Growing an avocado tree from seed is surprisingly simple, and it’s a great project for classrooms and homes alike. Learn how to plant an avocado from seed by reading our helpful guide. We will also give you avocado plant care tips.
You need to remove and clean the pit, locate the ends, pierce with four toothpicks, place the avocado seed half in a glass of water, wait for the avocado seed to sprout, pot in soil, and water and watch it grow…
Please read on for more detailed information.
How to Plant An Avocado from Seed?
Here is the easy step-by-step guide:
Remove and Clean Pit
The avocado pit must first be carefully removed (without cutting it), and the avocado must then be thoroughly washed to remove all of the avocado fruit. Frequently, it is helpful to soak the pit in some water for a short while before scrubbing the fruit off. Keep in mind that the pit’s brown skin serves as the seed cover; do not remove it.
Locate the Ends
Although avocado pits vary in shape, all have a “bottom” (from which the roots will grow) and a “top” (from which the sprout will grow). Some avocado pits are slightly oblong, while others are almost perfectly sphere-shaped. The flat end is the bottom, and the top is the slightly pointed end. In order to get your pit to sprout, you will need to place the bottom root end in water, so it’s very important to figure out which end is the ‘top’ and which is the ‘bottom’ before you go piercing it with toothpicks.
Pierce With Four Toothpicks
Three toothpicks should be used, spaced three toothpicks evenly around the avocado’s circumference, and inserted into the seed at a slight downward angle. The toothpicks need to be firmly wedged in place because they will serve as your avocado scaffolding, allowing you to rest the fruit’s bottom half in water.
In order to ensure that more of your avocado base rests in the water when you set this over a glass, I advise putting them in at a slight angle (pointing down). There are now several growing kits available, as well as fashionable glass and jar toppers that cradle the seed and make this process simpler, if you’re having trouble balancing your avocado seed.
Place Avocado Seed Half in a Glass of Water
and placed on a sunny, quiet windowsill. Utilizing a clear glass will help you see when the water needs to be changed as well as when the roots begin to grow. I discovered through trial and error that it is preferable to change the water every five to seven days instead of the daily recommendation made by many guides.
To avoid the growth of mold, bacteria, and fungi, which could kill your tiny avocado sprout, make sure to change the water frequently.
Wait for Avocado Seed to Sprout
Sprouting is said to take two to four weeks in many guides, but in my experience, it typically takes at least eight weeks to get a sprout, so have patience. Here is the process you will witness:
- The outer brown seed skin will flake off as the top of the avocado pit dries out and cracks.
- A tiny taproot will start to emerge through the crack at the bottom of the avocado pit after the crack has reached the bottom of the pit.
- A tiny sprout will eventually poke its head through the top of the avocado pit as the taproot gets longer and longer (and possibly branches).
- Never, EVER, let your taproot become dry and exposed to air; doing so will result in the demise of your plant.
Pot in Soil
Cut the stem back to about 8 cm when it reaches a length of about 15 cm to promote new growth. When it reaches 15 cm once more, plant it in a 25 cm diameter pot filled with a rich humus soil, leaving the top half of the seed exposed.
Placing it on a sunny windowsill. The more sun, the better for avocados, who adore it.
Water and Watch It Grow
Give it regular mistings and the occasional deep soak. Always keep the soil moist but not soggy. Yellowing leaves are a sign of over-watering; let the plant dry out for a few days.
Pinch Out Top Leaves
Pinch out the top two sets of leaves when the stem reaches a height of 12 inches. This will encourage the plant to develop side shoots and more leaves, making it bushier. Pinch out the two newest sets of leaves at the top of the plant every time it grows another 6 inches.
Troubleshooting Bugs
My avocado trees seem to attract aphids, who are drawn to the tasty avocado leaves. If you do, follow these instructions to get rid of them: Wash all aphids off the plant by hosing it down outside or in the sink or shower. Once the little pests are off, spray your plant with a mixture of water with a small squirt of dishwashing liquid and a teaspoon of neem oil. This will prevent aphids from coming back. Every four to five days, check on your plant and, as needed, re-clean and re-spray.
Wintering
Baby avocado trees can kick it outdoors in summer, but if you live anywhere where it gets cooler than 45 degrees F, you’ll need to bring them back indoors in the fall/winter, before the temperatures fall.
Avocado Plant Care
As long as you adhere to a few guidelines, maintaining an avocado plant is simple. Follow these recommendations to keep your plant content.
- Maintain a warm, sunny environment for your avocado plant.
Avocado plants love the sun. If you’re indoors, put your plant close to a sizable window or sliding glass door that faces south.
- A deep soak every so often with frequent watering.
Keep your avocado plant moist, but not soggy. Make sure the soil drains well, as you would with most plants.
- To promote greater growth, pinch the stem.
Every time your plant grows another six inches or so, pinch the stem back to promote a bushier appearance.
- Consider putting your tree in the yard.
Plant your tree outside once it is mature if you live in a warm enough climate. It might eventually produce results over a long period of time (many years).
FAQs
Which Side of Avocado Seed Goes Down?
The pointed end of the pit should face up and the fatter, flatter end down. The avocado seeds should be placed on toothpicks with the flat end submerged in water and the pointy end sticking out so it doesn’t get wet. Fill a small glass to the brim with room temperature water and place the glass on top of the toothpicks.
Which Side of Avocado Seed Goes in Water?
The toothpicks should be supporting the seed so that the pointed half is out of the water and the bottom half is in the water. Make sure the flat end is submerged in water because the sprouting tip will protrude from the pointed end. Place the glass in a bright window sill or another area with plenty of light.
How Long Soak Avocado Seed before Planting?
Eat the avocado flesh after cutting it open, and thoroughly wash the pit. First, soak the pit for 24 to 48 hours in clean water. Peel back the pit’s flimsy brown skin with your knife. This procedure expedites germination and produces a more appealing outcome.
Do Avocado Seeds Need to Be in Direct Sunlight?
Like banana trees, avocado plants thrive in full sun. However, potted indoor plants typically require the brightest location you can find. They will tolerate some shade. Starting with a seed, you can keep it on a sunny windowsill until the roots form and the first leaves appear.
Summary: How to Plant An Avocado from Seed?
You need to remove and clean the pit, locate the ends, pierce with four toothpicks, place the avocado seed half in a glass of water, wait for the avocado seed to sprout, pot in soil, and water and watch it grow…
The million-dollar query is: will your expertly tended avocado tree ever, you know, produce avocados? It’s difficult to say because avocado plants can start bearing fruit as early as three or four years old, while other times they can wait up to fifteen years or even longer.
For pollination to be more effective, avocado trees should be growing in groups. However, don’t anticipate the fruit to resemble the avocado from which you harvested the seed in any way. To control the fruit’s outcome, commercial avocados are grown from grafted branches; however, a naturally grown avocado may differ greatly from its parent.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Don’t forget to share the post. Thank you for reading.
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