Avocado-Waldin Tree Type B
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$119.00
Original price
$119.00
$59.00
-
$119.00
Current price
$119.00
Waldin Avocado Tree Overview
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Taste
- The Waldin Avocado (Persea americana 'Waldin') produces large, oval to round fruits, typically weighing 14–24 ounces, with smooth, glossy, thin green skin that remains green when ripe. The flesh is creamy, pale yellow-green, with a mild, buttery flavor and moderate oil content, less rich than Hass but prized for its smooth texture.
- Its taste is subtle and slightly nutty, making it ideal for salads, smoothies, or as a base for guacamole; it’s a favorite in tropical regions like Florida for its refreshing quality.
- Fruits are harvested from late summer to early fall (August–October in Florida), offering a generous yield for home growers and commercial orchards.
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Best Growing Environment
- Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with warm, humid conditions, ideally 70–90°F, and high humidity (50–70%), such as southern Florida, Hawaii, or coastal areas of southern California.
- Prefers well-draining, fertile soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0; sandy loam or loamy soils enriched with organic matter are optimal, while heavy clay or poorly drained soils increase root rot risk.
- Benefits from a wind-sheltered site with good air circulation to protect delicate flowers and fruit; planting near structures or natural windbreaks enhances performance in windy areas.
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Common Names
- Waldin Avocado, Florida Avocado (due to its prominence in South Florida), or Green-Skinned Avocado in some markets.
- Sometimes called a “summer avocado” in Florida, reflecting its harvest season.
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Average Height
- Grows to 20–30 feet tall in the ground with regular pruning to control size and facilitate harvesting; unpruned trees can reach 40–50 feet in ideal conditions.
- In containers, trees can be maintained at 6–10 feet with consistent pruning, suitable for patios or indoor overwintering in cooler climates.
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Growth Rate
- Moderate to fast growth rate, adding 1–3 feet per year under optimal conditions, with grafted Waldin trees typically fruiting within 3–5 years, compared to 5–10 years for seed-grown trees.
- Growth may slow in cooler temperatures or nutrient-poor soils, but established trees are vigorous and productive with proper care.
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Sun Requirements
- Requires full sun with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure robust growth, flowering, and high fruit yields; partial shade reduces fruit production and weakens the tree.
- Young trees may benefit from light shade in extreme heat to prevent leaf scorch, but mature trees thrive in full sun; container plants need regular rotation for even light exposure.
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Cold Hardiness
- Less cold-hardy than Mexican avocado varieties, tolerating brief dips to 28–30°F in mature trees, but young trees are damaged below 32°F, requiring protection during frost.
- Unsuitable for regions with prolonged freezing temperatures; in marginal zones, use frost blankets or grow in containers to move indoors when temperatures fall below 40°F.
- Best suited for frost-free or nearly frost-free climates, with careful management in cooler areas.
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Water Requirements
- Needs regular, deep watering during establishment (first 1–2 years), 1–2 times weekly, allowing the top 2–3 inches of soil to dry between waterings to avoid root rot.
- Mature trees are moderately drought-tolerant but require weekly watering during dry periods, especially during flowering (spring) and fruit development (summer); reduce frequency in winter.
- Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips or compost) around the base, keeping it 6 inches from the trunk, to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Planting Guide
- Plant in spring or early summer to allow root establishment before cooler weather, choosing a sunny, well-draining site 15–20 feet from structures or other trees.
- Dig a hole 2–3 times wider and as deep as the root ball, mixing native soil with 20–30% compost for poor soils; keep the graft union 2 inches above ground and water deeply after planting.
- For containers, use a 15–20 gallon pot with drainage holes, filled with a well-draining citrus or avocado mix; repot every 2–3 years to refresh soil and support root growth.
- Stake young trees for wind protection and space in-ground trees 20–25 feet apart to accommodate their broad canopy.
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Fertilizing Times and Recommended Fertilizer
- First Year: Fertilize every 6–8 weeks from spring to early fall (March, May, July, September) with a balanced, nitrogen-rich fertilizer like 6-2-2 or 8-3-9 (e.g., Espoma Citrus-tone), using ¼–½ lb per application to promote root and leaf development.
- Mature Trees: Apply fertilizer 3 times per year—early spring (February), early summer (June), and early fall (August)—using 1–2 lbs of a citrus/avocado-specific blend like 10-5-10 or SUNSHINE C-Cibus (NPK 2-2-4) per inch of trunk diameter, spread under the canopy and watered in thoroughly.
- Add micronutrients (zinc, iron, manganese) annually in spring, especially in alkaline soils, using chelated iron (e.g., FeEDDHA) if chlorosis appears; avoid late fall fertilization to prevent frost-sensitive growth.
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Pollination A or B
- Waldin Avocado is a Type B flower, with flowers opening as female in the morning of day 1 and as male in the afternoon of day 2, following synchronous dichogamy to encourage cross-pollination.
- While self-fertile and capable of setting fruit alone, planting near a Type A variety (e.g., Hass, Lula) significantly improves fruit set and yield through cross-pollination by bees.
- Support pollination by ensuring active bee populations and avoiding pesticides during the spring flowering period.
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USDA Zone
- Thrives in USDA Zones 9b–11, with optimal growth in Zones 10a–11 (minimum temperatures 25–40°F), including southern Florida, Hawaii, and coastal southern California.
- In Zone 9b or cooler (e.g., Zones 4–9a), grow in containers and move indoors during winter, keeping temperatures above 40°F; use frost protection like frost cloth for in-ground trees in marginal zones.