Avocado - Mexicola - Cold hardy - Autumn ripening
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$109.00 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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$109.00
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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 flowering season (4 months in Northland), so its flowering continues 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.
- Flower Type: A
- Colour when ripe: Black
- Fruit shape: Oval
- Fruit size: small
- Seed size: small
- Fruit quality/taste: Good, edible skin which has an anise flavour
- Harvest season: Autumn
- Type: Mexican
- Origin: California
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 it start producing.
Our trees are grafted onto Zutano rootstock, and are around 110-130cm tall including the bag.
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.
