How big do Avocado trees/bushes get??

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:01 am

I've grown an Avocado plant from seed. It took 3 months to germinate. It's about 6 inches tall now, and is living in the greenhouse. I have no idea how tall/big this thing is going to get. I can't bring it into the house, because my cats eat plants. If it's going to get seriously big, (and I've a feeling it probably will)...I'll have to find it a good home.

...but not just yet.

Any ideas how big it will get??

Cass.

djm · Post by **djm** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:08 am

Avocado trees can grow up to 80' tall (good luck with this).

djm

Steamwalker · Post by **Steamwalker** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:11 am

The one in our backyard was about 20' or so tall, it was recently cut down to about 10' though.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:24 am

Aaaaaaa!!!!! I thought it would get big, but 80' tall!! Oh well, I'll just have to enjoy watching it grow, until it gets too big for the greenhouse.....then give it away to someone with a very big conservatory!! I can't plant it outside..too cold here. Thanks for the info.

Cass.

djm · Post by **djm** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:09 am

You have a greenhouse? :envy:

djm

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:19 am

Only a little one. 6ft x 8ft. Not exactly the Crystal Palace, but it's great for my tomatoes!

Cass.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:21 pm

Are you planning on keeping it in a pot, or are you going to try to grow it in the yard? In the 'wild', they like very mild winters.

Potted Avocados will *try* to get quite large... I had one that hit about 9 feet.

I suggest that you simply keep it pinched back. The roots will fill the pot, so choose as large a pot as your willing to handle, and then decide just where you can keep it without having to move it often. They do like to be outside during the summer months, and will make extra effort to reach to the sky, but they will not fare well in freezing weather, so bring it in before the temps dip too low. Be sure you keep it pinched back to the height you want as maximum.

They are gorgeous, and pretty easy to keep alive. Water regularly *from the bottom* (fill the tray the pot sits in and let the soil soak it up that way.
They do enjoy an occasional shower.

Hope that helps.

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:23 pm

We have one about 20 feet, grown from seed. However, those grown from seed take about 20 years to produce fruit. If you want a fruiting tree, there is a grafting procedure to speed up the process.

Kevin Krell

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:34 pm

When I lived in the Philippines we had a huge avocado tree that hung over the house on one side and the fence on the other.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:01 pm

I've never grown one from seed before, and just fancied having a go. I grew it in soil..not suspended over water, and I'm pleased that it's even germinated in this horrible cold summer we're having!
I'll put it in a big pot (when it needs it), leave it out during the summer, and put it inside in the winter...and try to keep it to a manageable size.

It would never survive the winter outdoors.

Cass.

Steamwalker · Post by **Steamwalker** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:10 pm

Word to the wise, avocado plants are supposedly toxic to house pets.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:20 pm

I never have any plants or cut flowers in the house ever, because one of my cats would eat anything that grows, and probably poison herself. When I said I would bring it inside in the winter, I meant, I'd put it in the greenhouse for warmth and shelter.
Last time I had cut flowers in the house was about 15 years ago, and the cat in question made herself quite poorly, by eating daffodils. Never again! (She was ok though...and is now an old lady of 17 and a half years).

Cass.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:21 pm

I wonder if the tree will flourish to such a height in Britain. The places where they grow best here are quite hot and dry (inland Southern California).

talasiga · Post by **talasiga** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:29 pm

The Weekenders wrote:I wonder if the tree will flourish to such a height in Britain. The places where they grow best here are quite hot and dry (inland Southern California).

I think Cass's tree will have problems in Lancashire.
The most compassionate thing would be to donate it to the local Botanic Gardens, particularly if they have a large glass house.

Cass · Post by **Cass** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:30 pm

If I lived in the south of England, it might just about do OK, but here 'up north', it would probably sulk and die in our winters (just to spite me!)

If it was outside at the moment, it would need water wings!

I think it's definitely going to be a pot plant....(Oh..that came out wrong!...you know what I mean!)

Cass.