Soil Preparation
Avocados are a remarkably fast-growing tree, but in order to thrive they require soil that is well-aerated, full of organic matter and free of debris. The ideal pH for avocado soil is 6.5. Test your soil for pH and nutrient levels, and if your soil is not already rich in organic matter, you must amend it with premium grade compost and aged manure. Fulvic acids can also be used to balance pH levels and promote rapid root growth. It’s best to wait until your avocado tree is one year old before adding amendments, as adding too much too early can slow development in younger trees.
Potting and Transplanting Requirements
Once the soil is prepared, it’s time to transplant the avocado tree. Choose a location with full sun and good drainage. For best results, select a high-quality potting mix and a pot that is at least 10-14 inches wide and 10-14 inches deep. Place the avocado pit in the center of the pot, cut side up. Cover the pit two-thirds of the way with soil, making sure to leave the top third exposed. Water generously and lightly pack the soil around the pit.
Watering and Fertilizing
It’s important to keep your avocado tree well-watered. However, avocado trees are particularly sensitive to overwatering, so make sure the soil is completely dry before providing more water. Gently water the soil until it is evenly moist, and avoid splashing water on the leaves of the tree. Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season to give your avocado tree a boost. Avoid fertilizers with too high a nitrogen content, as these fertilizers can cause leaf yellowing and weakened branches.
Pruning and Training
It’s important to prune your avocado tree regularly to maintain its shape and size. Remove any crossed branches and suckers, as these branches can rob the tree of energy. Avocado trees tend to naturally take on a vase-shaped form, so use pruning to encourage lateral branch growth. Pruning should be done in the early spring and late summer, making sure to keep the center of the tree open to allow for light. Training can be done with a combination of pruning and the use of a stake.
Pest and Disease Control
Avocado trees are generally disease and pest-resistant, but there are a few diseases and pests that can affect an avocado tree’s development. Common avocado tree pests include mealybugs, scales, and thrips. Carefully examine your avocado tree on a weekly basis and take action immediately if any pests are spotted. Avocado Tree Canker, Phytophthora root rot, and Avocado Sunblotch Viroid are the three most common diseases that affect avocado trees. Keeping your soil healthy and providing ample light will go a long way in preventing disease.
Harvesting and Storing
Avocado trees can take between 3-5 years to produce fruit, but they will produce much faster with proper care. Avocados are ripe when they yield to gentle squeezing and have a deep, even color. Always use pruning shears to harvest your avocados to avoid damaging the fruit. To store your avocados, wrap them in newspaper for up to a week. After a week, refrigerate for an additional 2-4 weeks.
Understand the Effects of Climate
Though avocados are hardy trees, they require a Mediterranean climate to thrive, ideally between 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit. For good development, avocado trees need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun, otherwise the leaves will look dark green and the branches will become stunted. In frost prone areas, it’s important to cover the tree should temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent leaf drop and eventual death.
Provide Protected Environments
For regions with extreme weather conditions or periods of intense wind, it’s important to provide avocado trees with a protective environment. While your avocado tree can be kept in a pot, the tree’s growth will be restricted unless it is transplanted into a larger pot or the ground. If transplanting a mature tree be sure to wrap the root system in plastic before removing it from its pot and make sure the base of the tree is level with the ground.
Minimize Strong Chemicals
Avocado trees are very sensitive to strong chemicals and herbicides, so only use organic treatments to keep pests and weeds under control. Proper irrigation techniques and organic fertilizers can also help to keep the tree healthy. If you must use a pesticide, be sure to research it first and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Apply Root Girdling
Root girdling is a method of pruning that is sometimes used on avocado trees. This involves partially removing a ring of bark from the surface roots, typically around 60 cm from the main trunk, to delay the maturing of the fruit. This technique is mainly used to extend the avocado season, as it will cause the tree to produce avocados throughout the growing season rather than just concentrating a large crop at once.
Incorporate Cross-Pollination
Avocados are effectively self-pollinating, but they can benefit from cross-pollination with other plantings. When planting your avocado tree, provide other species such as citrus or guava in close proximity to enhance fertility, as cross-pollinated avocados tend to be sweeter and larger.
Protect from Weevils
Weevils are a common pest of avocado trees and can cause serious damage to the tree if left unchecked. Use powerful lights around the tree at night to discourage weevils from invading your tree. The thick bark of mature avocado trees also provides some protection from weevils, as the pests rarely invade trunks greater than three inches in diameter.
