Avocado tree pruning (forum)

markQC starts with ...
Hi,

I am new to the world of growing tree from seeds.

So I started growing an avocado tree and 14 months later, this is the tree i got.

It is about 3 feet tall, leaves on the top and some began to grow at the base.

Ive putted a stick to hold it in place this summer while it was outside because it was a bit windy.

Now I just putted it back inside because winter is coming (Quebec,Canada). I wanted to remove my stick but when I did the plant fell down because it cant support its weight on its own.

For the winter coming, what should I do with my tree?

Should I prune it just to leave the bottom leaves?
Should I leave it like it is?
Should I keep the stick in place to it wont fall down?

Also note that i pruned my tree at about 2 feet last spring thinking it would help it but i am not sure it was such a good idea.

Thank you

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Picture: 1

Time: 16th October 2013 11:47pm

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Original Post was last edited: 16th October 2013 11:47pm

About the Author markQC
 
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Jason says...
Its so thin and floppy because it isn't getting enough light or enough movement. Next time its outside leave the stick slightly loose and try and increase the light the tree is getting inside

Time: 17th October 2013 4:52pm

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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markQC says...
The movement is the problem then. But what about the pruning?

With the base beeing more solid and a new grow at the bottom, should i leave it like it is or prune it at lets say a feet and a half?

Time: 17th October 2013 10:46pm

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Jason says...
I don't see how pruning it will help the situation because it'll only weaken the tree further and it'll grow back even thinner but someone else might come up with a valid reason. It will thicken up with more light and movement so I'd just go with that.

Time: 18th October 2013 1:02am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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Jason says...
I thought I'd explain why trees grow like this in the dark. When one side of a tree is growing in the shade the cells grow longer than those in the sun, this tilts the growth into the sunlight which is the way the tree finds light. When its dark on all sides beyond the natural limits you end up with elongated cells everywhere and the tree falls over :). As I live at nearly 40 degrees south and the sun is low to the North most of the year, all my trees bend slightly to the North and annoyingly while they are there only fruit on the North side of the trees.

Time: 18th October 2013 1:08am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
#UserID: 637
Posts: 1217
View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees