One of the most beloved fruits in the world, the avocado can grow from seed, and it is surprisingly easy to do! Anyone can do it in the comfort of their own home, and it is quite a rewarding experience. Seeing the fruits of your labour take shape as an avocado tree will bring a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Avocado trees reproduce vegetatively via root sprouts, but they can also produce viable seeds that can be used to propagate. It may take up to 12 months for a seed to dry and germinate, so you’ll need patience! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Carefully remove the pit from your avocado by slicing it into two halves with a knife.
- Carefully extract the seed without breaking it or taking off its brown cover.
- Rinse the seed with water to remove the remaining pulp.
- Use three toothpicks to attach the seed to a cup and fill it with water until the bottom of the seed is submerged.
- Place the cup in an area that receives indirect sunlight and change the water every few days.
- After a few months, roots will start to appear and you’ll see a stem growing out from the pit.
- Once your stem has grown 5 to 6 cm, you can now transfer your seedling to a pot filled with soil.
- Make sure to water your tree regularly and place it in an area that receives indirect sunlight.
Avocado trees planted from seed may take at least four years before bearing fruit, so your patience will be tested. It takes a good amount of investment in terms of time, energy and resources, so make sure you’re prepared to take on this lengthy endeavor. It’s important to also make sure that it is planted in an optimum location where it is receiving enough sunlight, water, and space.
Experts from the California Avocado Commission (CAC) advise against homegrown avocados due to the fact that it is not cost-effective, and that there is a high chance for pest and disease pressure. They noted that the success of growing an avocado tree from a seed mainly depends on the conditions, location and the care it is receiving.
It’s important to realize that avocado trees grown from seed may not yield fruits that taste the same as those bought in stores. That’s because it usually takes seven to 15 years for a seedling to produce fruit, and the taste of the fruits you’ll get will depend on the seed’s parent tree.
Caring for an avocado tree
Caring for an avocado tree as it grows can be quite a challenge. It cannot tolerate cold temperatures and frost, so it is best planted in tropical or subtropical environments. In the U.S., avocado trees can only be grown in hardiness zones 8-11.
It is recommended to water your avocado tree regularly, but don’t overwater it. Apply 1 to 2 inches of water every week, and make sure that the pot is draining excess water to avoid over-saturating the soil.
Additionally, it is important to fertilize your avocado tree every once in a while to keep it healthy. Use a fertilizer with a combination of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in balanced ratios.
Avocado trees need plenty of sunshine so make sure to place it in an area that gets a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight everyday. In order to maximize yield, there needs to be proper pollination. Plant more than one tree in the same area, or use a spray bottle to manually pollinate the flowers.
Pruning an avocado tree
Avocado trees may produce a large number of fruits, but to make sure that the tree is healthy and that it produces quality fruits, you need to prune it. Pruning an avocado tree involves cutting off dead or diseased branches and limbs, as well as trimming unproductive twigs and shoots to promote growth and shape the tree.
Experts from the CAC recommend pruning an avocado tree every once in a while. It should be done in late winter or early spring. Don’t forget to wear protective clothing as pruning involves sharp tools like clippers and saws. It’s also important to sterilize the tools with alcohol before use to prevent the spread of diseases and pests.
When pruning, remember to make cuts at an angle and make sure not to cut more than one-fourth of the total length of the branch. Trim away any branches that overlap with each other to promote good air circulation.
Harvesting Avocados from Seed
Harvesting the fruits from the avocado tree you planted from seed will bring a great sense of accomplishment. Avocado fruits usually take 4 to 7 months to ripen, depending on the variety. To check if the fruit is ripe, pull gently at the stem and if it’s already soft and yields easily, it means that it’s ready for harvest.
In order to harvest your avocados, use a pruning shear to cut the stem. Be careful not to damage the skin of the fruit when picking it. Rinse the fruit in cold water to remove dust or dirt and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Avocado Seedlings
After you’ve planted your avocado tree and taken care of it for a few months, you may want to propagate some more. If you want to create more avocado seedlings, all you need is a small amount of soil, a pot, and a pair of scissors or pruners.
Take a few stems from your avocado tree and cut them off, leaving two or three leaves at the top. Put the stems in a pot filled with soil and water regularly. With the right amount of care, you will have more avocado trees to enjoy!
Pests and Diseases
While taking care of an avocado tree, it is important to be aware of the threats posed by pests and disease. Common pests include aphids, scales, caterpillars and mealybugs, which can damage the leaves, fruits and shoots of the tree. Similarly, diseases like anthracnose can also damage the fruits of the tree as well as the leaves.
To prevent pests and diseases, it is important to practice good sanitation. Remove any dead or diseased branches and twigs immediately and dispose of them properly. Make sure to avoid wetting the leaves when watering the tree, and keep nearby weeds in check.
Regularly spraying the tree with insecticide and fungicides can also help prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Always follow the instructions of the product and use protective wear when spraying. Just make sure to avoid excessive or frequent use of chemicals.
Conclusion
It is possible to grow an avocado tree from a seed and reap its fruits. Though it may take some time and effort, it is definitely a rewarding experience. And if you are lucky, you might even have more avocado trees to enjoy in the future!
