My avocado hass is dying!! :( (forum)

Meg starts with ...
Does anyone have so solution to my dilemma?? Within a day my avocado trees leaves died, now it's dying from the tip down. Black and wrinkled stem almost like it has veins running down the stem. It's only a baby about 50cm high. I've cut it back and treated the soil as it's very clayey soil. Help!! :(
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Time: 13th February 2015 8:55am

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Original Post was last edited: 13th February 2015 8:53am
About the Author Meg
Charleville QLD
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Waterfall says...
If you just dig a big hole in clay soil and amend the soil in the hole it can act as a big cup and drown the plant.

You should build a mound above the soil and plant the tree in it to improve drainage. You could even do a mini raised bed for it. Good drainage is critical for avocados.

Time: 13th February 2015 9:20am

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About the Author Waterfall
Waterfall
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sternus1 says...
I disagree with this. That's the conventional home brewed wisdom, but the reality isn't like that. Water will not collect in a hole that is filled with quality soil--- there will always be run off. The amount of rain you would need to reach saturation in a hole of around half a cubic metre would be monumental.

If you plant on a mound in hard clay, it will be almost impossible to keep water up to the plant because again, water runs straight over the top of clay. What will happen is that whatever is planted out on the mound will simply generate a root mass on top and no roots will grow outwards. It will essentially become pot bound in the ground.

Dig a really big hole and fill with good soil-- not potting mix. Around the circumference of the planting hole, chip away the clay at a depth of at least 20 cm and lay down pure compost and trace elements and mulch thickly over the top. Doing this will convert the sorrounding clay into something that drains over time and your tree has enough room to establish while this is happening.

Time: 13th February 2015 10:55am

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Meg says...
Will it kill the tree if I dig it up?? As I want it in the same place?? I've treated the clay soil approx 6x3 around the plants using ground breaker made for clay and hard soils. When I first dug the hole for my tree it was easy enough but water just seemed to pool in the hole but it eventually drained. I've used seasol and manure and mulched the trees. My other avo tree is only 2 mts from the dying one and it's thriving new shoots looking great. Same soil maybe a bit better drainage as it on a down slope on the land.

Time: 13th February 2015 11:58am

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About the Author Meg
Charleville QLD
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Brain says...
it's touch and go. At the current state, the tree might not tolerate another shock (being uprooted).

but if you want to take a chance, I would dig it up and plant in a pot until the tree recovers ... imho.

Time: 13th February 2015 6:22pm

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About the Author Brain
Brisbane
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JohnMc1 says...
Take two: Unfortunately it's succumbed to phytophthora dieback, not a lot of hope left. If anything, I would carefully dig it up and plant into a very well drained potting mix. Prune off the dead bits and water it well. There is a difference between water passing over the roots and sitting in stagnant water.
For the other Avocado plants spray the leaves in anti-rot every six weeks, Commercial farmers do this religiously.
As a side note, I have Paw Paw sitting in a constant water flow 24/7 with excellent growth.

Time: 13th February 2015 6:28pm

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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