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Tropical Fruits

Avocado leaves turning brown? What to do?

11 years ago

Hi! I originally posted this question in the fruit forum, but was recommended to post here as well!

Basically, I planted an avocado from seed and it was growing nicely so I transferred it into a temporary pot and brought it outside. A few leaves began showing a bronze tint, and now some of the leaves that were green have areas where they have browned. I've attached a photo - I am hoping someone can help and let me know 1) what is wrong and 2) how to make it healthy again!

For reference: I am in South Florida right now (Miami area) and temperatures have been in the 80's with lows in the 70's at night.

Thanks so much!

Comments (4)

puglvr1
11 years ago
Hi mp05... You said "Basically, I planted an avocado from seed and it was growing nicely so I transferred it into a temporary pot and brought it outside."

I think what happened to your leaves is sunburn...that is my guess? Especially when you said you brought it outside (I'm assuming you were growing inside with a lot less sun than being outside)! I live in Central FL and we've been unseasonable warm the last few weeks and the sun has been very strong. You should have acclimated it to full sun very, very slowly...starting with an hour of morning sun and giving it a little more each day. It usually takes about a week or two to acclimate plants from inside to outside especially in Miami...you guys are even hotter than we are :o(

There's not much you can do for the sunburn leaves unfortunately...but you can try and prevent the rest from scorching by giving some shade and slowly give it some sun. Good luck!!

Again, this is just a guess without seeing it in person.
mp05
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for your input Puglvr1! A sunburn is good news, as I was worried about disease!

Should I remove the leaves that have turned brown or burned? Or prune the top of the plant? (It is only about 14-16" right now, so still pretty small) I am not concerned necessarily about the visual (the brown leaves don't bother me), I just want it to be healthy and continue to grow.

This is actually the first time I have ever grown from seed, so the advice about gradually moving it outside into the sun makes perfect sense, and is very helpful, I had no idea - thanks again!
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I had the same problem. I purchased it at a garden shop, so I made sure it was grafted. I was planning on keeping it in a pot till it was past a few Florida winters and a little bigger and more stable. But for the time in the pot, I kept it moist, if not soaked from time to time. There were a few cold snaps (under 30 degrees F) but I always brought it inside, but I left it outside for some of the 'warmer' cold fronts, (that were in the 40's and 50's). I wondered if it was the cold. I had read that the choquette was a little better at handling the Florida cold, hence my purchase of that particular variety. Now reading here, I see that I may have put too much water in the container it was sitting in, a few weeks before any of those cold snaps, whether it was inside or outside. After reading your posts, I quickly put it in the ground on high dry soil. I hope it lives. It's leaves have successively browned now, down to about halfway down the sapling. The rest of it seems quite healthy. Should I get that copper stuff? Does it help? So, any follow ups on the other posts? Did your Choquette live? I want some homegrown guacamole. Anyone?
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puglvr1
11 years ago
You're welcome mp05...its up to you if you want to remove the dead/dying leaves (if it were mine I would). It will eventually fall off in time.

Here's a link on the Container forum by Josh that you might find interesting reading...he too grew an avocado from seed. I don't grow avocado's so he may be of more help to you. I grow a lot of mangoes :o)...if it was my mango tree, I would tip prune it to encourage some bushiness (but, that's just me). Good luck!

Here's the link...

Here is a link that might be useful: Avocado as a Container plant...
mp05
Original Author
11 years ago
Great thread recommendation! I do plan on planting it outside in our landscaping (and not keeping it in a container forever), but this is a great reference for growing them from seed in the containers in the beginning.. thank you!

and if I ever decide to start growing mangoes (yum!) I will know who to ask!! :) Thanks again!!

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