Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Avocado Trees, 1 by johnpeten

johnpeten wrote:
My trees are massive. 5 are more than 14 years old. The two youngsters near the house I grew from seed, planted about 8 years ago. They are about 25 feet tall. The one close to the septic tank is more advanced than the others and the flowers are starting to open. The others are forming panicles but probably won't have flowers ready for another couple of weeks. Luckily we are now into the time of year when the weather is stable, 80° during the day and about 60° during the night. The flowers that I have seen certainly don't open until the morning has warmed up, about 11 am. They close after dark when the temperature starts to drop about 8 pm. Hand pollinating occurred to me, as suggested, after the flowers had closed, on the pannicle that I can reach.
Many people in the village have Avocado trees and another type of fruit is available suggesting a different variety, possibly a B type. Some years we have fruit cascading from the trees and a truck arrives offering to strip the trees for a meagre price.
Grafting is not possible as I live in a very remote area and things have to proceed as nature intended.
My last photo last night showed an Ant by the flowers, possibly he may help with pollination.