Light. Plant in full sun, away from other trees, buildings and power lines.
Water. Water at planting, every other day the first week, then 1–2 times a week for a couple of months. For the first three years, water twice a week in dry spells. Avoid timed lawn sprinklers.
Soil and feeding. It needs well-drained soil and does not tolerate flooding. Plant on a 2–3 ft mound where water stands. Feed young trees every 1–2 months the first year with a fruit tree fertilizer such as Citrus and Fruit Trees.
Size. Grows to about 30 ft; unpruned Florida avocados reach 30–65 ft.
Pruning. Prune right after harvest. Cutting tops back to 10–15 ft keeps fruit within reach.
Problems to watch. Wet soil invites root rot. Laurel wilt, spread by beetles, can kill avocados.
Good to know. Russell is a West Indian type with low cold tolerance. Its fruit matures July through August.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS CIR1034/MG213: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Avocado
