Thursday, July 12, 2012

Raise Avocado Trees

Avocado trees require a tropical environment such as that found in southern California, Hawaii and Florida. There are some avocado types that are more tolerant of cold, but none survive freezes. Avocado plants are fast growing and can reach a height of 80 feet. While avocado trees don't require annual pruning, they should be inspected annually for dead or damaged wood. As long as you have the right climate to grow an avocado tree, you should succeed in raising a healthy avocado plant.








Instructions


1. Purchase an avocado seedling from a nursery. California Rare Fruit Growers states that it takes eight to 20 years for an avocado grown from seed to produce fruit, compared with one to two years for a grafted seedling to fruit.


2. Determine where to plant your avocado tree. The trees need full sun and enough space to grow, though they can be grown in containers if you change the soil frequently.


3. Prepare a hole twice as large as the avocado seedling's root ball. Plant your seedling in the hole and cover with dirt.








4. Give the tree plenty of water to start. Avocado trees may develop root rot if given too much water, so make sure your soil doesn't retain excess moisture.


5. Regularly fertilize the avocado tree after the first year. If your tree's leaves turn yellow, it's suffering from an iron deficiency, which can be corrected with a supplement.


6. Remove dead or diseased wood from the tree to prevent disease from spreading to healthy parts of the tree.

Tags: avocado tree, avocado seedling, Avocado trees, trees require