Q. I have read that Mexicola
avocados are ok in as low as 15 degrees once established. Am I wasting my time
trying? Or do I need to grow it in a pot until a certain size so I can bring it
inside? Love avocados but don't want to buy something just for it to die.
A. Avocados are a real
gamble in the Las Vegas area. If you look around town you don’t see too many
which is a good indicator they don’t survive here very well. But you are right.
If you are going to try one, it would probably be a Mexican race of avocado such
as Mexicola, and planted in a protected location.
 |
| A few of the avocado varieties |
The problem is its size. You could keep it pruned below
20 feet which will help keep it from freezing if planted in a warm microclimate
and protected from cold winter wind. The other problem is pollination. There is
a good chance you will not need a second tree for pollination to produce fruit
but you may produce more fruit with a compatible tree for pollination.
Another option is to plant a dwarf avocado such as Little
Cado, a hybrid between Mexican and Guatemalan races. This dwarf avocado can
handle temperatures down to about 25° F, similar to many citrus growing in Las
Vegas planted in warm microclimates.
Read more about the 3
races of avocado published by the University of California Riverside
