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Too much or too little watering?

by Gary
(Putnam, CT)

The leaves on my avocado seedling are turning black, curling and getting dry and brittle on the edges. I keep the soil moist and it gets light, indirect sun in our home. The temperature is around 70 * year round. Up until a week ago the plant was as healthy as could be. What am I doing wrong?

Comments for Too much or too little watering?

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Oct 11, 2019

You're not doing anything wrong
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

This is a common problem with Avocado, unfortunately. Things are going fine, then suddenly it seems, this happens. I don't know if it's salt in the soil (ie; too much fertilizer) or a lack of a certain mineral. Chelated minerals are necessary in extremely small amounts.

Some other possibilities are cinnamon root rot, unsuitable soil (poor drainage especially) and a variety of other issues.

Also, unfortunately, growing an avocado plant from the seed of an avocado purchased in a grocery store isn't the best or safest method of ensuring a disease free plant. There are some viruses that avocados have that can be carried to the plant from the seed. The only way around this is to get certified virus free stock, an expensive proposition for a house plant. It's possible that this will be the end of your experiment.

Oct 11, 2019

Came across this article
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Leaf scorch is a definite possibility;

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/avocado/what-causes-avocado-leaf-burn.htm

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