Avocado Tree Progression (2015 – Now)

This is my avocado tree that I started from seed. l am not trying to grow as bonsai, as I think it’s not suitable. It’s more of a house tree that I will be keeping “small” and I will be going through its progression below.

It is still has a lot of development, but I still think it’s coming along nicely for what it is.

If you want to watch it in video format, you can watch the YouTube playlist below. The videos show the progression every month throughout the year, sort of like a time lapse.

Just be aware some of my earlier videos are not the best quality, but just like my trees, the quality slowly improves over time, so stick with them and they both get a little better towards the end.

Avocado’s are a small fruit free from Central Mexico. They are now cultivated in other tropical and Mediterranean type climates by farmers all over the world for their delicious fruit. They are very easy to grow from seed, but their growth pattern is not ideal for bonsai.

They tend to be course growers and have large leaves. You can read more about their suitability in Can You Bonsai An Avocado?

2015

I started my avocado form seed towards the end of 2015. I just placed the bottom of the seed in water and waited for it to root and shot out some leaves, which it did.

2016

I potted it up as the roots and shoots where getting pretty long and needed some soil.

I actually pruned it twice during the year, as you can see the stubs where I cut and the change of direction from the new shoots.

2017

I give the tree a hard prune at the start of the year.

I then repotted the tree in spring. I pruned the roots pretty hard, which is not ideal for this species. They do not really like it, but with good aftercare they are fine.

It recovered and grew well, so I pruned it back in summer. It was then left to grow for the rest of the year.

2018

The tree looked healthy and was growing well at the start of 2018 …until I pruned it back and the entire tree died back for some reason. I thought it was dead, but then a new bud came out of the base and then another one at the other side. Somehow it was still alive.

These two shoots grew well. This was of course a bit of setback, but at least the tree is alive.

It was then left to recover for the rest of the year after this incident.

2019

I pruned the tree back in late winter, so it could be shipped to my new house.

When I got there I ended up having to buy a grow light, as some of my trees where struggling with a lack of light. This avocado was placed under the grow light too and then was pretty much left alone.

The whole move upset this tree and it took a while for it to settle in.

2020

I finally removed the dead central trunk and also pruned back the rest of the tree in early spring.

I then repotted the tree and pruned the roots back. I wasn’t too drastic this time, as last time it was slow to recover from the root pruning. However, I probably still pushed it a bit far for this species.

It recovered well and needed pruned back in summer.

I actually had some insects on a nearby plant, so I had to spray for pests. The leaves got burnt and shredded from this. I think the potion I used and the grow light did not mix well together. I think the leaves got burned. The leaves where very close to the light, so that would not have helped the situation.

In the summer I got offered a new grow light with more height. This was perfect for this tree as it could now fit in better. It seemed to like it and its new growth was excellent.

I trimmed back the tree at the end of the year as it was so bushy and full.

It then exploded with new growth, but it was left until the end of the year.

2021

I hard pruned the tree back at the start of the year and I didn’t repot it.

It had grew like crazy by spring so pruned it back again in late spring.

It once again grew back strongly, but I just let it go until the end of the year.

2022

2022 started with another pruning at the start of the year.

I then repotted it and then allowed to grow out. It was a bit slow to get going, but started picking up pace now that summer is approaching.

and that is where we are with this tree.

My plan going forward is pretty much the same. I will let it grow a bit and then cut it back. It will never be a bonsai, just a small indoor tree. Really all I am doing is trying to stop it getting to big while keeping it healthy.

If you also have a avocado tree and are wondering how I look after it, you can read my Avocado Care Guide.