AVOCADOS
Top ten tips for successfully growing Avocados
A wonder fruit, the growing of which is often seen as a mysterious challenge. So this is the tope ten tips to success;
1. AVOCADOS are a tropical plant and they need moderated conditions. These conditions include warm temperatures for the majority of the year, moist soil and protection from the wind and extreme sun. Above all, avocados need good friable (sand rich, crumbly textured) soil to a depth of at least 30 cm. Avocados originate from subtropical to tropical climates i.e. Guatemala, Asia & India and tend to stress in our extreme hot and sometimes dry climate (varieties vary in their tolerance to low temperatures according to their origin).
2. Do you need two varieties to cross pollinate? Yes and no. Instead choose a variety that self pollinates for ease of fruit production i.e. Hass or Reed (Hass would be the preferred variety.)
3. Dwarf varieties? In my opinion these varieties are not worth the effort, stick with Hass and prune it as a dwarf if that is what you prefer in your garden. One established I don't believe avocados are suitable to pots.
4. Can I grow an avocado from seed? Yes but......
a. If you grow from seed it may take 20 years to fruit,
b. The odds are, only one in ten to twenty trees will be relatively decent fruiters when grown from seed
c. The best chance to ensure a fruiting tree is purchasing a grafted plant
5. How should I prepare for planting? Soil structure is the most important factor in your avocados success.
a. Prepare a raised mound of 2m square, and at least 40 cm high, of highly friable soil (1/3 river sand) with plenty
of rotted organic matter that wont get boggy. For best results do this 2 months in advance of planting.
b. Put in a surface watering system or have a sprinkler on hand for summer.
c. Plant just before the growing season kicks in (e.g. August)
6. Care
a. It is very important to water young plants (5 year old or less), the day before any hot weather is forecast (above 30)
Remember in the tropics it doesn’t get that hot and the tree will stress in Australian conditions and can not take
up water once it is under stress.
b. Choose a sheltered, but sunny spot or have a shade cloth over the young plant for first 4-5 summers.
7. Watering. Avocados like to be surface watered once fruit has set (September/October) but rain causes disease. Water on the soil surface as avocados are largely surface rooted plants.
8. The secret for fruiting is to pray for no rain/wind once the flowering phase has begun. Alternatively plant in a
sheltered spot and cover/bag fruit/flowers scapes, once fruit has set.
9. Fertilise with cow manure or a complete fertiliser, avoid heavy nitrogen, use tonnes of organic matter
10. Mulch. Use fine pine bark mulch, do not use eucalyptus mulch; mulch often
The secret to good cropping on avocados at home is, choose a Hass, aim for good leaf growth (water well and feed) i.e. a vigorous plant is a happy plant. Prepare soil in advance and use generous amounts of well rotted organic matter, that can easily be penetrated by roots. The soil must be friable (high sand content) for good drainage yet have good water and nutrient holding capacity (structure and organic matter i.e. loam). Never let the plant dry out or get cooked by the sun or desiccated by the wind.
A wonder fruit, the growing of which is often seen as a mysterious challenge. So this is the tope ten tips to success;
1. AVOCADOS are a tropical plant and they need moderated conditions. These conditions include warm temperatures for the majority of the year, moist soil and protection from the wind and extreme sun. Above all, avocados need good friable (sand rich, crumbly textured) soil to a depth of at least 30 cm. Avocados originate from subtropical to tropical climates i.e. Guatemala, Asia & India and tend to stress in our extreme hot and sometimes dry climate (varieties vary in their tolerance to low temperatures according to their origin).
2. Do you need two varieties to cross pollinate? Yes and no. Instead choose a variety that self pollinates for ease of fruit production i.e. Hass or Reed (Hass would be the preferred variety.)
3. Dwarf varieties? In my opinion these varieties are not worth the effort, stick with Hass and prune it as a dwarf if that is what you prefer in your garden. One established I don't believe avocados are suitable to pots.
4. Can I grow an avocado from seed? Yes but......
a. If you grow from seed it may take 20 years to fruit,
b. The odds are, only one in ten to twenty trees will be relatively decent fruiters when grown from seed
c. The best chance to ensure a fruiting tree is purchasing a grafted plant
5. How should I prepare for planting? Soil structure is the most important factor in your avocados success.
a. Prepare a raised mound of 2m square, and at least 40 cm high, of highly friable soil (1/3 river sand) with plenty
of rotted organic matter that wont get boggy. For best results do this 2 months in advance of planting.
b. Put in a surface watering system or have a sprinkler on hand for summer.
c. Plant just before the growing season kicks in (e.g. August)
6. Care
a. It is very important to water young plants (5 year old or less), the day before any hot weather is forecast (above 30)
Remember in the tropics it doesn’t get that hot and the tree will stress in Australian conditions and can not take
up water once it is under stress.
b. Choose a sheltered, but sunny spot or have a shade cloth over the young plant for first 4-5 summers.
7. Watering. Avocados like to be surface watered once fruit has set (September/October) but rain causes disease. Water on the soil surface as avocados are largely surface rooted plants.
8. The secret for fruiting is to pray for no rain/wind once the flowering phase has begun. Alternatively plant in a
sheltered spot and cover/bag fruit/flowers scapes, once fruit has set.
9. Fertilise with cow manure or a complete fertiliser, avoid heavy nitrogen, use tonnes of organic matter
10. Mulch. Use fine pine bark mulch, do not use eucalyptus mulch; mulch often
The secret to good cropping on avocados at home is, choose a Hass, aim for good leaf growth (water well and feed) i.e. a vigorous plant is a happy plant. Prepare soil in advance and use generous amounts of well rotted organic matter, that can easily be penetrated by roots. The soil must be friable (high sand content) for good drainage yet have good water and nutrient holding capacity (structure and organic matter i.e. loam). Never let the plant dry out or get cooked by the sun or desiccated by the wind.