Okay, here’s my blog post about my experience with a dwarf Hass avocado tree:
Alright, folks, let’s talk about my little avocado adventure. I’ve always loved avocados, and the idea of growing my own? Seemed pretty awesome. So, I started with a dwarf Hass avocado tree – seemed manageable, right?
Getting Started
First, I got myself a nice little tree from a local nursery. I made sure it looked healthy – no brown leaves, no weird spots, just a vibrant green little guy. I also picked up a good-sized pot, bigger than the one it came in, because I knew it would need room to grow. And, of course, I grabbed a bag of well-draining potting mix. Avocados hate soggy feet!
The Planting Process
Planting was pretty straightforward. I put some of the potting mix in the bottom of the new pot, gently removed the tree from its original container, and placed it in the center of the new pot. Then, I filled in the rest of the space with more potting mix, making sure the top of the root ball was level with the soil surface. I gave it a good watering, letting the water drain out the bottom.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Next up: location, location, location! I knew these guys love sunshine, so I found a sunny spot on my patio that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. I also made sure it was sheltered from strong winds – don’t want my little tree getting blown over!
Watering and Feeding
- Watering: I learned that avocados like their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. So, I stuck my finger in the soil – if it felt dry about an inch down, it was time to water.
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I also learned not to over water, because it will rot the roots.
- Feeding: I fed my tree with a balanced citrus/avocado fertilizer every few months during the growing season (spring and summer). I just followed the instructions on the package.
Keeping an Eye Out
I checked on my tree regularly, looking for any signs of pests or diseases. I spotted a few aphids early on, but I blasted them off with a strong stream of water from the hose. Easy peasy!
The Waiting Game (and the Reward!)
Now, it’s all about patience. It takes a few years for these dwarf trees to start producing fruit. I had no fruit the first year, it is the normal thing. I was getting a little down about it not producting fruit, but I just kept watering it, kept feeding it, and kept giving it lots of sunshine. I made sure to prune any dead branches that will pop up. Finally, I got my first few avocados! They were small, but man, were they delicious! Definitely worth the wait.
It is a great feeling to grow your own food!
