Q. Last year I grew an avocado outdoors from its pit. As
the temperatures began to dip I transplanted it to a pot and brought it
inside. The older leaves have begun to
turn brown and dry up. I fertilized it once since bringing it indoors. I water
it lightly every other day as the leaves begin to curl up due to lack of water.
the temperatures began to dip I transplanted it to a pot and brought it
inside. The older leaves have begun to
turn brown and dry up. I fertilized it once since bringing it indoors. I water
it lightly every other day as the leaves begin to curl up due to lack of water.
A. The main reason leaves drop from an avocado brought
inside is the change in light intensity or duration. Moving it from a soil to a
container can cause leaf drop as well. Leaf drop can be caused by a watering
problem. A fourth possibility are pests like mites.
inside is the change in light intensity or duration. Moving it from a soil to a
container can cause leaf drop as well. Leaf drop can be caused by a watering
problem. A fourth possibility are pests like mites.
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| Avocado. Picture from the California rare fruit growers. |
Plants grown outside develop a
different type of leaf than plants grown inside. The change in light intensity
causes leaves grown outside, called sun leaves, to drop. The plant begins to
add new growth with a thinner, larger leaf called a shade leaf.
different type of leaf than plants grown inside. The change in light intensity
causes leaves grown outside, called sun leaves, to drop. The plant begins to
add new growth with a thinner, larger leaf called a shade leaf.
Disruption of the root system
can cause leaves to drop. We call this transplant shock. It is also possible
that the change in watering could cause leaf drop. Avocados are prone to mite
problems so if there are mites on your interior plants it’s very possible they
were transferred to the avocado.
can cause leaves to drop. We call this transplant shock. It is also possible
that the change in watering could cause leaf drop. Avocados are prone to mite
problems so if there are mites on your interior plants it’s very possible they
were transferred to the avocado.
What to do? Make sure the
avocado gets as much sunlight as possible. A south facing window is probably
best. You need to provide several hours of sunlight to keep it healthy and
prevent it from becoming spindly.
avocado gets as much sunlight as possible. A south facing window is probably
best. You need to provide several hours of sunlight to keep it healthy and
prevent it from becoming spindly.
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| Spider mite damage on interior foliage plant |
Water the soil in the container
until water comes out the bottom. Do not water again until you can feel a
dramatic change in the weight of the container. Another method to judge the
moisture in the soil is to use a pencil or soil moisture meter.
until water comes out the bottom. Do not water again until you can feel a
dramatic change in the weight of the container. Another method to judge the
moisture in the soil is to use a pencil or soil moisture meter.
Push a pencil in the soil and
see how easily it pushes down. A pencil is more difficult to push in dry soil
than wet soil. You will feel the end of the pencil after you remove it to see
how moist it is. A third method is to use a soil moisture meter you can
purchase at any nursery or garden center.
see how easily it pushes down. A pencil is more difficult to push in dry soil
than wet soil. You will feel the end of the pencil after you remove it to see
how moist it is. A third method is to use a soil moisture meter you can
purchase at any nursery or garden center.
Mites are common problem for
avocado. There are two methods you can use to inspect the plant for mites.
First, take a white piece of paper and slap a yellowing leaf against its
surface. Pick up the piece of paper and look at it carefully under a bright
light.
avocado. There are two methods you can use to inspect the plant for mites.
First, take a white piece of paper and slap a yellowing leaf against its
surface. Pick up the piece of paper and look at it carefully under a bright
light.
If you have good eyes or a magnifying
glass you’ll see very small mites the size of a pencil dot crawling along the
surface. You can also drag your fingers lightly across the surface of the paper
and the mites will leave a red smear.
glass you’ll see very small mites the size of a pencil dot crawling along the
surface. You can also drag your fingers lightly across the surface of the paper
and the mites will leave a red smear.
Use a horticultural oil and
spray the plant from head to toe to suffocate mites. Oils work well against active
mites as well as soap sprays.
spray the plant from head to toe to suffocate mites. Oils work well against active
mites as well as soap sprays.