Knowledgebase

Avocado seedling leaves are curling, drooping and brown at tips #549310

Asked March 27, 2019, 3:12 PM EDT

Thanks in advance for answers! I’ve had a avocado I grew from seed, it’s about a year old and it just started having issues. The bottom leaves are brown and the tip and drooping and the top leaves (new ones) are curling badly. It may be an overwater issue but I haven’t watered it in a few days but as it’s soil is starting to get more dry the issues I mentioned haven’t gotten any better. Any suggestions are much appreciated! Thank you.

Broomfield County Colorado

Expert Response

Thank you very much for your question. It looks like two issues; the curling is from over watering. Overwatering can damage roots and even rot them leading plants to not be able to take up water effectively. Hold off on watering until the surface of the soil is very dry, you can mist the leaves to help it get moisture. If possible re pot the plant in fresh soil, if you can't re pot it make sure your pot is draining and create air space around the roots so they can dry by tilting the container and tapping it. Don't fertilize the plant until it returns to normal. If it is not responding you can try a broad spectrum fungicide to counteract root rot. 

The tips browning is likely caused by excessive salts in the water. Avocados are very sensitive to unfiltered water. You can trim the brown edges off or you can water with a purified water to prevent these.

Here are some additional resources:

http://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/houseplants/1304-avocado/
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/530-27.pdf

Thank you and let us know if we can be of any further assistance. 
Colorado State University Extension - Master Gardeners of Broomfield Replied April 02, 2019, 3:36 PM EDT

Loading ...