how to prune avocado plant

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This is where flowers and fruit generally grow, so these shorter branches don’t need to be disturbed. In less than two months you will have your first blossom from a simple seed, and without too much effort or needing to be green fingered. During transplanting; The first pruning takes place at this stage. If you have an avocado plant with a small pot, it will sprout and grow until it has exhausted its pit’s supplies. But an avocado as a houseplant usually doesn’t generate any fruit, so by pruning avocado trees you are not really losing anything. Avocado trees grow up to 80 feet tall in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, and dwarf varieties reach about 15 to 20 feet. Dipping the blades into a 50/50 solution of bleach and water will be sufficient to kill any bacteria remaining on them. Here are three avocado trees planted in front of a house in Carpinteria that form a green screen. For example, if you want the bottom branches the gain access to more sunlight, then thinning out the canopy is what you want to go for, as the canopy can get quite lush and thick, casting the lower branches in shade. When your avocado plant has grown new top leaves, you can plant the seed in soil. Should I prune my avocado tree before or after I plant it? Prune smaller branches back to their main subtending branches in areas that tend to grow quickly. Feeding. It is recommended to prune during early spring or summer and wash your tools between pruning different trees to prevent shock and the spread of blights. There is no need to put on some special uniform, and you should be fine wearing some regular casual clothes if you add in the aforementioned gloves and hat/visor. Wrap the seed in a damp (not soaking wet) paper towel or other cloth. If you try to prune when the tree is developing new growth, the cuts will stress the plant and could discourage growth or result in disease. Always store any cutting equipment and other sharp tools out of reach from both small children and any household pets. Otherwise, you may infest the freshly cut limbs … Adding fertilizer on top of that could lead to a dangerously high amount of leaf growth. Also, put on some old jeans and some sneakers and you should be ready to boot. These leafy shoots grow vertically in the bark and pruning helps keep the tree’s growth controlled and natural. Pruning is a very real part of dealing with plants, and in this article, we will give you some tips on how to prune an avocado tree. You should be fine. You should trim the roots and re-pot (Not up-pot) every spring. Making strategic moves like cutting longer stems and branches will help contain height and width. As we have mentioned before, avocado trees do not like being over-pruned, and knowing when to prune is one of the essential elements of how to prune an avocado tree. Dig a whole large enough to fit the root system. Avocado trees benefit from pruning during the first two years to encourage branching. It is now 2 metres high. For the love of avocados, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Best times are the first few weeks of spring or summer. What is the recommended avocado tree height. 1. Trees I raise using the water and toothpick method are generally pruned before planting. Pruning. Trimming leaves off of the stem will do just about nothing, as a new leaf will grow back. How often does an avocado tree need to be watered? Disinfect your tools. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Leave the prunings as mulch around the bottom of the tree. Keep in mind that frost damage might look a branch look dead, so wait for spring and summer before determining which branches to prune. Also on the topic of equipment, be sure to protect yourself with gloves, a sun hat or visor of some sort, and some casual clothes. Last point, a general rule of thumb with pruning is to never prune off more than 1/3 of the plant. This is how to... How to successfully grow Avocado tree from seed? We trim any broken or very long roots so that they can fit into the planting hole. Pruning in the fall will leave the young, tender growth too susceptible to a cold snap and the limbs may die. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This is especially essential if the tree’s branches start tangling with another or if they are blocking you from mowing or irrigating. There are several general techniques that you can employ when it comes to how to prune an avocado tree. This is one of the main mistakes you can make with your avocado trees. If you happen to see any wild branches starting to form, it is much easier to cut them while they are still small. A skinny piece of wood or bamboo makes a great garden stake. Perhaps you’re growing your tree using the water and toothpick method and are thinking about planting it. Remove any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Spraying them with diluted bleach or alcohol works well. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-gardening-2/the-trick-to-growing-an-avocado-tree-indoors/, http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/tools-and-equipment/disinfecting-tools.html, https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/, https://newengland.com/today/living/gardening/how-to-prune-houseplants/, https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/avocado.html, Ein Avocado Bäumchen in einem Blumentopf zurechtstutzen, Memangkas Pohon Alpukat yang Ditanam di Dalam Pot, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Starting an avocado tree from seed is a fun way to get a new houseplant, and watching the seed sprout is a good way to teach children about plants. Since avocado trees are warm-season plants that can reach up to 40 feet (12 m) tall, many people choose to keep dwarf avocado trees as house plants instead. 4.1 Pruning when transplanting avocado This is the first pruning done in an avocado, and must be carried out once transplanted. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. unlocking this expert answer. Last Updated: August 21, 2019 In addition to annual pruning, staking your tree is a great way to keep its branches healthy and intact. Let your tools soak in the solution for 30 minutes. It has grown incredibly. Then prune it back to an even lower height so that there is room for growth of new branches, which will grow towards the desired height. Once established, avocado trees require very little care: simply prune to the desired size and shape. Push a network of toothpicks into the pit and suspend it on top of a glass of warm water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you wish for a shorter plant, just cut the stem above a leaf node. (note: There are also specialty hand pruners made specifically for avocado trees, which have rounded tips which prevents them from damaging any of the fruit.). As such, you should prune them heavily only during spring or early summer as this helps avoid shock. Pruning From Seed Growth If you grow an avocado plant from seed, the shoot typically grows into a single, spindly stem. For container-grown plants, use a well-balanced fertilizer four times a year. X Prune to open the tree’s canopy. These tools are smaller and can typically handle smaller growths. Cutting them during the fall or winter weather may expose the tree to cold temperatures or even frost. Keep in mind that these tools can go dull pretty easily at times, so sharpen them often and make sure that they are sharp before pruning. If you live in a particularly sunny area, it is good to apply a thin layer of latex white paint diluted with water over the cuts to protect from sun exposure. Hand pruners are perfect for removing smaller branches in the tree’s canopy to let the sun shine through. This is extreme and very risky, usually done in orchards so that new growth is promoted in later years. … Just make sure you are using clothes that you will not mind getting dirty. When it comes to avocado tree pruning, outdoor and indoor avocado trees are no different. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 57,708 times. When pruning, take care to make your major cuts clean and in line with the natural contour of the trunk. Individual growers from colder climates should plant their avocado tree in a pot and move it around to ensure optimal exposure to … If you want to prevent imbalances, you can use your hand pruners to trim away and water shoots at their base. If you are going to be wearing a T-shirt, it is still recommended that it be a long-sleeved one for better protection. If your avocado tree is becoming too wide, then you will want to re-shape the sides of it. #4 – Know when to prune heavily. Remove and gently clean the seed. Use hand pruners for branches less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. If your plant is still losing leaves, too much water or not enough sun are the two most common culprits. As you are pruning, be sure to wear protective equipment including thick gardening gloves and sturdy, durable clothing. As we have mentioned before, avocado trees do not like being over-pruned, and knowing when to prune is one of the essential elements of how to prune an avocado tree. Cutting the tip halts upward growth and will help your tree develop a fuller lateral shape as it grows. Avocado seedlings bear fruit in five to seven years, but container-grown, indoor plants rarely blossom or fruit. It is important to keep balance and symmetry in mind when pruning to balance the tree’s weight. After this, your trees should grow back after approximately three years. Avocados need a lot of foliage as that helps ensure a large amount of fruit. Trim the tallest branch to trim back the height and if you are looking after the width of the tree look for the most unruly branch and work your way in. Remove the pit from a ripe avocado and rinse off any excess flesh. Sterilize and sharpen your loppers or pruning shears. Leave the shorter lateral branches alone. By using our site, you agree to our. From the new developed bortes will be selected branches to … Pruning your avocado tree when it’s young is all about creating shape, and knowing what shape you’d like will help you achieve your goal. You can control wild growth with thinning cuts. Cut off any growing tips in areas where you do not want them. Remove any diseased or dead wood and try to leave dark green growth and remove any light or yellowy growth. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? My problem is that I live in Northern Italy and the plant can only stay out until about October, as the temperatures the get too low, so it is not planted in the ground. I have it in a large pot. Pull out the seed and rinse it gently in warm water. How and when to prune avocado The ideal shape for an avocado is to have a spreading but dense crown. When the tree has produced several crops of fruit, it is desirable to remove the entire top of the tree, then prune yearly to maintain the tree at a workable height. [1] You can prune your avocado tree at any time of the year but if you are doing a heavy prune it is recommended in late winter or early spring. This article has been viewed 57,708 times. Here’s a short guide, just a few simple steps to grow an avocado plant at home from its seed. This helps keep the tree’s growth in check and prevents wild growth in the future. After, apply urea every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. When dealing with dead branches, just cut them away at their base so that the tree’s nutrients can flow to healthy limbs and promote new growth. When To Prune An Avocado Tree. This type of pruning is not recommended for beginners as it can permanently damage or kill your tree. The avocado as a houseplant shouldn’t be treated any differently than those grown outdoors, so pruning avocado trees indoors is no different. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Transfer your avocado plant to a pot filled with soil. Planting a tree. Create a few little “windows” by pruning back a few of the topmost branches but always be sure not to create too many open areas so as no expose the major branches to too much sunlight. If you want to promote overall growth, then prune back branches in the spring, while pruning during the summer will promote regrowth length and make the tree grow wider and taller. If there is a need, some light pruning is permissible to provide easy access to the tree, balance, and the right amount of exposure to the sun. Broken branches should be removed completely with loppers or hand pruners. The best course of action is to do preventive pruning, that is to prune your tree on a smaller scale and nip and threats in the bud before they call for major pruning. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Avocado leaves turning brown? Research source Although this may be self-explanatory, if you want to control a tree’s height, then remove branches at its top. Cutting them during the fall or winter weather may expose the tree to cold temperatures or even frost. Find a sunny location to plant the tree where the soil is not prone to flooding or dampness. This helps redirect nutrients to the rest of the tree and encourages branch growth. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news, guides and recipes from Avocado Buddy! I grew an avocado plant from the "pip/stone" a couple of years ago. Never remove more than one-third of a branch when pruning an avocado tree. The avocado tree is a tropical plant.It is unsuited to grow outside in colder climates where the temperature is likely to drop below 10 degrees Celsius. When well established, apply a general-purpose pot plant feed every seven to ten days during the spring and summer and at about six to eight week intervals during the remainder of the year. Fertilizer. Subscribe to our newsletter for new blog posts, recipes & guides! Caring for Avocado Trees. An annual prune makes for a quick, easy job. Check the depth of the hole is correct by placing the tree, still in it’s bag, into the hole. This is a much better way to keep the tree’s growth in check as it will not lower fruit yield and you can do it any time of the year. They are fragile trees and major pruning should only be done during spring and summer and great care should be taken not to damage the tree. The following year, … Prune back vigorous central shoots while the tree is still young. Ladders are essential when it comes to pruning newly-planted trees because they have shallow root systems that cannot balance out the accelerated growth of the top of the tree. For example, if you are cutting branches that are less than 1 inch in diameter, then hand pruners will do the job. Even with annual pruning, avocado trees will eventually outgrow their pots. Also remember that what works for one tree may not work for another tree — pruning should be done on a case-by-case basis as no two avocado trees are the same. A one part bleach, nine parts water solution works well. When the stem is about seven inches tall, prune your avocado plant by cutting it down to about three inches. Also keep in mind to put it in a large(r) enough container, which can support the eventual height. Therefore, you should not prune your avocado tree a lot. They are certainly worth it. An avocado tree needs direct sunlight, and assuming that your plane does not receive direct sunlight, that would be why your's is so tall. Be sure, however, to use a tall, sturdy, and secure ladder that has a firm base. If your tree needs rejuvenation pruning, then consider cutting it back to its main trunk. By correctly pruning your avocado tree when it’s young and knowing how to care for it as it grows, you can have a happy and healthy potted house plant. One of the easiest plants to grow from a seed is an avocado. Just remember to keep your equipment clean, sharp, and safe, and take care not to damage your trees. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Four weeks after planting, apply a balanced fertilizer. #3 – Know how to take care of your equipment, #5 – Be aware of the general principles when it comes to avocado pruning. As such, you should prune them heavily only during spring or early summer as this helps avoid shock. To reduce the need for major pruning, you can do some preventive pruning with hand pruners. Since you’ll be cutting into the flesh of your tree, you want to make sure your tools are free of bacteria, pests, and toxins. Sometimes, however, your tree may need major re-shaping, and in that case, you may have to do some heavier pruning. If you need extra stability, have someone hold it at the base. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. How tall will an avocado tree grow indoors? Avocados are self thinning and if not pruned regularly, they can grow tall and spindly as house plants. Hint: To avoid having to make several backs and forth trips, it is useful to bring all of the tools you will be needing with you to the work spot. Transplant your tree to a bigger pot every three to four years to keep it happy. This kind of pruning is of special importance for newly-planted trees as the roots are not yet strong enough to support extra height. Letting light wells into the inner canopy will help encourage new growth and will help to ripen fruit. Water. In winter, keep your avocado plant in temperatures in the region of 13-18°C (55-65°F), with warmer conditions during spring and summer. Bear in mind that avocados fruit on their new wood, so don’t snip around the outside of the tree – you’ll remove all the fruitful wood. @2020 - All Right Reserved. At that time, cut it back to 6 inches and allow for new leaves and stems to form. Trimming the tips off these branches discourages new outward growth and will help keep your plant a good width for its pot. Planting avocado trees only 7.5 feet apart means that you must either let their canopies merge or you will have to prune yearly if not twice yearly in order to keep them growing as independent units. Pruning and training . Beyond that, pruning will likely be limited to what’s needed to contain its size, removing deadwood or branches that are crossing over or congesting the canopy. When it comes to how to prune an avocado tree, there are a few guiding principles that you should keep in mind. Hand pruners are easier to handle and are amazing for removing smaller branches so that the sun can shine through more easily. [2] X Research source Since you’ll be cutting into the flesh of your tree, you want to make sure your tools are free of bacteria, pests, and toxins. How to Prune an Avocado Tree. This article has been viewed 57,708 times. Be careful not to over-prune. 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