I live in same area (9B) and I have noticed stem tip dieback even when there is new growth. As a result, the plant does not grow much and eventually dies. This is for in-ground plants. For those bought and kept in original containers -- almost all of them have bark and shaved wood pieces along with some sand as 'soil' -- increasing the possibility of root rot. I have pulled out dead avocado trees from ground and have noticed that their roots were black, fragile and dead. It seems the roots died way earlier than the above-ground portion.
Yes, root rot can be a problem in clay soils. It can be good to let them get big & strong in containers first with the right soil of course. I have a video with Epicenter showing what they use for containers which I highly recommend. I think in this case the seed just wasn't the best. The Jim Bacon never really looked all that great & neithe did the GEM but the GEM is thriving and the Jim Bacon is dying. Appreciate the feedback. It's good to compare notes. Can I ask what city you are in or county?
I’m right with you in that some avocado very young plants can just be weaklings and die. There could be several reasons: genetics, viruses, soil conditions, etc. I’m about to plant a Lamb Hass in my front yard, south-facing. I’ve studied some other varieties and this just seems like a reliable variety.
It is reliable and it seems to pick & choose different branches every year to produce which I think allows it to save energy for the following year. It seems to know it's limits somehow.
Your Lamb avocado tree looks amazing! I tried to graft Lamb last year, but unfortunately, they failed. I think you are right about them though, sometimes they just seem to die for no reason. I think some rootstocks are much stronger than others and that helps them succeed.
I agree. Commercial growers prefer the colonial rootstocks for the this very reason & because the trees grow the about the same size & shape without the genetic variations that come with seeds. For us in Northern California they are almost impossible to find unless someone drive to Southern California.
All of mine are on seedling rootstock and usually Zutano. Colonial definitely leads to higher rates of success. Unfortunately in Northern California they are almost impossible to buy.
When there's a problem, I think most folks want to find a reason for it rather than attribute it to bad luck. I've never (yet) killed an avocado tree, but have had my share of duds that won't respond no matter what I try. Greg Alder wrote an interesting post on when to give up on an avocado tree, the gist of it being to bail on it sooner rather than later.
Yes! I agree. People want to blame one thing or another but sometimes it was just a dud & it is best to just move on. I wanted to make this video because I have met people who tried & failed, never to try again. Thanks for the feedback. That was good writing by Greg Alder. @markfujimoto3530
I live in same area (9B) and I have noticed stem tip dieback even when there is new growth. As a result, the plant does not grow much and eventually dies. This is for in-ground plants. For those bought and kept in original containers -- almost all of them have bark and shaved wood pieces along with some sand as 'soil' -- increasing the possibility of root rot. I have pulled out dead avocado trees from ground and have noticed that their roots were black, fragile and dead. It seems the roots died way earlier than the above-ground portion.
Yes, root rot can be a problem in clay soils. It can be good to let them get big & strong in containers first with the right soil of course.
I have a video with Epicenter showing what they use for containers which I highly recommend.
I think in this case the seed just wasn't the best. The Jim Bacon never really looked all that great & neithe did the GEM but the GEM is thriving and the Jim Bacon is dying.
Appreciate the feedback. It's good to compare notes.
Can I ask what city you are in or county?
I’m right with you in that some avocado very young plants can just be weaklings and die. There could be several reasons: genetics, viruses, soil conditions, etc.
I’m about to plant a Lamb Hass in my front yard, south-facing. I’ve studied some other varieties and this just seems like a reliable variety.
It is reliable and it seems to pick & choose different branches every year to produce which I think allows it to save energy for the following year. It seems to know it's limits somehow.
Thanks for watching & commenting.
Your Lamb avocado tree looks amazing! I tried to graft Lamb last year, but unfortunately, they failed.
I think you are right about them though, sometimes they just seem to die for no reason. I think some rootstocks are much stronger than others and that helps them succeed.
I agree. Commercial growers prefer the colonial rootstocks for the this very reason & because the trees grow the about the same size & shape without the genetic variations that come with seeds. For us in Northern California they are almost impossible to find unless someone drive to Southern California.
I was going to let the seedling take over the JB but I am going to remove it completely.
how long has the lamb been in the ground?
10 years now.
Are they all on seedling rootstock or someone on clonal rootstock?
All of mine are on seedling rootstock and usually Zutano.
Colonial definitely leads to higher rates of success. Unfortunately in Northern California they are almost impossible to buy.
Your healthy tree looks like a bit of fertilizer burn
Thanks for the feedback. I use fertilizer only minimally but I am sure there was some in the original soil.
I was going to let the seedling take over the JB but I am going to remove it completely.
Why do some grafts take and others don't all done at the same time in the same way....
Perfect analogy! Thank you for the feedback & for watching.
Getting a week tree seems to be a topic people generally avoid.
When there's a problem, I think most folks want to find a reason for it rather than attribute it to bad luck. I've never (yet) killed an avocado tree, but have had my share of duds that won't respond no matter what I try. Greg Alder wrote an interesting post on when to give up on an avocado tree, the gist of it being to bail on it sooner rather than later.
Yes! I agree. People want to blame one thing or another but sometimes it was just a dud & it is best to just move on.
I wanted to make this video because I have met people who tried & failed, never to try again.
Thanks for the feedback. That was good writing by Greg Alder. @markfujimoto3530