Caring For An Avocado Tree
Ask 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.
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!
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.