Growing an avocado from seed
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Avocado miracle?
In case you haven't been following things, on 11th February 2007 I started an experiment that I have always wanted to do, ever since I read about it as a kid.
You are supposed to be able to grow an avocado plant from the huge seed or stone you find inside the fruit - after you have made a tasty tortilla dip, obviously.
"There is no way this huge stone-like thing can possibly sprout," I thought to myself. But I proved myself wrong!
The basic idea is you get 3 toothpicks and stick them into the seed. Don't worry, you won't hurt it! Then you use this arrangement to suspend the seed so that its base is partly submerged in a jar of water. So poke the toothpicks in reasonably high up so you can do this without having to fill the jar to the brim (unlike me).
Supposedly this is no different to just planting it in a pot, watered and wrapped in cellophane, but this is more interesting to watch!
So, I just have to remember to keep the water topped up so the base doesn't dry out, and wait...
Read on to find out what happened.Buy a grown avocado tree.
No need to go through all this!
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What happened to the "dead" avocado plant?
7th April 2008
Pruning Day!
7th February, 2008 - Disaster strikes!
I think I've killed it!
But then disaster struck! I don't know how, but the bigger plant, the one that was grown directly in the earth, not a jar, the one further away in the picture, was somehow hidden a little from view... and... I must have skipped watering it for a few days too long... and... well it's looking pretty bad. All the leaves have dried out and it will be a miracle if it survives this. Yes, I am watering it now of course. But I fear the damage has been done...
Well, keep your fingers crossed - plants can be remarkably resilient, so who knows... I am not asking for prayers or anything - heck, it's only a plant, and there is still the backup, which is doing fine. But it is a little disappointing...
The moral is: plants need water.
27th June
My how they've grown, some more than others!
A long while has passed since the last update and in the meantime, look how the little fellas have grown! Some time ago I repotted the earth-growing avocado seed, and planted the jar-seed in earth too. Guess which is which!The one in the pot on the left is the one which was in the jar, whereas the one on the right was the one which sprouted in earth from the start.
This is a good indication that although starting the growth in a jar makes a nice experiment, if you want a nice healthy plant, you probably need to plant it out much earlier than I did.
The other issue is with whether to prune or not (see discussion below!) - believe it or not, I am STILL procrastinating about this. I just can't bring myself to do it! I think I will let the big one grow one more set of leaves and then I reckon it will be big enough to withstand being pruned. Stay tuned!
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17th April 2007
Avocado seeds get to go outside, but a tough decision awaits!
The weather has really turned spring-like in my part of the world, and I think my sprouting avocado seeds can go outside and play now!I think I will officially call off the race - the jar-based seed won, but I must admit to allowing the soil to dry out on the earth-grown one, which may have hindered its growth, whereas the one in the jar always had water.
But there is a BIG dilemma coming up! Most of the guides I have read say that if you want a nice-looking plant you need to snip off the shoot about halfway down once it gets to around 6 inches, which is pretty much where the jar-seed is now.
I don't know if I can bring myself to do that! So what do you think? Let me know in the guestbook below and I'll see what the consensus is: to snip or not to snip?!
6th April
The seed in the jar finds a new lease of life!
It's been a few days since I last updated, and in the meantime, the seed in the jar seems to have decided to show the one in earth who's boss!
But both have pretty major shoots, and I may have scuppered the one in earth slightly by perhaps not watering it as much as it needed.
Bid on some great eBay gardening bargains!
That bargain you are looking for for your home or garden - it's out there somewhere!
29th March 2007
"Jar" seed back in the running!
No sooner had I written about the shoot appearing from the avocado seed I had planted in earth, than I realised that my "jar" seed was going for it too!The two seeds are absolutely neck and neck! Both have deep cracks in now, but this is quite normal, and the little shoots are growing at an amazing rate - the earth-bound one has grown by over half a centimeter since I photographed it yesterday!
Cool avocado-wear!
Wear your avocado with pride
28th March 2007
We have a new contender!
What's this! While I was concentrating on the seed in the jar, the seed that I planted in earth, "just to see" has suddenly put in an appearance! I have no idea how the roots are, but if you look at this picture you will see... a shoot!So this confirms what I had read before, that just planting it in earth will probably grow it quicker. This is turning into a little race now! Stay tuned to find out how the two contestants will do!
25th March 2007
New roots growing, but avocado growth slowing!
Well, the growth of the avocado seed has slowed quite a bit. However, this is probably due to the multiple roots it is putting out. Also, the seed itself is starting to crack dangerously! I'd like to see some activity at the top end soon, in the form of some shoots!Also, I wondering at what point to plant it into soil. Spring is coming and it might be a good point to do so. Some recommend waiting till it puts out a shoot though. I'll hold off for another week or two and let you know!
Avocado stuff on eBay
Find that bargain - it's out there somewhere!
3rd March 2007
Woooaaaah! Look at that root grow!
Still waiting for something to happen at the top of the avocado seed, but I have a feeling it will be putting out a few more roots first...
27th February
Lookie lookie! Root appearing!
I think things will start to take off now! I'll be getting the tacos out any day now!
26th February
Avocado stone springs to life!
Actually, because I am a bit behind with these entries, then I know just how quick this thing does grow! Watch this space to be amazed!
25th February 2007
First cracks appearing!
Won't be long now before I am enjoying my own private supply of avocados from my own lovely big avocado tree! Well, maybe there is a little way to go as yet...
To prune or not to prune?!
Should I do it?
Common wisdom says the top needs to be snipped off the shoot in order for it to grow better lower down. A tough decision! What do you say, should I or shouldn't I?!
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waldenthree.net
Dec 28, 2011 @ 7:30 pm | delete
- Love avocados ! Appreciating your topic. Have done garden indor/outdoor topics. Feel free to use some of my lense topic for a new topic. Will be thinkiing about Avacado. How about Mango may be also ?
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bonita5064 Apr 29, 2010 @ 1:55 pm | delete
- I saw your youtube video. I grow avocadoes as well, however, my growing techniques are not as elaborate. I just get a long, thin metal item, like the keys of a fork, and place a thin hole on each side of the avocado and two on the top and bottom. I then place the bulb in water, I place enough water in the container to cover half of the bulb. Usually in less than a week to seven days, it sprouts.
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1969ragtop
Apr 27, 2010 @ 8:56 am | delete
- Great journal...avacados are so fun to grow! I remember growing up my mom would always try to get one to take off, but never had any luck. I have tried in recent years and have had some success.
The water and toothpick method work bu as you know you must keep fresh and full or your seed will just sit there in suspension. My last three I have started in sandwich bags with a damp papertowl; seems to speed up the process.
The first two placed in soil with modest success; first one fell victim to the family cat, must of tasted good. The second has been in dirt for over three years but is looking a little sickly due to lack of water I think...will try snipping the top off to promote new growth to see if she'll come back like yours.
Now for the ultimate...the last two seeds I decided to experiment with hydroponics and the first of the hydro-avacado is doing awesome...short bushy plant since it didn't have to seek out light as the CFL's were only 6 inches away; I even have branching. Recently I have placed her under a 400W HPS to begin flowering...should be able to squeeze a decade into months.
Second hydro-avacado is vegging now but I think she'll just remain a houseplant.
As far as pruning goes...don't be afraid and never say your sorry.
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NB2511
May 30, 2009 @ 2:27 pm | delete
- I started with one seed and now it's got 3,5 mm long root. I'm measuring it every day :) And I'd like to know after what or when I can transplant in pot?
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ritak
Jan 25, 2009 @ 5:26 am | delete
- I started a seed in water - it sprouted-I planted it and now I have a 8 ft tree that is straight up ! I was afraid to "snip" it as I had read somewhere to do because I was too proud of those 3 new leaves !! At first it looked like a little palm tree, but after it hit about 6 ft tall, then it decided to sprout limbs (like one on one side then about 6 in higher, one of the other side) so therefore now it is not the most attractive plant in the house but I can't bring myself to prune it. The stem is only about 1 in. in diameter so I have support braces in the pot with it. I most it in front of a window this winter and it is growing staright up so fast, it is almost like "jack and the beanstalk" ! I am not sure at this point what to do, I just keep putting it in a bigger pot.
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