The Reed avocado tree is a cultivar of Persea americana , classified within the Lauraceae household alongside plants like bay laurel and camphor . Botanically , it ’s a berry , defined by its single large seed and sarcoid pulp , though it ’s culinarily treat as a veg . Reed is primarily of Guatemalan lineage ( around 80 - 90 % ) , with a minor Mexican influence , giving it a thick pelt and richer petroleum content than Mexican - prevailing varieties . This Guatemalan heritage contributes to its robust texture and flavor , key it from hybrids like Fuerte or Bacon .

develop in California , the Reed avocado was developed by James S. Reed , a farmer in Carlsbad , in the forties . Reed see the variety as a chance seedling from a Guatemalan aguacate tree on his place , noting its exceptional size and quality . Patented in 1960 , it gained popularity among growers for its large fruit and resistance to wind damage , though it never rival Hass commercially due to its myopic time of year and less versatile mature trait . It stay a darling niche smorgasbord , specially in its home state .

Identifying a Reed avocado is simple with its classifiable lineament . It ’s round to more or less ellipse , unlike the pear - shaped average , with thick , bumpy , green pelt that stays green when ripe — a contrast to Hass ’s blackening peel . Weighing 8 to 18 ounces ( 225 - 510 gm ) , it ’s often larger than mean , with creamy , golden - unripened figure boasting a gamey oil cognitive content ( 18 - 22 % ) . The seed is relatively small , maximizing edible yield , and the peel peels off flawlessly , making it a standout for simpleness of use .

Reed alligator pear thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , favor warm , semitropic clime with minimal Robert Lee Frost vulnerability . They ’re less cold - tolerant than Mexican mixed bag , withstand brief dips to 28 ° F ( -2 ° speed of light ) but suffering wrong below that , specially in new tree . Coastal California , especially San Diego and Santa Barbara Counties , supply ideal circumstance — well - drained soils , plenteous sun , and protective cover from rough breaking wind . Its Guatemalan root make it sensitive to overwatering , requiring heedful internet site selection .

Seasonality for Reed avocados is shorter than many varieties , running from June to October in California , with peak availability in late summer . Harvested mature but unripe , it ripens off - tree , and its deep hide allow some on - tree diagram storage , though not as long as Hass . This summer window limits its marketplace presence compared to year - bout Hass import , but it ’s prize topically during its time of year , often found at Farmer ’ markets or speciality memory . Its timing aligns with quick - weather demand for tonic , rich avocado .

Culinary uses of Reed alligator pear play up its dense , haywire flesh and fluid texture . It excels in chunky guacamole , where its firmness harbor up well with minimum mashing , paired with lime and cilantro . Sliced or dice , it elevates salad , sandwich , or sushi drum roll , offering a larder richness that complement seafood or greens . Its high oil capacity makes it ideal for scooping raw with a spoon or merge into creamy dressings , though it ’s less suited to fix due to likely bitterness when heated . Reed ’s sheer flavor and generous size make it a summer favorite for aguacate purist .

Cultivation of Reed Avocados

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Reed avocados prosper in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , favoring warm , semitropic climates with temperatures between 65 ° degree Fahrenheit and 85 ° F ( 18 ° degree Celsius to 29 ° C ) . Their Guatemalan lineage throw them less inhuman - hardy than Mexican motley , tolerating brief drops to 28 ° F ( -2 ° coke ) but suffering below that , especially during bloom . Growers in California ’s coastal realm practice frost protection like sprinklers or treat for young trees during rarified cold spells .

Soil Preferences

Excellent drain is non - negotiable , as Reed is prone to root rot ( Phytophthora cinnamomi ) . Sandy loam or volcanic stain with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 are ideal , promoting aeration and weewee flow . Heavy clay soils require raised beds or organic amendments ( e.g. , gypsum ) to prevent waterlogging . Soil testing prior to planting ensures right social system and nutrient accessibility for its sensitive ascendant .

web site Selection

Flat to softly sloping land ( up to 10 % grade ) suit Reed , aiding drainage while retaining accessibility . Full sun—6 - 8 hours day by day — is crucial for yield growing , and wind shelter ( via natural ridges or set barrier ) guards its with child yield and brittle branches . Coastal sites in California , harbor from inland heat extremes , provide the static microclimate Reed craves .

Tree Propagation

Reed is propagated by grafting onto vigorous rhizome like ‘ Duke 7 ’ or ‘ Toro Canyon ’ to ensure disease ohmic resistance and true - to - type yield . Seedlings from Reed fruit wo n’t retroflex its trait due to transmissible variation , so greenhouse - grown transplant — scions from certified Tree — are cultivated for 12 - 18 months before transplanting . This preserves its large size and ample flavor .

Planting

Trees are spaced 15 - 20 understructure ( 4.5 - 6 meters ) aside to reconcile their wide , rounded canopies , though high - compactness woodlet ( 12 - 15 feet ) use pruning . springtime planting , after frost risk , is optimal in regions like California , set aside source establishment before summer . hole twice the etymon ball ’s sizing are dug , mixed with compost , and staked to hold up against wind until tree diagram mature .

Irrigation

beating-reed instrument need moderate , precise watering—20 - 40 gallons ( 75 - 150 liters ) per tree weekly , adapt for rainfall and soil moisture . Drip irrigation aim the etymon zone , debar over - saturation that Guatemalan character despise . Young trees need 2 - 3 weekly academic session , tapering as they mature . Tensiometers or soil probes forestall water stress or rot , balancing its drainage needs .

fertilisation

Nitrogen is applied at 1 - 2 pounds ( 0.45 - 0.9 kg ) per tree diagram yearly , divide into spring and midsummer social disease to boost growing and fruiting . atomic number 30 and B supplements reference deficiencies , often via foliar spray , especially in sandy soils . Organic mulch or balanced fertilizers ( e.g. , 10 - 10 - 10 NPK ) maintain health , but over - fertilizing risks lush leaves over fruit , so annual foliage analysis refines inputs .

pollenation

Reed is a Type A flowerer — distaff in the morning , male the next afternoon — self - fertile but knuckle under better with cross - pollination . Planting Type B varieties like ‘ Bacon ’ or ‘ Zutano ’ nearby enhances yield lot , as bees bridge bloom overlaps ( April - June in California ) . raiser often introduce hives during flowering to ensure pollenation , critical for its heavy fruit load .

Pruning

Minimal pruning regulate Reed tree , removing all in Sir Henry Wood or crowded branches to meliorate light and air flow . new trees are rail into an receptive , rounded shape over 2 - 3 years , while mature trees get light thinning post - harvest ( downfall ) to sustain energy . sound cuts are forfend , as Reed ’s natural structure support its big fruit with little intervention .

Pest and Disease Management

Persea tinge and thrip are primary pests , manage with predatory insects ( e.g. , lacewings ) or targeted spray like atomic number 16 . Root rot is the master disease threat , foresee with resistant rootstocks and nonindulgent irrigation dominance . Regular scouting and rubble remotion limit pest harbors , favoring integrated pest direction to keep chemical substance use low .

Fruit Development

After pollination , Reed fruit matures over 12 - 14 months , harvest - ready from June to October in California . It stays firm on - tree , ripen off - tree , with ironical matter depicted object ( 22 % minimum ) signaling adulthood . yield reaches 8 - 18 ounces ( 225 - 510 grams ) , with size of it tied to piss , nutrients , and cutting — overloaded branches may require musical accompaniment .

harvest

Reed avocados are hand - picked mature but unripe , using clipper ship to snip stems and maintain thick skin . time aligns with crude oil content test , peaking in late summer when demand spikes . doer use ladders or poles for tall trees , collect into cushion bins to deflect bruising its hefty fruit , a plus over thinner - skinned types .

Post - Harvest Care

Harvested yield is cooled to 40 - 50 ° F ( 4 - 10 ° carbon ) to slow cellular respiration , then range for sizing and calibre . Ripening occurs off - tree diagram at 65 - 75 ° F ( 18 - 24 ° C ) over 7 - 14 24-hour interval , or hastened with ethylene commercially . Thick skin extends shelf aliveness slightly over thin - skinned diversity , but well-timed distribution maximizes crust . fledged trees yield 100 - 200 pounds ( 45 - 90 kilogram ) annually with right fear .