Light. Plant in full sun, in the warmest spot that does not stay wet after summer rains.
Water. Water every other day the first week, then 1–2 times a week for two months. For three years, water twice a week in dry spells. Avoid drought stress during bloom.
Soil and feeding. Avocados cannot take flooding or poor drainage; on wet sites, plant on a 2–4 ft mound. Feed 3–4 times a year, March through September, with a fruit tree fertilizer such as Citrus and Fruit Trees fertilizer.
Size. Listed at about 30 ft. Florida avocados can reach 30–65 ft; a few pruning cuts each year keep one under 15 ft.
Pruning. Shape young trees in the first two years and keep the lower branches. Plant 23–30 ft from buildings.
Problems to watch. Root rot, the most serious disease, strikes trees in flooded soil. Laurel wilt, spread by beetles, has killed thousands of South Florida avocado trees.
Good to know. In alkaline soil, iron chelate drenches from April through September prevent iron shortage.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS MG213: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Avocado
