Avocado Trees dying! HELP! (forum)

Erin starts with ...
We purchased two avocado trees from Daleys about a month ago. Unfortunately, the day after we put them in the ground, we had a huge storm, flooding the trees. They started to go limp. We called Daleys and were told they had received too much water. The ground was still very wet, so we put the trees back into pots to try to dry them out. It has now been about 3 weeks and they are not improving. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to try to keep them alive?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 15th November 2007 9:54am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Erin
Brisbane
#UserID: 428
Posts: 2
View All Erin's Edible Fruit Trees

Kath says...
What have you repotted them into? They are very fussy about drainage, they need a well drained potting mix, have you used this or your soil? We would recommend you put them into a shade house until they recover or are established. Even when planted into the ground they will need a little shade structure around them to protect those beautiful green stems from sunburn. Too much sun now will only set your trees back even more. Four star pickets or tomato stakes and some shade cloth around it will certainly help to prevent them from being cooked. Do a drainage test of you soil. Dig a hole, fill with water and time how long it takes to drain away, this is best done when the soil is moist after rain. If it is longer than 15 minutes you will need to mound your planting site, adding lots of organic matter and compost to enrich the soil and improve drainage. Avocados have lots of surface roots so you will looking to get these growing into the mound above ground level.
Avocados are the hardest tree to grow out of all our fruit trees, they are fussy and like a prepared site and they will not accept anything less than perfect drainage. In their natural environment avocados have surface roots that breath just below the surface of the soil, they naturally grow in the rainforests of South America where they are establish under a canopy into decomposed organic matter. It is important to remember this when planting avocados in your orchard and try to replicate these soil conditions.


Time: 15th November 2007 1:57pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Kath
Cawongla
#UserID: 2
Posts: 363
View All Kath's Edible Fruit Trees

Karina says...
We had a similar problem, after buying a Wurtz avocado (not from Daley's). We repotted it (potting mix) into a much larger pot, very gently without disturbing the roots as we had heard that they don't like root disturbance at all. However, over the next few weeks as the flowers developed, the leaves kept drooping more and more...

Eventually, we thought that it was succumbing to root rot so we tried something drastic (we didn't think that we had anything too loose, it so terrible). We pulled it out of the large pot and washed much of the soil from its roots. It was then that we discovered when it came from the shop it was potted in a black, sticky clay-like sand which was very wet. Washing that off the roots was quite hard, but I tried to be gentle. I also cut off as much of the rotted roots that I could.

We then repotted it (potting mix) into a medium sized pot, sprinkling rooting hormone on the roots to encourage them to grow. We watered it thouroughly and removed all the flowers. When it had finished draining we brought it inside, out of the wind, to a north-facing window. We didn't need to water it for about 3 weeks.

Slowly, the old leaves dried up and fell off, and a new crop of leaves came in and grew to full size. We kept watering it every few weeks or so, and for the first couple of waters we added a bit of rooting hormone.

It is now looking better than when we first brought it home, but I am not planning on moving it outside until after summer, as I don't think that it is yet able to withstand the heat.

We were initially concerned that it had phytophthera root rot, to which avocados are very susceptible. I added some calcium to the soil (finely ground egg shells) as I had read that this inhibited the fungus. However, the root rot had a different pattern (there is a NSW agfact), and the leaves grew back to the normal size which indicates that it was some other root rot.

Our little Wurtz is still in the "special care nursery", but is getting stronger. I hope that some of these suggestions help.

Time: 16th November 2007 12:46pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (1) | Report
People who Like this Question faza brown
About the Author Karina
NW Sydney
#UserID: 254
Posts: 7
View All Karina's Edible Fruit Trees

Manda says...
I bought an avocado tree 10 months ago, and planted it in the ground and i have not luck with it. It has not gotten taller, the tips of the leaves tend to go brown. It usually gets the afternoon sun. I had a suggestion that it was not getting enough water and too much sun so i had put stakes around it with a hesson bag as shade and have put bottles [with the bottoms cut off, to act like funnel or dripper into the soil] in the soils to pour water into to ensure that it gets enough water. But have not noticed any changes, it anything i think that it is getting worse - with some of the leaves falling off. Oh and it gets fertiliser - sheep manure. Any suggestions????

Time: 3rd March 2008 5:59pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
perth
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Deryn says...
In summer in Perth the trees can not take up enough water for the heat. Due to this the leaves burn, you will have to live with this as extra water will not help


Time: 26th August 2008 5:53pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
 
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Manda says...
Hi Deryn,

THanks for that info... yes nothing worked with this one. Unfortunately it died.

I now have a wurtz, which i put in a huge pot so i could move it around in the summer and winter. THe leaves got all brown during the winter, i am hoping this will sort its self out, as the new leaves comes. Appart from that, this one seems to be going ok, but we shall see if this is still the case after the summer.

Time: 26th August 2008 8:27pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Perth
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

alison says...
i have a hass avocado that has lost every leave it had but it has fruit on it is this normal or is it sick its still quite small and the trunk is quite green

Time: 3rd October 2008 8:26am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(1) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
People who Like this Answer:
About the Author alison2
brisbane
#UserID: 1460
Posts: 1
View All alison2's Edible Fruit Trees

Paul says...
18 months ago, I planted a Hass avocado - the soil is heavy, with a clay sub-structure, so I planted in a raised mound, with plenty of compost,added dolomite and gypsum (dug gypsum into the original soil before mounding over the top), it took 6 months, but it died. I replanted with the same in the following spring. It's about 7 months old and is now going the same way - the leaves blacken off and die. It has always had a shade cloth around it - I removed this about a month ago, as I thought perhaps it needed more sunlight due the the big wet - but it's still looking very sad - any ideas?

Time: 10th April 2011 8:51pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Paul33
Lismore NSW
#UserID: 5167
Posts: 4
View All Paul33's Edible Fruit Trees

Peter says...
Improving soil to improve drainage and organic matter, putting shade cloth around it, adding calcium - all of this are good things for avocados. The only thing I would add to give best chances are spraying it with Phosphite, which is a sort of immune booster and protection against Phytophthora.
Oh yes, I am in the club as well: Lost one tree at a young age! The two new ones are planted on a slope with nothing there before - and they doing great so far...
For the people giving several shots: Try to find another spot for the new one as the soil in the old spot might still have the pathogen, if that was the reason of death.

Time: 10th April 2011 9:26pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(1) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
People who Like this Answer: faza brown
About the Author
Perth
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

kert says...
Spray with Yates Antirot . It is a phosphonate fungicide active against phytophthora ;no guarantees though.

Time: 11th April 2011 2:22pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
sydneu
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

anne says...
I have planted 2 avo trees, the one is perfect growing well but the other one just a few metres away is not well, strart to colour to brown, we have treat both the same way, same watering and compost, what can it possibly be?

Time: 29th December 2011 2:13pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
perth
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Peter says...
Phytophthora cinnamomi is the most common cause of Avocado tree loss, if the decline of the tree should be caused by a root attack.
Very hard to spray now with Phosphite (eg Yates Antirot) as the temperatures are too high for treatment...

Time: 29th December 2011 3:06pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(1) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
People who Like this Answer: Misguidedsam

About the Author Peter36
Perth
#UserID: 5034
Posts: 213
View All Peter36's Edible Fruit Trees

Paul says...
I sprayed with Yates anti-rot, and within a couple of weeks it was looking better, it hasn't looked back since!

Time: 18th January 2012 2:57pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Paul33
Lismore
#UserID: 5167
Posts: 4
View All Paul33's Edible Fruit Trees

Peter says...
Glad to hear Paul. The phosphite treatment will last for a while. Maybe spray again this coming autumn. Unfortunately, if it is P. cinnamomi, it will only be suppressed however not killed, but in addition with your effort on drainage, plenty of organic matter, etc. you have a good chance to manage it.

Time: 18th January 2012 4:42pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Peter36
Perth
#UserID: 5034
Posts: 213
View All Peter36's Edible Fruit Trees

Mike says...
The main action of phosphonate is

Time: 18th January 2012 5:18pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Cairns
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Mike says...
...as a tonic to allow the tree to grow through the infection rather than as a classic fungicide like copper oxy.If it is serious trunk injections can be used.The fungi will still be there but loads of mulch,organic ferts,P and K with good drainage can suppress it.Dig out and seal cankers if they come out and practice good hygiene so youminimise its spread.

Time: 18th January 2012 5:28pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Cairns
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Erin says...
Hahahaha- @ Peter "Very hard to spray now with Phosphite (eg Yates Antirot) as the temperatures are too high for treatment", VERY hard to spray now- there are no trees to spray! this post was written back in 2007 and the trees have well and truly died! We couldnt save them

Time: 19th January 2012 11:38am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (1) | Report
People who Like this Question yingke0011

About the Author Erin
 
#UserID: 428
Posts: 2
View All Erin's Edible Fruit Trees

Peter says...
Sorry Erin,
the posting was a response to anne, Perth on the 29th of Dec, but would also apply to other people being in similar situations now or in future. So how are you doing - have you planted other avocados for replacement? Do you have now plants in these spots, which ones and how they are doing?

Time: 19th January 2012 12:12pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Peter36
Perth
#UserID: 5034
Posts: 213
View All Peter36's Edible Fruit Trees

Mike says...
Was that the finger of blame over past unfruitful advice? Avos and durians are hard to save once they have it.Drainage,mulch and repeated phosphite in the right weather and without any other sort of spray is about your only shot at rescue.The scraped cankers can be covered with oxy choride paste and sealed and diseased limbs burnt.Alliette and a few other treatments have bad reputations for success.

Time: 19th January 2012 6:07pm

Reply | Edit | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author
Cairns
#UserID: 0
Posts:
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
I was told "U either have Avocado-soil or U don't - it's that simple". I haven't been game to try them again here.
I would even go out on a limb here and say that I don't think they are for novices - if they don't have the "right" conditions...?


Time: 19th January 2012 6:47pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

fsfs says...
Hello, I have planted an avocado seed right into the soil, in a small pot, some time ago
The seed sprouted a couple of weeks later, and I got leaves!! I was soooo happy that it grew!

Today, about a month or so later, it has about 10-12 leaves and I thought to transplant it into a bigger pot, looking at the size of the leaves.

I put it in a big pot and buried the seed into the soil, and within 10 min, all the leaves drooooped!!

I got soo worried and looked up diff forums, unsure whether the seed should be buried under the soil or still peeking out?

I panicked after a half hour and no change in the leaves, so put the whole plant back into the smaller pot with the seed peeking out !!

Still no change and I'm afraid the plant will die! I took great pains to get this seed and now I'm afraid all my effort will be wasted.....any help is appreciated

Info: I live in an apartment, so don't have the capacity to plant into the ground, hence using pots
I'm in India, so the weather right now is quite sunny and cool, December winters in Bombay do not get cold at all!

Thanks

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4

Time: 5th December 2014 5:38pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author fsfs
mumbai
#UserID: 10948
Posts: 1
View All fsfs's Edible Fruit Trees

Markmelb says...
Sorry Mate but thats no Avocado - in fact youve damaged the roots repotting into possibly the worst dirt ive ever seen for drainage - maybe start again - good luck :(

Time: 5th December 2014 6:46pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Markmelb
,
#UserID: 7785
Posts: 1192
View All Markmelb's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie 1 says...
Looks very like a Tamarillo to me - they don't like too much sun unless the weather is cold.

How big was the seed?

Time: 5th December 2014 9:03pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 154
Posts: 1842
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

jason says...
You guys gone blind on me?. Looks like an Avocado from here, one grown inside sure. Its just sulking from root dustubance. I'd put a plastic bag over it until it recovers, then rip the bag and remove it totally some days/weeks later. That's what I have to do when I transplant them bare rooted.

Time: 5th December 2014 9:09pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 5th December 2014 9:08pm

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

Thithi says...
The trunk looks like avocado trunk, the seed also look like avocado seed. The leaves look different from avocado leaves... that I know...
Fsfs, I did not know that it is difficult to find avocado seed in India?!! Hope you can rescue your avocado seedling.

Time: 5th December 2014 10:38pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Thithi
MELBOURNE,0,NT
#UserID: 10139
Posts: 193
View All Thithi's Edible Fruit Trees

Brain says...
Its transplant shock. Water lightly as avo dont like wet feet, and i would mist the plants leaves.

Depending on damage, it will prob take a week before you see signs of recovery. Your seedling will be losing some leaves but if the plant has reserve energy, new buds will emerge. Just dont expect the plant will spring back to the way it was. Good luck.


Time: 6th December 2014 1:00pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brain
Brisbane
#UserID: 6289
Posts: 638
View All Brain's Edible Fruit Trees

Anthony101 says...
Hi guys just planted a couple of dwarf hass avocado plants in big pots with well drained soil. i have them in a spot that has full morning sun but is a little shaded in the afternoon. im in perth and believe they dont handle full sun unless shade cloth is put up around them. do you think this will be ok?

Time: 14th November 2017 8:00pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Anthony101
canning vale
#UserID: 17293
Posts: 1
View All Anthony101's Edible Fruit Trees