The Hass avocado variety has grown rapidly. From a crop that didn’t even exist a century ago to one of the most popular fruits of its kind.
How Hass avocados are grown and their journey is a natural wonder that combines careful cultivation, delicate handling and thorough attention to the ripening process.
Land Preparation
The planting pattern for Hass avocados in Kenya is usually rectangular because:
- It eases movement of machinery in between rows
- It enables free movement during inspection, thinning and pruning
Tree spacing may range from 6m by 7m to 8m by 10m. The planting holes should be around 60cm–70cm.
Planting Hass Avocados in Kenya
When you decide to plant a Hass avocado tree in Kenya, make sure to buy a seedling. Avocado trees are propagated through grafting. This means the stem of one Hass avocado is spliced onto another of the same variety.
This technique is effective because:
- It results in quicker harvests
- It increases the tree’s resistance to diseases
- It results in higher yields
- The quality of fruit is consistent
Pollination of Hass Avocados
Like other fruits, each Hass avocado emerges from a bloom on the tree. Pollinated blooms range from 150-500 on a Hass tree.
Avocado flowers have both male and female flower parts. Each part functions at a different time during the day.
Avocado trees fall into two categories of flower types, A and B. Although Hass avocado trees are self-pollinating, they are type A.
An avocado tree needs to cross-pollinate with another variety for a more plentiful harvest. Planting a type A tree like Hass and a type B tree like Zutano increases successful pollination if enough insect pollinators are present.
That’s why bees play a key role in an avocado orchard.
Hass Avocado Growing Conditions in Kenya
Hass avocado trees need careful attention when planting due to their sensitive roots and moisture requirements. But they are a low maintenance crop later once cultivated.
- Sun and Shade
Hass avocado trees thrive in bright, direct, unfiltered sunlight. They need at least six hours of sunlight per day. But they can tolerate slight shade.
- Temperature
Hass avocados prefer temperatures ranging from 15-26 degrees Celsius. As they get older, these trees can withstand temperatures as low -2 degrees.
- Soil
The ideal soil for Hass avocado trees is loose and loamy or sandy with a pH level no higher than 6.5. The tree requires soil that has good drainage.
- Watering
A newly planted Hass avocado tree needs to be watered every two to three days. Before watering, make sure the soil isn’t very moist. As the tree gets older, watering can be reduced to once a week in case of lack of enough rainfall.
- Fertilizing
Many fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. But in order to thrive, Hass avocado trees also need zinc and boron.
The tree needs fertilizer one year after planting.
- Pruning
Hass avocado trees don’t require much pruning except to:
- Remove broken limbs
- Trim the tallest branches so that the tree can grow wide instead of tall
- Promote the growth of new lateral branches
- Diseases and Pests
Root rot which is caused by Phytophthora is brought about by poor drainage conditions. It can be prevented by keeping the tree dry. Avocado black streak causes cracked, black lesions on the tree trunk and branches.
Common pests that disturb Hass avocado trees are avocado mites and persea mites. Treatment is in form of applying neem oil.
Harvesting Hass Avocados in Kenya
Hass avocado trees start bearing fruit in three to five years. Hass trees are harvested gently by hand.
The avocados begin to ripen after they are plucked from the tree. They will soften after one to three weeks. The skin turns to a dark purple-black shade.