Source: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Avocado trees self-pollinate. However, there is a possibility that planting trees of flower types A and B can lead to increase pollination and fruit yield.
The avocado’s flowering behavior is believed to promote cross-pollination since the male and female phases of an individual flower occur at different times. It is believed that the interplanting of complementary flower types can boost fruit set and therefore yield by making pollen available.
There are two flowering types, referred to as "A" and "B" flower types. "A" varieties open as female on the morning of the first day. The flower closes in late morning or early afternoon. The flower will remain closed until the afternoon of the second day when it opens as male. "B" varieties open as female on the afternoon of the first day, close in late afternoon and re-open in the male phase the following morning.
Below the flower type for some of the most common avocado varieties.
Source: IFAS Extension, University of Florida
Variety | Race | Season of maturity | Fruit weight (oz) | Flower Type | Cold tolerance |
Donnie | West Indian | May 21-June 31 | 12-20 | A | Low |
Dupuis | West Indian | June 15-July 31 | 12-24 | A | Low |
Hardee | West Indian | June 25-Sept. 1 | 12-24 | B | Low |
Pollock | West Indian | June 25-Sept. 15 | 18-40 | B | Low |
Simmonds | West Indian | June 25-Sept. 15 | 16-34 | A | Low |
Nadir | Guatemalan, West Indian | July 1-Aug. 15 | 10-22 | A | Low |
Russell | West Indian | July 1-Aug. 31 | 16-24 | A | Low |
Brogdon | Complex Hybrid | July 15-Sept. 15 | 8-12 | B | Low |
Miguel | Guatemalan, West Indian | July 22-Sept. 15 | 18-26 | B | Low |
Nesbitt | Guatemalan, West Indian | July 22-Aug. 30 | 14-26 | A | Low |
Tower-2 | Guatemalan, West Indian | Aug. 1-Sept. 15 | 12-20 | B | Low |
Beta | Guatemalan, West Indian | Aug. 5-Sept. 15 | 16-24 | B | Moderate |
Loretta | Guatemalan, West Indian | Aug. 25-Sept. 30 | 20-36 | B | Moderate |
Waldin | West Indian | Sept. 1-Nov. 1 | 14-28 | A | Moderate |
Tonnage | Guatemalan | Sept. 15-Oct. 15 | 14-24 | B | High |
Bootd 8 | Guatemalan, West Indian | Oct. 1-Dec. 15 | 9-28 | B | Moderate |
Lula | Guatemalan, West Indian | Oct. 1-Feb. 15 | 14-24 | A | High |
Marcus | Guatemalan, West Indian | Oct. 15-Nov. 30 | 18-48 | B | High |
Bootd 7 | Guatemalan, West Indian | Oct. 15-Dec. 15 | 10-20 | B | Moderate |
Choquette | Guatemalan, West Indian | Oct. 30-Jan. 15 | 18-40 | A | Moderately High |
Hall | Guatemalan, West Indian | Nov. 15-Feb. 1 | 12-18 | A | High |
Monroe | Guatemalan, West Indian | Dec. 1-Feb. 15 | 24-40 | B | Moderate |
Kampong | Guatemalan | Dec. 1-March 31 | 14-24 | B | High |
Meya | Guatemalan | Dec. 7-Feb. 28 | 10-16 | A | High |
Reed | Guatemalan | Dec. 14-March 7 | 8-18 | A | Moderate |
Brookslate | Guatemalan, West Indian | Jan. 14-March 7 | 10-22 | A | High |