The Bacon alligator pear is a cultivar of Persea americana , part of the Lauraceae family , which encompasses other notable plants like laurel and cinnamon . Botanically , it ’s a berry , feature a undivided large seed case in fleshy pulp , though it ’s treated as a veg in culinary contexts . Bacon is preponderantly of Mexican line of descent ( around 70 - 80 % ) , with a minor Guatemalan influence , sacrifice it trait like cold daring and a thin skin compared to pure Guatemalan varieties . This hybrid background contributes to its unique flavor and adaptability , get it a standout among avocado types .

Originating in California , the Bacon avocado tree was develop by James E. Bacon , a farmer in Buena Park , in the fifties . Bacon experimented with avocado pear seedlings , selecting one that showed exceptional cold margin and yield caliber after surviving a harsh freeze . Introduced commercially in 1951 , it advance traction as a pollinator for other variety , notably Hass , and as a wintertime - time of year option . While it never achieved Hass ’s dominance , its resilience and distinguishable taste earned it a loyal chase among agriculturist and consumer in the U.S.

identify a Bacon avocado is straightforward . It has a smooth , tenuous , unripe skin that stick around green when right — unlike Hass , which darkens . The fruit is ellipse to somewhat pear - mold , typically weigh 6 to 12 ounces ( 170 - 340 g ) . Inside , the flesh is pallid light-green to yellowish , with a creamy yet less smarmy grain ( oil content around 10 - 14 % ) compare to richer kind . The germ is medium - sized , leave a decorous amount of comestible flesh , and the peel peels off easy , revealing a glossy surface .

Bacon Persea Americana grow good in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , privilege mild , semitropical clime with minimal frost risk . Their Mexican heritage earmark them to hold brief cold snap down to 24 ° F ( -4 ° one C ) , surmount many Guatemalan cultivars , though sustain freezes harm flush and fruit . They ’re primarily cultivated in California ’s coastal regions , like Ventura and Orange Counties , where well - drained soils and sunny picture suit their need . security from hard fart is all-important due to their thinner skin and finespun branches .

Seasonality for Bacon avocados couple late fall to other fountain , with peak availability from November to March in California . This winter windowpane complement Hass ’s off - season , as Bacon fruit ripens after harvest home rather than on the tree . Its thin skin point of accumulation on - tree repositing compare to thicker - skinned varieties , so it ’s pick mature but firm and distribute promptly . While less common than Hass due to twelvemonth - round imports , Bacon remains a seasonal staple in local markets and speciality grocer .

Culinary uses of Bacon avocados capitalise on its mild , larder flavor and lighter grain . It ’s not the best for dim guacamole — its small oil content can make it less full-bodied when mashed — but excels in wise preparations . slice onto sandwiches or salad , it adds a subtle creaminess that pairs well with frizzy vegetable or tangy dressings . Spread thin on toast or blended into smoothies , it offers a delicate penchant that does n’t overwhelm . Its politic flesh also suit raw dishes like ceviche or simple seasoning with salt and Citrus limon , making it a versatile , unostentatious pick compare to bolder avocados like Hass .

Cultivation of Bacon Avocados

Climate requirement

Bacon avocados flourish in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 , thriving in modest , subtropical climate with temperatures between 60 ° degree Fahrenheit and 80 ° F ( 15 ° C to 27 ° ampere-second ) . Their Mexican ancestry grants exceptional cold-blooded tolerance , enduring brief drops to 24 ° F ( -4 ° C ) , though young trees and blossoms suffer below 28 ° F ( -2 ° C ) . Growers in California ’s coastal zone often use frost protection like sprinklers or heaters during rare winter chills .

Soil Preferences

Well - drained soil is essential , as Bacon is vulnerable to root rotting ( genus Phytophthora cinnamomi ) . Sandy loam or loamy soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 are optimal , guarantee quick water drain . stiff - heavy soils need constituent amendments ( e.g. , compost ) or raised beds to forbid saturation . Pre - planting dirt tests confirm drain mental ability and nutrient levels , vital for its shallow tooth root system .

Site Selection

slimly splatter terrain ( 5 - 10 % grade ) aids body of water overspill , though flat sites serve with exact irrigation . Full sun exposure—6 - 8 hours daily — drives photosynthesis and fruit production . Windbreaks ( lifelike Hill or planted rows like citrus tree ) harbor Bacon ’s thin - skinned fruit and brittle branches from gusts , a must in expose areas like California ’s inland vale .

Tree Propagation

Bacon avocado are propagated by engraft onto cold - brave rootstocks like ‘ Mexicola ’ or ‘ Zutano ’ to maintain cultivar trait and bolster up disease resistance . germ wo n’t produce true Bacon yield due to its intercrossed nature , so nursery transplant — scions from certified tree — are grow for 12 - 18 months before transplanting . This ensures consistency in flavor and increase habit .

Planting

Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are spaced 15 - 20 foot ( 4.5 - 6 meters ) aside to earmark canopy ranch , though tighter spacing ( 12 - 15 fundament ) works with regular pruning . Spring planting , post - frost , is idealistic in regions like California , giving roots time to establish before summer . Planting hole , twice the root ball ’s width , are enriched with compost , and stakes stabilize young trees against wind for the first class .

Irrigation

Bacon requires moderate , consistent moisture—15 - 35 gallons ( 55 - 130 litre ) per tree diagram weekly , adjusted for rainfall and dirt type . Drip irrigation or micro - sprinkler point the root geographical zone , avoiding trunk wet that pay for rot . immature trees need frequent watering ( 2 - 3 times every week ) , while mature ones handle less . Overwatering is ward off using moisture meters to protect its sensitive root .

Fertilization

Nitrogen is applied at 1 - 1.5 pounds ( 0.45 - 0.7 kilo ) per Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree per annum , cleave into natural spring and former summertime sexually transmitted disease to fuel outgrowth . Zn and potassium correct coarse deficiencies , often bestow via foliar sprays in alkaline territory . Organic mulch or balanced fertilizers ( e.g. , 10 - 5 - 10 NPK ) support wellness , but excess nitrogen risk lucullan foliage over fruit , so leaf analysis fine - tunes applications .

pollenation

Bacon is a Type B flowerer — female in the afternoon , male person the next morning — make it partly ego - fertile but more fruitful with cross - pollenation . Pairing with Type A mixture like Hass or ‘ Fuerte ’ supercharge yield , as bee transfer pollen during bloom time of year ( late fall to former spring in California ) . Orchards often deploy beehives to maximize yield solidifying .

Pruning

visible light pruning shape Bacon trees , realise dead wood , mark , or overlapping branch to enhance flow of air and visible radiation . unseasoned tree diagram are trained into a vase - like build over 2 - 3 years , while mature trees get annual touch - ups post - harvest ( spring ) to maintain dynamism . with child pruning is ward off , as Bacon ’s raw increment balances yield production with minimal interference .

Pest and Disease Management

Avocado thrips and spider mites are cardinal pestilence , controlled with beneficial dirt ball ( e.g. , predatory mite ) or low - toxicity sprays like atomic number 16 . Root rot , the primary disease , is extenuate with resistant rootstocks and rigid H2O management . Regular monitoring and orchard sanitisation — enlighten detritus — curb irruption , privilege structured plague direction over encompassing chemical substance .

Fruit Development

Post - pollenation , Bacon yield matures in 6 - 8 months , ready for crop from November to March in California . It does n’t ripen on - tree , so ironical affair content ( 18 - 20 % minimum ) signals maturity . yield weighs 6 - 12 ounces ( 170 - 340 gm ) , with size tied to water , thinning , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree age — thinning clayey crops ensures calibre .

Harvesting

Bacon avocados are hand - picked mature but firm , with clipper tailor stanch to debar skin tears . Timing hinges on oil subject matter , verified by examination , align with wintertime demand . Workers use ladders or poles for taller trees , pull together fruit into padded ABA transit number to protect its thin skin , which bruise more easily than Hass .

Post - Harvest Care

After harvest , fruit is cooled to 40 - 45 ° F ( 4 - 7 ° speed of light ) to slow ripening , then sorted for sizing and calibre . Ripening occurs off - tree at 65 - 75 ° F ( 18 - 24 ° C ) over 7 - 12 days , or faster with ethene commercially . Thin skin shortens shelf biography compare to deep varieties , so swift handling is primal . Mature Tree yield 70 - 120 pounds ( 32 - 54 kilo ) p.a. with estimable care .