Many people choose to keep dwarf avocado trees as house plants since they are warm-season plants that can reach up to 40 feet (12 m) tall.You can have a happy and healthy potted house plant if you know how to care for your avocados when they are young.
Step 1: Do not use your tools.
Disinfect your shears or clippers before they are used.Nine parts water solution works well as a one part bleach.Allow your tools to soak in the solution for 30 minutes.Since you will be cutting into the tree, you want to make sure your tools are free of harmful organisms.
Step 2: The central stem should be cut if it is more than 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
If the central stem is 15 cm tall, cut it back to about 3 inches.This will help your tree grow strong branches and not grow a long, spindly stem.
Step 3: The central stem is 12 inches (30 cm) tall.
If you want to encourage new growth, you should trim off the tip and top leaves of the tree.A clean cut on the central stem can be made with a sharp tool.Cutting the tip will stop the growth of your tree.
Step 4: Once the branches are more than 6 inches long, you should trim them.
Longer branches will point out from the central stem once the tree has grown a bit.The tips of the branches should be trimmed when they reach 15 cm long.New outward growth is discouraged if the tips of the branches are trimmed.The longer branches should be left alone.These shorter branches don't need to be disturbed because flowers and fruit grow here.
Step 5: Clean your tools.
Pruning tools should be cleaned before you start cutting to make sure you don't transfer any toxins to the tree.Put your shears or clippers in a one part bleach, nine part water solution and let them sit for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Take care of your tree in the fall or winter.
You only need to trim the tree annually once it is established.When the tree isn't developing new leaves, the best time to peck is in autumn or winter.Pruning when the tree is developing new growth will stress the plant and could result in disease.
Step 7: Take care of the higher limbs of your tree.
The limbs that are higher up on the tree are the ones that need to be trimmed.Cut the limbs with a sharp tool to keep them around 15 cm.Maintaining the height and shape of your tree can be accomplished by cutting the upper limbs.
Step 8: When the tree is 2 feet tall, you should stake it.
It is a good idea to stake your tree when it is about 2 feet tall.Push the stake into the soil near the base of the plant and tie a piece of twine around it.A garden stake is made from wood or bamboo.Striking your tree is a great way to keep it healthy.
Step 9: Keep your tree proportional.
You want to make sure that your tree is not too tall or too short.Take a look at the tree shape before you start cutting.Knowing what shape you want your tree to be will help you achieve your goal.Cutting longer stems and branches will help contain height and width.