How will your avocado tree grow and fruit if you plant it in partial shade compared to full sun? How will it grow if you’re stingy with irrigation compared to sufficient?
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We just planted a 15 gallon Reed and 5 gallon Ellington and we’re concerned about the leaves getting burned as tips were already brown and a bit yellow on Reed. We installed a sunshade over it to help temper immediately after planting but after reading this are concerned. Does it make sense to have a sunshade of any kind over either or both or would direct sun be best even after just being planted? They are also adjacent to Fence blocking afternoon sun but that cannot be helped.
Hi BB,
There should be no need for shade over avocado trees right now in Southern California, as the weather is mild, unless the trees have lost all of their leaves.
Your Reed may be losing its old leaves naturally. See this post: https://gregalder.com/yardposts/reading-avocado-leaves/
I put in two avocado trees last spring, and I always feel like I’m guessing with the drip schedule. If I’m not seeing leaf damage, should I assume they’re getting enough water?
Hi Jessica,
It is impossible to know if you’re giving your trees exactly as much water as they need. Don’t feel alone in not being sure about that. You’re always just making your best guess. And especially in a yard situation (compared to a farm situation), no two trees will have exactly the same needs because they are surrounded by different plants and near buildings or fences, etc.
See this post for a starting point on how much to water your trees: https://gregalder.com/yardposts/how-much-and-how-often-to-water-avocado-trees-in-california/
And then you have to judge based on the feel of the dirt’s moisture level where the tree roots are, as well as the appearance of the leaves, as you said.
Thank you. My avocado trees will now be out of the shade!
Okay, thanks. They’re getting vastly more than the 2.2 gallons every 6 days, but I do have sandy soil. It’s good to know that when people say avocados are thirsty, they mean a lot less water than I had assumed.