Extraordinary size and staying power: the unlikely origin of a mighty Australian avocado

Firm texture and luscious flavour – growers say Jala avocados outshine the traditional Hass variety. Photograph: Brent Dakis Photo

Thirty years ago, Ken Spackman cut down an avocado tree planted by his father on the family’s Palmwoods property on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. He planted a seed from the tree in a different spot on the farm, with no expectation it would flourish.

“That seed did it pretty tough – no water, no fertiliser,” recalls neighbour John Mongan. “But a tree grew from nothing, alone and out of the way, so it must have been lucky.”