Starting from Seed
Hass avocados are one of the most popular types of avocados. They are known for their rich, creamy flavor and are often used in guacamole. Planting a Hass avocado tree from a seed may be a time-consuming process, but it’s an achievable task for those who have a bit of dedication and patience.
To begin the process, start with a Hass avocado seed. Rinse the seed with water to remove any dirt and debris. Take a few toothpicks to poke four small holes into the sides of the seed. This will act as support and allow the avocado seed to drop into a cup of water. Fill the cup with tap water and soak the seed for at least 24 hours. After soaking, the avocado seed should sink to the bottom of the cup.
Potting and Planting
After the seed has sufficiently soaked, it’s time to pot it. Fill a container with well-draining potting mix that has been mixed with a slow-release fertilizer. Place the avocado seed at the bottom of the container, making sure its pointed end is pointing up. Once it’s in the pot, take the remaining potting mix and pat it lightly around the avocado seed.
Water the potted seed generously, but be careful to not over-water it. Water the soil until a few drops are trickling from the bottom of the container. Place the container in a warm, well-lit area but not in direct sunlight. Water the pot every couple of days to keep the soil evenly moist.
Promoting Growth
With the avocado seed planted, it’s time to promote its growth. Avocado trees need a lot of sunlight and warmth to grow, so it’s best to keep the container—or transfer the avocado tree to its permanent home—in an area that gets that proper exposure.
Be sure to regularly feed the tree with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. To prevent diseases, check the leaves of the avocado tree regularly and spray the foliage with homemade neem oil if any signs of disease arise.
Repotting and Pollination
After several weeks, the avocado tree should be doing well enough to need repotting. When it outgrows the container, moving it to a larger one will help promote growth. But beware: avocado trees need plenty of room to grow, so a larger pot isn’t always necessary.
As the tree grows, it will need to be pollinated. Although avocado trees can be pollinated with a paint brush, it’s done most easily by rubbing two branches together. Doing so will help to ensure the tree produces flowers and, in turn, fruit.
Harvesting and Storing
When the fruit is mature enough, it can be carefully picked off the tree. The avocados should be a dark green color and will give slightly when pressed. If the avocado is picked too early, it won’t ripen properly; if it’s picked too late, it may have rotted.
For storing, an unripe avocado can be kept at room temperature and will ripen as time passes. They can also be kept in the refrigerator, which can slow down the ripening process. Store ripe avocados in the refrigerator and use them within a few days.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
For Hass avocado trees, consistency is key when it comes to maintenance. Make sure the tree stays in an area with sufficient sunlight and water it regularly. Fertilize it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every few weeks and check the leaves to make sure there are no signs of disease. If the tree is left in a too warm or too cold area, pests may infest it and the leaves may yellow.
If the leaves begin to yellow or dry out, or if the tree shows any signs of disease, be sure to take immediate action to treat it. Common avocado tree diseases can be combatted with a homemade neem oil solution.
Common Challenges
Although Hass avocados don’t require a lot of upkeep, it is still important to be aware of a few challenges when caring for a Hass avocado tree. Common challenges involve under-watering or over-watering the tree, as well as over-fertilizing.
Over-watering can lead to root rot and fungi, while under-watering can stunt growth and cause the leaves to yellow. It is also important not to over-fertilize, as the tree can absorb vast amounts of fertilizer, which could in turn cause root burn and lead to the tree’s death.
Transplanting
Although Hass avocado trees can stay in a pot for some time, they will eventually outgrow them. In which case, it’s important to transplant the tree once it has become root-bound. Before planting it in the ground, dig up a hole twice the size of the container.
Backfill the hole with compost, slow-release fertilizer, and soil. Gently lift the tree from the pot and position it where the hole has been dug. Use the backfilled soil to cover the roots and water it. Add a layer of mulch to the area to help hold in moisture and to maintain soil temperature.
Grafting and Pruning
Hass avocado trees are typically grafted at the nursery to ensure consistent growth. This makes it possible to produce a tree that will produce fruit within one to two years. Grafting also helps to ensure a higher yield of fruit than a seedling tree.
It is important to remember to prune avocado trees. Pruning helps to maintain the tree’s shape, as well as its size. Trim back any crossed branches or those that are growing too closely together, as well as any damaged or dead limbs. Pruning should also be done after a heavy fruit crop to decrease the number of flowers and fruit for the next season.
Disease Prevention
In order for the Hass avocado tree to remain healthy and produce fruit, it is important to take steps to prevent disease. Being aware of any signs of disease, such as wilting leaves or discoloration, is key. In addition, it is also important to keep the tree in an area with proper lighting, moisture and temperature.
Diseases can be combatted with a homemade neem oil solution. It is also important to avoid over-watering or over-fertilizing the tree, as this can lead to root rot and fungi. Keeping the tree’s foliage dry is another important step to take to prevent diseases.
