The Growth Cycle of an Avocado Tree
The beloved avocado is a scrumptious accompaniment to many dishes, from breakfast toast to burgers. This little fruit can turn the simplest dish into a work of art. But how long does it take for an avocado tree to produce fruit?
Avocado, which is sometimes referred to as an alligator pear due to its shape, is a fruit that belongs to the plant family of Lauraceae. The evergreen avocado tree, scientifically known as Persea Americana, grows from seeds propagated from its parent tree. A germinated seed typically takes between 5-13 weeks to produce a seedling.
Producing fruit, however, may take three to four years before the full bloom of the tree can provide the right conditions for the fruits to grow. That is if the tree is correctly cared for and is provided the correct environmental conditions.
The growth cycle of an avocado tree can be divided into different stages: it starts with the early vegetative stage, progressing to the flowering stage and finally to the maturity stage. The early vegetative stage is characterized by accelerated growth, with the young tree developing a strong framework consisting of seven to fifteen branches. Subsequently, the avocado tree will eventually enter its flowering stage, when it will produce flowers that will later transform into fruits.
The maturity stage marks the ripening and maturing of the fruit. The flowering and maturity stages occur continuously at 4-5 month intervals and most often peak during the summer season. Depending on the variety and climate, an avocado tree may produce fruit between 4-10 years. This can vary and highly depends on the climate the tree is planted in, and the genotype of the variety.
It is important to ensure the tree receives adequate irrigation and fertilization for optimal performance. Furthermore, the pruning of an avocado tree is popular practice to ensure correct shaping and maximum yield, which may vary according to the type. Pruning also encourages efficient light penetration and good air circulation, which are crucial for the development of healthy fruit. Tree health needs to be monitored for any signs of disease or stress.
Fertilization
Fertilization is one of the most important aspects when it comes to avocado tree production. Nutrients are essential for healthy development and abundant fruit yields. The application of fertilizers also increases nutrient uptake as well as allowing avocado trees to slowly recycle its own nutrients.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the main nutrients used when fertilizing an avocado tree to promote growth and fruit production. These essential nutrients stimulate flowering and fruiting by providing the necessary energy and in turn increasing the yield. Furthermore, magnesium, calcium and sulfur are essential trace elements that must be provided during fertilizer applications. Soil testing is recommended to determine the fertility of the soil and the appropriate addition of specific nutrients or fertilizers.
Thinning & Harvesting
Avocado thinning and harvesting are key practices for achieving good yields. Thinning is the practice of controlling the amount of fruit in the canopy to increase fruit size and quality. The process of thinning is done by removing excess vegetative growth and small or unviable fruits. Harvesting helps to avoid biennial bearing, when the tree produces an extreme amount of fruit one season and very little the next.
The timing of the fruits’ harvest will depend on the avocado variety, as well as the particular region or local climate. For satisfactory harvesting, the avocados need to be ripe but still green on the outside, so that signs of softness are minimised. Harvesting needs to be done carefully, usually by hand-picking the fruits, to ensure their quality is unaffected.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors may also influence how quickly an avocado tree matures and produces fruit. Temperature, sunlight, and rainfall can all affect the location and season of growth. Avocado trees thrive in warm temperatures ranging from 15-25°C and cannot tolerate cold temperatures below freezing. Additionally, regions that receive sufficient rainfall allow the tree to stay hydrated throughout the year, while in arid or desert regions, irrigation is necessary to ensure a healthy crop.
Avocado trees need full sun exposure to ensure optimal performance and fruit production, however, some shade during midday can prove beneficial. Poor or inadequate exposure to sunlight can cause foliage to die back, and can reduce is vigour and productivity substantially. Furthermore, windy areas must be avoided as strong winds poses a threat to fruit production and can cause physical damage to trees.
Pests & Diseases
Pests and diseases are a common and unfortunate factor that can impede the production of avocados. Common pests include thrips, scales, mealybugs and ants. These creatures feed off the trees’ nutrients and can cause premature death or fruit drop. If a pest infestation is present, appropriate insecticide must be used to combat the problem.
Diseases, such as anthracnose and root diseases, are two of the most common diseases which can cause poor tree health, reduced photosynthesis and in extreme cases, total tree loss. If a tree is suspected to be infected, lab testing or visual identification of the symptoms is recommended to determine the best treatment.
Soil Types & Planting
The soil in which an avocado tree is planted is another important factor that determines its growth and productivity. Loam and clay soils are the most suitable soil types, as they provide the right balance of drainage and aeration, allowing the roots to access essential nutrients and air. Furthermore, these soils retain enough water to keep the tree hydrated.
If a soil is too sandy or too clay-like, the planting site needs to be amended with fertilizers or composted organic matter to help promote healthy root and tree development. Additionally, it is important to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers. Likewise, correct and proper planting techniques are essential when growing a healthy avocado tree. The seed should be planted deep, carefully planting the seed in a hole three times deeper than the seed’s size.
Nutrition & Watering
Good nutrition and regularly watering helps to ensure the growth of a healthy, productive avocado tree. The tree requires a constant amount of water throughout the year, with extra irrigation needed in summer, when the tree is actively growing. An automated irrigation system ensures efficient water delivery away from the base of the tree.
Although avocado trees do not require a lot of fertilization to produce fruit, soil tests often reveal nutrient deficiencies. These can be corrected by incorporating fertilizers or composted organic matter into the planting site. Composted manure incorporation also increases soil fertility and encourages beneficial bacteria.
Pruning & Training
In order to shape and encourage the growth of an avocado tree, pruning and training are necessary. During the early growth stages, the tree must be pruned to encourage a strong, uniform structure. This reduces the potential for disease and increases light penetration for better-quality fruits. Suckers and fruit-bearing branches should be pruned when necessary.
In addition, training the tree can help to create a strong structure, facilitate better air circulation as well as avoiding injury when harvesting mature fruits. Training techniques such as cordon, Y-shaped and open center are popular techniques when dealing with avocado tree training. These techniques help to prevent wind damage and reduce the risk of diseases.
