Caring For An Avocado Tree
February 26th, 2009 | By: Jamie Jamison AdamsAsk the Expert: Soil for Avocado Tree
I have been growing an avocado tree from a pit and its doing very well. The leaves and root system are quite large now, and I want to pot it before the roots start to deteriorate. The only problem is, every website i go to for help gives me a different answer on the right soil to pot it in! I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me the best soil for it. Thank you!!! Ains
Reply:
Ains,
If the avocado is planted in a container use a general purpose potting that is sand, bark and perlite based rather than an a heavy peat based potting soil. This type of soil will give the plant what it needs along with the drainage it needs. It is imperative that your container drains well. Be sure to place it in a container that has drain holes. Ceramic or natural (breathable) containers are preferred over plastic containers. Keep it sheltered from strong winds but exposed to full sun if possible. Water lightly during the winter months and heaver during the growing season. It is important that the plant isn't exposed to temperatures under 55 degrees for any length of time.
I have always wanted to start an avocado from the pit, so please keep me posted. It might help me get the courage to try growing my own.
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February 26th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Thank you so much! I am now a confident avocado grower.
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Today I received a picture from Ains. It was is happy and healthy avocado tree – growing in it little pot. Now I'm going to have to try growing one myself.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:18 am
I have a question myself about my 8 foot tall avacado tree. It's three years old and very tall. Do I need to trim the top before it takes over my deck? It's massive – no fruit, so I wanted to know if here in North Carolina, I can transplant it to the grounds of my property vs. keeping it in the largest pot. It's plastic pot also. The ceramic ones cost a fortune so plastic is what I have. It does drain well. But now, in the summer months I put a least a gallon or more of water per day.
What should I do with this plant?
June 29th, 2009 at 9:29 am
North Carolina is a little too cold to leave an avocado tree out all year. You could pinch the top out of the tree if it is getting too tall. This page has more information about Avocados http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/avocado.html. It has some pruning information and information on how long it will take to produce fruit. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I planted my avocado pit last September 2008. This is the only time I have had success with growing a tree. Here is a picture of the tree July 2, 2009. Beside it is a pepper plant I grew from some old pepper seeds I was going to throw out. I put the seeds around my avocado pit to deter my dogs from digging. It's been a great partnership!
I do need to transplant the tree as it is growing so close to the house. I live in the Palm Springs area of California so this tree gets plenty of sunshine. I have planted 2 more pits outside and am witnessing their slow but steady growth. Maybe one of these days I'll even have avocados!
Attached Image: DSCN1592.jpg
July 6th, 2009 at 8:06 am
You definitely need to move the avocado tree. They can become quite large. The pepper idea was a great one. Do they really keep the dogs from digging? Just a little FYI – it takes about 4 to 6 years to see fruit from an avocado seed. Good luck – you have achieved the hardest part – getting them to sprout.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:53 am
today I am going to move my mom's avacado tree. It is 4 years old and tall, about 15 to 20 feet. It is in a barrel, and I still have to dig the hole. I am hoping I can move it with a handtruck without it tipping over. I'll soon see. maybe I'll cut it out of the barrel. It is going to suck, and of course my mom named it "Emily". now if i kill it, it will have been as bad as losing a family member. Geez!
August 4th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Mark,
When you replant it, don't bury it any deeper than it was in the barrel. Stop by your local garden center and pick up some root stimulator or Vitamin B1. Mix according to directions and pour around the newly planted tree – this will help with transplant shock.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I laughed with delight when I read all your posts! We all, it seems, become so attached to the avocado plants we've grown that we name them! My little fellow is 'Alfred', and he has grown to a height of three feet or so, and about as wide. I repotted him at the beginning of the summer, and the growth spurt began – up and out. Now I am looking at the pot and wondering if it's time to repot. Or do these plants enjoy being root-bound? He's in the right soil, in bright indirect light, and guzzles water like a puppy. Leaves are bright green, except for the older ones, each a good foot long and about 4-5" wide. I'm moving soon – should I repot now or leave it until 'he's' settled into his new corner?
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
If the pot you repotted it into this summer was half again as big as the previous pot, I would leave it alone for now. If the pot wasn't much bigger, I would get moved in and wait a couple of weeks and then repot it into a bigger pot.
I think plants should have names. My family once had a ficus tree – we called Truman. Please keep me posted on Alfred's progress.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I also have started growing a avocado tree from a pit and it has taken off. The leaves are huge. I also would like to replant in a bigger pot but what soil should I use and where might I order it from. I understand there is many different kinds of avocado trees . I think I am growing a Gillogly avocado tree. Does anyone know what kind of avocados are sold in our Stop and Shop stores?
December 28th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I am not familiar with Stop and Shop stores. Where are you located?
Your avocado plant will need a sand,bark, perlite mixture. Basically a general purpose potting soil that you can find at your local garden center nursery.
January 19th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I am caring for friend\'s potted 5 ft. Avocado Tree. I was told to water it weekly. It is in my kitchen by two large windows that get morning light. In the last week it has been losing a lot of leaves (near the bottom of the plant – smaller leaves). Please tell me if I am watering too much or too little. Do I have to add nutrients such as coffee grinds. I live in NJ and we are having winter and there is heat in the house. Could this be affecting it? Thank you
January 19th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
It could be one of three things – not enough light, too cold or too much water. Check water first. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Stick your finger down in the soil, pulling out a small amount. If you can roll the soil into a ball, but can not squeeze water out of it you are good. If you can squeeze water, wait a little longer between waterings.
As for temperatures, a drastic change in temperature can cause the leaves to drop. Make sure the plant in not directly in front of an air vent or next to a window with a draft.
Now for light – if the room is a little darker this time of year, you might need to give it more light.
If it is only a few leaves at the bottom, I would not worry too much.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
My plants name is havi, like haviar. He's about a year old now and has been through a lot. I planted it in a small pot at first to develop the roots then put it in a larger one that didn't have a drain hole, one day it rained a lot and the pot filled up, I tipped it to drain the water and it crashed to the ground. I quickly repotted it and a couple weeks later my cat knocked it off the deck and the pot shattered and I again repotted it. The very next day my little brother grabbed ahold of the plant and yanked it out of the pot roots and all and I put it back and to my surprise it's still alive and well. Havi is about a foot and a half tall and has about a dozen big leaves and I can't decide if he needs a bigger pot.
March 25th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
It depends whether the plant is root bound or top heavy. If either of these cases is true, you will need to repot the plant.
April 10th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
So… I'm going to start an Avocado plant tomorrow and I am wondering since I live in Iowa if it is possible that I just leave it in a pot for as long as I need it to be? I am just starting out of college and do not have a house where I could build a green house for year round growing. I figure once I get settled in life (in a few years) and leave the apartment scene I could build a green house and plant it there or something… But in the event that does not happen – is it possible to just keep it in the pot? Will it grow fruit after…say a decade??? :)
April 10th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I forgot to mention that it is an organic avocado… not sure if that makes a difference. I buy all my food organic and as local as possible.
April 12th, 2010 at 8:11 am
If you remain in Iowa, the tree will have to stay in a pot. Avocados are only hardy in the United States in parts of California, Florida and Hawaii. As the tree matures it will need a pot large enough to handle the root system. You can start out with a 1 gallon pot, then move to a three gallon pot, etc. The problem will is not will the plant grow in a pot, it is whether you can handle the size pot it will eventually need. If given a pot of sufficient size the avocado will produce fruit. Seedling avocados take any where from 8 to 20 years to produce fruit. Good luck and please keep me posted.
May 22nd, 2010 at 3:26 am
Hi,
I have an avacado tree that I have been taking care of for a friend for the past 6 years. It has completely outgrown its pot and needs a new, much larger one which I cannot afford at the moment. The plant is soon to be reclaimed by its rightful owner. Does the Avacado plant have a chance of surviving if I plant it in the ground temporarily until its owner can retrieve it before the end of summer?
Thanks
Debbie
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:37 am
I found this website as it seems most people did, looking for repotting information about our Avacodo Trees. It has put the biggest smile on my face to read all the comments. My alvacodo is a home started one, I got the seed from a friend whos father had started growing his own plant after eating an avacado for the first time and discoving the pit inside. She was keeping me updated on his plants progress and he avacodo addiction, and I mentioned I wanted a pit also. She brought me one he started for me in a cup with toothpicks. I was just the pit with nothing sprouting and for weeks it did nothing and I thought I had killes it. Then one day a nice big spike came out of the pit and finaly Spike Jr. was "born"! He is now a year or so old about 2 feet tall and very leafy. I love him and often talk to him and about him to others. Hes so fun to watch because he actually moves alot. Lifting his leaves and bending his stem towards or away from the light. Hes growing along like a weed and a few people tell me he looks like one (how rude). I am so glad I took at shot at growing him and was patient enough to see it pan out.
May 24th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Debbie, you can pot your Avocado in the ground and dig it up before winter and repot it.
Bethany, it sounds like you have the magic touch.
July 16th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Hi all! How fun to have found this web site! I live in Michigan by Detroit. I was making guacamole and decided to plant the avacado pit in my backyard. Without much fanfare, I dug a hole, dropped it in, covered it up, and kept it watered. And amazingly, that little guy grew! I haven't named him yet. . .
Now, living in Michigan I know I will have to transplant my new little friend into a pot, and keep him under grow lights over the winter. Has anybody tried to do that? Anyway, good luck everybody, and wish us luck, too. . .me and my little guy!
Attached Image: Avacado plant 1.jpg
August 26th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
My Grandson has gone into the Army so he thought that his Nana would be the best choice in the family to leave his avacado tree with. Well, it is the worse looking thing that you ever saw. When he gave it to me last Sept., it was already about 2 feet tall with no leaves; just a stick up in the air with a small leaf or two at the top. Well, after I had it for about a month or so, I noticed that the top of it was getting all dark; almost black. It was dying. I felt so bad about it but kept watering it and putting the plant food to it. Well, another shoot came from off the side of it and grew to be about 3 1/2 feet tall but, again, no leaves. Now another shoot has come off from that and it is probably 3 feet tall with a few small leaves at the top. It looks like one big V made out of sticks. LOL However, it is still alive. HURRAY. I am trying to keep it alive for the 3 years that he is in the service so he can have it when he gets home no matter what it looks like. Anyhow, can you, please, help me get this thing growing right with some nice large leaves on it. I live in Maine so can not put it outside except in the summer. Thanks
August 27th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
K Kellie – when you dig the plant up make sure you dig deep enough to get the whole root system. Then place it in a container filled with potting soil – make sure the top of the existing root ball is at the same level in the new container. Place it in a room with lots of light. If your room has good light, you probably won't need the grow light. In nature the plant will experience seasons with low light levels. Good Luck and keep me posted.
Retta It sounds as if the center stem is dead. If so trim it back until you see green flesh instead of brown. This will give the lateral shoots the chance to grow. You may need to place it in a room with more light. Also if the plant is too wet it will start to die back. Make sure the container can drain off excess water. If you can send me a picture of the plant, I might be able to give a few more suggestions. Good luck and keep me posted
September 6th, 2010 at 9:58 am
I am gowing an avocado in Manitoba, Canada. It is too cold to grow outside, so I have it in a pot inside. It is about 3 feet tall. When do I need to change the container? How do I know when the roots need more room? Also, do I need a second tree for polanization to be able to get some fruits? thanks
September 7th, 2010 at 1:03 am
They can be self-pollinator, but it depends on the cultivar. For best production avocados need another one and age. When you start to see roots coming to the top, you need a new pot or if the plant height doubles in size.
December 28th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Great information, I have been finding it difficult too find information about the planted avocado trees when they reach fruiting age (between 7 – 12 years old). I have recently started a blog to track the growth of my two seeds (both Hass variety, grown in Mexico). I would love to hear if anyone has a mature tree which fruits that was started with a seed from an avocado which was purchased a supermarket. I will be stopping back in often, it is nice to know that there are fellow avocado tree fans out there.
Attached Image: Avo Project_12-24_top1.jpg
March 20th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Great reading, wish I would have found this site earlier! I have a question about grafting an avocado tree…what is the best grafting method to use? I tried 3 or 4 times using a veneer graft but they failed, perhaps cause I didn't use grafting wax. I
I am considering trying budding this summer, please provide your recommendations.
Thanks
March 22nd, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Sorry Steve, not really sure. I have never tried grafting before. Perhaps one of our readers will know, or you might contact the California Avocado Society.