Avocado Tree (forum)

Jodi starts with ...
Hi I have a Hass avocado which has started to die off from the top. The stalk has gone black and after removing the affected area the problem has recurred. The tree is in the ground in a well drained area and has a good watering a couple of times a week. There is no mulch close to the base however i have mulched the surrounding area.

Time: 24th January 2010 12:50pm

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About the Author Jodi
Mackay, Qld
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Mish says...
Could be root rot??? from over watering.
"(Small, pale green, wilted leaves. Sparse foliage. New growth absent or if it occurs, new leaves small with poor colour. Small branches die back at top of tree, allowing other branches to become sunburned due to lack of foliage. Small, fibrous feeder roots absent or, if present, blackened, brittle, dead.)"
They don't like too much water and a few times a week does seem to be a lot and the mulch will be helping to retain the soil moisture. Have you thought about getting a moisture meter so you can monitor how wet/dry your plant actually is?
I'm watering mine about once a week (or longer), and a quick spray around the base where the mulch is absent in the mornings

Time: 24th January 2010 3:23pm

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About the Author Mish
Singleton
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Libor says...
Our Wurtz Avocado has also gone through something similar, and as now dead.

The stems started going black first, so we cut off the black bit, but then the whole thing died.

Maybe too much water?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 31st January 2010 9:21pm

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About the Author Libor
Perth, WA
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Brendan says...
Hi Libor,
Yeah, I'm afraid the Wurtz is the biggest sook when it comes to avocado trees.

About four years ago, my Wurtz died from Phytophthora Root Rot, from being too wet. It looked something like yours. I've since planted a Lamb Hass one metre away from where the Wurtz died, BUT planted it ON a mound loaded up with Gypsum. So far so good.

Time: 1st February 2010 9:33am

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Original Post was last edited: 1st February 2010 9:34am

About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
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