How to Grow Avocado? Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Precautions
The avocado's appearance somewhat resembles a pear, which is why it is also called the alligator pear. Its nutritional value is very high, making it excellent for consumption by both the elderly and children. In addition, avocados can be grown at home as small potted plants. In the following article, we will introduce the planting methods and precautions for growing avocados.
How to Grow Avocado
1. Light
Avocados like light. A high-temperature, high-humidity environment allows them to grow rapidly, and they are not tolerant of severe cold. They can grow in partially shaded areas, but they grow best in locations with ample light.
2. Soil
Avocado trees have strong adaptability to soil and prefer to grow in well-drained soil.
3. Watering
Avocado trees are very sensitive to soil drought. A lack of water can cause leaf drop and fruit drop, so the root zone soil needs to be kept moist throughout the year. Watering should be sufficient but avoid excess. When the soil is too wet, root rot is worsened. Sprinkler irrigation or drip irrigation can be used, and attention should be paid to drainage during the rainy season.
4. Fertilizing
Within 1-4 years after planting, avocados should be fertilized reasonably to promote rapid growth of young trees. The type and amount of fertilizer should be determined based on soil fertility, tree age, plant growth and fruiting conditions.
During the young tree stage, the root system is easily damaged by nitrogen fertilizer. Applying too much nitrogen fertilizer will cause excessive growth of branches and leaves and delay the fruiting period. In autumn and winter, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to avoid cold damage to winter shoots in frost-prone areas.
Avocado Planting Methods and Precautions
I. Planting Methods
1. Prepare the potting soil. Be sure to place gravel at the bottom. The best soil choice is loose, fertile potting soil. Leaf mold, mud river sand, nutrient soil or perlite are all acceptable.
2. Once the soil is moist, the seed can be planted. Do not bury the seed completely in the soil. Leave the upper one-third of the seed exposed above the soil surface, and keep the soil slightly moist rather than wet.
3. Place the planted pot in an environment with scattered light, and keep the temperature between 16-27 degrees.
4. Water the seed daily to keep it moist. If the seed's leaves turn brown, it means the seed needs more water. If the seed's leaves turn yellow, it means overwatering has occurred, and watering can be appropriately stopped for 1-2 days.
II. Precautions
In winter when the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius, or during cold seasons, the plant may stop growing. Be sure to place the potted avocado in a warm, sunny location to ensure good growth.
How to Fertilize Avocado
1. Generally speaking, avocados should be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer more than four times per year, usually by broadcasting or through the irrigation system. During the young fruit stage, each mature avocado tree should be applied with five organic fertilizers, with an amount of about fifty kilograms, and compound fertilizer at about fifty grams. After harvesting the fruit, fertilize once more at double the rate.
2. If the leaves show symptoms of phosphorus and potassium deficiency, supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer promptly. On some soils, zinc fertilizer can be applied, and foliar spraying can also be used. Foliar fertilizer is most effective when applied in spring when new leaves grow. If the plant grows in calcareous soil or soil with relatively low oxygen content, chelated iron solution can be applied at the roots.
3. Some soils and irrigation water sources contain nitrogen. In this case, reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used. If the tree has few new leaves growing, the leaves are grayish-white, and the tree bears relatively many fruits, increase the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied.
How to Make an Avocado Bonsai
1. Hydroponics
Step 1: First cut off a small part of the bottom and top of the seed, and insert toothpicks into the four sides of the avocado to secure the seed.
Step 2: Place the seed with toothpicks over a cup of clean water, with the water level preferably reaching 1/4 of the bottom of the seed.
Step 3: Place the prepared seed on a balcony, but avoid direct sunlight; scattered light is sufficient.
Step 4: Regularly replenish water for the seed to keep the water level high enough to reach 1/4 of the bottom of the seed.
Step 5: When the seed's root system grows to 5-7 cm, it can be grown hydroponically or in soil. For hydroponics, add three drops of nutrient solution each week.
2. Soil Culture
Step 1: Choose loose, fertile soil for the pot, mix it with river sand or perlite, and place gravel at the bottom.
Step 2: Water the soil thoroughly, bury 2/3 of the seed in the soil, leave 1/3 exposed above the ground, and keep the soil moist.
Step 3: Place the flowerpot in an environment with scattered light, and keep the temperature between 16-27 degrees.
From the description above, do you see that growing it is actually not that difficult? Generally, avocados will bear fruit after about 3 years of planting. The investment funds are not large, and with proper care, the yield is actually extremely high, giving it high economic value.