Avocado, widely grown in the tropics and subtropics for its delicious fruit, is originally from Central America. It was introduced to Hawaii in the early l9th century, but it took 50 years for it to gain popularity on Oahu.

Commercially, avocados were a major crop by 1940 and then declined. Now avocados are experiencing another commercial boom. The avocado is a versatile fruit and is usually eaten in salads or sandwiches.

Avocados are large trees, requiring 25'-35' spacing. They are beautiful trees, providing cool shade and abundant fruit. There are many varieties to choose from (see list below), and with three or four varieties one can harvest fruit year round.

Avocados grow well on most soils provided they are given excellent drainage. Excellent drainage is essential to their health. Without proper drainage, the trees will succumb to phytophora (avocado root-rot) and decline to their death.

Avocados can be grown with good success up to over 4000' elevation. They prefer slightly alkaline soil (so give them dolomite or crushed coral at planting and once a year) and respond well to a balanced fertilizer at regular intervals. They thrive with organic fertilizers and heavy mulching.

Harvest when the skin turns from a shiny gloss to a dull mat color. Each variety has a season when the fruit is ripe, although all varieties flower in the winter.

Some recommended varieties are (all are delicious with excellent flavor and smooth texture):

SHARWIL: Most popular with commercial growers. Has a long and heavy bearing season throughout the winter months (November-February). Medium size, pear-shaped fruit with a small seed, high oil content, and a green rough skin. "Sharwil" is a regular bearer.

GREEN GOLD: A cultivar developed by the UH, considered by many to be superior to the Sharwil. Has a long and heavy bearing season (January-April). Medium size, pear-shaped fruit with a small seed, high oil content, and a green-gold skin. It bears regularly too.

KAHALUU: Ripe in the Fall (August-October) but an alternate bearer (every other year). A large, oblong fruit with a tiny seed and green skin. The best-flavored Hawaiian variety.

LINDA: Ripens in the Spring. Has a large roundish fruit with a medium seed, dark purple skin when ripe, is regular and heavy bearing. Called the "dieter's avocado" due to its lower oil content and its good flavor.

YAMAGATA: Has a long and heavy bearing season from March-July of large, pear-shaped fruit with a small seed and green skin.

FUJIKAWA: Has a heavy bearing Spring season. The pear-shaped fruit has a medium-sized seed and green skin. The flavor is very good.

MURASHIGE: Fruits are ripe in the late Spring and early Summer with a large pear shape, a small seed, and a dark green skin. It has excellent flavor but ripe fruit does not store well. It is a heavy and regular bearer.

MALAMA: A regular, heavy bearer with ripe fruit early in the Fall. Skin is purple when ready to eat, easy to peel, with rich and nutty flavor. High oil content with no fiber or string. It is sometimes called the "purple Kahalu'u."

OTA: Has a long, regular, and heavy bearing season from late in the Fall and all through the Winter months if grown at 1,000 feet. The fruits are round with great flavor and a small seed. The fruit holds well on the tree.