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How to Grow Hass Avocados? The Hass avocado tree is a Southern California favorite, known for its rich and tasty fruits that are packed with healthy oils. We enjoy these avocados in various dishes, from slices on toast and rolls in sushi to being mashed into guacamole for our Mexican cuisine.
But how did we get this delicious, creamy variety of avocado? Surprisingly, it all started with a postman named Rudolph Hass, who stumbled upon this variety by accident. Now, Hass avocados make up nearly 95% of avocado sales in the U.S. and 80% worldwide.
A Happy Accident: The Birth of Hass Avocados
Rudolph Hass, a postal worker who loved avocados, wanted to grow his own to save money. He bought a seed from a man named A. R. Rideout and planted it in his garden in the late 1920s. Hass planned to graft new branches onto the seedling, but every graft attempt failed. The tree was too young to produce fruit, and Hass almost cut it down. His kids, however, convinced him to give it some time.
When the tree finally bore fruit, its rough, dark skin looked different from the smooth, green skin of the popular Fuerte avocado. Despite its odd appearance, the fruit’s thick skin protected the soft, creamy flesh inside, making it perfect for shipping. Hass’s children tried the fruit and loved its rich flavor, so Hass tasted it himself and agreed. It was better than any avocado he had planned to grow.
Hass started selling his avocados at his post office and local grocery stores and eventually patented his tree. Unfortunately, he made only about $5,000 from his patent because people would buy a tree and then graft it onto others. Rudolph Hass passed away in 1952, but his original tree lived until 2002. Today, a sign marks the spot where it once stood, and La Habra Heights celebrates this local avocado variety with an annual festival. Here are the tips on how to grow Hass Avocados.
How to Grow Hass Avocados
Avocados thrive in warm areas and, once established, can be quite hardy. Let’s look at what you need to know to grow a Hass avocado tree successfully.
Light and Temperature
Avocado trees need full sun to grow well. The more sunlight they get, the better. California is ideal for avocados because of its sunny climate. These trees aren’t frost-resistant, and while mature trees can tolerate temperatures down to 28-32°F, younger plants are more sensitive. Temperatures over 100°F can reduce fruit production and even cause sunburn to the tree.
The best conditions for Hass avocado trees are places with plenty of sun and temperatures that stay between 60 and 80°F most of the year. Also, protect your young trees from strong winds.
Water and Moisture
Avocado trees need a lot of water, especially when they are young. When first planted, water your tree two to three times a week. Check the soil by picking up a handful and squeezing it. If the soil holds your fingerprint, it has enough water. Keeping the top 2 to 4 inches of soil moist is ideal for the tree’s nutrient roots.
Mature trees need even more water, sometimes up to 20 gallons daily. They aren’t drought-tolerant, so you’ll need to water them consistently. Monitor soil moisture closely and adjust your watering schedule based on your local climate and the time of year.
Soil Requirements
Avocado trees don’t like “wet feet,” so the soil needs to be well-draining. Enrich your soil with compost and organic matter to help retain moisture. Avocados prefer a slightly acidic pH, ideally no higher than 6.5. The soil should be loose, crumbly, and sandy loam. Avocados struggle in heavy clay soils because they don’t drain well and are too tough for the tree’s delicate nutrient roots.
Propagation and Pollination
Hass avocados are only propagated by grafting. They don’t grow true from seeds. If you’re not skilled at grafting, buy a grafted seedling from a reputable nursery to ensure a healthy start.
Avocados have two types of flowers: type A and type B. Hass avocados are type A, blooming from February to May. When the flowers first open, they are female and close later that day. The next day, they reopen as male flowers, making them somewhat self-pollinating.
Pruning and Maintenance
Remove any new growth below the graft joint, including small branches or leaves. This growth usually comes from the rootstock and won’t produce Hass avocados.
Most pruning focuses on maintaining the tree’s height, shaping it, or removing dead or diseased parts. If you’re pruning for height, trim only the tallest branches to encourage the tree to grow wider rather than taller.
Common Pests and Diseases
The biggest threat to avocado trees is Phytophthora root rot, which causes root and fruit rot. This fungus spreads through watering, so keep your trees and soil as dry as possible. Ensure your soil drains well to prevent waterlogging. Prevention is key since there’s no cure once this fungus takes hold.
Another disease, avocado black streak, causes black lesions on the trunk or branches that ooze sap. It usually appears after drought stress or exposure to too much salt and can be fatal. Proper watering with good-quality water can help prevent this disease.
Dothiorella canker, another common issue in Hass trees, causes non-black cankers that ooze sap, which dries to a white powder. Scraping off the outer bark can help the tree heal, even if it looks a bit sickly.
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