The avocado is an evergreen fruit tree from which many, many fruits can be gathered. What happens is that it can be very difficult to start producing them, which is why it is recommended to graft it. In this way, the waiting time to be able to taste them is less, to the point that, if it is done correctly and the tree is well cared for, it is normal that in two years, or even a little less, it will already begin to bear fruit.
For this reason, it is important to know when to graft an avocado and, above all, how to do it. And it is that if we lack that information, it can be difficult to do it the right way.
When are avocados grafted?
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
The best time to graft our avocado es during spring. Why? Because this way the graft will have many months ahead to grow without problems. But be careful: you cannot do anything else after winter, but you have to wait for the lowest temperature to be 15ºC or higher; that is, we have to graft it when it starts to get warm during the day (even if it cools down a bit at night, it won't hurt it as long as, and I insist, there are no frosts).
In fact, It is recommended that temperatures be between 15ºC minimum and 30ºC maximum; Now, the recommendations must be taken with "tweezers", because yes, they are said for a good reason and it is none other than to help that graft go ahead, but if in summer we have a maximum of 35ºC for a few days, We are not going to lose it because it is supposed that during that season it will already have been growing for a while.
How to graft an avocado?
The first thing I am going to do is explain to you what a graft is and what a rootstock is, and then we will see how the avocado is grafted.
- El graft it is a cutting of a plant, which must be, at least, of the same genus to which that other plant belongs. For example, we can graft a cherry tree onto an almond tree, because both are genetically related (that is why botanists have put them in in the classification of Prunus), but it would be impossible for us to graft a pear tree onto an orange tree, for example, since they are not compatible.
- El rootstock It is, as its name indicates, the plant to which the graft will be introduced. It is important that it is healthy, since otherwise it could transmit the disease that it had at that moment to the graft, spoiling it.
What should be kept in mind before grafting? Two things. The first and most important is that the tools used during the process must be clean and disinfected, otherwise we would run the risk that the graft and/or the plant to which we are going to put it would end up getting sick. For this reason, we recommend washing them with water and a little dishwashing soap before and after using them.
And the second is that we cannot graft trees that are too young. In order for there to be a minimal chance of success, it is important that the trunk or branch of the plant that is going to serve as a rootstock must be at least one year old and about two centimeters thick.
Step by step
Image – Wikimedia/Sorruno // Cleft graft.
How is an avocado grafted? To do this, you must follow the steps indicated below:
- The first is prepare the rootstock. Make a horizontal cut to the branch or trunk where you want to insert the graft. And then make another cut, this lateral and wedge-shaped, on said branch or trunk.
- Now cut a cutting from another avocado that has a minimum of 4 buds. The buds are small lumps or bumps from which the leaves sprout. This should measure about 30 centimeters long. With a grafting knife, such as No products found., cut off the base giving it a wedge shape, as this will fit into the rootstock.
- Then insert the graft into the rootstock, and join them with an adhesive tape like this.
- For everything to go well, what is done now is cover the graft with a transparent plastic bag. In this way, the humidity is maintained and, therefore, it is more difficult for it to dry out. But yes, some small holes must be made -with the tip of a pair of scissors for example- so that the air is renewed.
Is avocado grafting on laurel viable?
From what I understand, and although both belong to the same botanical family (Lauraceae), not possible. The laurel (Laurus nobilis) is very different from avocado (Persea americana). That is why they belong to such different genera: Laurus on the one hand, and Persea on the other.
Sometimes it is very difficult to get the graft to go well even if it belongs to the same genus; Imagine if they are of different genders… It costs more.
Do you dare to graft an avocado?
Hello lurdes
Thanks for such an excellent article. Question, what characteristics should the graft have? Where is it obtained from? What avocado should it come from, one that is the same age?
Thanks and regards
Hello, I have an avocado graft, it is going well, but now branches are growing on the main trunk, should I cut them?
Hello Daniel.
Yes. Those are hickeys that drain energy from the graft.
A greeting.
hello lurdes my name is bernardo R. I wish you could guide me to ingest 2-year-old avocado trees, because like you I like horticulture, but I don't know everything about avocado, I live in semi-temperate sona at 2300 meters above sea level, although it is not Very common around here my little trees are very vigorous I have 9 plants, I would appreciate it very much, you could help me, maybe we could exchange some practices with reference to organic production, my thanks in advance… ..- Attentively Bernardo RV
Hello Lurdes. I have a question for you. Do you know if it is necessary that different varieties be used in the grafting of the spike? That is to say: should the pattern or foot be of a different variety than that of the spike or cutting? Thanks. I have tried dozens of times and none were successful. The literature is not clear on this matter! I wait your answer. A hug.
Hello, I would like to know when to ingest an avocado with pua graft. Thank you so much.
Hello Fermín.
The best time is in spring 🙂
Greetings.
Hello Lurde: your explanation is very good! I have young Creole and Hass plants made from seed. Would it be convenient for me to graft Hass buds on the Creole feet and / or vice versa? Thank you in advance and greetings.
Hello Gustavo.
It depends on how big they are. If they are schools, you have to wait for them to grow 🙂. At least, the trunk should be 1 centimeter thick (better if they are 1,5-2cm) so that the graft can be done well.
Once they are that size, you can graft them as you like, although we recommend the Hass in the Creole variety to ensure that the flavor will be exquisite.
Now, another option is to let them grow naturally, and always have them close to each other; so when they bloom, pollinating insects (like bees), or yourself with a small brush, can / can pollinate all the flowers, and therefore, you will get avocados.
Regards!
my question is I have an avocado tree, one meter. finite in its construction.
which graft is recommended to do. in spring. and what do I have to graft,
I ask why it is the first time that I am going to do this work.
I have fruit trees like orange, tangerine. fifths. figs of prickly pears.
grenade. loquats. all with fruit trees. and olives but this never half the fruit and for more than 5 years. that's why I ask a thousand thanks
Hello Daniel.
The avocado is grafted onto another avocado for example, but this must have a trunk or branch that is at least 2 centimeters thick, otherwise it would not hold it.
The most appropriate graft is the cleft graft. Here explains how to do it.
Greetings.
How about a very good article? My question would be what would be the deadline for grafting in Mexico ???
Hello Luis Antonio.
It is grafted in spring, towards the middle of the season.
Greetings.
I have a two-year-old choquet avocado plant and it has not yet borne fruit. can I take the cuttings to graft from this wave?
Hi Freddy.
For an avocado to bear fruit, it has to be, indeed, grafted, or there must be some male and female specimens in the same area for pollination to take place.
Regarding your question, yes, you can use a branch to graft it onto another tree, but I recommend waiting another year for your avocado to grow a little more and get stronger.
Greetings.
Hello good, I have a grafted avocado of the hass variety of 2 and a half years. I understand that it is necessary to have so
Minus another avocado for pollination to occur. It's right? Or being grafted has the possibility of self-pollination.
Thank you
Hello david.
If it is grafted, you don't need two avocados
But if you had one without grafting, then it would be necessary to have two, one female and the other male, so that they could bear fruit.
Greetings.
Thank you for answering so quickly. Another question arises. In my grafted avocado a sprout is just coming out in the graft area but not in the rootstock on the graft branch. Should I grow that sprout?
Thanks, greetings
Hello david.
All the shoots that come out of the pattern (lower stem, with root) must be removed, since it prevents the graft (stem without root that has been inserted into the branch or stem of the pattern) to grow 🙂
Greetings and thanks to you for following us!
What kind of picks should be used, tender or mature, can you please stack them?
Good afternoon Monday from Colombia I have some avocado sticks and I need to graft them, so that they produce in less time, you ask me, is where do I get the grafts? Thanks a lot
Hi Ana,
Do you have plants with roots, or branches? If it is the former, to get grafts, that is, branches of other avocados to graft, you have to buy another avocado.
If you have branches, you will also have to get a plant, since rootstocks are not sold as such.
Greetings.
Hello, I have no idea about the dishes (avocados), I had one 6 months ago, I don't know if it is female or male.
I can graft the same avocado
Hi Amelia.
It is not recommended. First you have to know which is the male and which is the female, if both are of different sex. And it is that if they are grafted and then they turn out that both are from the same, it will have been of no use.
When they bloom, if you want, send us some photos and we'll tell you 🙂
Regards!