The Choquette aguacate is a cultivar of Persea americana , a mintage within the Lauraceae family , which also includes flora like cinnamon and bay laurel . Botanically , it ’s classified as a berry , feature a single large seed surrounded by fleshy flesh , though it ’s commonly treated as a vegetable in culinary contexts . Choquette is a loan-blend , primarily a crossbreed between Guatemalan and West Indian airstream , with the Guatemalan influence ( about 60 - 70 % ) contributing to its creamy texture and moderate oil content , while the West Indian lineage ( 30 - 40 % ) adds a high water system subject matter and gravid size . This intercrossed nature give Choquette a distinct profile , merge traits suited to Florida ’s humid mood .

Originating in South Florida , the Choquette aguacate traces its roots to a seed planted by Remi D. Choquette Sr . in Miami in January 1929 . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree first bore fruit in 1934 , and its special lineament — big size of it , good smell , and disease underground — led to propagation pop in 1939 . Likely a natural hybrid from a Guatemalan - West Indian cross , it became a major cultivar in Florida , where it ’s still wide originate commercially and in home gardens . Its protuberance is ruminate in its comportment in collections like the USDA ’s germplasm monument in Miami and the University of Florida ’s Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead , cement its status as a regional ikon .

Identifying a Choquette avocado pear is straightforward . It ’s notably tumid , averaging 24 to 40 snow leopard ( 680 - 1130 grams ) , with an oval to pear - shaped signifier . The skin is suave , shiny , and medium green , remaining so even when ripe — unlike Hass , which darkens . indoors , the flesh is pallid yellow to weak green , silky - smooth with a buttery grain , though less oleaginous than Guatemalan - heavy varieties ( oil content around 13 % ) . The seed is medium to large , but the fruit ’s size of it ensures ample eatable build . Its glossy peel lifts easy , making preparation a breeze , and its right-down heft sets it apart from low cultivar .

Choquette avocados spring up best in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a to 10b , thriving in warm , humid subtropical climate with little frost risk . They ’re reasonably cold - tolerant , handling brief dips to 25 ° F ( -4 ° C ) , though extend freezes scathe flower and yield . Florida ’s southeastern and southwestward seacoast , especially Miami - Dade County , are prime develop areas , offer well - drained grease and plenteous sunlight . Less hardy than Mexican miscellany , Choquette still outshine stark West Indian type in cool snaps , making it a solid choice for Florida ’s varying winters .

Seasonality for Choquette runs from October to January in Florida , with efflorescence flavor in December and January when oil content matures — early picking in September yields a watery “ watercado . ” glean mature but firm , it ripens off - tree , and its placid skin limits on - tree storage compare to wooden-headed - skinned varieties . While not as omnipresent as Hass due to its regional focal point and seasonal windowpane , Choquette is a staple fiber in Florida ’s local markets and farm , often dub the “ Florida Avocado ” for its prominence . Availability outside Florida is rarified unless shipped from specialty growers .

Culinary uses of Choquette avocados play to its soft , nutty savour and creamy yet stiff flesh . It ’s less ideal for gravid guacamole — its high water content can dilute texture — but excels in smart dishes . Sliced into salads or atop hamburger , it adds a sleek richness without overwhelming other savor . Its size of it makes it perfect for scooping raw with a plash of citrous fruit , a common Florida treat , or go into cold-blooded soups and smoothy for a pernicious , buttery boost . Cooking impairs its taste , but its versatility crude — from pasta toppings to simple snacks — makes it a darling choice for Floridians seeking a lighter avocado experience .

Cultivation of Choquette Avocados

Climate necessity

Choquette avocados thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a to 10b , surpass in lovesome , humid semitropic climates with temperature between 70 ° F and 90 ° F ( 21 ° C to 32 ° C ) . Their hybrid nature offer moderate cold-blooded allowance , pull through brief drops to 25 ° F ( -4 ° C ) , though prolonged freezes harm peak and yield . Florida growers use windbreak or sprinkler during rarified cold snaps to protect crop in winter .

Soil Preferences

Well - drain soil is decisive , as Choquette is susceptible to base rot ( Phytophthora cinnamomi ) , despite its West Native American resilience . arenaceous or limestone - found soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 , common in South Florida , fit its shallow root . Poorly drain sites need raise bed or mounds to foreclose waterlogging . grunge testing see passable drain and nourishing balance before set .

Site Selection

Flat or slightly elevated sites downplay pee pooling , vital in Florida ’s showery mood , while full sun—6 - 8 hours daily — drive fruit production . Wind trade protection ( for example , raw tree lines or fence ) shield its large fruit from storm hurt , a frequent concern in hurricane - prone areas . Coastal Florida placement , like Miami - Dade County , pop the question the fondness and humidness Choquette favor .

Tree Propagation

Choquette is propagate by graft onto hardy rootstocks like ‘ Waldin ’ or ‘ Lula ’ to ensure disease resistance and ordered yield traits . Seeds wo n’t produce dead on target Choquette fruit due to its intercrossed origins , so nursery grafts — scion from certified trees — are get for 12 - 18 month before transplant . This preserves its large sizing and smooth texture .

Planting

tree diagram are space 20 - 25 foundation ( 6 - 7.5 beat ) apart to accommodate their unsubtle , spreading canopies , though tighter spatial arrangement ( 15 - 20 feet ) work with pruning . previous bound planting , after frost risk of exposure , is ideal in Florida , allow for roots to plant before summertime rains . Holes twice the ancestor clod ’s size are dug , enrich with compost , and often mound to enhance drain in flat terrain .

Irrigation

Choquette needs consistent but moderate watering—20 - 50 gallons ( 75 - 190 l ) per tree weekly , set for Florida ’s frequent rainfall . Drip irrigation or micro - sprinklers target the ascendant geographical zone , avoiding excess moisture that invites decompose . Young tree require 2 - 3 weekly sessions , sharpen as they mature . wet monitoring prevents overwatering in humid conditions .

fertilisation

Nitrogen is applied at 1 - 2 pound ( 0.45 - 0.9 kg ) per tree diagram yearly , separate into three doses ( spring , summertime , fall ) to equal Florida ’s growing time of year . Phosphorus and potassium bolster yield development , often added via balanced fertilizers ( for example , 8 - 3 - 10 NPK ) . Micronutrients like zinc and manganese , unwashed deficiencies in sandy soils , are supplemented via foliar sprays , head by yearly leaf analysis .

Pollination

Choquette is a Type A flowerer — female in the morning , male person the next afternoon — self - fertile but give better with cross - pollenation . Pairing with Type B varieties like ‘ Simmonds ’ or ‘ Miguel ’ enhances yield Seth , as bees bridge deck rosiness lap ( July - September in Florida ) . Natural pollinator abound in humid climates , but hives can hike yields in obscure orchards .

Pruning

visible light pruning mould Choquette tree , removing dead wood or lowly branches to improve flow of air and reduce disease in humid weather condition . Young trees are trained into an subject form over 2 - 3 years , while mature tree diagram get annual cutting mail - harvest ( winter ) to manage sizing . Heavy cut are avoided , as its vigorous growth patronise its hefty fruit naturally .

Pest and Disease Management

Avocado lacing bugs and mites are cardinal pest , ensure with predatory insects ( e.g. , ladybugs ) or horticultural oil . Root waste and anthracnose ( fungous yield rot ) are major threats , countered with tolerant rootstock , good drainage , and copper sprays in wet seasons . even exploratory survey and sanitation — clear up come fruit — terminus ad quem outlet in Florida ’s damp clime .

Fruit Development

After pollenation , Choquette fruit matures over 12 - 15 calendar month , ready for harvesting from October to January in Florida . It ripen off - tree diagram , with dry issue content ( 13 - 15 % minimum ) signal matureness — early piece peril washy flesh . yield weighs 24 - 40 ounces ( 680 - 1130 gram ) , with size tied to water , nutrients , and thinning to forbid arm song .

Harvesting

Choquette is picked mature but steady , with clippers cutting stem to avoid tearing its unruffled skin . Timing aligns with oil content tests , peak in tardy fall to wintertime for optimal flavor . Workers use ladders or poles for tall trees , collecting into cushiony ABA transit number to protect its large , delicate yield from bruising .

Post - Harvest Care

Harvested fruit is cool down to 45 - 50 ° F ( 7 - 10 ° light speed ) to slow up ripen , then grade for sizing and blemishes . ripen occurs off - tree diagram at 70 - 75 ° F ( 21 - 24 ° snow ) over 7 - 14 days , or hasten with ethylene commercially . Smooth skin limits shelf life compare to thicker varieties , so fleet distribution is key . Mature trees yield 150 - 250 pounds ( 68 - 113 kilogram ) annually with right fear .