The avocado's use in food preparation has grown significantly in popularity in recent years. The questions that some may have are where did the avocado originate, what if any are the health benefits of the fruit, and what may not be known by the average consumer is its fascinating biology. In recent years, this author has heard of a variety of methods of attempting to sprout an avocado from seed. What are the true and tested methods of avocado cultivation?
History of the Avocado
The avocado originated in Mexico, in the area now known as the state of Puebla, located in the southern tip of the country near Mexico City, where it use has been determined dates to at least 10000 B.C. The native variety is a small blackish fruit with a large seed. Through the selection and breeding process it has evolved into the varieties commercially available today. In the United States, for example, the Hass variety of avocado selected and developed by a mail carrier and amateur horticulturist, Rudolph Hass, from whom its name is derived. The Hass avocado represents in excess of 90% of the avocados commercially marketed today.
Biology of the Avocado
The avocado is a member of the genus Persea with the species name of americana in the Lauracae family which contains species such as cinnamon and bay laurel. It is the fruit of a hermaphroditic tree; that is one that contains the flowering elements of both male and female concurrently. The avocado is also, because of its dichotomy, in that its flowering male and female elements are generally not concurrently present, and its long juvenile state which takes place at anywhere from three to five years, in which developing of progeny is excepted, not readily susceptible to self-pollination. Thus, grafting has become the general method of plant propagation.
Home Gardener’s Methods of Propagation
For the home gardener, who may have tried with success planting seeds of various plants such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and various forms of squashes, etc. with success, the frustration experienced in starting an avocado tree from seed presented in the biology above gives some explanation, but several method have been tried successfully including suspending the seed in water with the aid of toothpicks and placing the seed in a plastic bag with moist humus until sprouting occurs.
The Health Benefits of Avocados
Many health benefits of avocados have been touted. A toxin in the fruit has been claimed to contain cancer fighting properties in combating ailments from prostrate cancer and breast cancer. Avocados in scientific studies have been claimed to lower cholesterol¸ aid in heart health, and prevent stroke. Without attempting to either support or refute these claims avocados are known to be high in vitamin E, antioxidants vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, and other trace elements. Over time, and in all medical research, more extensive support may come to support some of the other benefits claimed.
In conclusion, avocados are a fruit, plentiful in supply and make a nutritious addition to summer meal planning. And hopefully some of the information presented here demystifies as to why there are so hard to grow from the seed the gardener finds at their core.
Sources:
Barry, PC (2001-04-07). “Avocado: The Early Roots of Avocado History”. Canku Ota. Retrieved 7/7/2010
WebMD Feature (8/14/2000). “Once banished for being high in fat, this fruit is making a Comeback” retrieved 7/7/2010.
Tony De Vita - My basic background was in mathematics. Having received a B.S. summa cum laude, from Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. My first job was ...
