Avocadoes are classified into three types: Mexican, Guatemalan,
and West Indian. Some avocados are a cross. Each has unique characteristics. The Mexican type is most cold hardy, has paper-thin
skinned fruit, takes the fewest months to mature (5-6) and has the smallest of fruit which are green to black. Guatemalan
is less cold hardy, has thick woody-tissue skinned fruit, takes the longest time to mature (10-15 months) and has medium-sized
fruit that is green to red. West Indian is the least cold-hardy, is fairly quick to mature (5-8 months), has leathery-skinned
fruit that are green to red.
Virtually all
avocados are self fruitful. Except for the Mexican varieties where isolated trees usually bear well, most avocados
will have increased yields if types A and B are planted together. Flowers of Type A are receptive to pollen in the morning
but don't release their pollen until the afternoon of the next day. Flowers of Type B are receptive to pollen in the afternoon
but do not release their pollen until the next morning. Solitary trees with their decreased yields usually produce more than
enough for a family.
Specific varieties are recommended for Florida, California, and Hawaii. The chart below lists
some of the more popular Florida varieties.
