Avocado - Pinkerton Semi Dwarf - Spring ripening
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$109.00 - Regular price
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$109.00
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Pinkerton is the smallest growing of the semi-dwarf varieties available in New Zealand, which is ideal for the home gardener with limited space. Pinkerton produces avocados that are larger than Hass, a long and necky shape, that are creamy and buttery. The flesh is a golden yellow and has a superb flavour, and high oil content. Another desirable trait of the Pinkerton is its small seed, giving one of the highest flesh to seed ratios of all avocado varieties. This tree is well known as a consistent, heavy producer, and is commercially grown in some countries. When fully grown, Pinkerton reaches about 3.5-4 meters high, and 3 meters wide, but can be kept smaller by light pruning after fruit harvest.
Pinkertons harvest season starts in winter, and carries on through spring, sometimes still having good fruit for harvesting in early summer.
The parent trees of Pinkerton are Hass and Rincon. Pinkerton carries characteristics of both mother trees, and gains its semi dwarfing habit from the dwarf Rincon.
Pinkerton is an A flowering type, and although avocado trees in our climate are self fertile, they do produce more fruit if 2 are planted near each other with opposing flower types. In this case, best planted near a B variety, like Fuerte, Bacon, Hashimoto, Zutano or Sharwil.
Avocado care guide
Just arrived? Keep your tree in a sheltered, semi-shaded spot for 2–4 weeks before planting. See our acclimation guide.
1. Drainage is everything
More avocados die from wet roots (Phytophthora root rot) than anything else. Plant on a mound 40–60 cm high (go higher on heavy clay) using a free-draining mix. Never dig a hole into clay; it fills with water like a bucket. Keep the graft union above the soil.
2. Water the root ball, not the calendar
For the first year, the root ball dries out faster than the soil around it. Check 5 cm down and water deeply only when it's dry. In summer that's usually once or twice a week, more often on sandy soil or in a heatwave. In winter, you'll barely need to water.
3. Mulch thick, but keep it off the trunk
Put 10–15 cm of coarse wood chip or bark out to the drip line, with a 10 cm gap around the trunk. Avocado feeder roots are shallow, so don't dig or plant anything around the base, and keep lawn well away.
4. Feed little and often
Give small feeds of a balanced fertiliser (one with zinc and boron) in spring, summer and early autumn. Don't feed in winter. Spread it at the drip line, keep it 40 cm from the trunk, and water it in.
5. Shelter young trees for 2–3 years
Use windbreak cloth in exposed spots and frost cloth when frost is forecast (young trees are damaged around -1 to -2°C). Paint exposed trunks with white water-based paint diluted 50:50 to prevent sunburn.
6. Let the tree grow before it fruits
Pick off any fruit in the first 1–2 years so the tree puts its energy into branches and roots. Only prune to remove dead wood or keep the tree in shape.
What's normal (don't panic)
- Old leaves dropping in spring: normal. Avocados shed old leaves as they flower and push new growth.
- Brown, crispy leaf tips: usually salt or fertiliser burn, or dry roots. Flush with a deep watering and ease off on feeding.
- Most flowers and tiny fruit dropping: normal. Avocados produce thousands of flowers and set only a few.
- Yellowing leaves and wilting in wet soil: a root rot warning sign. Stop watering and check drainage.
Want more detail? Read our full Avocado Tree Care Guide or planting in clay soil.
