The tree is three years old and three foot high. The leaves have gone brown over the winter. What can I do to revive the plant?
Was the potted tree brought inside for the winter or left outside? If it was left outside, it may have suffered a cold injury because avocado trees do poorly where freezing temperatures may occur. You can read more about cold injury and learn about the prescribed treatment at the following link:
If the tree was brought inside over winter, where was it located? Avocado trees need to be in a location where they receive bright light. Also - is it possible that maybe your tree was over or under-watered (feel the soil - is it damp/soggy or dry to the touch?)?
For more information about growing avocado trees in containers, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/indoor-avocado-plant-care.htm
I have grown a small tree from a pip that is now 50cm high. When do the side branches start to grow? It is now about 10 months old.
Pruning can help your avocado develop lateral branches.
Here is a link that explains the process.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/indoor-avocado-plant-care.htm
http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/AgNatRes/Pubs/Pruning_Avocado_trees.pdf
What would cause black spots on the leaves of a newly planted avocado tree? Just purchased an avocado tree from our local Home Depot and today it has black dots on its leaves. Wondering what might cause this.
A photo would aid in my identification but I will give this my best shot. How large are the dots? It is probably insect related and below are pests that would leave black specks/spots/residue:
It could be an avocado lace bug:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/P/I-HM-PPER-CO.008.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/what-are-lace-bugs.htm
It could be sooty mold caused by scale or aphids:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r8101411.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
or thrips:
http://cisr.ucr.edu/avocado_thrips.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm
For more information on avocado pests and disease, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/avocado-pests-and-diseases.htm
I have an avocado tree that does not produce. Can it be shocked into fruit production? Tree seems healthy and strong but does not produce fruit.
How old is your avocado tree? Avocados can take up to five years before they are old enough to bear fruit.
Has it ever blossomed or yielded fruit in years past? Have you ever fertilized your tree? - avocado trees benefit from fertilization in February through September. Does it get plenty of sun exposure? Do you water it? - a deep, thorough watering when the growing season is in full swing is recommended.
For more information on caring for avocado trees - which includes guidelines on fertilizing and watering, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/avocado-tree-growing.htm
My avocado tree has small avocados and something seems to be chewing the stems to the avocado and causing them to fall off.
Are any of the leaves damaged with holes? Is there any damage to the avocado fruit besides the stem being snipped?
Here are some links that will help you to identify the culprit:
Avocado: Causes of Fruit Damage:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C008/m008fpfrtdmg.html
Avocado: Other Invertebrates and their damage:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C008/m008bpothrinvpests.html#QUAR
How can eating the fruit from Australia, Spain, Ghana, Guatemala, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Florida (in the US) endanger the local avocados from infestation of Sunblotch?
The following article will explain sunblotch and how it is transmitted to avocados:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/sunblotch-in-avocado-plants.htm
FINALLY, I was able to get an avocado seed to sprout and let the sprout get 2-3 inches long before planting it in a pot with fresh potting soil. It's been several days since planting and it has not grown at all. Did I plant it too deep? The seed broke in half while planting but sprouts were intact. There's about 1/4 inch sprout sticking out of soil. PS: I used the instructions from your website. Thank you!
With avocados, slow and steady more often than not wins the race. The best thing I can prescribe at this time is patience. It has only been a matter of days since you transplanted your avocado - with the passage of time you will hopefully start seeing some growth.
For more information on growing avocados, please visit the following links:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/sprouting-avocado-pits-how-to-root-an-avocado-seed.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/indoor-avocado-plant-care.htm