how to prune an avocado plant

Pruning. The first serious trimming should occur when the plant is only 12 inches tall. At that time, cut it back to 6 inches and allow for new leaves and stems to form. As it gets taller, pinch off new growth throughout the summer to force new branches to form, because avocado fruit develops on new growth.

1. What is the best time to prune avocado tree?
2. How do you prune an avocado tree?
3. Where do you cut an avocado plant?
4. Should I cut back my avocado plant?
5. Can you keep an avocado tree small?
6. Do I need 2 avocado trees to get fruit?
7. What is the lifespan of an avocado tree?
8. Why does my avocado tree not fruit?
9. Will an indoor avocado tree produce fruit?
10. Why are the leaves on my avocado plant turning brown?
11. How big does an avocado tree get?
12. What's the best fertilizer for avocado trees?
13. Can I grow an avocado tree in my backyard?
14. Can avocado grow from cuttings?
15. How much room does an avocado tree need?
16. How do you tell the difference between a male and female avocado tree?
17. Do you need a male and female avocado tree to produce fruit?
18. How many times a year does an avocado tree bear fruit?

What is the best time to prune avocado tree?

Best time to cut back is in spring in order to achieve good regrowth. Pruning between January and May promotes shoot-flush during fruit set, early fruit development through August and delays leaf hardening.

How do you prune an avocado tree?

General avocado pruning principles are:

1. Prune horizontal branches developing low to the ground, as these interfere with tree access.
2. Push light into the tree interior, by cutting "windows" in the canopy.
3. Trees grown on slopes should be pruned to a lower height than trees on flat land.

Where do you cut an avocado plant?

Avoid pruning the plant when it's actively growing. To prevent a young plant from becoming weak and spindly, trim the central stem to about half its height when it reaches 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.). This should force the plant to branch out. Trim the tip and uppermost leaves when the plant is about 12 inches (30 cm.)

Should I cut back my avocado plant?

The first serious trimming should occur when the plant is only 12 inches tall. At that time, cut it back to 6 inches and allow for new leaves and stems to form. As it gets taller, pinch off new growth throughout the summer to force new branches to form, because avocado fruit develops on new growth.

Can you keep an avocado tree small?

With a small number of cuts done every year, and possibly some pinches, you can keep an avocado tree down to 15 feet (my Hass), 12 feet (my Reed), even 10 feet. ... And if the pruning cuts are done at the right place and in the right time, our trees will still make quite a lot of fruit for their small size.

Do I need 2 avocado trees to get fruit?

For the best yields of fruit, two avocado trees are required. Avocado tree cultivars produce either type A flowers or type B flowers. Both flower types produce and are receptive to pollen at different times of day, and the best pollination and fruit set occur when type A and B avocado cultivars grow together.

What is the lifespan of an avocado tree?

Avocado trees have a long life-span and keep on producing fruit for many decades after reaching maturity. A Hass avocado tree planted in 1926 is still fruiting, and avocado trees growing in the wild in Mexico have been known to live as long as 400 years.

Why does my avocado tree not fruit?

So one reason why an avocado won't produce fruit is simply because it is not a mature grafted variety. Also, avocados planted in USDA zones 9-11 can bear fruit, but if you are in a chillier region, the tree may survive but never set fruit. ... The most likely cause for no fruit on an avocado tree is its flowering pattern.

Will an indoor avocado tree produce fruit?

Avocado trees are evergreen and need good light year round to bear fruit. Indoor trees need the sunniest, most south-facing windows in the house. ... An avocado tree grown from a pit could eventually bear fruit, of course, but that first fruit would be long in coming and of unpredictable quality.

Why are the leaves on my avocado plant turning brown?

Browning leaf tips are often a sign of salt burn, caused by a salt build up in the soil. Salts in the water and in fertilizer build up over time. ... This excess salt accumulates in the leaf edges, where it kills the tissue and the leaf dries out and turns brown. It's important to water deeply and slowly.

How big does an avocado tree get?

Avocado trees can reach 80 feet (24+ m.) in height. Most plants do poorly where freezing temperatures may occur. Gardeners in United States Department of Agriculture zones 8 and below should be wary of trying to grow these trees as outdoor plants.

What's the best fertilizer for avocado trees?

For young avocado trees the recommendation is 1/2 to 1 pound of actual Nitrogen per tree per year. You can spread it out over several applications as long as it totals 1/2 to 1 pound of Nitrogen. The other important nutrient for avocado trees is Zinc.

Can I grow an avocado tree in my backyard?

Avocados are delicious, nutritious and expensive. So, if you live in a region where avocado trees thrive, why not try growing your own? Avocados grow well in most parts of Southern California so, chances are, you can successfully grow avocado trees right in your backyard.

Can avocado grow from cuttings?

Avocados can be propagated by planting seeds, rooting avocado cuttings, layering and grafting. Avocados do not produce true to the seed. Avocado propagating by cuttings is a more certain method, as propagating a new tree from avocado tree cuttings results in a clone of the parent tree.

How much room does an avocado tree need?

If you have soil that doesn't drain well, work in sand or other gritty matter to increase its drainage. Also, you need to leave 8 to 10 feet (2.5-3 m.) from buildings and up to 30 feet (10 m.) of space apart when planting avocado trees.

How do you tell the difference between a male and female avocado tree?

The flower has both female and male organs, but they don't function at the same time. Each flower is female when it first opens. That is, its stigma will receive pollen from other avocado flowers, but its stamens (male organs) do not shed pollen at this first opening.

Do you need a male and female avocado tree to produce fruit?

Pollination: While avocado trees self-fertilize and produce fruit, yields should increase if both a Type A avocado tree and a Type B avocado tree are planted in order to increase the chances for successful pollination. The avocado tree has both functional male and female organs.

How many times a year does an avocado tree bear fruit?

How many fruit will a mature tree produce in one year? It is possible for an avocado tree to produce 200 to 300 fruit per tree once it is about 5-7 years of age. The avocado tree, however, alternates bearing. This means that the tree may produce a large crop one year, and then produce a small crop the following year.