05 August 2009

Midsummer in Menton: the Young Avocados

Copyright 2009 Menton Daily Photo. All rights reserved.

This avocado tree grows in a Gorbio garden. The fruit is coming along nicely but there's still a long way to go before it's mature. November to January seems to be the time here but I believe much depends on the variety.

If you enlarge the main photo you can very fine lines, probably spider mite.

A gardener friend who grows many different varieties of avocado in Menton told me that the village of Gorbio is too high and therefore too cold in winter for avocados to grow. This tree proves him wrong. I live below the village, ignored his advice and planted two avocado trees three years ago. You need to have two different - and specific - varieties for pollination to take place. They are coming on well and this year blossomed for the first time - so far no avocados but fingers crossed for next year.

10 comments:

  1. Even though California is close by and has many avocado farms, I have never seen one actually growing. This photo is great! Thanks for letting me see what they look like while they are soaking up the sun and developing into a tasty treat.

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  2. on attends qu'ils soient murs et une bonne salade d'avocats....

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  3. We'll see later if your trees not only grow but bear fruit - that would be nice!

    I had no idea avocadoes could grow on the Riviera. I remember vividly seeing whole orchards of them in Coffs Harbour, on the northern coast of NSW. They had avocadoes and bananas for sale along the side of the road, with honesty boxes for payment. It was delightful.

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  4. And I should have told you earlier but I LOVE your portrait of the lady in the "three hats" post. Her tan, her hat, her pose, she is just gorgeous.

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  5. It's not the first time a pro gardener gets it wrong. They have a lot of experience, but sometimes they are a bit too conservative...
    I love the feast of deep greens in both your photos.

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  6. I like your photograph of them very much. I don't know much about them but Patty does.

    Patty, my wife of 54 years, is the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer of our home and knows everything about everything.

    I am still making history on my Pick a Peck of Pixels blog. Today I posted a Zebra Butterfly with long tails. He is as big as your hand. Most have never seen one. Now you can see one at
    Pick a Peck of Pixels

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  7. Very nice shot. I'm glad you suggested enlarging the main shot to see the spider web. Good luck with the avocados this winter; you'll have to report back and show them in a dish you make:)

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  8. Ah, this post makes my mouth water. There are few foods more delicious than avocado. How wonderful to grow your own!

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  9. I am very fortunate to have a beautiful huge 50-year old avocado tree here in California but it's a constant battle with the squirrels because they like them too - they take a couple of bites and then drop them on the ground, albeit to my dogs' delight. Yes, my dogs love avocadoes too!

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  10. The family that loves avocadoes together!

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