WHY DID MY AVOCADO TREE DIE?: Lessons from a Dead Avocado Tree (and trying again)

Well, one of the avocado trees I bought online didn't make it. In this video I discuss what went wrong, then travel to a nursery to purchase another tree to plant with my new understandings.

[@lqw3844]

If only every bloggers are as honest as you.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

:)

[@maryj7912]

That time lapse 👌👌👌 Glad the moisture meter is working out!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I use it literally every day. It’s going to change my avocado trees’ lives!!

[@alejandromg4056]

I tried to join Mary's channel but it seems it has no videos, am I looking at the wrong site? thanks

[@maryj7912]

@@alejandromg4056 hi! I actually deleted my Channel.

[@alejandromg4056]

@@maryj7912 oh what a pity! Thanks for replying

[@GrugaCraftiano]

The roots of my avocato plants used to rotten as well when i transplanted. I started not burying the seed and just leave it above the surface and not whater as much and now they dont rotten anymore.

[@MyCleanLeaves]

“Give the roots a tickle...” 🤣🙌🏼 Loved this scott! Exited to see an update on this! Moisture meter for the win!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

🤞🏻

[@Plantastica]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I find myself relaxing more and more as I get farther and farther into your video. Every time. :)

[@cartoonsbyjohn]

So very helpful. Also as a first timer, I received an on line delivery of a condo avocado tree with the same issues that unknowingly arrived with root rot when I planted it. Probably due to the long shipment time with the rootball wrapped in plastic. The company that shipped the avocado tree agreed to send another one for free hopefully in better condition. Thank you for sharing your experience and solution. Much appreciated.

[@JustMyra]

Time lapse was awesome ! Oh ! Yes roots like being tickled too😂. You are fun to watched!

[@SewOldFashioned]

Thanks for sharing what you've learnt from the unfortunate death of your avocado tree. I had a melaleuca in a pot die earlier this year and now it has sprouted a whole bunch of babies, so I'm not sure what to derive from that! The main thing I've learned about native plants this year is to put them in the ground as soon as possible. They certainly don't enjoy pots.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Interesting!! I’m trying a few wattles in pots and they’re not doing tooooo badly 😅 I’m keen to learn more about keeping natives.

[@ashmajer4942]

Mine too, bro. Mine too. Thanks for the gentle music and reassurance that mistakes happen. So sad.

[@ashmajer4942]

Never use play sand. So sad.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Thanks for watching - things go wrong, but we can learn and be okay :) I've actually had success in the past with play sand (sandpit sand, anyway). I have quite a few trees with sand mixed in to the soil - though I do find perlite to be a better material.

[@TheElsinoreGardener]

The soil is the problem. They grow them in wood chip type soils, that needs to be removed and planted in a sandy well draining soil. Use sand perlite, pumice and some peat moss. Larger pumice will allow water to flow through the pot and bring oxygen to the roots. An avocado tree in the correct soil can’t be overwatered. Check out my videos on avocado container growing.

[@NMW80]

Cool advice. My bacon avo is going into a bigger pot soon and I’m glad I waited cos now I’m going to get some sand and perlite etc. cheers

[@NMW80]

I have subbed your channel btw and will check out ya videos.

[@brynnmow1058]

Brilliantly presented and entertaining presentation. Catchy tag song too. :-) Yours from Texas

[@karlbe8414]

thanks, my growing zone 9B brother from another continent! (Redwood City, CA) I say bigger pots and how about in the ground. I have a 5 y/o in the ground from seed and just was given a 1 y/o in a pot. Embarking on grafting with only one done yesterday. I was thinking Perlite even before you mentioned it. I may follow your lead.

[@frankyancy1347]

Plant avos in pure sand with organic material only on the surface, and you can water every day. It's the organic material mixed IN the soil which first rots causing oxygen depletion to the avo roots which then rot. So it's not over watering that's the problem.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Hmmmm!! I must try it sometime. Thanks for the tip.

[@frankyancy1347]

@@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree I too lost a lot of avos till I discovered that many nurseries use wood products for potting soil, causing root rot. So now before planting, I carefully wash off most of the nursery potting material and as stated plant and back fill with sand.

[@NMW80]

Frank Yancy cool thanks for the tip. I was just about to plant my avo in normal wood chipped potting mix which I thought cos it’s pretty good for drainage it would be ok but now I’m worried it will die. I’m going to get some perlite and sand and have most of the soil them 2 and then mix in the potting mix so it has some organic matter. What climate do you live in mate?

[@frankyancy1347]

Live in inland So Ca temps 105 to 30 or so. Best of luck.

[@fitnesswithsimone]

Love this so much! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@caryssonford]

Oh no 😭😭😭 I'm sad he didn't make it but good job for learning & improving!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Thanks Carys, learning hurts sometimes 😢

[@BackyardGardening]

Good exprince, But actually over watering is not just issue for them some of seedlings will going to die after that seed has no more energy for keep them alive. Happy gardening

[@katebeedot9052]

Hi thanks, just like to suggest that although the moisture probe is very useful I like disinfecting it while moving from plant to plant to avoid contamination of possible pests and fungi

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

This is a good suggestion!

[@sherryporsch9349]

Loved the time lapse of plant perking up!!

[@HelveteHeller1]

Thanks for a helpful video! Will let my poor wet and droopy avocado plant dry out now. :)

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I expect it’ll be much happier with less water! Good luck :)

[@realpiece4086]

Hello Scott, I enjoyed the video, I do have a suggestion, I hope this helps. I've recently discovered I guy named Gary Matsuoka from Laguna Hills Nursery in the USA. His videos have have changed everything I thought I knew about soil. His videos are long but well worth watching.

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Thanks for the tip! I’m eager to learn more about soil!!

[@angelerrera9985]

Hello, very good tips from Gary Matsuoka check out

[@hunter1027]

Great video, thank you.

[@LuisHernandez-rk2tp]

Great video!

[@NMW80]

Where did u get the Shepard from mate? It depends what root stock have I think too. Some have reed and I think in Melbourne I would go for a rootstock that can handle cooler weather more but that’s just me I may be wrong there.

[@ivytangtaweethum9954]

Thanks for tips, my one leaves are drop but still healthy. I am so panic that i did overwatering or it is lack of water. Hard to tell.

[@AAHomeGardening]

Thanks for the video I have lost a few myself But have six beautiful avocado growing at the moment

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

All the best for your six :)

[@AAHomeGardening]

@@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree thank you I really hope, I will get avocado off them

[@peryton5258]

Do you think I could use small rocks or pebbles to help with drainage or is there a reason people use perlite?

[@AE-tk9fp]

I would never grow avocados in containers using soil. I would only use decomposed granite, pool filter sand, or a mixture like Gary sells at his nursery. All of my avocados on my farm are in ground. Never mix soil, compost, or some decaying organic matter in the hole with it. Avocados are very fussy and can only grow in mineral like mixes.

[@staffordgeduld7470]

There are so many pseudo leaders on avos and that's why we made so many crucial mistakes and lost so many expensive grafted trees . Your video is authentic and you're becoming an expert worth following. That usually happens once we are able to answer the howcome questions . I followed the same baby steps after losing many plants to root rot. Now , I believe that I'm almost ready to plant on a bigger scale with intent to even go commercial.

[@user-bz7ki7dl1r]

nice video. thank you.

[@Angenoir1215]

I have two that I started from pits...they grow leaves ten lose them probably 5 or 6 times now.it just wont keep its leaves .I dont over water them ...at least I dont think I do,I check them to see how damp the dirt is .I put them in the window to get light ,waiting until it warms up to re pot them with better dirt .just not sure why they grow leaves that look great then after a few days they start ,getting brown ,leaves rolling up a little then they drop off. I've tried pruning them ,they grow new leaves ...and eventually drop off again.

[@nickdemos8805]

Pot size matters too! Its best not to go too big when repotting ,also what pot are you using ,terra cotta dry way faster than plastic pots!

[@RSchannel777]

yeah I think I'm getting it. somebody suggested 50/50 peat moss mix and perlite, so that's what I am doing. I have to de-pot, wash dirt off, cut off dead roots, dip in 50/50 water / hydrogen peroxide. I'm just not sure about cutting off branches that have turned brown? I have to double check that.

[@MaddyE]

I need help finding out what went wrong with my avocado tree. It grew well for 2 years then I repotted and put it out (NE garden in not sunny London) and leaves started to turn red but not falling off.

[@jenl4743]

We have a Hass avocado tree and the leaves are so droopy. For some reason the soil stays moist to wet most of the time. We check and it does not have root rot but I don’t k ow what else to so

[@miracleswip]

Great vid

[@kaitlinwest4741]

I have a tree that is a year old and half of the seed broke off a few months ago and now I’ve noticed that the other half is going black. The tree seems to be ok still but does this mean the tree will eventually die? Is it root rot? I’m trying to find info on the internet but I can’t seem to find anything

[@KING-om4qo]

Is there any way to fix the plant if it has started to rot on the tip of the plant but isnt dead yet

[@canthisshrekget1sub494]

I have an avocado tree. And it just gave fruits for the first time. And right after that it started to get root rot. I don't know if it was because it's raining alot but we have no idea what to do

[@clemdell1001]

Is it good if i put my tree in a pot with a reserve of water on the bottom?

[@thegemini280]

Thank You For The Input Cuz I'm Having A Similar Problem. I Also Have A Same Device The Girl Used. Fingers Cross. We Name Ours Avocado Tree " Hachi " :-) I Do Hope He or She Recovers.

[@ambersexton2424]

so should i throw mine away ? the one beside it in the same pot is growing

[@kimberlyerzsebet]

I grew my avocado tree from the actual seed. It grew in water for about 7months then I transferred it to soil. It grew for about a year, big beautiful green leaves. Winter came and all the leaves grew off. The stem is turning dark brown and dying and I am so sad. I hope I can retransfer it and save it!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

I hope so too! Good luck.

[@sdsucculents5143]

Make sure you dramatically reduce watering in the winter and also if it's under about 2 years old it needs to stay above about 45 degrees or it will start to die especially if it's in a container.

[@NMW80]

Was that from a hass seed?

[@NMW80]

Did you protect it from the frost? How cold does it get where u live?

[@NMW80]

SD succulents so even if the soil is dry would you water it say twice a week but only a little if it’s in a pot? Like just enough to dampen the soil but not drain through the bottom. I haven’t been watering it every day I just wait for the top to dry out and then give it some. I’m getting a moisture meter for sure so I can water my plants properly.

[@peggysmith3906]

MY Avo tree is getting spots on the leaves and is now starting to drop them. central Canada is not favorable to these trees so it will be attempting to grow indoors .. any suggestions as to the problem

[@davidsorrells736]

Did you repot the Hass?

[@NMW80]

Shepard’s are not very cold hardy I think, could that have been why it didn’t make it too?

[@daenahailey8055]

Love this video! I think I need a moister meter!

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

It’s a game changer!!

[@rickdavid1795]

It sure is beautiful countryside

[@NMW80]

Do you know where I can buy some scions for avocado varieties like hass, fuerte, wurtz, Lila, lamb hass etc. I have bacon avo already and many rootstocks seedlings growing. I am not wanting to waste a lot on avo trees that may not even survive here. I paid heaps for the bacon and I have bought tonnes of other fruit trees/plants etc. I’m growing them to save money and I have already spent so much with my garden. I have severe health issues and I don’t have the money I used to have before I got sick unfortunately being unwell makes you broke. I live not far from Melbourne and I will pay for scions and postage off anyone or I can swap with other fruit tree cuttings/plants I have.

[@michaelsherby6896]

It would be nice if the music was lower ! your voice is very nice to listen too. relay don't need gutter? sorry about my spelling

[@jenmarie5594]

Rest In Peace little avocado 🥑🥺

[@jadesadventure4150]

"F"s in the chat for the fallen avo tree ☠

[@devbachu7072]

Hydrongen peroxide can help 4 part water to 1 part of water water it ibto the soil

[@jawadhazrat4349]

I think a bigger pot is better for avacado trees. Mine avacado start rotting after 4 weeks being in soil.

[@iSyre]

I have an avocado plant growing from seed. Could get tall but skinny and I just repotted it and it's dying. Every time I repot them they droop wilt and dry out. I don't know what to do to turn it around

[@NMW80]

Oh no I hope mine doesn’t die when I repot it 😳

[@NMW80]

What climate are u in and what kind of avo seed did u plant? It may just be the weather? Drainage or lack of fertiliser etc. they are such fussy trees hey.

[@iSyre]

@@NMW80 I'm in NJ. Have it inside mostly. The levees shriveled up going from bottom to top. Now it has a couple left but they're all shriveled and dry. I haven't watered it in days. This water meter I got says it's too wet deeper in the pot. I don't get it. This always happens. I repot with miracle grow or something and it dies. This is like my sixth seed attempt. And the seed is just from an avocado I bought at store

[@MoonLight-zu6zc]

Should have pruned it down to about 6 inches, cut any rotting roots, replant in fresh soil with rooting hormone added to the roots, water and wala, you would've saved the plant.

[@miracleswip]

I live in the projects and am trying to grow avocado plants/ trees, from seed. I’ve got 2 in pots & 3 in cups, 1 with prominent roots and the other 2 are peekaboo. I want to learn more about how to grow in my environment. Taking all suggestions into consideration. I’m a single mom and I’m wanting to help my budget by growing in my home. If you would like to donate to my goals of becoming a successful grower of fruits and vegetables you can do so at $itsbiracialbee Or if you have any helpful left over products that you want to send lmk in the comments. I’m excited about what I’ve accomplished so far!

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza262]

With mine I forgot to water 🥺 so I’m trying from seed again 1 of 4 has roots

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

That’s the other side of it, isn’t it? They don’t like wet feet but they still need water. I’ve lost a few seeds because I let their water dry out.. of the roots are let to dry in the cup, they’ll die 😖

[@yourfriendlybulbasaur9165]

Good luck, I wish you the best with your gardening 🧑‍🌾

[@ameregal3499]

Me too 😭😭😭 im a dumb beetch ! I didn't water them

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza262]

@@ameregal3499 sucks!!!! I was so proud & I failed my lil trees

[@ludovicob6603]

You have to put a rock or a (coccio) in Italian in English is like a piece of a broken vase 🏺 because the water didn’t make a “lake”

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Yep! I needed non-porous material to assist its drainage.

[@1cleandude]

What???🙏

[@musaadfelton3909]

Hi. My advice is do not use potting mix in your pots. Do not use compost as a potting soil. People all over do that. Use sand in your pot and then throw fertilizer or compost ontop of the sand. Water from the top. The water will take nutrients down into the soil. In nature plants grow in sand, not in organic matter. Organic matter usually falls on top of the ground and feeds the trees. So many people don't do this simple thing by just using sand and then feeding the plant. My avacado trees grew in 5 months to the size that people grows there avos in 2 years. Many people online has KZbin channels giving advice on how to for Avocado. Bur I couldn't understand why my plants grew so fast. But I notice all the soil the people are using is wrong.

[@1cleandude]

I’m made two mounds using Miracle Grow potting soil and have lost three of five avocado trees! I will add a bag of sand to each mound and hopefully change the outcome! The potting soil drains well but I guess retains to much moisture and encourages root rot. I’m in zone 9 Louisiana!🙏

[@musaadfelton3909]

@@1cleandude lol sorry I did not mention that I am from Southern Africa.

[@1cleandude]

Not a problem good advice is good no matter where it comes from!🙏

[@musaadfelton3909]

@@1cleandude Thanks. I hope my advice works lol. It works for me. All my fruit trees I'm growing so far as well as my veggie garden is flourishing. I have like 99.9% germination success. And my veggies grows super fast. And with all my veggies, I just throw cardboard above the sand and then I throw compost above the cardboard, then when I plant my veggies, I make a little hole through the cardboard and I plant the roots directly into the sand, not into the compost layer above the soil. The compost just feeds the soil with nutrients, this way the roots will spread rapidly in the sand, looking for nutrients. Wherever I dig in the sand, I find root structure now. And with my fruit trees, I start them off in pots. I just use sand soil, then I out a layer of home made compost , I plant the roots in the sand and not in the top layer of compost. This way there is no organic mater than can feed on the roots. The water that drains into the soil, the roots grows so fast to catch this nutrients based water because of the top layer of compost being taken down by the water. This works amazing. When I repotted my plants. I checked the root structure of one avacado just as an experiment. The root structure was thick and healthy white. So I think this method works because in nature the trees all grows in sand. Also we have farms her in South Africa that produces lots of huge crops and there soil looks dead, however they just scatter some compost above the ground without tilling it in and it works great.

[@1cleandude]

@@musaadfelton3909 my current plan is to reconstruct my two organic mounds using sand and pumice and small amount of rock and replant. Then place a good organic layer on top to provide nutrients and cover both with a mulch layer for cooling and moisture retention! Thanks again for your replies!🙏🙏

[@susej4415]

You should have tried a hydrogen peroxide solution once you noticed the drupe 😕

[@devbachu7072]

Bro i have a grafted one in my backyard flowwring

[@ScottGrowsanAvocadoTree]

Nice! 🥑

[@devbachu7072]

Keep trying bro

[@1cleandude]

Please cut those green staking bands they’re getting to tight!🙏🏻

[@roxannegordon6162]

Your background music is louder then your voice. I turned on closed caption and that helped a bit, but alas, the accent is a tad challenging to translate into the colonies English. Appreciate the experience you have and will apply it to my 6 indoor avocado plants.

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_thaiM-A-F-I-A]

To much water ? How about the people who grow their avocado seeds in JUST WATER !? I’m so confused???

[@crissyamethyst1783]

Research how hydroponics works. It has to do with oxygen and nutrients. Any plant in standing water will die. In hydroponics the water is always moving and being refreshed therefore giving the roots oxygen so they don't die.

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_thaiM-A-F-I-A]

@@crissyamethyst1783 Gotcha!

[@jieattard1724]

scott grow an avocado tree scott grow an avocado treescott grow an avocado tree

[@SRGMPDNSG]

Hi Scott .. I am a mango farmer in India now moving to Avocados can you pls share your email

[@chinatownboy7482]

Do not plant avocado in compost.

[@TRAN_S]

How does root rot happen in soil and not when the roots are submerged only in water… we are trying to save ours right now too 🥲