bonsai from an avocado tree

[backdoor]

I am interested in creating a bonsai tree from an avocado seedling I have. Has anyone ever done this before and is it even possible?

Any tips are more then welcome!

[The Helpful Gardener]

While it is feasible, you have certainly picked a long term project. I might nip the growing point when you get it to the height you want, but wouldn't try any real training for five years or so; that is a notoriously tricky tree if you don't live in S. Californa...

Scott

[backdoor]

The problem is not so much the heigth, but the way the tree grows. It is now already 48 cm tall while the stem is only 0.7 cm thick. I think that by nipping it now, it wood kill the plant (because I would need to cut off almost all of its foliage).

[The Helpful Gardener]

The height thing is exactly why I would suggest nipping it early; lateral buds (branches) are often triggered by cropping the apical meristem (top growing point). Nature abhors a vacuum and new leaves should appear quickly...


Scott