Adequate Watering
Water stress is the leading cause of death for avocado trees. Too much or too little water can harm root systems and prevent the tree from accessing essential nutrients and resources. For young trees, water the roots regularly with a soaker hose, providing a steady trickle of water that runs alongside the roots and into the soil. On established trees, water deeply but infrequently. Make sure the tree is able to soak up water over the course of an hour. As avocado trees are sensitive to salt, always use fresh water or water sourced from a non-saline source.
Fertilization
Provide avocado trees with the essential nutrients they need by fertilizing every 1-3 months from spring to fall. For organic fertilization, use cottonseed meal, kelp meal, fish meal, and other organic fertilizers. Be sure to follow the fertilizer label and the recommended application rate to avoid over-fertilizing and burning the tree’s roots. Avocado trees require more iron and nitrogen than other tree types. If a deficiency is present, it can be treated with iron sulfate, which can be found in fertilizers, or iron chelates.
Pruning
To maintain a healthy avocado tree, regular pruning must be done. Prune the trees during the summer months when the sap is not running. Thin out older wood to promote new growth, reduce excessive foliage and ensure adequate air circulation. A good indicator of when pruning is needed is when major limbs and branches are crowding the canopy. Remove dead or diseased branches right away to minimize chances of infection. Pruning the trees at least once a year will keep them in good health and increase chances of fruit production.
Pest and Disease Prevention
Avocado trees are susceptible to diseases, pests and parasites such as mealybugs, scale insects and root-knot nematodes. To prevent and manage these issues, it is important to monitor the trees for signs of an infestation. If an infestation is detected, use an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to treat the affected areas. To prevent fungal infections, treat the trees with a fungicide or a combination of copper and sulfur. To protect the trees from root-knot nematodes, construct a physical barrier with mesh material to keep the nematodes from entering the root zone.
Pollination
Avocado trees are self-pollinating, but cross-pollination increases the fruit production of the tree. This can be done with insects such as bees or by hand. Hand pollination should be done on a weekly basis by collecting pollen from the same variety of avocado tree and applying it to flowers of the same variety on the same tree. When cross-pollinating, pollen from a different variety of tree should be used.
Temperature and Lighting
Avocado trees do best in temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and can tolerate occasional cold snaps during the winter months. Make sure to plant the tree in full sun and in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. When exposed to the correct amount of sunlight, avocado trees will produce more fruits and flowers. During the summer months, the tree should receive around 8-10 hours of direct sunlight every day.
Disease Prevention
The most common diseases that affect avocado trees include black spot, root rot and anthracnose. Black spot is a fungal disease that affects the leaves of the tree and can eventually result in leaf drop and fruit rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the root systems of the tree, and can be treated by applying fungicides and promoting better drainage around the tree roots. Anthracnose is caused by bacteria that causes lesions on the leaves, fruit and stems of the tree. To prevent these diseases from occurring, prune dead and diseased branches, avoid over-watering, and provide adequate air circulation around the tree.
Container gardening
Avocado trees can thrive in both containers and in the ground. If planting in a container, make sure the pot is large enough to allow for the tree’s roots to spread out without becoming cramped. Plant an avocado tree in a container that has a diameter of at least 15 inches. Use a fertile, well-draining potting soil mix, and make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. The container should be placed in a sunny location that has at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. During the winter months, bring the container indoors to a room that has temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Insect Control
Avocado trees can be affected by several pests, including mites, aphids, and scale. To control these pests, use a natural insecticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap. Mites can be controlled by introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings. Aphids can be controlled by spraying the tree with water and introducing ladybugs to the area. Scale can be controlled by introducing predaceous mites, which feed on the scale insects. Be sure to monitor the tree for signs of an infestation and take action if an infestation is present.
Fruit Production
As avocado trees take several years to reach maturity and produce fruit, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that the tree is healthy and vigorous. After 3-5 years, the tree should be ready to produce fruit. To increase fruit production, prune the tree regularly and provide adequate water and nutrients. Make sure the tree is exposed to plenty of sunlight and pollinate the flowers by cross-pollinating with a different variety of avocado tree.
Harvesting
As the fruits ripen, they should be harvested and removed from the tree. If left on the tree, the fruits will start to spoil and will be susceptible to rot. To harvest the fruits, use clippers or scissors and cut the fruits at the stem. Place the fruits in a cardboard box or paper bag and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Repotting
Avocado trees need to be repotted every three to four years to ensure the roots have enough space to grow. To repot, make sure the tree is completely dry and select a container that is slightly larger than the last one. Fill the container half way with potting soil, place the tree in the container, and add more soil until full. Water the tree thoroughly after repotting and provide it with adequate water, nutrients and sunlight.
Nutrients
A healthy avocado tree needs balanced nutrients and fertilizers in order to thrive. In addition to organic fertilizers, a general-purpose fertilizer should be used. Fertilizers can be applied every six to eight weeks during the growing season. In addition to fertilizers, avocado trees need beneficial micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. These micronutrients can be added as foliar sprays or soil amendments. Make sure to follow the fertilizer label and the recommended application rate to avoid over-fertilizing and burning the tree’s roots.
