Direct planting in the Ground
Avocado trees can be planted directly into the ground if the environment and soil are suitable. Choosing a warm, humid environment and soil that drains well is essential so the roots can properly develop and thrive. A soil mix of equal parts compost, sand, and soil helps create an ideal environment for the tree – it should not be overly wet, as the roots of the tree will rot and fungi will form if left in a waterlogged environment. Digging a large hole that’s twice the size of the root ball helps aerate the soil and prevents waterlogging. However, winter and cold temperatures may damage the roots so planting in the ground is best done in the late spring or early summer months when the temperatures are warmer – avoid giving the tree too much direct light during its early growth period, and when temperatures do increase, ensure the tree is shaded from direct sunlight.
It is important to keep the soil around the tree moist as it will help the tree reach maximal size quickly, therefore regular watering is recommended for the first few months. A system of trickle irrigation is ideal, as it prevents water from being wasted and helps ensure the plant receives the necessary amount. When the tree starts to develop fruit, an increase in watering is advisable as the tree needs moisture to produce a good crop.
Grafted Avocado Trees
Grafting is a popular method when selecting the best variety of avocado to grow in a particular area. This is a process implanting a cut piece of a scion – the top growth of a tree – onto a disease-resistant rootstock of an unrelated tree. This allows an avocado farmer to combine the best of both trees by retaining the desirable qualities of the scion while benefiting from the disease-resistant properties of the rootstock.
Grafting requires a bit of training and scalpel skills, however it is a valuable technique and when done correctly will provide faster development than direct planting in the ground. The tree should be placed in a warm, humid environment, with good air circulation – a soil mix of equal parts of sand, compost and soil again should be used, ensuring the surface drains well. Watering should be regular and precise to avoid possible disease infection – an irrigation system is a great investment, ensuring automatic precise watering while avoiding wasting of water.
Most Suitable Climates
Avocado is a tropical tree that requires adequate warmth and humidity to develop properly, therefore its growth will be hindered if left in sub-optimal conditions. Areas where temperatures do not go below 15°C or above 30°C are considered the most suitable for Avocado.
In general, areas with wet summers, mild winters, and regular rainfall above 600mm per year are ideal for growing avocados. The Mediterranean coast of Spain, for example, is considered one of the most suitable climates for the crop and its production has been successful for over 60 years – Uruguay, Mexico, and the state of California in the USA are also suitable climates for long-term avocado production.
As such, when deciding to plant an Avocado tree, it is best to choose a location with suitable temperatures and humidity levels, and optimal soil drainage.
Health Benefits
Not only do avocados have well-documented low levels of toxicity, they are known to have different health benefits due to their high level of antioxidants and other essential nutrients, such as high in monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol, and is also known to contain vitamin E, potassium, and vitamin B-6.
The fruit is also packed with fiber, which is beneficial for blood sugar control, folic acid, which is vital for cell growth, and is known for its high levels of carotenoids, which play an important role in cancer prevention. Therefore, it is no surprise that Avocados are renowned for their long-term health benefits and that they have earned a reputation as a superfood.
Harvesting
Avocados can take between four and six years to reach maturity and are typically ready for harvest in the late summer when the skin turns brown, or even purple in some varieties – a set of clippers or small pruning shears should be used to remove the fruit, being careful not to damage the stem.
If the stem is not damaged, the avocado will hang on the tree and can be harvested through the winter as it begins to soften and peel away from the tree – depending on the variety, the fruit may remain on the tree until the spring months. Avocado trees produce heavily and repeated proper pruning is recommended to prevent branches breaking due to the heavy weight of the mature fruit.
Pest Management
Avocados are vulnerable to a range of pests and disease, including certain mites, scale insects and thrips, therefore preventative measures such as pest management and regular monitoring is recommended to protect the tree from damage or fruit loss.
Good pest control practices include maintaining a clean orchard floor, timely pruning and fertilizing. Additionally, avoiding overhead irrigation or wet foliage for long periods of time will help to reduce the spread of fungal diseases, as will making sure your orchard is the sole source of water for the trees.
Fertilising and Pruning
Fertilising routinely with a well balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium promotes healthy growth – as Avocado trees produce heavily and require large amounts of nutrients, they should be fed approximately twice a year.
Regular pruning is also essential, as this helps maintain the tree’s balance and structure – in essence, it controls the size and shape of the tree, removes weeds and diseased branches, and encourages new blooms which will result in a higher yield. Also, pruning the lower branches and overgrowth can help enhance air circulation and reduce waterlogging in the soil.
Diseases
Phytophthora root rot is one of the most common diseases of young (and mature) avocado trees. The disease is caused by an array of species of Phytophthora fungus and is spread by water or wet soils and is characterised by wilting of the leaves, small brown spots on the fruit skin and slowly expanding areas of dead bark.
A soil drench of fungicides containing metalaxyl-M, flutolanil or fenamidone when the first symptoms appear should be administered – soil should be tested for the presence of the fungus to ensure the disease is properly treated. Regular monitoring of the tree is essential and once the disease is treated, prompt pruning and a good fertiliser regime should help the tree recover.
Growth and Yield
Avocado trees grow slowly and vary in size, ranging from small trees usually around 5–6 meters tall, to tall trees up to 20 meters in height – however, most
homegrown trees will reach a maximum height of 10 meters.
The average yield for a healthy tree can vary from 3-10 kgs a year depending on the variety, fertilising and water regime, and pruning approach. As the tree matures, the yield can increase, however it can take several years to reach that point – some trees have been known to have a lifespan of over 60 years!
Pollenator
Avocado trees require cross-pollination in order to produce more fruits and achieve a higher yield and quality of fruits.
Bees are the main pollinators and planting trees near bee-friendly flowers such as Lavender, Sage, or Sunflower can help to attract them, but if this method is not feasible then manually pollinating with a soft brush or feather can be done. The best time for pollination is when the flowers are open – it is best to pollinate in the morning when temperatures are cooler so pollen is less likely to stick to the flowers.
Disease Prevention
Disease prevention is an essential part of planting and caring for an Avocado tree as it is highly vulnerable to infection. Cleaning and disinfecting all tools used for pruning and planting, good pest control practices, regular monitoring, and avoiding wet soil or foliage for prolonged periods of time, can help reduce the spread of disease.
Additionally, it is important to make sure the tree is not under too much stress due to a lack of water or nutrients – the tree should be watered regularly, if an irrigation system is not available then it is best to pay particular attention to the roots, ensuring they do not dry out.
Transplanting in Containers
For those who prefer a more portable solution, transplanting an avocado tree in a container might be a better option as it offers more flexibility in terms of location – an Avocado tree can be planted in virtually any container as long as it is large enough to accommodate the roots of the tree and has adequate drainage holes.
Once the tree has been planted in the container, it is important to ensure the soil is well drained – avoid using too much compost or it could cause the roots to rot, and add a good quality potting soil with a balanced amount of sand and compost. Water regularly, as the seeds will need sufficient moisture to germinate, however take care not to oversaturate the soil or it could cause the roots to rot – be sure to provide adequate drainage at all times.
Other Uses
In addition to being eaten in various forms, Avocado trees have a range of other uses, including cosmetics and medicinal purposes. Avocado oil is the fatty component of the fruit, and is used in beauty products due to its high monounsaturated fatty acid content – it is rich in vitamins A, E, and D, and provides antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial benefits.
Traditionally, avocado oil has also been used in folk medicine as a remedy for pain relief and as a topical treatment to reduce skin inflammation. Moreover, the leaves of the tree can be brewed into a tea.
Avocado trees also play an important role in the environment – the leaves are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide from the environment, which helps combat global warming, and the tree also creates a natural habitat for insects and birds, which in turn helps with pollination. Furthermore, the trees can be grown in small backyards or even large areas and can provide enough food for an entire family.
