[Arid_gardener] Re: Pinching Avocado Leaves

[Carolyn Hills]

Hi Lauri -- I started an avocado tree from seed a couple of years ago. It is now in a large pot on my patio, and is over 10 feet tall. Unless your friends are intentionally trying to keep the tree small, I can't think of any reason to pinch off old leaves. Sunset Western Garden Book says that most avocado varieties grow to 30-40 feet and spread wider. They will also produce dense shade and shed leaves constantly throughout the year. Here's what Sunset says avocados need:

Drainage: Make sure it's good. Avoid clay soil. High water table in rainy season can kill a tree, even in well-drained soil.

Watering: Keep soil moist but not wet with light, frequent sprinkler irrigation. Go heavy every third or fourth time to wash out excess salts. Let fallen leaves build up under the tree as mulch.

Fertilizing: Feed young trees lightly; mature trees need 1 lb. of actual nitrogen per year, split into two applications -- one in spring, one in summer. Control chlorosis with iron or zinc chelates.

Hope this helps!

Carolyn Hills
Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: lrdreamchaser at aol.com 
  To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu 
  Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:15 AM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


  Lauri
  85365
  lrdreamchaser at aol.com

  I am caring for a friends avocado plant started from a pit of an avocado bought at a grocery store, while they are out of the country.  They told me when new leaves appear I should pinch the old leaves only leaving 6 new leaves on the plant at one time.  They have been in the damp and cold north of Wyoming and since I've had it here in Yuma (11/08)it has flourished with leaves.  My question is:  If it is true to only leave 6 leaves at one time -- when should I pinch all the other leaves.  There must be 20 or 30 leaves now since it has arrived here in Arizona, some just starting and then the older ones.  Please help -- I don't want to mess it up.


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