The avocado tree is a true marvel of nature, a miracle of mystery and a blessing to its faithful followers who understand its delightful fruit and nutritional benefits. Despite its extensive popularity in numerous culinary delicacies, the timing at which an avocado tree produces is often a subject of deep curiosity. In fact, many believe that the production of an avocado tree actually begins a lot earlier than most people assume.
Avocado trees require a significant amount of patience from the growers and the trees can take three to four years to produce fruit, with regular annual crops for most trees beginning in their third or fourth year. However, once the trees enter their seventh year of growth, the trees are likely to produce fruit in bigger quantities and for a longer period.
Before an avocado tree produces fruit, it must be pollinated by either another tree of the same variety or by a different variety that matures at the same time as the tree. Avocado trees typically start flowering early in the season and they yield at their peak during the summer months. To produce the best quality fruits it is essential to monitor the balance between water, minerals, and the amount of sun each tree is receiving.
Experts say that the proper balance of water, available nutrients and enough sunshine are key elements that determine when and how much an avocado tree produces. When it comes to providing adequate water, the roots of the trees should be moist but not drenched. As for the amount of sunshine, the young petioles should be lightly shaded to avoid sunburn, but the older petioles are capable of enduring full sun exposure.
If the growing conditions are adequate, healthy avocado trees can produce between 200 and 500 fruits every year. Experts recommend to prune avocado trees twice a year, and to thin out high fruit production in order to avoid an unbalanced and overgrown tree, encouraging more fruit to be produced. Pruning also helps bring in more light and facilitate more fruit production from the interior of the canopy.
Excessive fertilizer, however, can lead to a high leaf to fruit ratio, which can cause poor fruit quality and can even harm the leaves. The ideal fertilizer is one specifically designed for avocado trees composed of 6-6-6 or 8-3-9 NPK formulations, with the nitrogen increased to 10-10-10 in early spring.
Harvesting
When the time to harvest arrives, patience is still the key word. Just like there are no two avocados that taste alike, there are also no two that look alike. Even outside the tree, avocados can remain unripe for several days, and their color is not a reliable sign of ripeness. To determine the perfect ripeness of an avocado, a gentle squeeze is the best evidence that will reveal whether the avocado is ready to be picked.
Before they fully ripen, avocados can be picked and stored in a cool, dark place and left to ripen at a room temperature of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, ripened avocados can be stored in the refrigerator. The perfect temperature range to maintain a ripe avocado is between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius.
Nutritional Properties
Avocados are a great source of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients and contain healthy fatty acids that can help reduce cholesterol levels, as well as provide nourishment and energy.
Avocados are especially rich in vitamin E, vitamin K and folate, as well as potassium, dietary fiber, b-vitamins and antioxidants. They are also a good source of vitamin C and magnesium. While the fruit is mostly fat, the fat it contains is mostly unsaturated fats, the “good” kind of fats.
Avocado consumption has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease and lower LDL cholesterol levels. It has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, improve skin health and has potential benefits for weight management.
Uses
In general, avocados are an incredibly versatile food, both in cooking and as part of a salad or other dish. The ripe fruit can be used as a spread, or pureed and used as the base of a delicious salad dressing. It can be added to smoothies and used in baking recipes as a healthy alternative to butter or oil.
Interestingly, the oil from avocados can be used in beauty and skincare products and in many recipes, such as guacamole, avocado-based sauces, avocado toast, and mixed into salads or couscous.
Culinary Tips
When it comes to cooking with avocados, the possibilities are endless. Depending on the desired intensity of flavour, avocados can be added to any dish. They can be cubed and added to salads, or mashed and used as a dip. They can also be used as a spread on toast, as part of a sandwich or incorporated into a quesadilla.
In desserts, avocados can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter and can be added to cakes, muffins, and brownies for a healthy boost. Avocados can also be blended into smoothies, mixed into yoghurt or blended with chocolate for a healthy alternative to ice cream.
Storage
If the avocado is firm, it should be stored at room temperature until it ripens. Once it ripens, it can be refrigerated for up to three days. To store an avocado in its original state, it should be peeled and stored in a tightly sealed container with some lemon or lime juice. This will help preserve the colour and texture of the fruit.
Pest and Disease Management
It is important to be aware of the potential pests and diseases that could affect an avocado tree and its production. These include mealy bugs, scale, avocado root rot, leaf spot or scab, tip burn and fungal diseases.
The best way to prevent pest and diseases is to maintain a healthy and nutritious environment for the tree and keep the area free of weeds and other debris. Monitoring the tree regularly is also a good way to identify any problems as soon as they begin to develop and to take steps to rectify them.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is extracted from the avocado fruit and is a popular ingredient in beauty and skincare products. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and is believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to protect, nourish and moisturize the skin.
Avocado oil can be used in a range of products, such as facial and body moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners and lip balms. It is often added to anti-aging products such as eye cream and facial serum and can be used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and eczema.
Health Benefits
Avocado is a nutrient-rich food that has numerous health benefits. Eating avocados can reduce the risk of heart disease, improve eye and skin health, and reduce inflammation. It is also known to be high in fiber and low in sugar, making it an ideal food for people with diabetes and those trying to maintain a healthy weight.
Avocados are also rich in potassium and magnesium, which help regulate blood pressure and prevent heart disease. Furthermore, the high levels of healthy fats present in avocados may help protect against cancer, improve mood and cognitive function, and boost weight loss.
Conclusion
When it comes to an avocado tree and its production, there is much to learn about the timing and amount of fruit produced and how best to care for the tree. With proper management and adequate growing conditions, an avocado tree can produce between 200 and 500 fruits every year. Avocado is a nutrient-rich, healthy food with numerous health benefits, and the oil can be used in a wide range of skincare products.
