Grafted Hass Avocado

Watering

Water the holes unless the soil is wet enough. Water the seedlings immediately after planting if it is not in the rainy season. Deep watering 1-2x weekly, don't overwater. Avoid waterlogged conditions as avocado plants are sensitive to excessive soil moisture.

Sunlight

Full sun (6+ hours) for good production. High temperatures and direct sunshine can cause sunburn damage to exposed fruits. Pruning should be minimized because the tree is very susceptible to sunburn.

Soil Requirements

Avocado grows successfully on many types of soil provided they are deep, with good water holding capacity and free draining. Water logged or saline soils are unsuitable because avocado plants are sensitive to excessive soil moisture and high salinity. The optimum pH is 5.5-6.5. Planting: Prepare planting holes about 60cm x 60cm x 60cm. Fill the holes with topsoil mixed with manure. Plant the grafts in the holes, to the same depth as they were in the nursery. The bud union should be about 300mm above the ground.

Temperature

Temperatures between 16-24 degrees centigrade are good for growing avocados and the maximum temperature for avocado is 33 degrees centigrade. Above this temperature the fruits and trees can be damaged. Avocado trees are not tolerant to frost especially those adapted to humid tropics. Altitude: 'Hass' is suited to altitudes 800-2100 m above sea level. The avocado tree requires high relative humidity at flowering, about 70-80 per cent, then moderate levels during the fruit swelling stage. Too much humidity encourages the proliferation of pests and diseases.

Fertilizer

To obtain good growth and high fruit yields, it is important to supply the plants with necessary nutrients. Basal and foliar fertilizers should be applied. NPK 8-3-9 for avocados, apply 3x yearly.

Spacing

5 metres by 5 metres. 150 pieces per acre.

Pest & Disease Management