The Magic of Michoacán’s Four Blooms

By Ana Ambrosi • Sep 4, 2020

Michoacán’s four blooms give way for continual avocado growth and harvesting 365 days out of the year.

There’s a reason why Michoacán, Mexico supplies more than 80% of the United States’ avocados. The state’s rich volcanic soil, abundant sunlight, consistent climate, timely rainfall, and natural irrigation coalesce to create the perfect environment for avocado production and harvest. Simply put, Michoacán is the only location in the world where avocados can be grown and exported year-round. But there’s another notable component that makes Michoacán’s avocado region unique and magical.

The Four Avocado Blooming Seasons of Michoacán

Michoacán’s mountainous terrain gives avocado producers the ability to run 42,000 avocado orchards at varying elevations within different microclimates, allowing the beloved green fruit to grow perennially in multiple temperatures throughout the year in four different “blooms.”

Avocados are planted at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 feet. Depending on the elevation’s specific climate, the fruit can survive on the tree for up to six months after reaching maturity.

The orchards rhythmically bloom from higher to lower elevations, and then back again. The four avocado blooms (or seasons) each have distinct characteristics that generate a continual, uninterrupted avocado harvest.

When Do Avocado Trees Bloom?

Avocados are planted at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 feet. The orchards rhythmically bloom from higher to lower elevations, and then back again.

Although Michoacán’s four blooms overlap, there’s plenty of time for harvesting. Depending on the elevation’s specific climate, the fruit can survive on the tree for up to four months after reaching maturity.

Loca (Full Bloom)

Avocado season begins with this four-month avocado bloom cycle and produces fruits with a round shape.

Timeframe: June through September
Elevation Ranges:

  • Below 6,560 feet: June
  • All elevations: July-September

Aventajada (Advantaged)

The Aventajada is the shortest avocado bloom and produces fruit with a longer, pear-shaped body — a look most familiar to American avocado consumers.

Timeframe: September through November
Elevation Ranges:

  • Below 5,250 feet: September to October
  • Between 5,250 and 6,890 feet: October and November
  • Above 6,890 feet: November

Normal Bloom

Stretching over a six-month period, this avocado bloom is when the majority of avocados are produced.

Timeframe: September through February
Elevation Ranges:

  • 3,600-5,250 feet: September
  • Below 6,890 feet: October
  • All elevations: November through February

Marzena (Bloom from March)

This cycle, briefly overlapping with the Loca bloom, is the most segmented, with a specific timeline for avocado-harvesting opportunities.

Timeframe: March through June
Elevation Ranges:

  • Below 6,200 feet: March
  • 5,250-6,560 feet: April
  • 6,560-7,550 feet: May
  • 7,550-8,200 feet: June

The Four Blooms’ Continual Promise

Michoacán’s four blooms are a symbol of assurance and abundance. With thousands of avocado orchards firmly rooted in the state’s rich soil, the growing and harvesting processes form a consistent, steady cycle with a simple promise: No matter the season, consumers will have access to an abundance of high-quality, lush avocados, and the 30,000 growers and 74 packing houses have plenty of work year-round.

Michoacán is unlike any other place in the world when it comes to avocados — it’s truly Avocadoland.

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