Flowering in the Avocado Tree

Flowering in the avocado tree varies according to the variety and to weather conditions. In the Hass type it lasts several weeks and takes place between March and mid-May.

Figure: Biological cycle of the Avocado Tree

Avocado flowers are hermaphrodite, white or yellowish-green and small (0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter).

They are produced in large numbers and borne in terminal panicles on the youngest shoots.

Although avocado flowers are hermaphrodite, the crop has a very particular flowering process that works against self-pollination, a phenomenon known as synchronous daily protogynous dichogamy.

• On each tree, the flowers open first as female (receptive stigma and closed anthers);
• They then close and, at a second opening, open functionally as male (non-receptive stigma and open anthers).

Pollination is essentially entomophilous, carried out mainly by bees. Since avocado flowers are not especially attractive to bees, it is advisable to place hives close to the plot.

Did you know about the particularities of avocado flowering?

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