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[Campo Girl]

Hola

Has anyone here got an Avocado Tree?

Mine is drooping a lot and not looking too happy to be honest, I am watering it on top of the irrigation that it gets twice daily for 20 minutes at a time (this time of year) because of the drooping (which always makes me think a plant/tree needs water).

Do I need to add something to the soil around this tree or perhaps give it a feed?

Thanks

[Liz]

Hi Campo girl, get the feeling your tree is being over watered.   They are very susceptible to root rot and don´t like to be drowned.   If the roots are waterlogged a message is sent to the leaves and they droop! You rightly think the plant needs water - far from it, the roots need to dry out.   Perhaps lay off the watering for a day or so to enable the soil to dry out a wee bit.   If the soil is heavy(clay type) the avocado will not flourish as the plant actually prefers a lighter sandier soil for easier drainage.  Also suggest a fertilizer designed for avocado trees, check with your local garden centre for best product.   Happy growing, me first for the "harvest" next year, actually more like about 4 - 5 years!    L

[Campo Girl]

Hola Liz

I have laid off the watering, thanks for the advice, I have some sand so I think I will make some more soil for the tree mixed with compost and soil, the leaves are still dropping but it doesn't look like it is going to die - I hope not because Chris bought me that for valentines this year - I must save it

I think I have drowned it completely so it may take some drying out.

Speak soon

[Campo Girl]

Hola Liz

My Avocado tree now looks like it really has died I am most upset, especially if it is my fault!

Some roots look like they have come to the surface, I stopped watering it and now it just gets a small amount, there are no leaves on it now and one branch looks like it has been set on fire

Shall I make even more soil/compost for it and see if it needs nutrients or shall I go and buy some food for it

Anyone else have some tips for me?

Thanks

CampoGirl

[Liz]

Hi Simone, sorry to hear of the demise of your avocado, think perhaps a small viking´s funeral and wait until the autumn to buy a new one - sorry!   But this time make sure the hole you put it in has plenty of sandy soil for drainage purposes.   Hope the curtains were OK.   Liz, x

[Alec]

I think avocados must be particularly delicate; mine also drooped straight away, which the nursery put down to cold winds (in March) soon after planting. They suggested that avocados should always be protected after planting, particularly in exposed places.
As for mine, I cut it right back to remove all of the blackened, droopy part and it now loocks much improved. Whether I'm now bursing an avocado or simply a rootstock remains to be seen!

Alec.

[Campo Girl]

Did you know that the word Avocado comes from the Spanish word "Aguacate", which derives in turn from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word, ahuacatl, meaning "testicle", because of its shape, they believed it was the giver of "life".

I guess they do look like testicles!

In some countries of South America such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, the avocado is known by its Quechua name, palta. In other Spanish-speaking countries it is called aguacate, and in Portuguese it is abacate. The name "avocado pear" is sometimes used in English, as is alligator pear and "butter pear."

The Nahuatl ahuacatl can be compounded with other words, as in ahuacamolli, meaning "avocado soup or sauce", from which the Mexican Spanish word guacamole derives.