Position – The Ryan avo tree likes plenty of sunshine and rain and prefers to be sheltered from the wind as far as possible. When mature, it is large, so allow an area of about 7 metres around each tree. Dig a deep and wide hole for the feeder roots to spread wide. Nourish all of the soil that will be put back into your hole.
Size – Ryan avocado trees can grow to between 6 and 12 metres tall.
Soil Type – Although this avo tree likes to have a lot of water, the soil should drain well. This prevents the roots from becoming soggy, which will only cause them to rot and die. Sandy, loamy soil with a pH of between 5.0 and 7.0 is ideal.
Mulch – Organic mulch should be used to retain the moisture in the soil. Use wood chips, grass cuttings, compost, old leaves or hay and scatter it around the base of the tree, being careful to stay about 20 centimetres away from the tree trunk.
Watering – They require plenty of water to flourish. A full-grown tree may take up to 75 litres of water a day. Under normal conditions, water your tree 2 or 3 times a week. If there has been a dry spell, water them more often.
Fertilising – Fertilise your avo tree in spring, summer and autumn by sprinkling one tablespoon of nitrogen on the soil under the tree. Then, water it well so the nitrogen can soak deep into the ground.
Superfrass should be added 6 times a year for the first 2 years and 4 times a year thereafter.
Avocado trees require regular fertiliser and Superfrass supplies their needs.
Pruning – Prune your tree with clean equipment, and don’t prune a healthy tree with the same tools you used for a sick tree. Generally, remove horizontal branches that are close to the ground and dead or diseased limbs. Keep the canopy fairly open to allow light to enter and to make it easier to access. A light pruning can be done at any time of year. A heavier prune should be done late in winter or early in spring.
Harvesting – Broadly speaking, it’s best to pick the largest fruits first and then allow them to ripen off the tree before they fall to the ground. Still, leaving them on the tree for as long as possible is good, as immature fruits won’t ripen after they’ve been picked. So, keep an eye on your tree and try to feel the avos you can reach to check that they are not too soft.
