Question
QUESTION: I began from an avocado seed, got a tap root, pinched off the first leaf buds when it grew to about 8 inches tall.  The first leaves grew and were beautiful but then I read that I should cut the plant back to promote growth.  I did.  I cut it back about 3 inches.  A new shoot grew but the original one never grew leaves again.  When I cut back the new shoot, it also has not grown back but another small shoot has started.  Are the cutback stems not supposed to regrow leaves?  The plant is in my window and receives indirect sunlight.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong?  Thanks for listening.

Laura Agnella

ANSWER: Hi Laura,

I think you are trying to get your Avocado to branch or put out multiple growth stems when you prune it or pinch it. Unfortunately, that almost never happens and there is not much you can do about it.

A pruned back stem will almost always simply push out new stem growth from the point where you made the cut and grow upward from there, leaving you with a single stem once again.

Some people have a bit more luck when the plant is very young by constantly pinching out new growth as it emerges. This sometimes produces two stems instead of one.

I wish I had a better answer for you, but it is the nature of this plant to grow up straight and tall without branches.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually.   The problem is that new growth
isn't pushing up from where it was cut back.  
A new branch sprouted and produced leaves
and when we cut that back same thing.  So
now we have a plant with no leaves at all.  I
don't get why the cut backs aren't regrowing
new leaves.
Tha

Answer
Hi Laura,

When you cut back an Avocado stem, new stem growth appears just below where you made the cut. There is no new growth on the original stem, only the new stem. And if you cut that back, the same thing happens with it. In other words, the plant will support only one stem at a time.

Unfortunately, that is just how the plant grows. You have not done anything wrong accept to follow some misleading advice that you read elsewhere.

~Will