Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 25 Nov 2025

What Avocado is better - Type A or Type B?

Avocado tree flowers

Avocado tree flowers

What Avocado is better - Type A or Type B?



Avocados are divided into two types based on how their flowers open - Type A and Type B. This has nothing to do with how the fruit looks, only with how the flowers work.

TYPE A:
The flowers open as female in the morning of the first day, then close. On the afternoon of the second day, they reopen as male.

The most popular type A avocado varieties:
Bernecker, Black Prince, Catalina, Choquette, Day, Donnie (Doni), Fantastic, Florida Hass (Haas), Lila (Opal), Loretta, Lula, Mexicola, Mexicola Grande, Red Russell, Reed, Russell, Simmonds, Ulala (Oh La La, Super Hass) , Waldin, Wurtz (Dual Type, A&B).

TYPE B:
The flowers open as female in the afternoon of the first day, then close. The next morning, they reopen as male.

The most popular type B avocado varieties:
Anise, Bacon, Beta, Booth 8, Brazos Belle (Wilma), Brogdon (Brogden), Buck, Ettinger, Fuerte, Hall, Hardee Red, Hialeah Red, Joey, Kampong (Sushi), Marcus Pumpkin, Maria Black, Miguel, Monroe, Nishikawa, Oro Negro, Pollock, Poncho (Pancho), Thomson Red, Tonnage, Winter Mexican, Wurtz (Dual Type, A&B), Yamagata.
  • 🟢 Each tree can make its own fruit (it’s self-fertile), but if you plant both types together, they will help each other make more fruit. The flowers of A and B types open at opposite times, so bees can carry pollen between them more easily. This means better pollination and a bigger harvest.
  • 🟢 For home gardeners, one tree is enough to get fruit, but having both A and B types nearby will give you a larger crop. If you grow avocados in pots, it’s a good idea to have at least one of each type.


✍️ In short:
One tree = some fruit
Two trees (A + B) = lots more fruit!

✔ ️Check out Avocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒  Explore Avocado varieties

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?


Hard copy
PDF File Download

📚 Learn more:


How Avocado trees flower and set fruit
Avocado Variety Guide
#Avocado #Food_Forest #How_to

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Date: 14 Nov 2025

What is a Dwarf Condo Avocado that fruits at 3 ft tall?

Dwarf Condo Avocado Fuerte

What is a Dwarf Condo Avocado that fruits at 3 ft tall?

  • Every fruit lover dreams of growing lots of avocado varieties, but space often gets in the way. The good news is that some avocado trees stay naturally small and compact, making them perfect for patios, balconies, and even indoor growing. These are called Condo Avocados.
  • They have the same tasty fruit as full-sized trees but take up much less room. You can easily grow them in large pots or containers. They begin to fruit when it's just 2-3 feet tall and remain under 10-12 feet, even after 10 years of growth.
  • The most popular condo avocados are:


🟢 Wurtz (Little Cado): A true dwarf avocado tree that stays small and grows well in containers. It can even produce fruit indoors near a sunny window.
  • 🟢 Fuerte: A semi-dwarf variety that’s easy to manage and does well in pots or small yards.
  • 🟢 Joey: Not a true dwarf, but naturally compact. With a bit of pruning, it can stay small and fit nicely in limited spaces.


Condo avocados are a great way to enjoy homegrown avocados even if you don’t have a big yard. Just give them sun, good soil, and regular care - and you’ll have fresh avocados right on your porch!

✔️ Check outAvocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒 Shop Avocado varieties

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

📚 Learn more:


#Food_Forest #Avocado

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Date: 5 Nov 2025

How to protect Avocado from cold and how hardy is it?

Avocado tree fruiting indoors

Avocado tree fruiting indoors

❄️ How to protect Avocado from cold and how hardy is it?



Growing Avocado trees in cooler regions is possible with the right variety and care. By choosing Cold Hardy types and protecting them during cold spells, you can successfully grow avocados outside tropical climates. The more mature your tree, the better it handles the cold.
  • ❄️ What is Avocado cold hardiness?



    Most Avocados are sensitive to frost, but some Mexican varieties can survive lows around 15°F once established, and brief dips near 10°F with good care.


👉 Cold tolerance depends on:

  • Duration of cold: Short freezes are easier to survive.
  • Sun exposure: More sun means better cold resistance.
  • Wind protection: Wind can do more harm than temperature alone.
  • Tree health: Regular fertilization, such as Sunshine Boosters, helps strengthen plants.


❄️ How to protect avocados from cold

  • Bigger is better: Mature trees resist cold better than young ones.
  • Wind protection: Plant on the south or southeast side of a building for warmth.
  • Good fertilization: Healthy trees are stronger and more resilient.
  • Watering: Water less in winter; overwatering in cold weather can cause root rot.


❄️ Protection for young plants

  • Cover and mulch: Before a freeze, mound mulch around the base and cover with a blanket. Add Christmas lights or a small heater for extra warmth (use caution).
  • Use microclimates: Plant near walls or buildings where it’s warmer and wind is reduced.


With a little planning and protection, you can enjoy fresh avocados even in cooler climates!

✔️ Check outAvocado Variety Guide interactive chart. Sort them by flower type A or B, tree habit, fruit shape and quality, cold hardiness, origin, season and more!

🛒  Shop Cold Hardy Avocados

📖 Our Book: Avocado Variety Guide, Snack or Guacamole?

📚 Learn more:


#Food_Forest #Avocado #How_to

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Date: 10 Sep 2025

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

🍴 Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes


  • 🟢Halve an avocado, scoop out a little extra.
  • 🟢Fill with sauteed shrimp tossed in garlic-lime butter.
  • 🟢Enjoy instant tropical feast!


🛒 Grow your own Avocado tree

Avocado shrimp boats: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Halve the avocados and scoop out a little extra to make room.
  2. Sauté shrimp in butter with garlic and lime juice until pink and cooked through.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Fill avocado halves with shrimp mixture.
  5. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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Date: 6 Sep 2025

Avocado coconut popsicles: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

Avocado coconut popsicles

Avocado coconut popsicles

🍴 Avocado coconut popsicles: Quick-n-Fun exotic recipes

  • 🔵Puree avocado with coconut milk and sugar.
  • 🔵Pour into molds and freeze.
  • 🔵Enjoy the creamiest tropical ice pops ever!


🛒 For home-grown ingredients you will need:


Home grown Avocado
Home grown Coconut

Avocado Coconut Popsicles

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Puree avocado with coconut milk and sugar.
  2. Pour into molds and freeze.
  3. Enjoy the creamiest tropical ice pops ever!

#Food_Forest #Recipes #Avocado

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