Avocado - Mexicola - Cold hardy - Autumn ripening

A very unique and interesting avocado variety, which produces shiny black skinned fruit, with a bright yellow and green flesh. The skin is very thin and edible, and they can be eaten like an apple. These avocados are smaller than Hass, and are great for those who tend to throw away half an avocado due to not eating it all in one sitting. The tree is a prolific bearer and has a very long flowing season (4 months in Northland), so it is its flowering well into the time of year when bees are awake and active, making for a high pollination and fruit set each year. Fruit ripens in Autumn.

The Mexicola tree is fast growing, and is the most cold hardy and frost tolerant variety in the country once established, and is suitable for growing in coastal conditions. Frost protection is required until the tree is established. 

Mexicola 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. If you're looking for a B type companion for this tree that is also cold hardy, consider Edranol, Jim or Bacon.

When will it start producing fruit? Our avocado trees are grafted, so will flower in spring and if pollinated, will set fruit. Ideally this fruit should be picked off to allow the tree to establish. In the second year, if the tree has established itself you can let the start producing.

Our trees are grafted onto Zutano rootstock, and are around 110-130cm tall including the bag.

Avocado trees are generally easy to care for, but here are a few tips to help ensure your tree thrives:

1. Plant your tree in well-draining soil in a sunny location. Protect from wind and frost when young.

2. Water your tree regularly, but be careful not to over-water. Avocado trees prefer to be kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged. If planting in a clay soil, it is important to either create a mound, or build a raised planter box to plant your tree into. This helps keep the sensitive feeder roots out of the wet zone.

3. Fertilise your tree with a balanced fertiliser twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer.

4. Prune your tree regularly to remove any dead or damaged branches, and to shape the tree to promote good fruit production.

5. Avocado trees love mulch! Mulching around your tree helps regulate moisture, keep weeds away, breaks down into food for the tree, and creates a very healthy balance of good bacteria and fungi, closer to their natural habitat.