The Best Way To Plant and Grow an Avocado Tree

Avocado is a very versatile fruit and has become a favorite amongst those aiming to improve their diet. The creamy fruit is sometimes known as “butter fruit” or “alligator pear” and offers a good amount of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids or MUFA.

Amongst the numerous health benefits, avocados are believed to aid in improved digestion and reduce the risk of depression. There are many ways to consume this delightful fruit. It can be eaten plain or can be turned into delicious guacamole.

All things considered, avocado is a fruit that is worth growing in your own home. You can take on the project on your own or get the kids to join in. Growing an avocado tree can be a very beneficial activity for the little ones.

How To Grow An Avocado From Its Seed?

Learning how to grow avocado from the pit is easy but requires patience and dedication. It is no wonder parents like to make it into a project for the kids to join. However, there are a few things that you are going to need to get together to make sure that you are setting yourself up for success.

What You Will Need

When you are ready to grow your avocado, gather these supplies, and you will be ready:

• Avocado pit, or seed
• Soft cloth or brush
• Tea Towel or paper towel
• Plastic food bag
• Potting soil
• Pot, 10 inches

Instructions

Here is how to go about growing your avocado:

• Once you have removed your seed from the fruit, rinse it gently with the cloth or brush. Make sure that there are no cuts or cracks on the seed.
• Dampen the paper or tea towel and wrap the seed in it.
• Place this gently in a plastic bag. Please do not close it completely.
• Place this in a dark cabinet or cupboard.
• Keep checking on the seeds every four days.
• Make sure that the towel is kept damp. Keep this up for a few weeks.
• Once the seed starts germinating, you will notice that it will form a crack, from which the roots will grow.
• Do not tamper with the seed. Instead, allow the root to keep growing as it is.
• When you can measure your root as three inches long, your avocado is ready to be planted.
• It is best to start with a pot measuring ten inches and good quality potting soil.

Tips To Care For An Avocado Tree

Now that you have your avocado planted, here are some tips to help you care for your plant:

1. Your avocado plant should always have a place where it is sunny and warm, so if you have space, consider moving your avocado tree to the garden.
2. Avocado plants need an occasional heavy watering session and more frequent, light watering.
3. Never let the soil dry out completely, but avoid keeping it too moist.
4. The pot you choose should have good drainage so that the water can drain well after each watering.
5. When the plant has reached 12 inches, you should pinch out the two sets of leaves right at the top. This will allow the plant to grow bushier.
6. Keep measuring and continue the pinching process when the plant grows six inches.
7. If you are growing avocados, you should be aware of any avocado pests and diseases. In addition, avocado plants are prone to attracting aphids. To get rid of these troublesome bugs, give your avocado plant a good shower.
8. Next, make your own solution to keep your plant bug-free. Take a spray bottle and add water, one teaspoon of neem oil, and a squirt of dishwashing soap.
9. Look for the bugs every few days and repeat the cleansing process if needed.
10. Avoid keeping your plant outside during the cold months.

How Long Does It Take For An Avocado Seed to Sprout

Each avocado seed will grow differently based on the different factors that are influencing it. Usually, an avocado seed should take between two to six weeks to sprout, but some find that it sprouts only after eight weeks.

First, the pit will dry and crack. Then, through the bottom, a small taproot will start emerging. As this grows longer, you will find a small sprout at the top of the pit. Make sure that the taproot always has access to water, or your plant will die.

When Will the Avocado Tree Give Avocados?

There is no real fixed time for when your avocado tree will produce fruit. Some find success after four years, while others have to wait at least ten years to see any fruit. Often, the male and female parts of an avocado plant will bloom at different times. This means that the plant cannot pollinate itself. The avocado fruits that we find in the market are grown through grafting. Therefore, you will need a few avocado plants grown together to make the chances of bringing your plant to fruit higher.

How To Grow Avocado Seed In Water?

This method of growing an avocado from its seed is the more popular version. All you need are toothpicks, a glass, and some water:

• The avocado pit you use should be free of any cuts without cracks in it.
• Wash the seed clean.
• Around the halfway point on the seed, you will need to insert around 3 toothpicks.
• The broad end of the avocado seed should be at the bottom.
• Using the toothpicks as support, suspend the avocado in the glass.
• Fill the container so that the water covers only 1/3rd of the bottom of the avocado.
• The best place to keep your avocado is in a warm place, out of direct sunlight.
• Change the water regularly to make sure that the avocado grows well.
• The avocado seed should develop roots in around 2 weeks.
• Avocados usually sprout between two to six weeks.
• If you see no sign of progress after six weeks, you should discard the seed and try another.
• Once your avocado sprout has reached 6 inches in height, you will need to trim half of it off. This is to encourage the roots to grow stronger.
• When the stem grows back out, your avocado plant is ready to be potted. Keep measuring your plant and wait until it is at least 15 inches tall before you pot it.

How Long Do Avocado Trees Live?

The oldest avocado trees are the ones that grow in nature in the climate that is best suited to them. It is believed that the oldest avocado tree was planted in 1879 and is located at the University of California, at the Berkeley Campus. While a home-grown avocado may not live as long, it will live a very long time with care and attention. Attentive gardening is the key to prolonging the life of your avocado.

How Often Should I Water My Avocado Plant?

The roots of an avocado need a lot of air, so overwatering your avocado plant must be avoided. Instead, let the soil in the pot dry out a little bit before you water it thoroughly. If you keep your plant in a pot but choose to keep it outdoors, you may need to water the plant daily.

Keep an eye on the dryness level of the soil in either case so that you do not overwater or allow your avocado to dry out.

How Deep Do You Plant An Avocado Seed?

To grow the best avocado plant you can, you will need to pay attention to each step. How deep to bury the seed is important and can make a big difference in success or failure. This way, you can avoid replanting avocado seed as it could cause damage if you are not careful. Avocado seeds need to be buried at a depth that matches half of the length of the seed. For instance, if the seed is around four inches long, it should be buried two inches below the surface level of the soil. Once planted, keep the soil moist in a warm and sunny area.

Growing avocados at home may seem a little daunting if you are not used to gardening. However, if you follow the steps properly, you will be able to grow one successfully. Not only that, but you will realize that it is rather simple. You need to take care to meet all the milestones in the life of your precious plant and treat it accordingly.

For some, it may be off-putting to have to take the trouble to grow a plant and not have a guarantee that it will produce fruit. But growing your avocado plant can be a fun and rewarding process even then. Even if your plant doesn’t produce fruit, you will still have the benefit of a beautiful houseplant that you have nurtured since it was just a little seed.

Gardening is an activity that has the ability to relieve stress and provide satisfaction when you see your hard work being rewarded with beautiful green shoots and thriving roots. To grow your avocado, all you need is a little bit of patience, care, and a love for gardening.

Also Read:

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How to Grow a Bonsai Tree at Home
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