For many years, avocado trees have been a popular fruit crop for home gardeners, providing both decorative and delicious fruits. While the tree can take up to five years to bear fruit when grown from seed, much shorter growth cycles are possible when avocados are propagated through a process called grafting.
Grafting is a plant propagation technique where a single tree or plant, which is known as the rootstock, is used in combination with one or more generative pieces of a second tree or plant, which is known as the scion. The two become one entity, allowing the scion’s desired characteristics, such as desirable or higher-yielding fruit production, to be expressed in the new tree. Grafting avocado trees helps to create stronger, more productive plants that can begin bearing fruit within months.
The grafting technique involves cutting the stems of both the rootstock and the scion and ‘grafting’ them together in such a way that both stem pieces are under stress. If done correctly, the graft will hold, and roots will begin to grow from the bottom of the new tree. Over time, the graft will become part of the new grafted avocado tree, allowing it to grow and bear fruit.
It typically takes at least six to eighteen months for the new grafted avocado tree to mature and reach a point where it will bear its first full crop of avocados. While some trees can bear fruit in as little as six months, this is largely dependent on the tree’s individual growing conditions. Factors such as lighting, water, soil fertility, and other environmental factors can all affect how long it takes an avocado tree to reach maturity and bear fruit.
Grafted avocado trees do, however, tend to be much more productive than those grown from seed. Due to the strong, healthy rootstocks used in grafting, grafted avocado trees are more resistant to disease and pests, which helps them to bear more fruit over time. Additionally, since the exact desired characteristics of the scion are expressed in the new tree, home gardeners can choose varieties of avocados that are hardier and more disease resistant, or simply better tasting, than those typically found in stores.
When growing a grafted avocado tree, it is important to provide the tree with adequate water, light, and nutrients in order to ensure the highest potential for productivity. Trees planted in areas with lots of sunlight and well-draining soil tend to bear fruit faster than those planted in more shady or poorly draining locations. In addition, it is important to prune the grafted avocado tree regularly to promote strong growth and maximize fruit production.
Other Factors that Influence Fruit Bearing in Avocado Trees
In addition to grafting, many other factors can influence how long it takes for an avocado tree to bear fruit. Age is one of the most important factors to consider, as younger trees tend to bear fruit faster than older trees. Trees planted in the winter and spring months have a greater potential to bear fruit faster than those planted in other months, as the cold weather helps them to flourish and achieve maturity faster.
In some areas, certain varieties of avocado trees grow better and faster than others, and some of these varieties may be even more ideal when grown through grafting. An experienced horticulturist or nursery worker can provide advice on which varieties of trees may be best suited to particular growing conditions or climates. Additionally, regular fertilization and regular pest control are important to boost an avocado tree’s chances of bearing fruit quickly.
Protection During Early Growth Stages
In order to ensure a higher rate of success, it is important to provide some level of protection for young, grafted avocado trees, especially during their early stages of growth. This can be done in a few different ways. Wrapping the trunk with a thick, protective plastic cover can help to block out pests and protect the tender stem from harsh winds and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, mulch can be used around the base of the tree to help insulate the roots and prevent damage from heavy grooming and mowing.
Finally, it is important to provide ample water to an avocado tree during its early development stages, especially during periods of low or absent rainfall. It is recommended to add a light layer of water to the tree’s base at least once a week in order to maintain adequate soil moisture and promote healthy growth. Doing so will help to ensure that a newly grafted avocado tree bears its first full crop of fruit as quickly as possible.
Growth Speed Varies Across Varieties
The speed at which grafted avocado trees reach maturity and bear fruit varies based on the variety of tree in question. Some varieties of avocado trees are known to be faster growers than others, while some act as slow growers. Knowing the growth rate of the variety(s) chosen for propagation can help to determine an approximate timeline for when the tree will be ready to bear fruit.
Growers should also keep in mind that regardless of varietal growth rate, a grafted avocado tree is more likely to bear fruit sooner than a seed-grown tree. As long as the tree is provided with the proper care and environment, it should develop and reach maturity quickly.
Irrigation and Fertilization
In order to allow a grafted avocado tree to reach its full potential, growers should provide adequate irrigation and fertilization. Regular watering helps to keep the soil moist and overall increases the tree’s productivity. When fertilizing, an organic fertilizer should be used, as it is full of nutrients that will help the tree to thrive.
Fertilizing should be done in the spring and early summer to promote healthy growth and better production. Additionally, providing a layer of mulch around the base of the tree can help to retain moisture and increase the tree’s disease resistance. Together, these simple steps can help a grafted avocado tree reach maturity and bear fruit sooner.
Conclusion
Grafting is an excellent way to quickly propagate an avocado tree and jumpstart its growth. When choosing to graft an avocado tree, it is important to pick the right variety that is suited to the local climate and has the desired characteristics the grower is looking for. While it is impossible to say with certainty how long it will take for a grafted avocado tree to bear fruit, generally, it can take anywhere from six to eighteen months for a tree to reach maturity and bear its first full crop of avocados.
