Miltos,

I think you issue is not salt. It is your soil. Not draining enough and the roots are water logged. It is rotting away in my opinion. (by this time i'm assuming it is longs passed) I would suggest a super sandy mix for future plantings.

Thank you viper75. Writing this in case it helps someone, the soil was indeed the issue. It seems "normal" potting soil retains too much moisture. It won't work for tropical plants.

The plant has miraculously survived after water was restricted, but the new leaves look seriously malnutritioned (signs of chloriosis).

Problem now is finding a new potting medium. Cactus mix hasn't worked on another tropical (Mango). Al's famous "gritty mix" contains ingredients that are hard to come by. Anyone know of another possible mix using more common material (Soil, sand, cactus mix, perlite, lava rock), feel free to make suggestions.

Potting soil usually has some water retaining elements like peat moss since pots usually dry out faster than dirt. I have played with the mix myself. I shoot for a pretty loose sandy loam. I do about 1/3 compost, 1/3 sand or crushed granite fines and 1/3 planting mix or cactus soil.

A small pot will not work in my opinion. Especially in extreme climates that are border line fro Avocados. They heat up too fast and dry out so fast. In my experience, avocados like to stay consistent.

I have one avocado that is sprayed by lawn sprinklers every 3rd day in the summer and during unusual heat. It is growing great. After one year, it have over 2-foot ling shoots and 8 inch long leaves.

The second is in a little more sun granted, but it is not on regular water. So it gets watered... when I remember too. It has dried out on occasion and is not doing nearly as well.

You need enough soil to keep the roots in a semi moist consistent condition. Try wine barrels maybe?

Where are you located Miltos?