Persea americana ‘Day’ Avocado condition - Ask Extension
Hello - I’m growing avocado in my heated greenhouse under grow lights. Fertilizing with a 7-9-5 fertilizer. The growth and flowering has been strong...
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Persea americana ‘Day’ Avocado condition #924502
Asked February 12, 2026, 11:49 AM EST
Hello - I’m growing avocado in my heated greenhouse under grow lights. Fertilizing with a 7-9-5 fertilizer. The growth and flowering has been strong but leaves aren’t as green as they were - variegated and a little wrinkly. Also dropping leaves. Shall I change something?
Washtenaw CountyMichigan
Expert Response
Hi Karen,
Diagnosis is not always simple, so I'd like you to send me a photo of the underside of the infected leaves. Also, if possible, slide the plant out of the pot to check for root rot. Roots should be whitish and firm. A sign of root rot is blackened and/or brittle roots. Avocado plants are prone to root rot. Make sure it's planted in a well-draining soil. Also, if your greenhouse is very humid this may not allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Below is a link to a paper on avocado diseases. You may find help as to other causes for the yellowing and brown leaves. Avocado | Texas Plant Disease Handbook
Photo of root rot in Avocado. Thank you for using Ask Extension.
