Avocado is known to be a superfood as it's filled with numerous vitamins, minerals, and health benefits. It's so incredible that it makes you wonder if it takes too long or not to grow an avocado tree. So, we've done some research, and here's what we've found.
How long an avocado tree can grow depends on two options. Planting it from a sapling will take around three to five years to develop and produce fruits. At the same time, an avocado tree grown from its seed or pit can take up to 13 years to mature and bear fruit.
Now that you know how long it takes for an avocado tree to grow, let's look at its life stages. We've included the tremendous health benefits and help that avocados can offer us. Last on our list are several avocado products you may want to check out and try.
The Life Cycle Of An Avocado Tree
When growing an avocado tree, you'll definitely need patience. Planting an avocado from a young tree will take around three to five years to develop and bear fruits. And it will take up to 13 years to mature and bear fruit when planted as a seed. Let's take a step further and look at the stages of avocado tree growth.
Seedling And Germination Stage
The seedling stage occurs after planting the avocado seed. The germination phase is where the avocado seed's root, sprout, and primary leaves emerge. It starts between four to eight weeks.
Young And Vegetative Stage
The avocado tree's early phase comes when the seeds turn into saplings. This stage is where the plant grows, lasting between two to three years. The tree will develop its primary trunk and branches and grow more leaves in six to eight years.
Flowering And Fruition Stage
In 10 to 15 years, the avocado tree is mature enough to blossom. Avocado trees typically bloom between March to May. These flower buds can grow into fruits, wilt, or fall.
Harvesting Stage
Once your avocado tree starts bearing fruit, monitor its hue. When avocados are ready for harvest, the fruits will look darker and appear softer.
FAQs Regarding Avocados
Below are several frequently asked questions and fascinating facts regarding avocado trees.
How Many Avocados Can You Harvest From A Tree?
When Is The Peak Season Of Avocados In The USA?
The peak season of avocados in the USA is between May (Spring) to August (Summer).
Do Avocado Trees Need A Lot Of Water?
Fruit-bearing trees such as avocados require plenty of water to flourish and develop fruit. Juvenile avocado trees need more watering than adult trees to generate a strong and healthy rootage.
How Long Do Avocado Trees Live?
Believe it or not, avocado trees can last from 200 to 400 years! What's also amazing is these trees can also bear fruit their entire lives. A slight downside is they will produce lesser fruits as they grow older.
Why Should You Eat Avocados?
There are many advantages and benefits of eating avocados.
Health Benefits
Eating avocados can benefit you a lot. Because they contain:
Good Fats
Avocados contain good fats that help block bad and unhealthy cholesterol, especially for overweight and sick people.
High Fiber
Avocados have high fiber that lowers blood sugar, cuts cholesterol, and can even thwart colon cancer. At least 25 to 35 grams per day is the recommended fiber intake; an avocado fruit has about 10 grams.
Filling
Avocados contain fat and fiber that can make you less hungry after consuming them.
Vitamins And Minerals Of Avocados
Avocados are a great source of vitamins and minerals. These are:
Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is known to stop or ease constipation. It can also help lower the chance of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Iron
Iron is essential to humanity as it brings oxygen throughout our bodies to help create power. And Iron deficiency leads to exhaustion and frailty.
Magnesium
Magnesium has essential body functions. Here are some of them:
- Assist in the relaxation of muscles and nerve function
- Energy production and transport
- Protein production
Potassium
Potassium, a mineral and electrolyte, enables nerves and muscles to function accurately. It can also help reduce bone loss and lower the chance of acquiring kidney stones.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Thiamin, or Vitamin B1, can't be made by the body and can only be found in a particular food. It helps transform carbs into power and is also essential for the functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and heart.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is an antioxidant and a dietary supplement. It is crucial for the body's development and production of red blood cells.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Niacin or Vitamin B3 converts food into energy. It also helps the body to function correctly. A proper dose can help increase brain operation, relieve arthritis, and reduce cholesterol.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 helps lipolysis and is necessary for growth. It also plays a part in hormones and cholesterol production.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Pyridoxine, or Vitamin B6, assists our body in several things, such as producing antibodies and hemoglobin and maintaining glucose at an average level.
Vitamin B9 (Folate/Folic Acid)
Folic acid helps cultivate and sustain cells, avoid pregnancy complications, and prevent anemia and deficiency.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C boosts recovery, aids the body in absorbing iron, and is essential for your tissue, skin, and bones.
Vitamin E
This vitamin aids in boosting our body's immune system and is an antioxidant. It's also a nutrient essential to blood health, vision, reproduction, etc.
Vitamin K
This vitamin assists the body in producing proteins to have healthy bones and tissues. It plays a crucial part in allowing the blood to clot to prevent extreme bleeding.
Help In Preventing And Reversing Diseases
The vitamins and minerals that avocados have help in preventing or reversing diseases such as:
Arthritis and osteoporosis
Avocado oil extracts can lessen osteoarthritis manifestation. At the same time, vitamin K increases bone health by stalling bone loss and stopping osteoporosis.
Blood pressure
Avocados contain potassium which helps lower and maintain your blood pressure by reducing sodium levels in your blood. It can also ease tension in the blood vessel barriers.
Cancer
The folic acid and nutrients in avocados can treat or reduce the chance of having specific cancers, like colon and prostate cancer.
Depression
The folic acid and nutrients in avocados can treat or reduce the chance of having specific cancers, like colon and prostate cancer.
Digestion
Avocados are rich in fiber, which significantly removes waste from your body. Fiber aids in good digestion and can stop constipation.
Eye Diseases
Avocados have two antioxidants: Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which are helpful for your eyesight. These antioxidants help shield the eye tissues from UV light impairment. They can also aid in stopping eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Heart Disease
Avocado contains a large amount of heart-healthy fat, which helps decrease cardiovascular inflammation. Avocados also have beta-sitosterol that aids in reducing the high levels of cholesterol.
Inflammation
Inflammation can cause numerous diseases, such as arthritis, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. Avocados contain vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in your body.
5 Avocado Must-Try Products
Avocados are superbly delicious. Here are five avocado products you may want to try.
Boulder Canyon Potato Chips Sea Salt Flavor, Cooked in Avocado Oil
Click here to see this potato chip on Amazon.
The Boulder Canyon potato chips are perfect for parties, late-night snacks, and for whatever occasion. These snacks are made from simple and healthy ingredients.
Key Features:
- Crunchy and kettle cooked
- It has a buttery flavor of avocado oil fused with malt vinegar and sea salt
- Gluten-free
La Tourangelle All-Natural Avocado Oil
Click here to see this avocado oil on Amazon.
The La Tourangelle avocado oil offers the world's flavors straight to your kitchen. It adds premium flavor to your food and is also great for your hair and skin.
Key Features:
- 100% pure, all-natural and handcrafted from premium avocados
- Delicious and versatile
- Natural and sustainable
Primal Kitchen Mayo made with Avocado Oil
Click here to see these mayonnaises on Amazon.
These Primal Kitchen Mayos are Amazon's Choice in mayonnaise. These mayo are created with avocado oil and cage-free eggs.
Key Features:
- Includes Original Mayo and Chipotle Lime Mayo
- Paleo and Keto certified
- Made with natural ingredients and has a delicious flavor
Kevala Avocado Ghee
Click here to see this avocado topper on Amazon.
This Kevala avocado ghee is perfect for cooking and as a spread for your bread and toast. It's also a great substitute for any oil or butter.
Key Features:
- A natural energy booster
- Doesn't burn at high temperature
- Packed in a BPA-free plastic bottle.
365 by Whole Foods Market Guacamole
Click here to see this guacamole on Amazon.
This 365 by Whole Foods Market guacamole has innovative flavors. It's made from natural and exceptional ingredients.
Key Features:
- Ready-to-eat
- Certified GMO-free
- Kosher and vegan certified
Growing An Avocado Tree
Growing an avocado tree can seem so tiring and long. But once you've seen it bearing fruit, you'll definitely savor the experience of: "Reaping the fruit of your labor."
With all of the vitamins, minerals, and health benefits avocados can offer, eating them is undoubtedly a blessing. From avocado fruit to avocado oil, you can only receive the good stuff and positive effects.
So, what are you waiting for? Plant or eat an avocado; it doesn't matter because you're in a win-win situation.
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