Growing an Avocado Tree From a Pit
Avocados are delicious, nutritious and a popular fruit in many parts of the world.%But did you know you can actually grow a tree from the pit of an avocado?Although seemingly difficult, with patience and tender loving care, your avocado pit can be transformed into a thriving avocado tree.
Preparing the Pit
To grow your avocado tree, the first step is to remove the pit from the avocado. Carefully clean off any remaining avocado meat and rinse the pit clean. Allow the pit to dry for several days. Once dry, it’s time to insert toothpicks. Place three toothpicks evenly around the middle of the pit in a triangular pattern. Gently place the toothpick-laden pit in a jar of water, so that only the bottom of the pit is submerged.
Getting the Pit to Germinate
Once the pit is settled in its jar, be sure it is in a warm sunny spot and check the water level every few days. One of the toothpicks should move with the water level. If nothing happens after a few weeks, it’s time to get a new pit. Be patient, as avocado pits generally take around three to six weeks to germinate.
Once you see a stem and roots emerge, it is time to transplant your pit into a pot filled with soil. Make sure you choose a potting soil with excellent drainage. Plant the germinated pit into the soil, stem side up, then water thoroughly.
Watch the Growing Tree
It won’t be long before you’ll see growth and your tree begin to take shape. Feed your growing tree with natural fertilizers every two weeks and keep the soil moist but not soggy. If you live in a cool climate, it’s best to keep your tree indoors or in a greenhouse as avocados prefer warm climates. When your tree is three years old, it should start to produce fruit.
Pests 2020 Q: Can you grow fruits from avocado pits?
A: The answer to this question is yes, you can grow avocados from the pits of the fruit. All you need is 1 pit, some soil and some patience. With patience and tender loving care, your avocado pit can be transformed into a thriving avocado tree. You’ll have to remove the pit from the avocado, insert 3 toothpicks into it, and place it in a jar of water so that only the bottom of the pit is submerged. Leave it in a sunny area, and wait for it to germinate, typically after 3-6 weeks. Then you can transplant it into a pot with good draining soil, and the tree should start to produce fruits within the next 3 years!
Water Requirements
When it comes to the amount of water required for an avocado tree, the needs of the tree vary depending on the climate. Avocado trees are drought-resistant but appreciate irrigation, especially in hot, dry climates. In most temperate climates, an avocado tree needs 1 to 2 inches of water on a weekly basis during the summer. During colder periods, when the trees become dormant, the water needs diminishes. To ensure a healthy, flourishing avocado tree, it’s important to be mindful of the water needs of the tree and the specific weather conditions in your region.
Fertilizing Avocado Trees
In order to promote vigorous growth and fruiting in an avocado tree, it is important to ensure that it has the necessary nutrition. Fertilizing an avocado tree requires patience and careful examination of the soil to determine the tree’s nutrient needs. A fertilizer with an equal ratio of macro-nutrients is generally recommended for avocado trees, such as a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Avoid fertilizers formulated for other fruit trees, as their nutrient ratios could harm the avocado tree’s sensitive root system.
Pruning & Shaping
Avocado trees should be pruned regularly to remove dead and diseased branches, reduce shading, and promote healthy tree structure. Pruning in late winter or early spring promotes fruiting for the next season. Pruning should be done carefully so as not to damage the tree’s bark or fruit. Remove only diseased or dead branches, and if young branches need to be removed, do so only after they have produced fruit.
Harvesting
Avocados are ready to be harvested 2 to 3 months after flowering. To confirm if an avocado is ready to be harvested, pick one of the lowest fruit off of the tree and give it a gentle squeeze. If it feels a bit soft, it’s ready for harvest. Do a taste-test too, as the flavor of an unripe avocado is quite different from that of a ripe one.
Pollination
Avocado trees are self-fertile, meaning only one tree is needed to produce fruit. However, in order to ensure a good crop of avocados, a second tree should be planted near the first to facilitate cross-pollination. Cross-pollination not only helps ensure a good crop of avocados, but it can also lead to a wider variety of avocado fruit, some of which may possess superior qualities.
Diseases & Pests
Avocado trees are susceptible to a variety of pests, including scales, mealybugs, whitefly, and thrips. To reduce the risk of pests and diseases, it’s important to avoid over-watering, prune trees every year, keep soil well-drained, and keep debris around the trees clean. If pests become a problem, there are a variety of effective treatments available for both organic and conventional gardening. In severe cases, it may be necessary to call a professional pest control service.
Conclusion
Growing a fruiting avocado tree from a pit may seem like a daunting task, but with dedication and the right care, you can enjoy an abundance of delicious, nutritious fruit right in your backyard. Whether you’re a budding gardener or long-time avocado enthusiast, this is a fantastic project that is sure to yield rewarding results!
