How should avocado irrigation be?

How is avocado irrigation? This is a fruit tree that cannot be thirsty for a long time, especially in summer, with high temperatures. So in regions where there is drought, or where it rains little during the warmer months of the year, it is important to water from time to time so that the roots can fulfill one of their most important functions: absorb water and send it to the rest. of the plant.

But as you well know, there are several ways to rehydrate it: with a hose, with a drip irrigation system... What is the best method for avocados? Well it will depend a lot on where it is being grown, because the same will not be used to water a potted tree than another that is planted in the orchard or garden.

How much water does an avocado need?

The avocado tree, whose scientific name is Persea americana, is a natural plant of the tropical region of America; that is, it is found from Mexico to Central America. In those places, the rains are very abundant, to the point that it may well rain every few days. Thus, our protagonist It is a plant that requires a lot of water, at least 1000 millimeters of annual rainfall distributed throughout the year.

For this reason, in regions where it rains less, such as in the Mediterranean region, irrigation becomes a task that every gardener or hobbyist must carry out for the plant to survive; Otherwise, it will dry quickly.

What irrigation system to use?

Like almost everything in life, it depends. And from what? Well, regarding the avocado, whether it is planted in the ground or not. Forks that if it is in the garden or in the orchard, we can choose to install a drip irrigation system, which will allow us to make much better use of water. But if we are going to have it in a pot, then it may be more practical to use a watering can, especially if the tree is still young.

Is it possible to use the hose? Well, if he's been on the ground for at least two years, yes.. During the first months, the soil just above it is very light, not very compact, so if it is watered with a hose, there is a risk of leaving the most superficial roots exposed. But yes: whenever possible, it is preferable to regulate the output of the water by connecting an irrigation gun that allows it to be done.

Regardless of what you are going to use, keep this in mind so that your avocado can take better advantage of the water:

• If it is in a pot, it is important that the base of the trunk is about 2-3 centimeters below the edge of the pot.
• If it's on the ground, it doesn't hurt to do a tree grate around the trunk and about 30 centimeters from it.

In this way, the fruit tree will have more time to absorb the precious liquid and hydrate.

How many times do you have to water an avocado?

Since it needs a lot of water, and there is no climate like it, we will have to check the humidity of the soil before watering. And it is that in the Mediterranean, for example, since it does not usually rain at all in summer, it will be necessary to hydrate the tree several times a week, as in any other area where drought is a problem. But on the contrary, if it rains regularly, throughout the year, then we will have to water little since the land will remain moist for longer.

In addition, you have to know that a potted plant will have to be watered more often than one that is in the ground, especially if it is in a plastic one, as this is a material that absorbs a lot of heat, and this causes the roots to overheat. In the same way that humans sweat, that is, we lose water, something that increases our sensation of thirst, the root system does something similar: the higher the temperature, the greater the demand for hydration.

If we add to that the short time it takes for the soil to dry, we can get an idea of ​​how important irrigation is in summer. That's why, you have to water 3-5 times a week in the middle of summer. But the rest of the year we will space the risks.

What kind of water do avocados need?

The water that all living beings need is clean rainwater (that is, that it is not accompanied by mud or toxic substances). That is the purest, the one that our body appreciates the most. For this reason, when we want to know which is the best irrigation water for avocados, we have to know that it is undoubtedly rainwater. But, What do we do if it doesn't rain much in our area?

When that situation occurs, then we will have to look for alternatives. Fortunately, the avocado is not very picky. It can be irrigated with water with a pH of 4 to 7 without problem. This means that it will do well with an acidic, slightly acidic, or even alkaline one. But beware: you should not use one that has a high concentration of lime, since otherwise said lime would end up clogging the pores of the roots and leaves, preventing them from breathing.

Related article:

What is the pH of the water?

Watering avocados is not complicated, but we hope that these tips can help you make your fruit tree healthier.