While I have
attempted to grow many avocados, they have never survived a harsh Chicago
winter even when they are brought indoors. Nevertheless, I figured I would try
if for no other reason than it is a handsome plant with its' coppery leaves
when it is happy. To my surprise, the pit sprouted not one, but two strong
shoots! I began reporting its progress with pictures to all my cousins in
Kansas City. But winter was coming! What to do!? A friend told me of a nursery
about 45 miles west of Chicago where they would overwinter houseplants or patio
plants of fragile nature for a nominal charge. So, off to the Spa went Jimmy's
avocado!
The next
Spring when I went to retrieve Jimmy's avocado, I could not believe how well it
had done! Pictures of its progress continued to be sent to Kansas. But when I
picked it up in the Spring of 2012, I knew I would never get it back to the
nursery and home again at the rate it was growing.
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| Jimmy's avocado's new home |
At the same
time, I began making plans to spend the cold half of the Chicago year in
Florida where my brother lived. If Jimmy’s avocado could thrive by being
reprieved of the bitter, dry winter, I should pay attention and consider
following its example! So in the Fall of 2012 I packed up everything AND
Jimmy's avocado and drove down to Fort Myers Beach. We were intrepid travelers
and arrived safe and sound where my brother has hosted Jimmy's avocado on his
pool deck until I could find a suitable place for this prodigal pear.
A perfect
spot became evident at the historical, cultural, ethnobotanical site on Fort
Myers Beach, the Mound House. Earliest archeological evidence showed the mighty
Calusa Indians inhabited and built a shell mound on this site starting 2000
years ago where they thrived. They were gone by the 1800s, victims of warfare
and diseases, but many of their resources were utilized by the early white
settlers. The Mound house is the oldest structure on Fort Myers Beach and is in
the process of being restored to its 1920s glory. Already the plants that
people have relied on for centuries here are once again thriving. Papaya,
mango, banana, avocado, pineapple, coconut, cabbage palm, orange and grapefruit
trees all blossom there.
Jimmy's
avocado is starting a new life back in its homeland and besides beautifying the
yard, it will provide a graphic learning experience to the visitors and
schoolchildren who visit the Mound House. Thank you, Jimmy!
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| Jimmy's avocado with the Case House in the background |
