How To Grow Avocado

How To Grow Avocado

The Avocado (Persea americana) is a popular fruit that can be eaten fresh or in salads. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and helps reduce cholesterol. Once managed well, plants can produce an average of 100 - 200 fruits per tree with high yielding varieties producing more than 300 fruits per tree at peak production. Grafted plants start bearing three years after planting and can continue to bear fruit for more than twenty years.

Varieties

• Pollock

• Lula

• Simmonds

Site Selection

Avocado requires full sunlight and proper drainage to grow and produce well. It will grow best on a loamy type soil. The area earmarked will depend on the height and canopy width of the variety you choose. Plant avocado at least 4 - 6 metres (13 - 20 feet) away from any structures, for example, house, fence and other fruit trees. Do not plant close to overhead power lines and underground pipelines. Take note 👉

Preparing The Planting Hole

Avocados cannot withstand water logging conditions. Make drains, if needed, to remove excess water. It is strongly recommended that planting be done at the beginning of the rainy season to prevent heat and water stress. Make a planting hole at least 1½ times the depth and width of the avocado plant’s root ball.

Prepare a mixture of manure and the soil that was removed in a ratio of 1:2 (figure 4a inset). Use this mixture to refill the planting hole. Mix 100g - 200g (1/4 - 1/2 lb.) of limestone and 30 - 40 grams (1 - 1.5 ounces) of 12:24:12 into this mixture.

Planting

Place soil mixture to fill at least ⅓ the depth of the hole (figure 4b). Remove potting bag and place the plant in the hole. Hold plant upright and fill the hole with soil mixture (figure 4c). Lightly pack soil around the plant and water immediately (figure d).

Fertilising 

First Year

• 50 - 70 grams (2 - 3 ounces) of 12:24:12 per tree, once every 4 months.

Second year until flowering start.

• 150 grams (5 ounces) of 20:10:10 per tree, once every 4 months.

Bearing trees and Onward

• Apply a total of 700 grams (25 ounces)/tree/yr. of 12:12:17:2 - [350 grams (12 ounces) at flowering and 350 grams (12 ounces) after harvesting is completed

Weed Management 

Control weeds, since they will compete with the avocado plant for sunlight, nutrients and water. Weeds can be removed manually or mechanically. Do not damage the main stem of the plant when controlling weed.

Irrigation

Water avocado plants during dry periods. They cannot withstand prolonged dry conditions. Lack of water may cause the plant to become stressed, resulting in fruit fall, leaf fall and a general unhealthy appearance.

Pest And Disease Management 

The lace bug (Pseudacysta perseae) is a new insect pest affecting avocado in Trinidad. It is a tiny black insect found on the underside of leaves. The insect feeds on the sap of the leaves causing them to appear scorched. In severe cases there is heavy leaf fall, which affects yield. Drench soil with an insecticide containing Imidacloprid to control this pest. Follow recommended application rate and pre-harvest interval on product label.

Lace bug with symptoms

Harvesting

Pollock, Lula and Simmonds varieties are ready to harvest when the stem to which the fruit is attached develops a yellowish tint and the fruit changes colour from dark-green to a somewhat yellowish-green. At this stage, fruits harvested would ripen within 1 to 2 weeks and have a mellow flavour and smooth, creamy texture. Immature fruits will take over 2 weeks to ripen, may taste bitter and have a poor texture.

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