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Avocado Growers

Avocados won't ripen

7 years ago

I have 3 trees. One, the Lamb Hass, had a nice little crop of maybe 40 fruit. They are large and beautiful. Problem is, they won't ripen. I've put them in a paper bag for weeks. Put them in with bananas. Nothing. Still rock hard. What might be the problem?

Featured Answer

BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area

7 years ago

Not ready yet.

Avocados will seem large enough to be ripe a lot sooner than they are actually ripe. Other signs of ripens besides size, they get a kind of hazy "bloom" and the spot on the bottom gets darker, though that differs with varieties.

Best to pick one like you did and try to ripen it. It should soften within a week, if not they're not ready yet.

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Comments (10)

fireduck
7 years ago
Under-ripe fruit usually are rubbery and bland. As barb says....wait longer. Lambs are later than standard Hass. They also turn black when ripe.
serge94501 thanked fireduck
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serge94501
Original Author
7 years ago
These have been hanging on the tree for 4-6 months. From the outside, they look great. This is the third one I have tried to ripen. It's about a week in. If after 2 weeks it's still hard I will wait another month or so to try another.. Thanks for the advice!
BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You're welcome! Btw, mine hang on the tree for almost 12 months before the first ones are mature enough to soften in a week. 4-6 months isn't a long time for avocados. Some varieties take up to 18 months (!).
Brad Wiedel
6 years ago
Why is it that the authority or the authorities on avocados will not tell you the truth? If avocados that you buy at the store have been picked too soon by the grower and the avocado has less than eight percent fat it will never ripen. If avocados that you buy at the store do not ripen return them because it's not something you did is because they were picked incorrectly with less than 8% fat. According to this video California law states that you cannot pick and sell avocados with less than 8% fat because they will never soften. Watch video https://youtu.be/whNYlkV-TMU
Nick (9b) Modesto Area
6 years ago
I would try and pick a couple in September as see how those do for you. If you have the same problem then try again in another month or two. They will hold well on the tree for several months.
lindsey_lesar
6 years ago
Can anyone help me with what variety of avacado this is? I can post a couple more photos. We rented a home and it has this beautiful tree and I have no idea when to pick them or how to care for it - and I think first I need to know what kind they are!! Thank you so much for any assistance!
lindsey_lesar
6 years ago
fireduck
6 years ago
There are just so many avo varieties...it is really impossible to know for sure what your's is. It might be a "Mexican" specie since the skin is somewhat smooth. Pick one and let it sit on the counter for 7-10 days. If it is rubbery...wait a couple months and try again.
viper75
6 years ago
Looks to me like Zutano/Fuerte.

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