How do you grow an Avocado Tree that Bears Fruit?
The avocado tree is a highly prized and rewarding fruit producer, however it does require a lot of attention and care to ensure that the tree produces fruit. Avocado trees need a very warm to hot climate and plenty of regular watering in order for them to bear fruit. They also require specific soil conditions and ample amounts of sunshine. In addition, adequate pruning and early pollination are crucial for successful fruit production. To help ensure your avocado tree yields fruit, here are the steps you must take.
Choosing the Right Variety of Avocado Tree
Avocado trees are not all created equal; some types of tree are better suited to certain climates and soils than others. Choosing an appropriate type of avocado tree is key in obtaining successful and bountiful fruit production. All different varieties of avocado trees can grow fruit in any given climate, however some trees are better suited for particular conditions. If you are in a cooler climate, select a variety such as ‘Hass’ or ‘Gwen’ which is more cold-resistant. For very hot climates, choose an avocado tree type such as ‘Fuerte’, ‘Cuban green’ or ‘Reed’. Additionally, certain varieties are more productive than others; it is best to research the variety you choose and check how many fruits it typically yields when pollinated.
Choosing the Perfect Location
Once you’ve chosen the right variety of avocado tree, you must find the perfect spot in your garden to plant the tree. As mentioned before, avocado trees need plenty of sunshine to thrive and produce fruit. So, it is important to find an area in your garden that receives ample amounts of sunlight throughout the day. Additionally, the soil of your chosen planting area should be well drained and not overly moist as this can cause the root system to rot. If your soil is too moist, mix in some organic material such as bark or compost to help reduce water retention. It is also important to ensure that the tree is not easily exposed to strong winds; sturdy stakes or tree-guying can help provide the needed stability.
Watering and Fertilising
Once your avocado tree is planted and growing, it is essential to provide it with the right nutrients and moisture to help it bear fruit. Avocado trees lack tolerance to drought and require regular irrigation. During hot summer months, it is advised to water the tree every two to three days. This amount of water, however, should be reduced in winter to once a week. When fertilising your tree, be sure to use a mellow and balanced formula. Excessive fertilisation can be harmful to the tree so it is important to use a formula appropriate to your tree’s age and size and only fertilise during active growing periods.
Pruning and Pollination
Proper pruning is essential for fruit production as it helps reduce any overcrowding on the tree, making it easier for bees to access the flowers. Additionally, pruning helps to remove any damaged or dead branches which improves air circulation and sunlight penetration within the tree. Avocado trees require hand-pollination in order to bear fruit; pollen from the flowers on one tree must be transferred to the flowers of another, as the flowers on each individual tree only produce male or female pollen. As the avocado relies on animal pollinators for fertilisation, it is important to ensure there are plenty of pollinators in the area.
Monitoring, Harvesting, and Storing
When harvesting your avocado tree, it is important to pay some attention to the maturity of the fruit. The fruit should be left on the tree until it reaches full maturity and begins to drop off the tree; it should be firm, not too soft, when removed. The harvested fruit can then be left to ripen for another week or two on the kitchen counter. When storing the avocados, place them in a paper bag or a refrigerator until they are ready to be eaten. After planting your avocado tree and following these steps, you should soon be reaping the rewards and enjoying your own homegrown avocados.
Air Layering
Air layering is another method used to grow your own avocado tree from a ‘stock’ tree. To do this, select branches from a mature tree and carefully cut slits in the bark to the cambium layer. Pack these slits with a moist soil mixture to which you can add rooting hormones if desired. Cover the slits with a mixture of sphagnum moss and soil and cover the area with a black plastic bag. The purpose of the plastic bag is to keep the soil mixture moist until the roots start to develop. Once the roots have formed, you can cut the stem off the tree and plant the new tree in a pot. This method is a reliable way of Propagating new Avocado Trees.
Grafting
Grafting is another process used to propagate new avocado trees. It is done by joining the scion (the top part of the young tree) to the root stock (the trunk or roots of another tree). To do this, the root stock must be cut along with the scion, which is then inserted and tied into position in order to ‘join’ the two parts together. To ensure the success of the graft, it must be placed in extremely humid surroundings for three to five weeks until the grafting site swells and the cambial tissue cells of both branches are interconnected. Grafting is a relatively easy and successful way to propagate new avocado trees.
Planting in Containers
Avocado trees can also be grown in pots. It’s important to use a container that’s the right size for the tree so the roots do not become crowded. When planting in a pot, use a high-quality potting mix that is well-drained and mixed with compost. Water the tree frequently, but ensure you are not over-watering by checking the soil moisture before each watering. Fertilise the tree with a balanced fertiliser every month during the growing season. Lastly, be sure to move your pot-grown tree indoors during cold winter months as it is not cold-hardy.
Pollinating Outdoor Trees
The importance of correct pollination cannot be stressed enough. Hand pollination is the most reliable way to ensure successful breeding and production of fruits. Working with a fine brush, simple transfer the male (or ‘staminate’) flowers’ pollen to the female (or ‘pistil’) flowers. It is best to start hand pollinating avocado trees as soon as the flowers are visible, and continue pollinating until the flowering period ends.
Protecting and Treating Avocado Trees
As with any other type of tree, avocado trees can become vulnerable to pests and diseases. It is important to keep an eye out for any signs of insects, fungus, or rot. Insects can be physically removed by hand and any diseased areas can be pruned back. If the problem persists, consider using a suitable insecticide or fungicide to help get rid of any remaining pests or disease. Additionally, using preventative measures such as proper irrigation and pruning will help to keep your avocado tree healthy and yield a large amount of fruit.
Supporting and Encouraging Pollinators
Pollinators are a vital part of the process of avocado tree fruiting. To support the pollinators and their populations, it is important to create an environment that is suited to them. Planting wildflowers, providing water sources and nesting sites, and avoiding the use of chemical pesticides are among the few ways to make your garden attractive to pollinating insects. Not only will this benefit your avocado tree as well as any other plants, but you’ll also be helping to maintain biodiversity in the local ecosystem.
General Tips
Although they can take time to produce fruit, avocado trees make wonderful additions to any garden and can provide a large quantity of fruit when grown correctly. As with any type of plant, it is important to research what is best for your chosen tree and make sure it is planted and cared for properly. To ensure a successful and rewarding harvest of your avocados, regular watering and fertilising, appropriate soil composition and pruning techniques, and plenty of backyard pollinators are all recommended.
