🌱 Discover the 'Maria Black' Avocado
🌳🥑 Introducing the Maria Black Avocado – your next must-have for an extraordinary home garden! Known for its creamy texture, nutty flavor, and striking black skin, this grafted Persea americana promises to elevate your avocado game. Hurry, with limited stock available, it’s time to plant your very own Maria Black Avocado tree today! 🌱✨
🌳 Plant Details
Botanical Name: Persea americana 'Maria Black'
Common Name: Maria Black Avocado
Container Size: 3 Gallon
Mature Height:
- Without pruning: 20-30 ft
- With pruning: 10-20 ftUSDA Growing Zones: 9A-11 Sunlight Requirements: Full sun ☀️to Filtered Light Cold Hardiness: Mature plants cold hardy to the 30s°F for short periods
🌿 Plant Features & Benefits
Flavor Profile
- Texture: Creamy, nutty 🥑
- Taste: Richer than Hass, superior to Monroe and Choquette, with a creamy texture similar to Oro Negro but maturing earlier.
Fruit Description
- Skin Color: Black
- Skin Texture: Smooth, thin but firm
- Size: Typically around 1 pound per fruit
- Flesh Color: Light green to pale yellow
Harvest Season
- Florida: June-July 🌴
- Other Regions: Varies, typically early to mid-summer 🌞
Ornamental Appeal
The Maria Black Avocado features a compact growth habit with lush green foliage, making it ideal for edible landscaping. It can also be grown in large containers, perfect for patios and smaller spaces.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Maria Black Avocado, or Maria B., is a Mexican avocado cultivar similar to the popular Hass variety. It originated in Mexico, where avocados have been cultivated for thousands of years. The name "Maria Black" comes from its distinctive black skin and the region it was first discovered. This variety is cherished for its compact growth and high-quality fruit, making it a favorite among avocado enthusiasts.
🌞 Growing & Care Instructions
Where to Plant
- Sunlight: Full sun or filtered light is ideal for maximum growth and fruit production ☀️.
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. Avoid areas prone to flooding 💧.
- Spacing: Plant trees 10-15 feet apart to allow for proper growth and air circulation 🌳↔️🌳.
Planting Tips
- Transplanting: Ensure the soil is packed well around the new plant. Avoid planting too deep. Our method of planting "high & tight" ensures the root ball is slightly above the soil level to promote better drainage and root health. For detailed planting instructions, watch our YouTube video 📽️.
- Mulching: Use organic mulch, keeping it away from the trunk to prevent rot 🌿.
- Watering: Water daily to establish the tree. Water weekly for the first year, and as needed during periods of drought 💦.
Container Gardening
- Transplanting: When transplanting into a container, use a pot with adequate drainage holes and fill it with a high-quality potting mix 🌱.
- Location: Place the container in a spot where it will receive filtered light to full sun. For indoor growing, ensure it is near a south-facing window 🪴.
- Care: Regularly check the soil moisture and water as needed. Fertilize with a balanced, organic fertilizer during the growing season 🌿.
Pruning and Maintenance
- Pruning: Prune annually to maintain a manageable size and encourage bushier growth ✂️.
- Winter Maintenance: In Florida and similar climates, protect the tree from frost by covering it or moving containers indoors during cold snaps 🧣.
🍴 Culinary Uses
Maria Black avocados are perfect for:
- Salads: Add creamy, nutty slices to your favorite salads 🥗.
- Guacamole: Create rich and flavorful guacamole 🥑.
- Smoothies: Blend into smoothies for a nutritious boost 🍹.
- Toast: Spread on toast for a delicious, healthy snack 🍞.
🌍 Frequently Asked Questions
How does the flavor compare to other cultivars?
The Maria Black Avocado has a creamy texture and nutty flavor, similar to Hass but often described as richer. Collectors compare it favorably to Monroe and Choquette, noting its superior taste.
What is the size, color, and texture of the fruit?
The fruit is typically around 1 pound, with black, smooth skin that is thin but firm. The flesh is light green to pale yellow, creamy in texture.
Can it be grown in a container?
Yes, the Maria Black Avocado can be grown in large containers, making it suitable for patios and smaller spaces. Ensure the container has adequate drainage and place it in a sunny spot.
Can it be grown indoors?
While it can be grown indoors, it requires a location with full sun, such as near a south-facing window. Regularly monitor soil moisture and provide adequate care to ensure healthy growth.
How should I care for the plant in winter?
In regions prone to frost, protect the tree by covering it or moving containers indoors during cold snaps. Regular pruning and maintenance are also essential for healthy growth.
What are the ideal growing conditions?
The Maria Black Avocado thrives in full sun with well-draining soil. It is suitable for USDA growing zones 9A-11 and requires regular watering, especially during dry periods.
What are the common issues with this plant?
Ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot and protect from frost in colder climates. Regular pruning helps maintain its compact growth and overall health.
🚫 Who Should Avoid This Plant?
- Those in Cold Climates: Not ideal for regions outside USDA zones 9A-11 without proper protection.
- Space-Constrained Gardeners: Though it can be grown in containers, it requires a large pot and regular maintenance.
✅ Ideal For
- Avocado Enthusiasts: Perfect for those looking to add a unique variety to their collection.
- Home Gardeners: Suitable for both large landscapes and container gardening.
- Health-Conscious Consumers: Excellent for those seeking nutritious, homegrown produce.
🔧 Best Practices for Planting and Care
Where to Plant
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil ☀️.
- Soil: Ensure the soil is packed well around the new plant without planting too deep. Use the "high & tight" method to promote better drainage and root health.
- Mulching: Use organic mulch, but keep it away from the trunk to prevent rot 🌿.
Care Tips
- Watering: Water daily to establish the tree. Water weekly for the first year, and as needed during periods of drought 💧.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced, organic fertilizer during the growing season 🌱.
- Pruning: Prune annually to maintain a manageable size and encourage bushier growth ✂️.
Container Gardening Tips
- Transplanting: When transplanting into a container, use a pot with adequate drainage holes and fill it with a high-quality potting mix 🌱.
- Location: Place the container in a spot where it will receive filtered light or full sun. For indoor growing, ensure it is near a south-facing window 🪴.
- Care: Regularly check the soil moisture and water as needed. Fertilize with a balanced, organic fertilizer during the growing season 🌿.
At GreenDreams, we offer a vast collection of fruit trees, ecological and native species, and edible and useful plants from around the subtropical world. We ship anywhere across the continental US, ensuring your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive.
Don't miss out on the chance to grow your own Maria Black Avocado and enjoy the rich, creamy, nutty flavor that collectors rave about. 🌳🥑✨ Order now and take the first step towards a more delicious and self-sufficient lifestyle. 🌱📦🚚
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.