Missouri might not be known for growing avocados, but it is possible to reap the delicious, nutritious bounty of this beloved tropical fruit. Missouri does have a few geographical challenges that may impact your success rate, but for those with the right conditions, an avocado tree can be a welcome addition to your back yard and quite possibly to your dinner plate.
The first consideration when looking to grow an avocado tree in Missouri is to recognize the climate and soil restrictions. The average temperatures in most of Missouri fall well outside the range conducive to avocado cultivation (65 degrees Fahrenheit minimum). However, some parts of the state may be warm enough for colder-hardy varieties like the Royal and Mexicola. Gardeners looking for some diversity in their avocados may find the Pinkerton and Reed worth a try. For less cold-tolerant varieties, like the Hass or Bacon, a grower may need to think outside the soil box and consider indoor container growing.
Another important factor is soil. Avocados love sandy, acid soil that drains well. Missouri conditions tend toward heavy clay soils, which do not bode well for the trees. It’s possible to work around this issue by using raised beds with raised soil, bedding and compost. This provides an ideal environment for avocados to flourish.
Gardeners in Missouri may also want to keep in mind that avocado trees need some TLC to get going in their new environment. Local nurseries and garden centers can provide grafting services to introduce avocado trees to Missouri’s soil, and bringing in pest-fighting beneficial insects can ensure your crops stay healthy. Finally, water is critical to avocado tree success. An avocado tree typically needs about 14 gallons of water a day to stay healthy and is able to thrive well in Missouri’s more humid climate.
It is also important to practice proper plant care. If you leave an avocado tree too long without pruning it, it will eventually start to decay, leading to crop loss. Even in Missouri’s more mild weather, frost can damage an avocado tree’s health so the tree should be covered when temperatures dip low. Finally, it is best to provision your tree with good quality fertilizer.
Pest and Diseases Control
Avocado growers in Missouri will want to be prepared for common pests and diseases that may afflict their crops. The most common pests to watch out for include caterpillars, mites, scales, and thrips. Additionally, avocado tree root rot and anthracnose can be caused by an overabundance of moisture. All problems should be handled at the first sign of illness with an organic solution to minimize damage.
Aline O’Connor, an avocado expert at the Missouri Extension, strongly advises her clients to make sure their trees receive the right amount of water and sunlight. “Avocado trees need six to eight hours of sunlight a day, but they must have well-drained soil and regular irrigation to thrive.” says O’Connor. It is important to keep the soil moist and evenly post holes, as over-watering has been linked to root rot.
When it comes to pruning, O’Connor’s advice is to remove dead or dying branches, but also to make sure that new branches are not over-pruned. Pruning should always depend on the specific tree and its environment. In any case, pruning should be reserved for when it is absolutely necessary—generally, a once-per-year maintenance.
Finding Seeds for Growing
If you have your heart set on growing an avocado tree, you will have to find or buy a seed or cutting. The most reliable way to buy a seed is online if you can get it shipped to your state. Local nurseries and garden centers may also have seeds in-store. You can also collect your own. To do this, locate an avocado with healthy looking seed, give it a good rinse, and wrap it in moist paper towels. Place the seed in a plastic sandwich baggie together with a moist paper towel and store it in a cool, dark place until the seed has sprouted.
Avocado tree cultivation also calls for patience, as it can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years for an avocado tree to bear fruit. Small, colorful flowers bloom in the spring after an avocado tree has reached maturity. To ensure successful pollination, multiple avocado trees should be planted to ensure cross-pollination, as avocados are not self-pollinating.
In Missouri, avocado trees can provide a delicious and nutritiously rich crop, but the success of their growing must be considered carefully before planting. Avocado trees need more protection from the cold than fruits typically grown in the state, and their soil requirements may be more demanding than other gardens. But with the right knowledge and care, avocados can happily make Missouri their home.
Feeding the Trees
Avocado trees need regular feeding to stay healthy. An avocado tree should be fed each month with a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus and balanced with nitrogen. Organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion are also beneficial for the tree’s growth. It is also useful to supplement with foliar spraying such as foliar acids to prevent deficiencies.
For fertilizers, it’s important to use light applications rather than heavy ones. Excess fertilizer can end up burning the roots of the tree. Additionally, a soil test should be conducted in order to determine what sort of fertilizer should be used, as different soils need different fertilizers.
Fertilizers should be applied at the beginning of spring season and additional light applications can be added throughout the fall season. The amount of fertilizer needed depends on the tree’s size, but for an average sized tree it is wise to use 1-2lbs per 100 square feet of soil.
Container Growing
Growing an avocado tree in a container is a viable option if one wants to grow the crop in colder climates. Containers allow gardeners to easily adjust the soil type, light, and temperature according to the needs of the tree. The container should be at least 12” deep and 12” wide and filled with a mixture of potting soil and compost.
Avocado trees should be planted in the container after their roots have been established, and adequate drainage holes should be added to ensure that too much water does not accumulate at the bottom of the pot. The container should also be placed in an area which receives plenty of sunlight and is in a warm and sheltered location.
Maintaining the container is just as important as planting it. It should be checked and watered on a regular basis. The container should also be filled with a fresh soil supplement every few months so that the tree is able to access necessary nutrients and water.
Harvesting the Tree
Avocados are a tricky fruit to harvest. Knowing the best time to pick them can be difficult, as the fruit ripens after it is picked. However, there are some indicators that can help in determining when to collect an avocado. The first thing to look for is a change in the color of the skin from green to a darker shade. This can only be seen from a close inspection of the fruit.
It is also important to check for any soft spots, as this is an indication that the avocados are already over-ripe. If there is no soft spot and the avocados can be easily removed from the tree, they may be ready for harvest. Otherwise, they should be left for a few more days until they are fully ripe.
It is also useful to look up the harvest times of the specific variety of avocado that you are growing in order to have an idea of when the fruit will be ready to pick. A general rule of thumb is that you can pick the fruit when it has reached its full size and color.
