Description
Avocado’s are creamy, nutritious and so versatile to use. The Hass (or Haas) is a very popular one, thanks to its gorgeous nutty taste and texture. Under the Hass umbrella, which hails from Southern California, are lamb Hass, maluma Hass and regular Hass avocado’s.
The lamb Hass’ flesh darkens more when it’s ripe, and the Maluma Hass is a hybrid from South Africa.
Hass avocado flowers are both male and female opening at different times of the day. They are compatible and self fertile, therefore Hass does not require a pollinator. However, if you were to look for a suitable pollinator, Fuerte would be suitable.
In terms of fruiting, Hass is a type A avocado tree, while some other varieties are type B. Type A’s first flower is female flowers, which close and reopen as males. So, it’s a good idea to plant your Hass tree near a type B tree, which is opposite, so that the bees can fertilise from open male flowers to open female flowers simultaneously.
Position
Hass prefers warm climates, plenty of sunshine and rain, and prefers to be sheltered from the wind as far as possible.
Size
The Hass avocado tree grows to between 4.5 and 6 metres high with a canopy spread of 1.5 to 2.5 metres. When mature, it is very large, so allow an area of about 7 metres around each tree
Soil Type
Although avocado trees like to have a lot of water, the soil should drain well. This is to prevent the roots from becoming soggy, which will only cause them to rot and die. Sandy, loamy soil with a pH of between 5.0 and 7.0 is ideal. Plant with at least one bag of acid compost. Dig a deep and wide hole for the feeder roots to spread wide. Nourish all of the soil that will be put back into your hole.
Mulch
Use from 2 to 5 cm of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
Watering
Avocados are water-hungry and need lots of water, especially when they’re getting established. In drier conditions, they may even need to be watered more than once a day. Mature fruiting plants can drink up to 75 litres (20 gallons) of water a day. In normal conditions, you should be able to water it about 3 times a week.
Fertilising
Fertilise your tree in spring, summer and autumn by sprinkling one tablespoon of nitrogen on the soil under the tree. Then, water it very well so the nitrogen can soak deep into the ground.
Our high nitrogen-rich, slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser works well with all plants and trees. For young trees, apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months.
Pruning
Prune your tree with clean equipment and don’t prune a healthy tree with the same tools that you used for a sick tree. Generally, remove horizontal branches that are close to the ground and dead or diseased limbs. Keep the canopy fairly open to allow light to enter and to make it easier to access. A light pruning can be done at any time of year. A heavier prune should be done late in winter or early in spring.
Harvesting
Broadly speaking, it’s best to pick the largest fruits first and then allow them to ripen off the tree before they fall to the ground. Still, it is good to leave them on the tree for as long as possible, as immature fruits won’t ripen after they’ve been picked. So, keep an eye on your tree and try to feel the fruit you can reach to check that they are not too soft.
