Is my avocado tree grafted?

[Ourcasaonthecoast]

I purchased an avocado tree recently from a man who had a bunch growing in his backyard. It’s about 4 feet tall, and I’m not sure how to tell if it’s been grafted.

Is there a way that you can tell?

 

[Chuck]

Yes, look for a misshapened or irregular/uneven growth of the trunk close to soil level. The easiest way is to just take a close picture of the base area of the trunk and post it on this site.

 

[Ourcasaonthecoast]

Here’s a picture of the base area of the trunk.

When I purchased it they had just transplanted it into a pot and I think it has some transplant show because all of the leaves started dropping and curling up.

I’m going to go purchase some new soil for it tonight, any tips on how to make it happy in its new home?

 

[Chuck]

I hope it is just transplant shock. If it were mine I would go out this minute and get a product called SuperThrive and apply as directed. And yes, it is grafted.

 

[Ourcasaonthecoast]

Awesome! I just purchased some super thrive. Thank you Chuck!

 

[cpp gardener]

I don't think it's grafted. There are small roots above the bend of the root/trunk. I think it's a seedling.

 

[YumYum]

I don't know if it grafted or not but I see new roots forming above so the stem must have been buried up to that point which is way above the questionable graft section. I don't think anyone that grafts things would bury the graft so I would assume it isn't grafted.

 

[Chuck]

I don't think it's grafted. There are small roots above the bend of the root/trunk. I think it's a seedling.

I thought the same thing until I noticed that it had been buried to a depth above those little roots, as evidenced by the dried dirt up to the level of those little roots. I have never seen natural roots or the root flare look like the pictures show either. I think it was grafted, was grown until the graft was established and then planted way too deep which allowed it time to grow to 4 feet and then dug up and sold. This is what commercial growers do but they don't bury the graft union. The OP said that the guy he got the plant from had a bunch growing in his backyard. This would also explain why the tree is in such a severe state of shock. I think the guy who sold the tree is an amateur trying to make a little extra money and just didn't know not to bury the graft union. I hope it is not grafted as this will help the tree to survive to a small degree but I think it is.