Why Are My Avocado Tree Leaves Drooping- Let’s Solve It!

Introduction

Avocado trees produce delicious fruits, not only this, but they are also used as landscape trees. For a home grower, avocado is simple to plant and grow, but a bit gnawing because they go through some troubles.

If you are reading this article, the chances are most you may be worried to think of why are my avocado tree leaves drooping. Hey sufferer, it’s not likely you’ll fail to fully get rid of it because we are here to help you out.

Let’s see what’s stored for you! 

What Are the Reasons for Drooping Avocado Leaves?

Finding out the reasons is the first step for you to take the necessary steps for your avocado leaves. And then, you should go for ‘how can I fix it?’ So, here, we have summed up the answers of WHY. Let’s check them out:

• Overwatering
• Root rot
• Oak root fungus
• Other diseases
• Insects/pests
• Sunburn

How To Save Avocado Leaves from Drooping?

One of the above-mentioned causes can face your plants. We are going to delve into the problems so that you can understand which problem your plant is encountering. Let’s discuss it:

Overwatering

Drooping/wilting is a sign of WET FEET, here, overwatering leads to this sign. If you water the plant too often, the soil will naturally get too wet (even if the top layer looks fine).

In fact, too much watering can cause the roots to rot as well as cause deprivation of oxygen (roots use oxygen). Moreover, it can’t uptake enough water for enough pressure to hold up the leaves.

Solution: First thing first, check the soil’s moisture. How? Easy, insert your finger, up to the second knuckle, into the soil. It will help you to determine whether the plant is facing overwatering or not. 

If it is exactly the problem, excavate the soil if it’s soggy and make proper drainage. A planter with drainage might be an effective solution for this situation.

Root Rot

While root rot occurs, it results in drooping/wilting the leaves and stunting the growth of foliage. By degrees, the root and trunk decay and the leaves turn yellow, droopy that eventually falls off the tree. The last important words are, root rot disease thrives in poorly drained and moist soil.

Solution: If you detected it early, fumigate small spots of disease. If not, cut off the tree (at ground level) and then fumigate soil. Use fungicides as part of an integrated control program.

Oak Root Fungus

The fungus mainly attacks roots. Visible symptoms may not appear until the fungus is well established in the roots. Once the symptoms appear, it’s very difficult to save the tree and disease can spread to roots of adjacent trees. This fungus causes premature leaf drop, wilting, and collapse.

Solution: Fumigate before replanting. Let the soil dry out between irrigations.

Other Diseases 

Other fungal or bacterial diseases that brutally affect the health of avocado foliage are:

• Anthracnose: It starts as yellow and brown spots on leaves and envelopes into necrosis. It causes severe leaf drop.

Solution: Remove dead material and prune to open tree canopy for better aeration.

• Avocado Black Streak (ABS): Its causal organism is unknown. Leaf blotching, wilting/drooping, poor food production, poor growth are the signs of this problem.

Solution: Actually, the management of ABS consists of maintaining tree health with good fertilizer and irrigation practices. Remove unhealthy trees, it will be the safest to fumigate the soil if replanting to avocado.

• Verticillium wilt: It may kill all or a part of the tree with the remainder having complete recovery. Leaves suddenly wilt on one or more parts of the tree and then turn brown and die (but do not drop off for months).

Solution: Soil fumigation is needed. Do not use the soil that has been used for other crops susceptible to verticillium wilt (e.g tomato, eggplant, potato, etc). Don’t plant any of these near an avocado plant. 

Insects/Pests

As insects/pests exist, your avocado leaves hug the chances of being attacked by them also. Avocado mite, Avocado brown mite, Mealybugs, and so many pests cause your leaves to droop or wilt.

Solution: For the first two insects, you are helped by water-jet washing, which is more effective if insecticidal soap is added. Avoiding drought and other stress will minimize the initial infection. 

For mealybug, handpick small mealybug infestations or daub with rubbing alcohol. But if you face the larger infestations, hose off with water or apply soap or oil sprays.  

Sunburn   

Sunburn or sun scales are like a threat to leaves when avocado plants undergo direct sunlight for a long period in extremely hot weather. In particular, young avocados that may not receive are more vulnerable to sunburn. 

Initially, the damage starts as chlorosis. In this case, leaves also will develop necrotic spots as well as drop permanently after losing their vigor.

Solution: To prevent sunburn, proper irrigation in well-drained soil is necessary. 

Why Are My Avocado Tree Leaves Drooping- FAQs

Question: How can I improve drainage during transplanting soil?

Answer: Add a little sand to the soil, they will improve drainage. 

Question: When should I fertilize my avocado plant?

Answer: Actually, nutrient applicants like nitrogen should be applied when soils are warm spring through fall. 

Question: How can I understand that I’m overwatering?

Answer: The first thing is color change; the leaves will start turning pale green or yellow.

Conclusion

That’s all we have for you. We hope that you are no more questioning yourself why are my avocado leaves drooping and how I can solve them. Because we made sure you can get exactly what you want to know. 

So, don’t overthink. Go ahead and save your plant. But, don’t forget to wear gloves when you will handle the plant (particularly if you have sensitive skin). In addition, from next, try to take proper care of your plants from the very beginning to avoid these troubles. 

Okay? You can make it happen, good luck!