Avocados are notorious for having a difficult cultivation process and most people don’t realize that it is possible to grow an avocado tree directly from the pit of an avocado you buy from the store. The process does take some patience, but the end result can be rewarding and produce a rich, luscious fruit. There are several steps you need to take to get the best results when attempting to grow an avocado tree from an avocado.
Materials and Preparation
To begin the process, gather the materials that are necessary for planting your avocado tree:a glass or cup, avocado pit, toothpicks, distilled water, small container to transplant avocado tree, potting soil, and plant food. Next, prepare the avocado pit by carefully removing it from the tree and washing off any excess flesh from it. Make sure the pit is dry before beginning the next step.
Prepare Avocado Pit
To prepare the avocado pit for the next step, use a knife to carefully remove the bumpy outer layer of the pit. Then, use a fork or spoon to gently remove the inner portion of the pit. This can be tricky and requires a delicate touch. Once the pit is fully prepared, use the toothpicks to make four equidistant holes in the pit around the circumference.
Soak Pit in Water
Fill the glass with the distilled water, then submerge the avocado pit. To keep the pit in place, slide the toothpicks through the holes you drilled earlier, then rest them on the edge of the glass. Leave the pit in the water for four to six weeks, making sure to change the water every few days so it stays fresh. During this time, roots will begin to sprout from the pit and a shoot will grow from the top.
Plant the Avocado Pit
Once the roots and shoot have developed, it is time to transplant your avocado pit into its permanent home. Fill a small container with the potting soil and create a hole for your avocado. Carefully remove the pit from the water glass, then place it into the hole and gently backfill the hole with the potting soil. Make sure the pit is situated so the shoot is above the ground and the roots are covered.
Maintain the Plant
To ensure that your avocado tree will thrive and produce rich, luscious fruit, it is important to maintain the plant. To start, water the plant regularly but be sure not to over-water it. Also, it is important to feed your avocado with a good quality fertilizer, such as one for citrus trees. Place the fertilizer in the soil about every two weeks for best results. Lastly, place your avocado in an area with plenty of sunlight.
Provide Support
As your avocado tree begins to grow, you may need to provide it with some support. A stake, such as a wooden dowel, is a great option to give the tree support and help it stay upright as it grows. Additionally, if you choose to prune your tree, be sure to do it correctly and judiciously.
Reap the Rewards
With the right maintenance, patience, and care, you will be able to reap the rewards of your hard work and enjoy the luscious fruits of your labor. The joy of growing an avocado tree from an avocado you bought from the store is incomparable. The satisfaction of seeing your avocado tree grow from a pit into a fruit-bearing tree is worth the effort and time.
Potential Problems
Although it is possible to grow an avocado tree from an avocado, it can be difficult to achieve the best results. Since avocados are tropical plants, they have specific environmental requirements that must be met in order for the tree to survive and produce fruit. Additionally, it can be difficult to keep the tree alive after it has been transplanted into its permanent home. If the avocado tree is exposed to extreme temperatures, it can die quickly.
Special Considerations
When attempting to grow an avocado tree from an avocado you bought from the store, there are some special considerations that should be kept in mind. First and foremost, it is important to ensure that the avocado pit you are using is clean and free of disease and pests. Additionally, it is important to use the right soil and fertilizer to ensure the tree will get the right nutrients. Lastly, it is important to provide the tree with the right amount of light and water.
Alternate Methods
Although the process of growing an avocado tree from an avocado is the most common way, there is an easier way. Avocado trees can also be grown from cuttings or air layering. With the cutting method, you can simply cut a few inches from the stem of an existing avocado tree and plant it in soil. With air layering, you can alternatively wrap a stem from an existing avocado tree with wet moss and plastic. Both methods are quite easy to do and can produce great results with little effort.
