Growing an Avocado Tree at Home
Avocados are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and now you can grow an avocado tree in your very own home. Although it’s better to grow avocados in larger spaces, like in a full-sized garden, it is possible to grow avocado trees in containers. With the right knowledge, time, care and patience you can have an avocado tree with lots of fruit.
To begin with, when growing any fruit tree, it’s important to know your climate and soil. This is especially vital when growing an avocado tree, as they especially love warm, sunny climates. While avocado trees can survive snap frosts, they’re not quite as capable of withstanding regular cold temperatures.
Also, avocado trees require well-drained soil and will not thrive if water collects around their roots. Therefore, it is best to transplant the tree into larger pots as the tree grows and roots expand. Doing so will also provide more nutrition to the avocado tree.
Experts suggest that it is best to start with a young tree, as the time from planting your tree until it produces fruit is cut down. However, if you have an avocado from the grocery store, then it is possible to grow one from its pit by following the necessary steps.
To start this process, the ripened avocado should be thoroughly washed and dried. Then take the pit out, with both seed coats still attached, and let them stay out to dry. It’s important to create a three-pronged and stick toothpicks in each end of the pit, so it can be balanced in a glass of water, with about one third of the seed submerged. Make sure to change the water regularly so it doesn’t become stagnant, and place the glass in a warm area that’s out of direct sunlight.
In a couple of weeks, roots and a stem will begin to emerge from the seed and an avocado tree is born! The newly-fledged tree will probably still need to be submerged in water. When the stem reaches 10-12 inches, you can transfer to a pot with soil. The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged.
Avocado trees need lots of light and need to be rotated several times a week so their stems don’t lean. Additionally, it is highly recommended to prune your tree’s roots every one to two years. Make sure to use a pot that’s slightly bigger than the width of the roots and tall enough for the sapwood.
Assuming all the necessary steps are taken, your avocado tree should be producing fruit within 4-6 years. If you’re in a warmer climate and in a larger garden space, your tree could bear fruit in as little as three years!
Caring for an Avocado Tree
Avocado trees require different types of care throughout the year. During the summer, avocado trees should be watered twice a week, or more if the weather is especially warm or dry. The soil should always stay moist, but not waterlogged. During winter and fall, it’s time to reduce watering to once every two weeks.
Fertilizing is also an important part of taking care of an Avocado tree. Experts recommend using a citrus fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This should be applied six times a year, and the amount of fertilizer used should be determined by the size of the tree and the type of soil.
When it comes to pests and diseases, avocado trees face a plethora of different issues which require effective pest controls. When identifying issues on an avocado tree, it’s important to act quickly to prevent the spread of an infestation.
Fertilizing and Pruning Avocado Trees
Fertilizing and pruning are important aspects to consider when growing an avocado tree. As mentioned before, it’s crucial to use a citrus fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apart from fertilizing, it’s beneficial to prune the avocado tree from time to time.
If your avocado tree is in a pot, regular pruning is even more important as it will promote healthy growth and help the tree branch out. Pruning ensures the tree becomes sturdier, and it can help to remove any diseased branches or pest infested ones which will affect the health of the tree.
Common Pests for Avocado Trees
When growing an avocado tree, it’s important to understand common pests and diseases that might attack the tree. The most common pests that attack avocado trees are mealybugs and fungus gnats. Mealybugs usually appear as a white, powdery layer on the leaves and branches of the tree. Fungus gnats are small, dark colored gnats which appear in large swarms, but they do not attack the tree directly.
Mealybugs can be dealt with insecticidal soap sprays. Fungus gnats can be tougher to deal with and may require additional measures, such as coating the soil with diatomaceous earth or introducing beneficial nematodes which feed on fungus gnat larvae.
Harvesting and Storing Avocado Fruit
After 4-6 years of growing the tree, if all has gone to plan, avocados will start appearing on the tree. To check if they are ready to pick, lightly press the fruit and if you feel a softness, then it’s time to pick the avocados. As harvesting begins, it’s important to always handle the fruit carefully as it can easily get bruised.
Avocados picked earlier won’t be as ripe, but they could be allowed to ripen at room temperature. Alternatively, they can be stored in the refrigerator, assuming they are already ripe. As long as the avocados are kept cool, they should be kept for up to 2-3 months.
The Benefits of Growing an Avocado Tree
Apart from having a fully-grown avocado tree in your home, growing an avocado tree has numerous benefits. Not only is it a great way to enjoy your own homegrown fruit, it’s also a great conversation starter. Tending to the tree and watching it grow is a great activity for adults and kids alike and can also provide therapeutic and calming benefits.
Additionally, growing your own avocado tree will save you money in the long run and can teach us so much about adaptability and resilience. Even if dealing with an unexpected pest or losing fruit to the birds, it’s still an incredible feeling when your avocado fruit is ready to pick and enjoy.
Things to Consider Before Growing an Avocado Tree
Although anyone can easily grow an avocado tree in their home, there are a few things to consider before becoming an avocado grower. First of all, space and your climate are two key factors to consider. If you live in a cooler climate and have a smaller outdoor space, then growing an avocado tree could be a challenge.
Another important factor to consider is the equipment you need. From pots to fertilizers, inadequate or wrong equipment could cause the health of your plant to suffer. It’s important to do your research, use proper equipment and gain knowledge on pests and diseases to ensure a successful avocado growing experience.
How to Pick the Right Avocado?
Lastly, picking the right avocado is essential for a successful growing experience. Most avocado trees can produce over 500 fruits a year, so knowing which type of avocado to buy or grow is important. Choosing the right avocado will depend on the climate, soil and desired flavor.
However, Haas avocados are known to be among top varieties and can be easily grown in most locations. Other popular varieties include Fuerte, Bacon, Pinkerton, Zutano and Reed varieties. When it comes to choosing an avocado, make sure to pick one with a creamy texture and no soft spots and blemishes.
Education, Experience and Passion
Growing an avocado tree is a rewarding experience. It often takes patience, education and knowledge to successfully grow an avocado tree. It’s important to fully understand the climate and soil required for successful avocado growth, as well as the necessary pests control methods.
Apart from education, the experience gained from growing the tree and the passion in caring for it will contribute to the success of an avocado tree. However, it’s important to also take care of yourself as passion for growing can often get in the way of sanity. With the right knowledge and experience, as well as regular care and attention, it’s possible to enjoy your own homegrown avocados.
Conclusion
Growing an avocado tree at home is a rewarding experience. With attention, care and the right education, it’s possible to successfully grow an avocado tree and enjoy your own homegrown fruit. Although it’s a lengthy process, the end product makes it all worth it and the educational experience gained is what makes it even more rewarding.
