Planting Avocado Trees
Growing avocado trees is one of the most rewarding experiences a gardener can explore. Whether it be for fruit, beauty or shade, avocado trees offer much. Planting an avocado tree is not a complicated process, providing correct planting instructions and adequate care and pruning are followed.
An avocado tree requires full sun and fertile, well-drained soil in order to grow to its fullest potential. When planting an avocado tree, dig a whole twice the diameter and depth of the root ball and mix some starter fertilizer into the hole prior to the tree being placed in it. The top of the root-ball should be level with the ground.
What to Expect
When the tree’s mature, growth typically slows. For the first few years, the tree will require regular, deep watering. Fertilizing an avocado tree 3 times a year, once in spring and twice in summer, is recommended, using a fertilizer made for fruit trees. Application prior to flowering encourages more fruit production.
Regular pruning of an avocado tree is essential for healthy and vigorous growth. Avocado trees should be pruned in late winter, after the fruiting season. It is important to remove dead and diseased branches, as well as those that are crossing over each other or rub on each other.
Beliefs on Fruit Production
It is widely believed that in some cases, an avocado tree will not produce fruit if it is planted in ground and not in a large container. This is due to an avocado tree’s desire to conserve energy and focus entirely on establishing a firm and deep root system before bearing any fruit.
It is advised to wait until the tree has become well established and begins blooming before expecting to see fruits. Generally, this process takes anywhere from three to five years from the time of planting, depending on the variety and conditions.
Reasons for Poor Fruit Production
Poor soil quality, lack of pollination, inadequate nutrition, under-watering, cloudy weather and being in the wrong climate can all affect the quality and quantity of the fruit produced by an avocado tree. Most of these can be improved with the right knowledge and care.
Soil testing is important to determine the current soil composition as well as other underlying issues that could be preventing fruit production. It is possible to amend soil with the right compost or mulch to attain the correct soil structure and nutrient balance the tree requires to thrive.
Right Varieties of Avocado Trees
The chances of an avocado tree bearing fruits increases if deciduous trees are selected that are self-pollinating and grafted on dwarf roots. University bred cultivars such as ‘Bacon’, ‘Fuerte’, ‘Hass’ and ‘Gwen’ are the most popular and generally produce larger yields.
Adequate Pollinators
In most cases, the presence of other avocado trees is beneficial since they act as pollinators and boost fruit production. An optimal pollen source can be provided within a distance of 50-100 feet. Different varieties of avocado trees will produce more fruit if planted close together.
Environmental Conditions
Avocado loves mild temperatures and warm climates, with temperatures ranging between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The exposure is also decisive since the tree requires full sunlight to flower and bear fruits adequately. It is important to protect the tree during the winter months, providing adequate drainage and pruning if too many buds are produced.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers can provide great benefits to an avocado tree. It helps build strong, healthy plants, providing optimal nutrition for optimal yields. Organic fertilizer such as compost, fish emulsion, or, aged manures can be applied monthly during the growing season, from spring to fall, providing essential minerals and micronutrients.
Mulch
Mulching provides a great way to retain moisture and prevent weed growth, helping keep the soil cool and preventing extreme temperature fluctuations, something avocado trees appreciate. Providing a layer of two to four inches of mulch also helps keep root systems warm during the winter months.
Harvesting Avocado Fruits
When gathering avocados, it is important to wait until the fruit has fully ripen and the color of the skin changes. Picking avocados too soon, before they are ripe, can result in bitter and distasteful fruits.
Proper Irrigation
Adequate watering is essential for an avocado tree’s fruition and it should be done twice a week. One inch of water per week, for three to four weeks, and then twice a week for the rest of the year is enough to keep an avocado tree thriving. Over-watering an avocado tree can drown the roots and cause root rot.
Comparison with Young Trees
In comparison, young avocado trees will require more frequent watering, as often as three times a week. However, the deeper and more established the trees’ root system becomes, the less watering is required.
Disease Management
It is important to inspect and keep your avocado trees healthy and injury free at all times. Some of the most common diseases that can attack an avocado tree are anthracnose, root rot, powdery mildew and verticillium wilt.
To prevent the diseases, prune the tree regularly and strive to keep the general health of your avocado tree at optimal levels, applying disease preventative proprietary liquid mixtures and nutrients during the growing season.
Beneficial Insects
Introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs, spiders, and lacewings helps to deal with pest invasion whilst natural predators, such as birds, lizards and frogs, can help keep a balanced ecosystem in your avocado orchard.
Pest Control
Common pests that can attack avocado trees are aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and mites, which can cause serious damage to the tree. Control can be done manually, with a spray of water, or using an insecticidal spray.
Dozens of Uses
Avocado trees have dozens of uses, except for fruits. Apart from providing nutrition to fauna and birds, shade, beauty and oxygen, avocado trees are also employed in traditional medicine, being used as a treatment for asthma, obesity and digestive ailments.
Conclusion
Growing an avocado tree requires patience, proper care and knowledge. With good soil, the right balance of nutrients, and the best variety of avocado selected, the chances of success and maximum yields are high.
References
1. “Grow Avocados” South Florida Plant Advice, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/gardening-landscaping/documents/fruits-nuts/grow-avocados.pdf
2. “Harvesting Avocados” Avocado Trees, https://www.avocadotrees.org/harvesting-avocados
3. San Diego County Avocado Growers, https://www.sdcaco.org/Home/Grower-Resource-Center/Tree-Care/Trees-and-Diseases/Avocado-Diseases
