Fertilizing a new Transplant

[gdgross]

Hi Folks -

We planted an avocado tree in my yard about two months ago. It's a graft that came from my parents tree, which is ancient, huge, super productive, and gives delicious fuerte avocados, so I'm hoping this one grows up to do the same!

My question is, how soon should I start fertilizing this transplant? How long does the shock of moving the tree from the pot to the ground last?

I have some young citrus trees that were showing some yellow leaves, and i began a regimen of romeo water soluble fertilizer, and sometimes fish emulsion, and it made an immediate difference: green leaves, new growth, etc.

Here are some pics of the avocado tree in its new home. I was just wondering about it since the leaves are looking a little yellow. I'd heard advice that it's best to wait to start fertilizing until after the shock of the move has passed.




Thanks!
Geoff

 

[Tetters]

Hi Geoff, I would start fertilising that lovely little tree just as soon as it shows signs of growth, and with the spring season is under way, I think that would probably be now.
It looks very well protected I must say.
Usually, if we plant new trees, we put a handful of fish blood and bone under them when they go in the hole!!

 

[gdgross]

Ok, thanks Tetters!

 

[Meadowlark]

I can't ever recall disagreeing with @Tetters on anything... so I must be wrong and do so with some degree of trepidation ...but I am very cautious about fertilizing newly transplanted trees, as in never do it until the first dormancy period following transplant. This gives the plant time to reestablish root system that won't be burned by the fertilizer, especially synthetic fertilizers.

Forgive me @Tetters

 

[Tetters]

Ok @Meadowlark - just this once! It's interesting to me that your view is different and it reminds me that we never know it all when it comes to our favourite pastime Would you, as a matter of interest, not use fish blood & bone, or manure at the time of planting a tree or shrub? When it comes to edible stuff, I don't really profess to know anything much ........

 

[Meadowlark]

It may be a climate thing. If I were to transplant a fruit tree now and fertilize it with synthetic fertilizers, I guarantee it would be dead as a door nail by July if not sooner.

It has already hit 90 deg F here and temps over 100 deg are not far behind.

Would you, as a matter of interest, not use fish blood & bone, or manure at the time of planting a tree or shrub?

In dormancy yes, I would use it, but transplanted in full on spring growth... generally no, I would not, except for possibly using a well composted manure as a mulch layer in summer to help hold moisture in.

 

[cpp gardener]

If you use water-soluble fertilizer you can start with when you plant it and every week or two afterwards. Done it for decades with no losses.

 

[gdgross]

thanks all -

Maybe I'll split the diff and fertilize at half or quarter strength? lol

Are there any resources I can check out on fertilizer "burn"?

@cpp I do use the water soluble stuff - Romeo from four winds growers is what I have right now.

 

[Tetters]

Well it sure has been an entertaining little thread so far - cheers gdgross Today Meadowlark our temperature in farenheit was about 42 degrees.

 

[Meadowlark]

Well it sure has been an entertaining little thread so far - cheers gdgross Today Meadowlark our temperature in farenheit was about 42 degrees.

Currently 79 deg F here and my air conditioner just failed. I'm going outside to the garden.

 

[Tetters]

Currently 79 deg F here and my air conditioner just failed. I'm going outside to the garden.

I suppose you want to borrow my sunshade - we've had high wind, hail, rain, and a little glimmer of sun for the odd 5 minutes today. We don't have air conditioning

 

[gdgross]

Well, i did do a light application of water soluble fertilizer about two or three weeks ago. Tree seems to be ok, except I'm seeing more brown leaves at the edges. Seems like the leaves are about as yellow as last month?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Geoff

 

[cpp gardener]

What is your watering program? How frequent? How long?

 

[gdgross]

What is your watering program? How frequent? How long?

Every 3ish days, a good stream till it pools just a bit in the middle of the mulch well

 

[Mike Allen]

Each to their own.