Soil Conditions
Avocado trees need light, well draining, loamy soil conditions. The pH level of the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5. If the soil is too acidic, you can adjust it by adding lime or dolomite. To ensure that the tree has the necessary nutrition it needs to survive, you should consider using compost, slow-release fertilizer or worm casting. If the soil drainage is an issue in your area, you can increase the drainage before planting your tree. Avocado trees thrive best in soils with high organic matter content.
Climate
Avocados are an excellent choice to grow in warm climates ~ upwards of 25 degrees Celsius ~ in areas that do not get too cold, as they do not tolerate temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. It is best to plant the avocado tree in full sunlight to ensure good growth and fruit production. Although avocado trees may survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius, they may become scarred, crack and eventually die if temperatures drop lower. During cold weather, the leaves of the tree may suffer the most damage.
Care
Avocado trees need plenty of water and regular pruning to ensure good health. It is important to water deeply and frequently to maintain soil moisture and prevent wilting during hot days. The tree should be watered the soil is dry, at least twice a week. The fruiting tree needs plenty of pruning to ensure good air circulation, to expose the fruit to more sunlight and to regulate its size.
Pest Control
Like all fruit trees, your avocado tree may be prone to attacks from pests like caterpillars, aphids and mites. To deal with them, you should use chemical pesticides only as a last resort. Organic solutions like insecticidal soap, neem oil, garlic spray and bacillus thuringiensis should be the first line of defense.
Harvesting
When you are confident that the avocados are ready to pick, you should do it quickly, as they can spoil very quickly. You can pick them as soon as the fruits have changed their colour to purple-black and knobs have become still. To harvest them, you should use a pair of gloves or secateurs to cut the stalk. The entire fruit should be picked with the stalk still attached, to prevent the fruit from bruising easily.
Disease Prevention
Avocado trees are susceptible to disease, especially fungal diseases. Bacterial diseases such as black streak and limb declension can also be a problem. To prevent these diseases, it is important to keep the tree healthy, by avoiding over-fertilization and by planting it in well-draining soil. Proper air circulation and pruning should also be done to reduce the chance of disease. In some cases, the use of fungicides may be needed.
Container Growing
Growing avocado in a container is possible, although it does require more attention and care. The tree needs to be watered often, as it will not tolerate drying out for long. If growing in pots, it is best to use large containers, with a capacity of 50 litres or more. Additionally, you should also use a lightweight soil mix with good drainage and add a slow release fertilizer. Pest control is essential and it must be done on regular basis.
Winterizing
If you are living in an area with cold winters, you may need to consider some winterizing steps for your avocado tree. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees Celsius, you should cover the tree with a tarp or fleece. This will help to retain warmth and provide some protection against frost damage. Additionally, you can use a garden light or heat lamp to provide some extra warmth.
Fertilization
Fertilizing the avocado tree is essential for good growth and fruit production. Organic fertilizers are generally more suitable for avocado trees than chemical fertilizers, as they release their nutrients slower and more steadily. An appropriate fertilizer for avocado trees should have a balanced amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A liquid fertilizer is the best option, as it is more easily absorbed by the tree.
Transplanting
Transplanting avocado trees require some skill and knowledge, and it should only be done after the last frost of the season. It is best to select a larger container than its current one and to use a lightweight, well-draining soil mix. The tree should be carefully taken out of its container and inspected for any signs of injury or disease. After it is placed in the new soil, you can water it and add some slow-release fertilizer or compost.
Pollination
Avocado trees need to be cross-pollinated in order to produce fruit. If you only have one tree in your garden, you can still harvest fruit; however, it is only possible if you have two trees of different varieties. One tree should be designated as the ‘A’ tree, and the other as the ‘B’ tree. This is done by pollinating by hand, using a pollination brush or a small paint brush. To ensure that adequate pollination has occurred, you should do it every few days during the flowering season.
Propagation
Avocado trees can be propagated by both sexual and asexual reproduction. The easiest form of asexual reproduction is through grafting. To do this, you need to remove a branch from a particular variety and graft it onto another variety. Sexual reproduction involves planting avocado seeds – which can be purchased from nurseries. After the seed has germinated, it can be transplanted or grown in a large pot.
Pruning
Pruning is one of the most important steps in keeping your avocado tree healthy. Pruning helps to keep the tree in shape,to remove dead and diseased branches, and to develop the tree’s structure. The tree should be pruned yearly and cuts should always be made at a 45-degree angle, to prevent damage to the tree and encourage new growth. Pruning during the dormant season is ideal; however, it can be done at anytime of the year.
Watering
Watering is essential for avocado trees; if they become dehydrated, they can suffer serious damage and die. They need to be watered deeply, at least once a week, to prevent wilting during hot days. Though they are somewhat resilient to drought, they need regular and consistent watering to thrive. The water should be applied to the base of the tree and should not be allowed to pool around the trunk for extended periods of time.
Pest Control
Pests can be a major problem for avocado trees and can cause extensive damage, if not controlled quickly. Some of the most common pests that attack avocado trees include; caterpillars, aphids, mites, and thrips. To deal with them, it is best to use organic solutions like insecticidal soaps, neem oils, and garlic sprays. Chemical pesticides should only be used as a last resort, when all else fails.
