark and dense, heavy wood. It is characterized by rapid development, the annual growth of the main branches can reach 1 m. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 4-5 years, grafted specimens – after 2-3 years.

Avocado crown

The avocado crown is wide and densely leafy. In regions with a warm climate, young shoots appear throughout the year, in cooler areas - only in the spring. The avocado tree grows intensively until it is 14-15 years old, after which the development of skeletal branches slows down.

Along the periphery of the crown, many overgrown branches with flowers and fruits are formed, which are quite fragile and easily break when exposed to adverse weather conditions or excessive harvest. At the site of branch breaks, the plant secretes a white sugary substance, dulcite. The photo below shows what an avocado tree looks like growing in open ground.

Avocado leaves

Avocado leaves are leathery, shiny, 10-35 cm long, dark green with light veins, oval in shape with a pointed end. When crushed, they often emit a distinct anise odor; West Indian and most Guatemalan varieties have no odor.

The lifespan of each individual leaf is 2-3 years; they fall off gradually, regardless of the season, accumulating in large quantities under the crowns, since due to the high concentration of oil contained in special glands, they rot very slowly.

Avocado root

The avocado root is branched, large, and often protrudes above the soil surface. Features of the root system include the absence of root hairs, so the role of absorption of nutrients and moisture is performed by active roots up to 1 mm in diameter.

They contain mycorrhiza; symbiosis with the mycelium of the fungus facilitates the process of absorption and assimilation of the necessary substances. This root structure necessitates regular loosening and watering when growing crops.

Avocado flower

Avocado flowers are small, 5-10 mm in diameter, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, collected in 200-300 pieces. into paniculate inflorescences formed at the tips of the shoots of the previous year. The flowering process is very long, lasting up to 6 months.

The first buds appear in October, and mass flowering usually occurs in the second half of May. Avocado is a monoecious plant; it produces two types of male and female flowers. In the first type, female flowers are ready for pollination only in the morning, and male flowers can produce mature pollen only in the evening; in the other, on the contrary, the pollen ripens in the morning and falls off before the female flowers are ready to receive it in the evening.

Such a complex structure prevents self-pollination; cross-pollination of flowers of the first and second types is required to form a harvest. Therefore, despite the numerous buds in the inflorescence, ovaries are formed on only 1-3 of them. Above is a photo of an avocado tree at flowering time.

Avocado fruit

The fruit of the plant is an oval, pear-shaped or round berry, with a hard green or chestnut skin that turns black after ripening. Its size and weight vary greatly depending on the species or cultivar, it can be from 12 to 25 cm long, and weigh from 100 g to 1.8 kg.

The pulp of the avocado fruit when ripe is oily, green or yellow-green, with a slight nutty aroma, and contains a large amount of fat. In its center there is a large, 5-6 cm long, seed in the form of a stone covered with a thin shell. The fruits ripen on the tree at different times, depending on the variety, from mid-August to December.

Is the avocado pit edible?

The plant is a valuable food product and is widely used in cooking. People often ask, is avocado a fruit or a vegetable? The answer to this question is clear: although in appearance, taste and even chemical composition it is more similar to a vegetable, according to the botanical classification it is a fruit because it grows on a tree.

However, most people use the avocado fruit in cooking as a vegetable, consuming it not as a sweet dessert, but as an appetizer, base or seasoning for the main dish, in soups and salads. A significant volume of the fruit is occupied by the seed, and many are interested in how to use the avocado seed, is it edible?

Unfortunately, no, moreover, avocado seeds, like its leaves, contain a number of toxic substances; they are poisonous to both humans and especially animals; they can disrupt the functioning of the digestive system and cause allergic reactions. There are cases when even a bone placed in a cage with birds for the beak point caused the death of the birds.

Homeland and history of avocado, its modern use

Avocado is native to Mexico and some areas of Central America; it has been cultivated in this region for more than 7 thousand years. The ancient Aztecs first collected wild fruits of the tree in the forests and used them for food, then they began to grow them, selecting the best specimens.

For several millennia, avocados formed an important part of the diet of agricultural tribes in Central and South America; for their high nutritional value, they were called “forest oil.” In addition, the plant was considered an aphrodisiac; in some tribes in Colombia it was customary to give it as a wedding gift.

In the 15th century, thanks to the Spanish conquistadors, the avocado became known in other countries of the West Indies and the Canary Islands, and the Spaniards gave it the name “aguacate”, shortening the local name of the fruit “ahuacaquahuitl”, which was difficult to pronounce for them.

The first written mention of the culture appears in 1519 in the descriptions of Martin Fernandez De Encisco, who described with admiration the unusual taste of the tropical fruit. The modern name, "avocado", was first used in 1696 by the English botanist Sir Hans Sloane, who described varieties of the plant growing on the island of Jamaica.

At first, despite the unusual taste and nutritional value, the avocado was not very popular outside its historical places of growth, since the fruit was small (4-5 cm) in size, half of it was occupied by an inedible seed, and for a long time it was not possible to obtain more productive varieties.

Only a century later, new, improved varieties of this tropical crop appear, after which it begins to be grown in many countries with tropical and subtropical climates: Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, Australia, South Africa, and even, since 1904, in the subtropical regions of Russia.

In 1768, the plant acquired its modern international name, Perseus americana, but in different countries it continues to be called differently: among the Incas and in South America - “coat”, in India, for the high fat content of the fruit - “poor man’s cow”, in England , for the shape of the fruit and the specific appearance and color of the skin - “alligator pear”.

Industrial cultivation of avocados began at the end of the 19th century, after new, high-yielding varieties were created through crossing. In 1890, vegetative propagation of plants by grafting with cuttings or eyes began to be used for the first time.

The fruits of new, highly productive cultivars have an excellent taste and aroma, contain a large amount (up to 93% of the total mass) of pulp and weigh about 200-400 g. Varieties such as “Fuerte” (1910) and “Hass” (1920 g .) are still grown commercially.

Currently, avocados are grown commercially in the USA, Israel, Africa and Australia. The yield of modern varieties is 150-200 kg per tree. With proper care, plants can live and bear fruit for up to 100 years, while maintaining high productivity for more than 50 years.