In another post we have told about the development process of an avocado tree and how to get the seeds of the fruit to germinate to become small shoots. But now is the time to move on to the second stage, that is, the time to transplant plants and plant the shoots that have developed during the last 8 weeks. Depending on whether the avocado has been obtained by sowing seed or buying a nursery, one or two transplants must be carried out.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about how to transplant avocado and what are the different types of transplants that exist.
The avocado transplant step by step
Once the avocado pit submerged in water has roots and the first shoots are born, you have to wait until its stems are about 20 centimeters long and then cut about 5 centimeters, which will favor growth. When it reaches 20 centimeters again, the sprout is cut and transplanted into a pot of 10 centimeters in diameter with soil rich in humus, taking care that the upper half of the seed is exposed.
Then the pot is placed in the sun and watered regularly as it is a species that needs moist soil for its development . If the leaves turn yellow, there is excess water, so irrigation will have to be suspended for a few days to absorb the water. Check the plant to avoid attack by natural enemies and take care of it from the cold, taking it indoors if there are low temperatures.
Potted avocado transplant
This type of transplant is carried out as long as the avocado has been finished in water. It is necessary to transplant when the plant is approximately 20 centimeters high. Normally, it reaches this height about 30 days after being submerged. It is necessary to transfer the avocado to a pot with soil so that the plant can continue to grow. The water will not develop in good condition and will not be able to grow.
For the transplant to be as optimal as possible, the plant must be at least 20 centimeters high and 10-20 centimeters wide. With these dimensions the plant is prepared to survive the new substrate and the new conditions. It has to look quite large and you have to use a balanced, disinfected substrate with very good drainage. Let’s not forget that irrigation water should not be stored since it would drown the roots of the tree.
It is important that, when transplanting, the roots are well stretched and the top of the avocado pit protrudes from the ground. To do this, it is convenient to put some gravel in the bottom of the pot. This gravel will also aid drainage. Once we have poured the gravel, it is covered with a little substrate and then the plant is held in the center to pour more soil around it until the container is filled. Finally, you have to lightly compact and water so that the soil can settle. It is convenient to place the pot in a bright place that does not receive direct sunlight.
Transplant abroad
We are going to see what are the guidelines to carry out a correct transplant of the avocado abroad. If you want this avocado to be able to fully develop like a tree and bear fruit, you have to transplant it to a field. More or less after the transplant, it should take about 3-4 years for it to bear fruit . However, it is worth it if it can be done correctly. We are going to count all the necessary steps for this.
When avocados are young, they are quite sensitive trees that can be seriously damaged or die if they are subjected to adverse environmental conditions. This is the reason why you have to take good care of all aspects. One of the critical conditions that can destroy an avocado tree is cold. Winter frosts and those unexpected in spring can cause leaf burns. The avocado does not lose its leaves during the winter and with temperatures approaching 0 degrees and the avocado has been transplanted outdoors, it can be damaged.
It is convenient that if our avocado has just been transplanted it can be protected in some way from the cold. Another of the adverse conditions that can affect the growth of the tree is the intense sun. As we have mentioned before, it is not at all interesting that, at first when the avocado is transplanted, it is exposed to direct sunlight. In fact, newly transplanted trees tend to show drought symptoms more easily in hot weather.
For all these reasons, it is not convenient to transplant the avocado outside until the plant can harden enough. The stem and branch bark must become stronger to withstand these conditions. We will notice that it has become more resistant because they lose their intense green color and take on a duller tone . In general, it is not recommended to transplant an avocado until it is at least one year old. If what the plants did before, you are not going to get better results and increased risks.
The fruits, a matter of time
After 2 or 3 years, the tree will begin to bear its first fruits . This is common, although trees sometimes take 15 years or never do. So before starting work, study well the type of avocado you have in your hands and when this variety usually pays off.
In these cases, the best army of patience. You just have to take care of your tree as if it were any other decorative plant and sooner or later it will reward you with these delicious fruits.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about how to transplant the avocado and what are the steps you should take.
