What Is An Avocado Tree?
Avocado (Persea americana) is a fruit-bearing tree with a wide variety of cultivars. It is an ancient fruit native to Central and South America dating back more than 10,000 years. Avocado trees can be of two types: an all-female variety, or a bisexual variety that contains both male and female flowers. The fruit produced by avocados are pear-shaped and filled with a creamy, green pulp. Avocados are prized for their buttery flavor, rich texture, and nutritional benefits.
Growing An Avocado From Seed
As the popular saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. For people keen to grow an avocado tree from seed, a little DIY ingenuity can be necessary. Gently pry open an avocado and take out the seed. Rinse the seed and use a few toothpicks to suspend it for several days in a cup or jar of water. As the seed germinates, the sprout that emerges should be facing up with the root pointing towards the bottom. Once the roots reach 2 to 3 inches long, the seed is ready to be planted.
Keeping the plant in a warm and sunny area of the home is key for germination. As avocado tree roots are very fragile and easily damaged, it is important to be gentle when planting it in a pot filled with soil. The pot should have a heavy base to hold and support the plant as it grows. Watering the plant regularly and fertilizing it once a month is also necessary.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Avocado Tree From Seed
The amount of time it takes to grow an avocado tree from seed depends largely on the care given to the seedling. Generally, however, experts expect the process to take up to seven months. Within the first three to six months, the seed should be sprouted, and the seedling should have grown branches that begin to sprout leaves. Around the seven-month mark, an avocado tree will likely be about two feet tall. After this, it may take anywhere from five to thirteen years for a tree grown from seed to begin fruiting.
It is important to note that this process can take longer or shorter depending on how well the seedling is looked after. Trees grown from seed do not necessarily produce fruit, as genetic factors can affect the success of reproduction. For the best chances of reproducing edible fruit, aspiring growers should purchase grafted varieties from a reliable source.
Advantages Of Growing An Avocado Tree From Seed
There are a couple of upsides to growing an avocado tree from seed. The first is cost. While commercially cultivated avocado trees can cost upwards of $50, one can save a lot of money by growing an avocado tree from seed. Another advantage is that it can be a fun, educational project to do with children.
Disadvantages Of Growing An Avocado Tree From Seed
Despite the cost-saving and entertainment benefits, avocado trees grown from seed have a much slower rate of growth compared to grafted trees. As previously mentioned, one should expect this process to take anywhere from seven months to up to13 years in order to produce fruit. Moreover, there is no guarantee that an avocado tree grown from seed will be able to bear edible fruit due to genetic incompatibilities.
Caring For An Avocado Tree
For an avocado tree grown from seed to create the best conditions for bearing fruits, a deeper understanding of avocado cultivation is required. As the tree grows, it should be pruned and trained regularly to promote the healthy production of fruit and maximum yields. Avocados thrive in warm climates and require a set amount of water and other nutrients to reach their full potential. If taken care of adequately, an avocado tree grown from seed may live for many years, while grafted specimens may only last a fifth of that.
Harvesting Avocados
Avocado lovers will know that it takes a considerable amount of patience to wait for the green fruit to ripen. While unripe avocados are hard to the touch, ripe ones have a slight give when gently pressed. When picking, the fruit’s color, size, and shape should be taken into consideration. As the data suggests, avocados split into two types – one type with a pear-shaped fruit and the other with an oval-shaped fruit.
At home, avocados must be given a bit of time to fully ripen. Unripe avocados should be stored in paper bags, while ripe ones can be placed in the fridge until it is time to eat. To juice, avocado is also a great choice. The pulp of the fruit is added to smoothies and other beverages, as well.
Maintaining An Avocado Tree
Avocado trees need plenty of sun, so it is important to choose the right location for the tree. An area with about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. The tree should be placed in a spot where it is sheltered from wind and other harsh climatic changes.
When it comes down to pruning and caring for an avocado tree, the main goal of pruning should be to establish a strong and well-formed structure, which in turn encourages efficient photosynthesis and better fruiting. Pruning an avocado tree should be done gradually and gently, as too much stress can cause the tree to become weak and vulnerable to diseases.
Organic Solutions For Avocado Tree Care
Organic gardening and farming is becoming increasingly popular due to its fewer dependencies on synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. For avocado tree care, this is a great choice as it helps to keep the soil in their growing conditions. Organic products like seas fish emulsion and compost tea have proven beneficial to avocado trees as they provide natural nitrogen and other nutrients. To control diseases and pests, an organic insecticidal soap is a safe and beneficial option.
Organic Fertilizers For Avocado Trees
Organic fertilizers are specifically created to provide nutrients to the trees in a natural and sustainable manner. These fertilizers are made out of natural materials like manure, compost, and seaweed. Organic fertilizers work to improve the fertility of the soil, which in turn supports healthier growth for the avocado tree. The important thing to remember is that organic fertilizers work slowly and require regular applications, as opposed to synthetics, which can provide quick fixes.
Conclusion
In summary, growing an avocado tree from seed is a fun and cost effective project. The process can take anywhere from seven months to thirteen years, depending on the care given to the seedling and its eventual success in bearing fruit. Required yogurt such as regular watering, a warm and sunny environment, organic fertilizer, and pest control are also necessary in the growth and maturation of an avocado tree. With the right care and attention, an avocado tree grown from seed can provide a lifetime of nutrition and enjoyment.
