Anyone know how many years before an avocado started from seed will bear fruit? This is from one of those lighter green, smooth-skinned avocados, not a Haas.
Avocado Trees
J Plunket, being born and raised in the Caribbean, I am quite familiar with that plant. I do know that they take a long time to bear fruit, exactly how long, I really do not remember.
OK, did some research and found:
"A plant grown from seed will take anywhere from five to 13 years to flower and bear fruit. Fruit on trees grown from seeds are seldom good to eat. "
Further research led me to the tree I will try to buy and plant in this one's place, or next to it: the "Gillogly avocado". More info at http://www.avocadotrees.com/questions.htm They link to places where you can buy a grafted "treelet".
I've only had experience with one avocado tree grown from seed. When I lived in Long Beach, CA, there was an avocado tree about 20 feet tall, planted in a narrow strip between the driveway and the fence, back by the garages, was only watered by rainfall. It was about 15 years old and had never fruited.
My sister took to watering it once a month by placing the hose right at the base of the tree and letting it run very slowly all night. She did this every month. The tree bloomed that year for the first time, had hundreds of fruit, and they were delicious. Same thing the next year, hundreds of wonderful avocadoes. Then she moved to NM and I took over the watering. For the third year we had a huge crop. I moved away, too, the next year. No one watered the tree. It never fruited again.
So, I've come to the conclusion that maybe part of the reason that home-grown avocadoes don't produce is that they do not get enough water. I also have read on avocado-growing sites that deep watering is necessary.
I do not know the cultivar, but it was not a Haas. The fruit had smooth, green skin, and coming from a CA supermarket originally, I assume it may have been a Fuerte. I have also read that the fruit will not ripen on the tree, and will stay green until after it is picked. The fruit did ripen on this tree.
Unfortunately, the tree was cut down about six or seven years ago. When I last saw it about five years ago, it was trying to grow back from the stump. Very sad.
Here's a link to avocado varieties:
http://ucavo.ucr.edu/AvocadoWebSite%20folder/AvocadoWebSite/AvocadoVarieties/VarietyFrame.html
Another one that includes info on growing from seeds: http://www.destinationtropicals.com/tropical_plants/plant_6.asp
If you want a dwarf, have you considered the Little Cado variety. I bought Mexicola Grande because I need a cold-hardy type.
Good luck,
Karen