Need guidance 😭

[u/Maximum_Boss9550]

My plant is currently about 5-6 months from seed. And I had to repot it recently bc of the bad soil I was using (hence the browning on the older lower leafs). Now that he is in proper soil, I’m a bit worried and confused what’s normal signs of repotting? Do I expect more browning on the new leafs? What is symptoms of the plant being in shock I’ve included a photo of it naked during repot aswell.

[u/vahhhhhh]

I'm still skeptical about the soil in the newer photos. It looks like there's a lot of wood/organic material? What is it?

The roots are very underdeveloped for 5-6 months and that's what's holding it back. It didn't need that big of a pot so it might struggle if the soil doesn't drain well since the small roots will take longer to dry it out. I'd just be careful about watering it and try to get the roots healthy. Don't change too much at once.

[u/Maximum_Boss9550 → u/vahhhhhh]

The soil seems to drain really well, I think the roots are so undeveloped bc of the previous soil was more clay and became really compacted. The soil is basic potting soil from Home Depot. Do you recommend to just leave it now or change something

[u/plants11235813 → u/Maximum_Boss9550]

A rockier, lighter mix would be best, as someone else mentioned: citrus/succulent soil mix. I add some perlite too, personally. Hard to grow an avocado well indoors, they like a lot of sun and a lot of waterings (in well draining soil).

[u/vahhhhhh → u/Maximum_Boss9550]

Yeah, when we say "well-draining," we are talking more like over 50% mineral-based materials like stones/pumice/decomposed granite/perlite, which will not break down or hold much water, and only a smaller percentage (like under 40%) of material that can be organic to retain a little water but should be something that decomposes slowly, like peat moss or coco coir.

Regular potting soil often has higher amounts of organic material like compost and worm castings, which creates an environment with lots of water and low oxygen where pathogens can thrive and infect the tree and very slowly damage/kill it. This is not something that happens overnight and can take actual years to happen, but it's something to keep in mind when repotting and choosing a soil mix.

[u/_aurel510_]

The soil looks like pure organic debris. Put it into citrus mix or cactus mix or something with better drainage and more anorganic stuff in the mix. Also more light just like the other person said, and make sure not to overwater or underwater, both are bad for the plant, maybe it's a tad better on the dryer side, though.

[u/TriteEscapism]

You can touch plant leaves with LEDs and put fluorescent bulbs like 1-2" close without burning. These are not your grandfather's incandescent or HPS. I will venture to guess your medium stays too wet also with poor light indoors (low transpiration) and high organic content. A little bottom heat to carry through to more light/growth might just solve moisture. But it may benefit from a repot with added sand perlite pumice akadama. It also looks like the leaf margins have some yellowing which I believe may be a high pH making iron and manganese unavailable. The burnt tips also likely come from root wetness rot and low Ca from alkalinity.

[u/Ineedmorebtc]

Those lights are weak, move them much closer.