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.Rise of the Avocado!
What happened to the "dead" avocado plant?
Growing an avocado from seed part 2 - Rise of the Avocado!
http://www.squidoo.com/growing-avocado-from-seed What happened to my "dead" avocado, the one I pruned when it was already too late..? Watch and see!
Runtime: 1:30
8944 views
8 Comments:
Buy a grown avocado tree.
No need to go through all this!
you can buy for just under $70. The blurb suggests that it is old enough for you to start seeing some fruit, but I guess that depends on how you take care of it - here's a hint: try watering it! Anyway, check it out if you are too impatient to do what I did! At the link above you can also see some avocado items on eBay that look interesting too. 7th April 2008
Pruning Day!
Avocado from seed - pruning seed
This video won't mean a lot to you unless you have been following progress over at http://www.squidoo.com/growing-avocado-from-seed, where we have been following the growth of an avocado seed from just a seed in a jam jar. The dilemma "To prune or not to prune" presented itself, most people saying this would be good for the avocado. Unfortunately, tragedy struck before the decision could be taken, the avocado, erm, didn't get watered and dried up. So there's nothing to be lost by pruning it now, and there are SOME indications that it's trying to resurrect itself, so, without further ado, here we go...
Runtime: 2:10
5444 views
8 Comments:
Shopping for avocado enthusiasts!
7th February, 2008 - Disaster strikes!
I think I've killed it!
We have been very silent around in here regarding the great avocado-growing experiment. It's been winter, not much happening. But the avocados, brought inside, were doing great! The warm, fairly dry atmosphere in the apartment seemed to suit them. And yes, I was still putting off the question of whether to prune or not, figuring it wouldn't be a good idea to do it in winter anyway.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!
.jpg)
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!
Other cool stuff
When you tire of avocados
- Buy Red at It's Gotta Be Red
- The Internet home of the color red. See cool red stuff, buy cool red stuff and play cool red games!
- Fridge-Googling
- Make the contents of your fridge work for you with the help of the world's biggest search engine! Learn the arcane art of Fridge-Googling!
- MTB-Serbia
- Join a newbie mountain biker riding in the still wild and free land of Serbia!
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!
Well, here they are photographed together for the first time!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!
Ebay is FULL of bargains, you just need to dig around (pardon the gardening pun) - even if you can't see exactly what you are looking for here, click on an item and keep browsing - that bargain is out there somewhere!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
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
I LOVE AVOCADOS White T-Shirt
Price: 20.99 
Powered By avocados Yellow T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
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!
Home and garden stuff on eBay
Find that bargain - it's out there somewhere!
Ebay is FULL of bargains, I've found a few myself! You just need to dig around. Even if you can't see quite what you are looking for here, click on an item and keep browsing - that bargain is out there somewhere!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by3rd March 2007
Woooaaaah! Look at that root grow!
All I can say is, carumba! The root has grown to a length of 5-6cm within a week or so! That is an amazing growth rate. If it keeps up this pace, we'll have a huge tree in our living room in no time!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!
And here we have it! Just a bit longer than two weeks, and the first root has appeared from my avocado seed (I have turned this upside down)! Hope you can see it, that little white thingie poking out.I think things will start to take off now! I'll be getting the tacos out any day now!
Great Stuff on CafePress
26th February
Avocado stone springs to life!
This thing looks like it's really going to take off now it's started! The root you saw in the last entry poking out of the bottom of my avocado stone has grown well over half a centimeter in a day - that's pretty amazing!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!
No sign of any roots yet, but after two weeks or so, the papery skin of the seed is beginning to split. Could just be from the water, and this could probably be removed at the start. But I will take it as a sign that there is something afoot!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?!
NB2511 wrote
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?
Posted May 30, 2009
ritak wrote
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.
Posted January 25, 2009
Pedro wrote
Hello U,S,A, call me Pedro, am Spanish,¿can me command 2 seeds of avocado mexicola Grande?¿It can be?I command you what cost in dollars, commands an email Thanks.
xpagan@terra.es
Posted January 23, 2009
zeke wrote
I have one that I started about seven years ago but has never had any fruit. Is there something I can do to make this happen?? Thanks!
Posted October 23, 2008
markowe wrote
Yes, I think once there are a few roots happening it's time to plant the complete avocado seed out into compost. I think one of my plants suffered for being in water too long.
Posted October 20, 2008
by markowe
markowe runs The StoreMinator - a clever eBay and Amazon price comparison site, and is a professional translator, youth leader, small business-owner,...
(more)
