It's not unusual for leaves to have brown tips. I see a couple of new growth leaves that look fine. If they turn then be concerned.

To those of you with experience: I have a three year old avocado tree started from a seed, about five feet tall, and showing the same symptoms. I've recently upped the watering schedule to something like 30-40 liters every morning. I live in India and for the next three months the days are going to be in the 90-100 degree range, F. Do any of you know what the recommended amount of water SHOULD be? We also have salty soil, so I know that doesn't help. I don't mind watering like crazy, but I don't want to overdo it.

Thanks for your help and experience!

In my part of California, our summers reach similar temperatures and are totally without rain. Even so, I only water my trees once a week. Allowing the ground to dry out between waterings prevents root rot.

On my 5 year old, 8 ft tall trees, I water at the rate of 2 liter per minute for thirty minutes each Saturday. The leaf tips do dry and turn brown in the hottest days, but it doesn't affect the tree's health.

I should add that I have other similarly watered fruit trees close by. I have no doubt that my avocado's roots reach the neighboring tree sites to supplement its water uptake. Just another factor to take into account.

Thank you! That's exactly the information I've been looking for. I'm going to let the tree dry out a little- don't want to create another problem.

I've been reading about salt accumulation in the tree and how that might create a similar dry/mustiness in the leaves, and part of my exuberance to water was due to trying to flush out the salts. Do you have any experience with that? Thanks so much for sharing your expertise.

Paint the trunk and branches with paint/water 50/50. Also, loosen those ties or the tree will depend on them. Those ties are for shipping.

Kramerlib, I have no experience with salty soil. In parts of semi arid Southern California, salt buildup due to irrigation is a problem farmers deal with by flooding their fields every few years. Oddly, I don't think our local orchards encounter the same problem. At least, I don't know about it.

Maybe you can be our forum expert on the topic. I'm sure the group would like to learn from your experience.

Guys, also note that this can be from salts from water, soil or fertilizer. Add a healthy amount of gypsum to counter the salt. Gypsum helps with soil issues, fights RR and is a clay breaker.

I've been trying for years to help my parents in Walnut Creek, CA grow avocados bc we see and know of nearby trees, including a friend's tree that survived the all time record freeze of 1990, and they've lost several trees, always during the summer, due to these same issues of leaf browning, blackening and shriveling of stems and trunk, etc. They grow sapote, guava, and macadamia in the same part of the yard, but those darn avos won't make it. With low watering, high summer heatwaves, and clay soil, it sounds like we're getting to the bottom of things. If I can persuade them to try another Mexicola Grande, then with more water and lots of gypsum, maybe theyll have better luck. Thanks for the tips!

Hello everyone, I hope you can share some insight for me. We have a growing avocado dead which has a stem, roots and several leaves with 2 higher ones that are around 4 inches long on the top. There are several little sprouts in the middle. One of the little sprouts was accidentally touched and now seems wilted but still attached to the stem. Will this affect the overall plant? Will it continue to grow? And will this little piece grow back?

Any feedback is appreciated.

Cassie,

Not sure what you are having issues with. Losing a branch or growth start is not an issue. Can you post a picture or two and we can assess the situation.

Sean

And forgot to mention. Where are you located and what sun exposure does it have?

Hi Sean,

Thanks for your reply. It's a little sprout in the middle of the stem that is a broke off. I wanted to make sure this sprout don't effect the contnued growth. The top of the plant has about 2 four inch leaves. First time doing this. Thanks so much for your help.

Cassie,

If your plant is otherwise healthy, knocking off a bud won't hurt it. It's a small injury and a healthy plant can easily push new buds. In fact, we often pinch off buds deliberately to stimulate new growth and to encourage branching.

I have grown many avocados from seed. Sometimes they grow vigorously into trees that bear fruit. Other times they grow nicely for a month or three and then just stop. If your bud fell off too easily, it could be a a sign that the plant is weakening. Don't assume so, but it does happen that way sometimes.

Just continue to care for your plant and it should be fine.

Thanks so much for your feedback everyone. I greatly appreciate it.