What Is the Time To Harvest The Avocado Fruit?
Growing an avocado tree is a unique experience, with the added bonus of being able to eat the fruit when it has finished maturing. The question of when the avocado tree will first produce edible, mature fruit is one that most people who are interested in planting them are asking. The truth is that it can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years before the first crop of avocados can be harvested.
It is important to note that even though it may take several years before the fruits are ready to be harvested, the growth cycle of the tree can vary significantly depending on the variety of avocado cultivated, the climate, where the tree is planted, and how it is cared for and maintained.
What Factors Influence The Growth Rate of Avocado Trees?
Environmental factors such as light, temperature, soil, and water can all heavily influence the rate at which an avocado tree grows and produces fruit. The type of avocado itself may also affect the rate at which any particular tree produces fruit. Generally, most of the larger varieties such as ‘Fuerte’ and ‘Hass’ tend to take longer to mature than the smaller varieties, such as the ‘Monroe.’
Experienced growers recommend providing adequate amounts of water, mulch, and fertilizer to your avocado tree in order to encourage it to bear fruit sooner. Allowing the leaves to mature and solidify before removing any of them is also recommended, as this can help to protect and shade the tree.
How to Plant and Care For Avocado Plants?
In order to maximize the time it takes for your avocado tree to bear fruit, it is important to ensure that the seedling is planted in the right environment. This means planting the tree in an area that is not exposed to full sun, as avocado trees cannot tolerate long hours of direct sunlight. A spot that receives direct sunlight for only 3 to 4 hours per day is preferable.
In addition, the soil should have high drainage capabilities, as the tree’s roots tend to rot easily if the soil is overly wet and soggy. Planting the tree in a slightly elevated area may also help with drainage and prevent root rot.
Pruning The Avocado Tree To Encourage Growth
In addition to ensuring the soil and location of the tree is conducive to the tree’s growth, it is also important to prune the tree in order to encourage healthy growth and get it to bear fruit sooner. Pruning should be done at least once a year, and dead, diseased, and damaged branches should be removed. This will also help to ensure that the tree doesn’t become overgrown and congested.
Pruning should be done after the flowering period when the fruit is still small. This should be done by removing the weaker avocados so as to not strain the tree, as this could undermine the overall productivity of the tree.
Avocado Varieties Bearing Fruit Sooner
Apart from caring for the avocado tree properly, it is also important to consider planting specific varieties that are known to bear fruit sooner than others. Some varieties such as the ‘Reed’ and the ‘Fuerte’ have been known to produce fruits as early as three years after planting, while other varieties like the ‘Zutano’, ‘Hass’, and ‘Gwen’ can take up to five to eight years before they produce fully mature fruit.
Another variety that is known to bear fruit early is the ‘Monroe’, which can begin to produce fruit as early as two years after planting. The ‘Monroe’ is known for its small fruit and thick skin, as well as its ability to bear fruit even in temperate climates.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, how long it takes for an avocado tree to bear fruit can vary significantly depending on the variety of tree grown, the environment in which the tree is planted, and how it is cared for and maintained. It is generally recommended to plant varieties such as the ‘Reed’ and the ‘Fuerte’ as these tend to bear fruit sooner than other varieties.
Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the soil in which the seedling is planted is of high drainage capability and not overly wet. Pruning the tree regularly, at least once a year, and removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches is also beneficial. Overall, if the tree is given adequate care and grows in the right environment, it should bear fruit in three to eight years.
