Bacon Avocado (forum)

ringelstrumpf starts with ...
Apparently, Bacon is the cold hardiest variety and the only one which suits our cool Upper Mountains climate (said the guy in the nursery).
Is this true? Is Bacon a worthwhile variety and how does it taste?
How big does the tree gets and what is the space between two trees? It is said that I don't need A and B varieties in our climate.
Is it true that Avocados are poisonous to chicken (the leaves)?
To which depth do they need free draining soil 1 meter or 1 1/2 would be OK?

Time: 24th January 2011 8:36pm

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About the Author ringelstrumpf1
Blue Mountains
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BJ says...
Yes, bacon does well in colder areas. You can try seeking out a Zutano, but I dont think it would be any better than Bacon. Its an upright tree, so shouldn't need too much horizontal space. Edranol is another you could possibly try. Its supposed to have some cold tolerance, but when grown in the cold or inland, gets a rusty skin, but is still supposed to taste really good. Unfortunately, all are B type flowers. You dont need both A & B type trees, but having both gives better pollination and more fruit, but one will be enough for most backyarders.

I've found this listing good for Avo's (just wish we had a similar selection here! The Holiday sounds like an exceptional backyard tree!): http://ucavo.ucr.edu/AvocadoVarieties/AvocadoVarieties.html


Time: 24th January 2011 9:27pm

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Original Post was last edited: 24th January 2011 9:29pm

About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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ringelstrumpf says...
Thanks, there are a lot more varieties than I thought! I I get a better yield planting two ( I thought that doesn't matter at all in cool climates), then I go for two. We love them.
I think that we don't get half the varieties listed here.

Time: 24th January 2011 10:25pm

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About the Author ringelstrumpf1
Blue Mountains
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BJ says...
Yep, we dont have anywhere near that many varieties, but it has good info on all of our major varieties (other than ones selected here) and gives me something to dream about. Even if you dont get the benefits of an A & B pollination in the mountains, planting two different varieties will give you different fruit and extend the harvesting season (if you get anything other than Bacon growing well).

Time: 24th January 2011 10:32pm

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
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Jason says...
Bacon is a good tasting Avocado in climates where it can hang on the tree a long time (cool climates) but it's not as good in warm climates when it ripens very quickly, it can be a bit stronger in Avocado flavour than Hass which a lot of avocado freaks like better than the mild flavour of Hass.

Not sure on the leaves being poisonous to birds but the fruit are. A lady next door to me in Mexico often used Avocado leaves in her cooking with bean dishes. I didn't try eating them myself (bit suss) but she was 60+ and still alive :).

Fuerte is an even better eating Avocado than Bacon and of similar cold tolerance (or better) but needs slightly more heat to pollinate well, it's fine somewhere like Melbourne but Bacon might outperform it as far as amount of fruit goes in your climate since you are so high in the mountains. It's season is also pretty much at the same time as Bacon, to get an later fruit you are going to have to give some of the less cold hardy Guatemalan type A's a shot.

How big does it get? depends how many years you have left in your life :), if you plan on living 400 years then, big as large gum tree, if not then probably in your climate you will get 1-2 feet per year on average. Or lets say at the most 2 feet taller per year and 1 foot wider each year on an upright variety like Bacon. If they are going in a backyard 4-5 meters apart is enough

Time: 26th January 2011 9:47pm

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Original Post was last edited: 26th January 2011 9:48pm

About the Author Jason
Portland
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