Avocado tree is a plant native to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, dating back more than 8,000 years. This magnificent tree, with its leathery green leaves, is an integral part of the culinary recipe books in many countries from Mexico, to Peru, to Japan, to the USA. Along with being a delicious food source, the avocado tree has many traditional medicinal benefits for its inhabitants.
Avocado tree can be found in tropical areas and it grows best in regions with mild temperatures and high humidity. The avocado tree is a hardy tree which endures conditions from withering droughts to dire floods. The peak season for harvesting its fruits happens during summer months. There are three known species of avocado tree: the Mexican, the Guatemalan and the West Indian. The Mexican species has grown widely around the world due to its adaptability to climates and soil types. With the right kind of care, the Mexican avocado tree produces larger and tastier avocados.
The primary soil requirement for avocado tree is that it is well-drained but also able to hold adequate moisture. The ideal pH range is 5.5 to 6.5, and the tree should be planted in full sunlight or light shade. One should also plant it in sandy loam soil which is rich in nutrients that supports adequate root development. The tree initiates growth when its tap root penetrates the soil. This process can take up to three weeks. Unlike other fruit trees, avocado tree does not require chemical fertilizers for growth or for fruit production. Heavy irrigations with organic materials, such as compost and mulch, helps the tree to take up water from its roots easily and nourishment from the soil.
Avocado tree does not have any serious diseases or pests though certain conditions such as humidity, or the lack of it, can cause damage to the fruits’ quality and size. Proper pruning ensures healthy development of fruits and promotes their ripening. The completion of pruning should take place in the early autumn. Pruning is followed by periodic irrigation as avocados need large amounts of water during fruit production. In addition, if the soil type isn’t suitable, one can also apply fertilizer to increase the production of fruits.
Avocados are demand high in the food industry and the growing trend of people opting for a healthier lifestyle fuels the demand further. With all the necessary conditions, proper care, and nutrition, the avocado tree has potential to yield 5-6 tonnes of fruits in one hectare which is sufficient to fulfill one’s financial needs. However, buying a young sapling of Mexican avocado tree should also be mindful as it is the only species which can thrive from a variety of climates.
Fertilizers and Irrigation in Avocado Tree Growth
Fertilizing an avocado tree plays an important role in its growth and in the size and quality of its fruits. Fertilizers should be applied as soon as an avocado tree starts forming its growing limbs. This should take place in the late winter or early spring when the flowers start turning into fruits. The fertilizer should be nitrogen-based, and organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion can also be applied. A light application of fertilizer should be applied around the tree and then watered deeply.
Regular irrigation plays an important role in establishing a stable environment for avocado tree. The soil should be kept moist to ensure the growth of this tree as it can brave any weather. But when it comes to irrigation, too much or too little of it can damage the tree as it needs a proper balance to thrive. Overly irrigated soil causes poor oxygen levels and poor drainage, and this can lead to root rot and death of the tree. Too little irrigation can create wilting, soil-cracking leading to stunted growth.
The amount of irrigation should depend on the type of and other environmental conditions. Lightly irrigating an avocado tree every 10-14 days is usually sufficient. The soil should be checked during this interval and when the soil depth to the depth of three inches is dry, irrigation should take place. Furthermore, a mulch ground cover of leaves, grass, or compost should also be distributed around the tree to improve the water levels in the soil.
Harvesting Avocados From Tree
When an avocado tree is ready for harvesting, the first signs will be the colour of the fruits. Fruits that remain green did not receive enough sunlight and those that are turning yellow will eventually become deep purple. Additionally, the skin of the fruit becomes slightly leathery and smoother. After the fruits ripen, one can pluck them from the tree or wait for them to fall naturally from the tree.
Once harvested, the avocados can be stored for some time as long as the temperature is between 55°F and 70°F. The fruit can also be stored in a dark place as exposure to sunlight can reduce its shelf-life and quality. Furthermore, timely harvesting and packing are also important steps in order to retain the nutritional quality of the fruits. Avocados should be packed carefully in boxes and stored in neat and orderly supply chains.
Environmentally Friendly Growing Avocado Tree
The avocado tree provides many environmental benefits too. For instance, its leaves turn yellow and drop off when the trees lose moisture and other nutrients. This is a natural defense mechanism as the fallen leaves prevent further water loss. As these trees have a wide root system, their role in soil erosion is also notable and their roots help to hold the soil in place.
The avocado tree is also a reliable source of food for many species of birds and small animals that live around the tree. As the tree is young, water and nutrients from the soil help it to quickly start producing fruits. Furthermore, the beneficial properties of the fruits help to increase the natural resistance of the body from certain ailments.
Avocado tree also produces oxygen, which helps to reduce air pollution as certain pollutants are bond and eliminated from the air. This beautiful tree can significantly increase the aesthetic beauty of an environment, which increases its psychological effects on the people living around it.
Cultivation Practices To Grow Strong Avocado Tree
Growing an avocado tree requires proper planting techniques and that all relevant conditions should be met. The avocado tree is usually planted in a 3 foot wide by 3-foot deep hole, and ideally during the spring. It should be planted at the same depth it was grown in the nursery and the root system should be gently spread outward. The soil should also be firm, but not tightly packed, and the tree staked to prevent the wind from swaying the trunk. In addition, one should also take great caution when growing the Mexican avocado, as it can be susceptible to sunburn and leaf burn.
The tree should be pruned regularly to promote healthy growth, increase fruit production and be easier to maintain. After pruning, the weak or dead branches should be pruned and dealt with as it is not an effective part of the tree. Too much pruning can cause the same consequences, and it is best to just trim the tree and avoid altering its natural structure as new fruit reductions tend to flower the next higher branch.
The best way to ensure proper avocado tree maintenance is to conduct regular inspections. An inspection should include the overall health of the tree, the shape of the canopy, and any visible signs of illnesses or pests. The inspection should also include the condition of the roots, which can be checked by digging a few small holes around the tree. If the roots look weak or dead, the tree should be given enough water and fertilizers. An experienced and knowledgeable gardener or horticulturist should be consulted to increase the chance of success.
Pots vs Open Ground in Avocado Tree Growing
The avocado tree grows best when planted in fertile open ground. It requires plenty of moisture, lots of sun and a walled structure like in a pot. Growing avocado tree in a pot is also possible although one should not expect the same amount of fruits as compared to planting in open ground. Moreover, a pot cannot provide the same root exploration like in a field, which can limit the growth of the tree.
When opting for growing the avocado tree in a pot, the pot size should be between 12 to 20 inches and one should use light, porous, and well-drained soil. The soil should also be able to hold in moisture. The bottom of the pot should also have a layer of gravel or other drainage material to allow for proper drainage. The pot should be placed in an area with ample sunlight and moved into the shade during the hotter days.
Growing the avocado tree in a pot also requires more frequent watering than in open ground. When the potting mix dries up the next watering should take place. Avocado trees in pots also require timely fertilization with a good nitrogen-based fertilizer. The pruning and trimming of branches should also be done in the same manner as in open ground, and regular inspections should be conducted.
Grafting Process of Avocado Tree
Grafting is an artificial process in which parts of the one tree are combined with the parts of other tree. This is an overly complicated procedure, but it can produce faster yields of avocados than any other method. The process requires two trees, one rootstock and one scion. The rootstock is usually an avocado variety that is used for general growth and the scion is responsible for the fruiting and flavors of the avocado.
The grafting process includes the side-grafting method, which allows for easier scion insertion. First, the sideshoot of the rootstock is cut to 45-degree angle and the scion is also cut to a similar angle and then placed in the cut. The two parts then get tied together using rubber-bands and a stem-wound wax is used to defend against disease and pests. After a few months, the avocado vine should take root and begin to grow soon.
The drawback of the grafting process is that it is hard to conduct and the procedure is expensive. One must also keep in mind that the rootstock has to be similar to the scion for the process to be successful and climate suitable for the scion to grow. Furthermore, the grafted tree can take several years to reach its full maturity, with the time for the grafted tree to bear fruits taking up to three to four years.
