Honeybee

In Florida, young trees should be fertilized every 1 to 2 months during the first year, beginning with 1/4 lb (114 g) of fertilizer and increasing to 1 lb (455 g) per tree. Thereafter, three or four applications per year in amounts proportionate to the increasing size of the tree are sufficient. Mature trees should receive 150 to 200 lbs (68 to 91 kg) of nitrogen and potash per acre per year split into three to four applications. Fertilizer mixtures containing 6 to 10% nitrogen (N), 6 to 10% available phosphoric acid (P 2 O 5 ), 6 to 10% potash (K 2 O), and 2 to 6% magnesium (Mg) give satisfactory results with young trees. For bearing trees, available phosphoric acid should be reduced to 2 to 4%. Examples of commonly available commercial mixes include 6(N)-6(P 2 O 5 )-6(K 2 O)-2(Mg) and 8(N)-3(P 2 O 5 )-9(K 2 O)-3(Mg). Plants growing in calcareous soils should receive annual nutritional sprays of copper, zinc, manganese, and boron for the first 4 to 5 years. Thereafter, only zinc, manganese, and possibly boron are necessary. Avocado trees are susceptible to iron deficiency under alkaline conditions. Iron deficiency can be prevented or corrected by periodic soil applications of iron chelates formulated for alkaline conditions

I would like to know how your tree fares --I was doing more reading -- there are avocado trees in the lower Rio Grande Valley--South Texas --I am going to try to plant several in the spring. Sounds like our biggest challenge will be protecting them from freezing.

Good luck with your tree.
carol

www.calavo.com/consumers/hottopics/growing.html (how to grow one in a pot)

www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/avocado.html (detailed information on avocado trees and cultivation)

One thing I would recommend is pinching it off so it branches out and becomes more full. I didn't with my first tree, so it only had about 8 leaves.

Good Luck!
-beth janeway