Nelson
December
Q.
Hi Tui, I have a 2 year old avocado tree in a large container ready to be transplanted into the garden. What is the best way to go about doing it, and the best time of year? Kind regards, Anthony.
Anthony Hodgson
A.
Hi Anthony
Winter, early spring and autumn are the best time to transplant your avocado into the garden, because there is still plenty of rain and moisture in the soil. If you are prepared to water consistently to get the tree established then you can plant now, but will need to be very vigilant on watering.
Make sure it is planted into a free draining area of the garden, avocados do not like “wet feet”.
Feed the tree with Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic for a few weeks before transplanting and continue after it is planted to help prevent transplant shock.
Thanks, Tui Team.
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When is the best time to transplant my avocado tree? Comments
Hi there, we have an avocado in a pot that is about 6 month old, when is it ready to be transplant in to the open soil? FYI we live in the South Island Christchurch. Thank you.
Alex
Hi Alex, avocado trees are frost tender, and require a sheltered free draining position. You can plant your avocado seedling out now, spring is a good time to plant, as long as you don't have any late frosts and the tree is hardened off before planting, if it has been growing inside. Hardening off involves taking the tree outside during the day and back in at night for about 5 days. Avocados also have a long tap root, and need to be planted in a deep pot. Once they get big and set fruit, if it is windy, to heavy trees can easily blow over if the tap root is damaged. They are also susceptible to root rot disease and do not enjoy water logged or heavy clay soils. If your soil is not free draining, raise up the garden bed to improve drainage. Your tree will likely survive your cooler temperatures, but may not thrive. Applying Seaweed Plant Tonic regularly may help the tree tolerate cooler temperatures, one good thing is that as avocados mature, they do become more frost tolerant. Have a look around your neighbourhood and see if there are any avocado trees growing, and where they are growing. When it does mature and flowers (about 7 years time when grown from seed) you will need a pollinator for your tree, so hopefully there is another one in your area. Lianne, Tui Team.
When do I transplant from inside to outside? How cold is too cold for first time transplanting to outside.
Norma
Hi Norma, the best time to plant avocados is in late winter, early spring when the risk of frost has passed. Avocados are sub tropical fruit trees and so are frost tender, some varieties will tolerate as much frost as citrus trees, such as Zutano and Fuerte, but Hass is a little less frost tolerant. If you are in a frost free region, and before planting out, harden the tree off by placing it outside in a sheltered spot during the day, move inside at night, do this for at least 7 days, then the plant should be ready for planting. Any temperatures below -1 degrees C is too cold, trees become more frost hardy as they mature.