(Last updated November 16, 2020)
Here is the best overall resource on grafting avocados that I’m aware of. Written by some of the most experienced people in the world, and specific to California conditions, it is a publication called “Propagating Avocados” from the University of California.
Avocadosource.com makes “Propagating Avocados” freely available online HERE.
You might also like to read my post: “Where to get avocado scion wood.”
All of my Yard Posts are listed HERE
Hey Greg,
Love your stuff. I had a few questions regarding grafting.
I want to try the cleft graft on my avocado trees. I have a hass tree that grew from seed and multiple other trees that I bought grafted from nurseries. My plan is to graft a few branches from my nursery grown trees onto the Seed grown tree so I can have superior fruit. I tried one graft a couple of weeks ago, using the cleft technique and buddy tape. I wrapped the wound with the tape then placed a ziploc bag over the cut tip with a rubber band to retain moisture. Unfortunately yesterday I went out and saw the entire branch on the ground(including the branch that I had grafted onto). The wind fought the ziploc and broke the thing off the tree. I opened up the tap and it seems the graft seemed to be sticking but we’ll never know. My questions are:
1. Can I try this now if I see budding branches? Or should I wait until late winter/early spring? I am in the San Fernando valley in California. I read that avocado trees have two George stages, one in summer, and one in fall..are these leaf “buds” what you mean when you say it should have a few buds on there?
2. When wrapping with budding tape, should I wrap the entire branch, including the buds, or do you recommend sealing the cut with the tape and putting a ziploc with a rubber band over the branch, so the buds will not be disturbed by the tape?
Thanks for everything bud (pun intended).
Hi Ayven,
I think it’s cool that you’re experimenting with grafting. You can graft avocados right now, but it’s more challenging than in late winter and early spring. It’s easiest and very effective to just wrap the entire scion with the Buddy tape. The buds will break through the tape once they grow.
Thanks for the tip!
Hey Greg,
I would like to try grafting, how do you get avocado scions for grafting? Do you ever sell your from your own orchard?
Hi Sam,
Check out this post that I just wrote: https://gregalder.com/yardposts/where-to-get-avocado-scion-wood/
I don’t sell avocado scions at this time, sorry. That may change at some point in the future though. Best of luck with your grafting!
Hi Greg,
Thank you for your site, it’s an inspiration and a life changer! I started my backyard mini-grove in coastal Encinitas in March 2020 using mostly your info. I unfortunately had a transport mishap with a 5-gal Reed on Zutano rootstock from Atkins that broke off at the graft. I set the pot aside as a reminder to be careful and buy smaller, but now 7-months later that reminder is a healthy, 4′ tall Zutano sapling.
I currently have 4 avos planted in close 9′ spacing (Fuerte, Reed, Pinkerton, Hass). The plan if the hedge gets too crowded in later years is to sacrifice the Fuerte and Pinkerton to keep a full-sized Reed and Hass.
I have a site for one more avo. Do you see any value in planting this 5-gal ambitious Zutano? Perhaps as grafting practice to create a multi-tree? It has 4 main verticals coming out of the rootstock.
Thanks again for leading all of us stuck-at-home gardeners!
Hi Paul,
Thanks for this fun story! You have a great lineup of avocados growing. I like your plan.
The idea of multi-grafting the Zutano rootstock sounds like a fine one to me. I’ve done that in my yard and found it a worthwhile project. You get the grafting practice, you get to try out new varieties that you might not want a whole tree of, you get to see how the different varieties grow side by side, and eventually you get various avocados hanging right on the same stock.