Avocado 'Russell' (Persea Americana) - Grafted - LIVE PLANT

Plant Insights and Care

The Russell Avocado (Persea americana) is a unique, elongated avocado variety known for its distinctive shape and smooth, glossy green skin. Unlike the more common Hass avocado, Russell avocados can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long, resembling a gourd or a cucumber. This variety is particularly well-adapted to tropical and subtropical climates, thriving in warm, humid environments with full sun exposure.

Russell avocado trees grow 10–15 meters (30–50 feet) tall, forming a broad, dense canopy. They require well-draining soil, ideally sandy or loamy, with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Consistent, deep watering is crucial, especially during flowering and fruiting. However, the trees are sensitive to overwatering and root rot, so proper drainage is essential.

Russell avocados belong to the Type B flowering group, meaning their flowers open as female in the afternoon and male in the morning. While they can produce fruit on their own, cross-pollination with a Type A avocado variety (like Hass or Gem) can significantly boost yields. Regular pruning helps control tree size, promote air circulation, and improve fruit production.

Key Points:

• Origin: Native to the Caribbean and South Florida.
• Climate: Thrives in warm, humid environments with tropical to subtropical conditions.
• Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun for optimal growth and fruiting.
• Watering: Needs deep but well-regulated watering to avoid root rot.
• Soil: Well-draining sandy or loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.0.
• Special Care: Benefits from cross-pollination with Type A avocados for better yields.

Fruit Profile

The Russell Avocado is instantly recognizable due to its long, gourd-like shape, often reaching up to 30 cm (12 inches) in length. It has thin, smooth, glossy green skin, which remains green when ripe. The flesh is creamy, rich, and mildly nutty, with a lower oil content than Hass avocados, making it a lighter, less fatty option. The seed is relatively small, allowing for more edible flesh per fruit.

Dive into the facts:

• Taste: Mildly nutty and creamy but with a lower oil content than Hass.
• Appearance: Elongated, gourd-shaped fruit with smooth green skin.
• Fun Fact: Due to its unusual shape and smooth skin, the Russell avocado is sometimes called the “Cucumber Avocado” or “Gourd Avocado.”