Question
HI
I took a rather large sized avocado from a tree grown in my friend's yard in 2004 and started a plant with it. I was there helping him after he was diagnosed terminally ill with an aggressive form of lung cancer. In his final weeks when he came to stay with me he was quite amazed it had grown so big so fast. I told him that this avocado tree was going to be planted in my yard to honor him. He was so touched by this; he passed away 3 weeks later. One year later on the anniversary of his death I planted the tree in my yard. The first year I kept the seedling in a large vas on a patio with very bright indirect sunlight changing the water frequently and fertilizing it every few months with a couple of drips of liquid leftover from my orchid food.
I must have done something right because it has now been 3 years since I planted this tree in the ground and it is healthy, lush and huge now (almost as tall as the leaves on the coconut palm nearby). I live in South Florida which is a great climate to grow these type of trees and i have fertilized it as recommended. There are other avocado trees and other fruit trees in the neighborhood as well. HERE IS THE QUESTION.... Is there a chance I will ever get any avocados to grow on this tree? Is so, approximately how long will it take? I wouldn't get rid of it for the a fore mentioned sentimental reasons but i would sure love some home grown avocados!!
Thanks for your help. (I can get a pic if you want)
Marin

Answer
Marin:

It will take about 7 years before your tree starts to yeild fruit, maybe 6. In the meantime you have to find a tree that is producing and cut a limb off it and graft it to your tree otherwise your fruit will be small and the tree won't produce good. This is standard for all trees started from seeds. This year in northern Thailand I grafted about 25 trees.

Best wishes.

Don Battles