Yellow Reed Avo

John starts with ...
This Reed Avo is 7 years old and has always looked a little yellow. Has flowered only two seasons and never carried fruit. The soil PH is about 8-8.5 gets fed regular during growing season and ample water. Is my soil to alkaline or deficient in some area? I dont want to cull but have just about given up.

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Brendan says...
Hi John, I'd do what Dekka says, but I see a lot of 'leaf-tip-burn' on the leaves. I'd remove the grass around the tree, out to the drip-line plus a bit more, give it a 'ship-load' of Gypsum, then mulch heavily. The Gypsum won't raise the pH. Give it some Sulphate of Potash too, that will help it fruit.

Brendan says...
Hi John, leaf tip burn is usually caused by salt laden air, salt laden soil, or too much fertilizer. It's not always sodium chloride (salt), could be any type of salt. The Gypsum will neutralize the salt(s). It saved a sick avo tree for me. Also John, prune about 30% off the top of your tree, that will help it bear fruit.

Speedy says...
This is how i'd go about it.

Now
Apply gypsum liberally.
mulch with good compost from near trunk to
beyond dripline.
top with straw or hay
give a dose of chelated Iron.
water all in well with seaweed soln.
Foliar feed with seaweed fortnightly,
or weekly if you can be bothered at least until the tree shows marked improvement.

Octoberish - when weather warms a bit
Cover mulch with animal manure
top with thick layer of woody mulch (from tree chipper)
softer woods like poplar, ash, or willow if you can get it- breaks down quickly into yummy plant food
foliar feed with seaweed soln.
apply another Chelated iron dose only if needed

Dec-Jan
feed with fert as normally , but onto mulch.
water the tree through the mulch try to get mulch all wet.

apply manure and mulch yearly or as needed to keep soil in good condition.
Keep mulch area expanding beyond dripline as tree grows.

Avocados being a forest tree do best with 'forest floor' type mulch
It insulates and protects surface feeding roots from
large fluctuations in soil temps and moisture/dryness.

The mulch will help buffer pH against flutuations and the microbes that take up residence
in the mulch can complex the salts and reduce their negative effects on the plant.

pruning the tree so it's wider than tall will shade the mulch and help
in the whole process, conserve moisture and ensure that fruit are easier to reach.

amanda says...
Hi John - I am really impressed your Avo has lasted so long in that state! They often feature in he "Tried but Died" section in the My Edibles... once u make the adjustments you should have a great tree - lucky u - you must have great drainage etc.