New and looking for advice on my avocado tree.

Hi Everyone,

My family and I just recently moved from a very urban area in the northeast to the suburbs of central Florida. We don't have much experience with gardening, but now that we have the space in our yard we have been thinking of all the different possibilities. Since, my daughter LOVES avocados, and they are pretty expensive in the store, we decided to start by planting a tree. We bought it from a pretty reputable nursery in the area. It already had tiny fruit on it. However it had some small holes in the leaves when we purchased it. It has been planted for about a week and doing well... i see new buds forming, but i am also noticing more holes and some brown spots on the leaves. AND a bigger one of the tiny fruits looks like it has been chewed by something. So, i am wondering what could be eating our tree, if there was something wrong to begin with, and how to protect it? I would like to stay away from using pesticides. Any other advice on how to care for it would be great too. I have done some research online but there is so much contradicting info out there it can be very confusing. Thanks so much!!

This is a picture of one of the problem spots:

It looks like it may have some kind of fungal disease, I would take that leaf to the garden center you bought it at and ask them. I may be wrong and it may be normal, I have a avocado plant that is a house plant. Sorry I couldnt be more helpful.
Christine

this will stop any bug issue : However it will not cure any fungus issue !

BUG B GONE AND CRITTER GITTER FROM YOUR GARDEN SPRAY
THE NATURAL WAY: THE SARG.

6 Jalapeños
4 Cloves of Garlic
1 Yellow (Hot) Onion
1 Cup of Ground /Crushed Red Pepper
*Grind all ingredients in blender let set.
* Boil 4 Quarts of water to raging boil.

Put Ingredients in one (1) Gallon (Wide Mouth) Jug or Equivalent.
Pour Hot water in on top, **** (Let stand 48 hours) To Ferment. (Very Important)
Strain mix through panty hose.(NOT the Wife’s Good Ones! Ya could get hurt)
Mix will yield one gallon that can be mixed in 2 ½ Gal. sprayer. (Add cool water to fill line)

***Spray New and growing plants. Can be sprayed on any Flowers, Veggies, Trees and Bushes With Or Without Fruit bearing. DO NOT SPRAY IN HEAT OF DAY !

There is not a bug or critter around that will bother you garden.
*** The Bees Do Not Care****

I hope it solves your problems it has worked for folks all over the US .

Sarge

I live in Central Florida too. I planted a grafted Avocado in my front lawn in 2005 and it is probably 15 feet high now and very healthy. My plant naturally loses many leaves at this time of year, and puts out new ones, so I wouldn't worry about the old leaves. Your tree is adjusting to its new home. It will take a year for a tree to become established, so make sure you are watering it very regularly -- daily -- especially with how dry it has been. Make sure the tree is not planted too deeply (it looks fine in the picture) and keep mulch away from the trunk.

dirt_digger: thanks for the reassuring reply :)

jasminesmom: Funny you mention a fungus. When we were looking at the nursery i noticed there was a very hard large mushroom growing at the base of the trunk. I specifically asked the man there about it and he replied, "oh that is nothing, i am certified, i couldn't sell something with a fungus". when we got home and planted it i removed the piece, but saw the other half of it deeper down attached to the other side of the trunk. it was really stuck there, so i didn't try to pull it off in fear of damaging the roots.

Ret_Sgt_Yates: thanks for the tip. will try!! is it ok to store the solution, or best to use and make a fresh batch each time?

ok, so i decided to get out there and try to remove that "thing" that was growing by the trunk. it was semi-attached to the base of the tree, right under the surface of the dirt. it looked like the tree was trying to grow around it, from the way the trunk is curved. (apologies for the lack of terminology, i am new to this.) I'll post some pics to follow.

base of tree as was when planted. mushroom thing on left under the visible roots.

after removal....that little white spot is where it was attached.

the intruder

attached side of intruder:

julil,

yes you can store the mix i made a 33 gal batch late last fall and it has been in the barrel all winter it is very strong and will need to be diluted of course. however it is for the new 50 X 50 garden and other plants as well.

making the 1 gal. batch is no different just remember to let it finish the fermentation process before sealing it up you don't want it to "Blow-up" the jug / jar from pressure by the fermenting process.

strain off the pulp and mix per the recipe and it will keep good for months (Mixed with water) unmixed mine has done very well since last Oct. i have give it a stir about once a month .

Sarge

julil, I'm happy you found out all you need to know about your new tree and glad to see that ugly intruder is gone. I'm sure you will have many avocado's to enjoy over the years. Happy gardening :>)
Christine