Fertilizing Requirements
Avocado trees require a well-drained soil to perform best. They also benefit from regular fertilization, as avocados are big feeders. Generally, fertilizer should be applied every 2-3 months, following the directions on the package. Low nitrogen fertilizer containing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate is best, as too much nitrogen will produce more leaves, but the fruit production will slow down.
An additional application of phosphorus fertilizer 6 to 8 weeks after planting and just before the onset of the flowering period is beneficial to the avocado tree. An adequate supply of phosphorus helps avocado trees to produce and mature fruits naturally.
Sunlight and Temperature
Avocado trees benefit from full sun and do not do well in temperatures below 40°F or above 100°F for extended periods of time. In areas that experience colder winter temperatures, it is important to choose a variety of avocado suitable for the coldest winter temperatures. Locations with mild winters, such as in the U.S Southwest and Mexico, can grow more varieties of avocados, including those that are less cold-tolerant.
Avocado trees also need to be well-watered during hot and dry summer months. Irrigation should be done three to four times a week, so a mature avocado tree can be well sustained. During the months of extreme heat, avocado trees need a constant supply of moisture. Without it, they will suffer.
Pruning Requirements
Pruning an avocado tree is important to make sure the tree is healthy and nourished. Pruning will help to open up the canopy so air can circulate and promote fruit formation. It also helps to reduce unnecessary water loss, promote good soil structure and reduce susceptibility to diseases.
It is essential to wait for about the first three to four years for a newly planted avocado tree to get established before pruning. Pruning avocado trees should generally be done in early summer and late winter.
Pollination and Flowering
In order for avocado trees to produce fruit, they need to be pollinated. Avocado trees have different flowering times depending on the variety. The variety will determine how well they will pollinate each other. For example, some varieties are self-pollinators, while others are not.
To ensure successful fruit formation and pollination, it is important to select the right combination of avocado trees and plant them within the same area, so that they can pollinate each other. It is also important to note that there is a difference in flower formation times between the quality A and B flowers. Quality A flowers open later in the morning while quality B flowers open in the afternoon.
Harvesting
Once an avocado tree has been fertilized, gets enough sunlight and has been given proper pruning and pollinated, it will be ready to bear fruit. Avocado fruits start to ripen 6-12 weeks after flowering. Depending on the variety, the fruits ripen gradually or all at once.
Harvesting avocados will vary from tree to tree and variety to variety. For manually harvesting, it is necessary to use long-handled picking tools. For larger or commercial harvests, mechanical methods such as a picker, shaker or roller can be used.
Storage and Shelf Life
Avocados should be harvested when the skin has changed color, but the texture is still firm. As soon as they are picked, they start to age and naturally soften. To store avocados correctly, they should be placed in a cool and dark location. To increase the length of their shelf life, they can be wrapped in newspaper and placed in the refrigerator. Avocados will last up to two weeks if stored in this way.
It is important to note that avocado fruits are highly susceptible to ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. Ethylene gas is produced naturally by some fruits, such as apples and bananas. It is important to keep avocado fruits away from these types of fruits to avoid the ripening process from happening too fast and decrease their shelf life.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, can be helpful in keeping avocado trees healthy and free from pests. IPM focuses on preventive measures to reduce pest losses, protect the environment and reduce the need for pesticides. IPM includes practices such as setting up proper irrigation, scheduled fertilization, proper pruning and trimming, and monitoring for pests and diseases.
IPM also involves scouting for plant pest, monitoring traps, establishing and monitoring thresholds for pest populations, applying cultural or mechanical controls, and applying chemical controls as a last resort. It is important to note that it is not always necessary to use chemical controls, as IPM is designed to discourage the use of pesticides.
Damping-Off Fungi Affected Plants
Damping off fungi affects plants and can lead to their premature death. Damping off fungi, such as Fusarium or Pythium spp., can cause the death of young plants, leading to wilting and yellowing of leaves, as well as fruit losses.
To prevent this type of fungus from affecting avocado trees, appropriate soil care is necessary. This means providing a pH balanced soil and being careful not to overwater the tree. If the soil is too wet, the roots can be damaged and fungi can easily spread. Also, a layer of mulch over the soil can help to maintain the moisture of the soil and consequently prevent the fungi from spreading.
Eliminating Insects and Mite infestations
Insects and mites can infest and damage avocado trees. Frequent monitoring is necessary to detect any potential infestations before they wreak major havoc on the tree. Insects such as mealybugs and thrips can cause damage to the fruit, leaves, and branches of the tree. Spider mites can often be found on the underside of the leaves and can cause discoloration and wilting of the leaves.
To prevent these infestations, it is important to maintain the tree’s health and vigor by proper irrigation and fertilization. It is also important to regularly inspect the tree for insects and mites. Biological controls such as beneficial insects, such as beetles and wasps, can be released to help eliminate any infestations of pests.
Adverse Effects of Fungicides
Fungicides provide an effective way to control fungal diseases that can affect avocado trees. However, it is important to remember that fungicides can have adverse effects, such as the killing of beneficial fungi and leaving residues in the soil that can cause further injury to the roots and plant. Therefore, it is important to use fungicides only when necessary and to choose fungicides that are least toxic to the environment and do not leave any harmful residues.
Although fungicides are effective for controlling fungal diseases, it is important to note that good cultural and preventive practices are the best long-term control methods for fungal diseases. This involves regular monitoring for pests and disease and maintaining the tree’s health and vigor with appropriate soil care, irrigation, and fertilization.
