Avocados are a nutritious and delicious food that is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are also incredibly versatile and can be used in many different recipes. One of the most fun and rewarding ways to enjoy avocados is to grow your own avocado tree from a pit. Growing an avocado tree is relatively simple and doesn’t require a green thumb. Really, anyone can do it with some patience and proper care. Here’s how you can get your very own avocado tree started.
Select a Pit
The first step in the process is to carefully select a pit from the avocado fruit. Make sure to select a pit from a large, ripe avocado in which the flesh easily gives away from the skin. Rinse the pit to remove the fruit residue. You may also want to dry off the pit before beginning the planting process.
Soak & Clean
The next step is to soak the pit for about 24 hours in a bowl of warm water to soften the pit and encourage germination. After soaking, you’ll need to use a knife or scissors to cleanly slice through the pit with two to three cuts, making sure not to press too hard or you may damage the pit. Once you’ve cut through the pit, you can gently pry it open and remove the seed inside.
Plant & Water
Now that you have the pit exposed, you can plant it in a pot filled with potting soil. Make sure the seed is in the center of the pot and covered with soil. Then, you’ll want to water it with about an inch of water per week. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet. The seed should germinate within the next few weeks.
Keep in the Light & Warming
Once the sprout has germinated, it needs plenty of light from an east facing window- you may need to rotate the pot as it grows to ensure the avocado tree is receiving light on all sides. You can also give the soil a little warmth with a heating pad or a sun lamp. The avocado tree will grow best in moist and warm conditions.
Watch it Grow
You may need to replant the seedling into a larger pot as it grows. As it matures, you should repot it every spring with fresh soil and prune any excess growth if needed. A happy and healthy avocado tree should grow to around two to three feet tall.
Fertilize & Harvest
Fertilizing your tree is also important- you can use a citrus fertilizer every two months during warmer months. In order to encourage more fruit, you can lightly shake the branches of the tree periodically once it reaches 24 inches. You will then be able to harvest avocados from the tree when they become ripe, between 6-9 months after planting the pit.
Practice Patience
Following these steps should give you a happy and healthy avocado tree, though it will take some time. If done correctly and with patience, you can have avocado trees that can produce fruit for as long as a decade. Growing an avocado tree from a pit is a fun and rewarding experience, and it is a great way to get access to nutritious and tasty avocados directly from your own home.
Gather Supplies and Prepare
Before you begin, it’s important to make sure you have all the supplies you need ahead of time. A pot, potting soil, water and a heating pad or a sun lamp might be necessary to create the best conditions for your avocado tree. It’s also important to make sure you have the proper space for your avocado plant to grow and thrive. Keeping the pot in a warm, sunny location and away from extreme temperatures, such as the windowsill, is ideal.
Protection from Pests and Diseases
When growing an avocado tree, it is important to watch out for any pests or diseases that might threaten the health of the tree. Pests such as aphids, mites and scale insects can damage your avocado tree, so it is vital that you find a way to protect it. Spraying the tree with an insecticidal soap can help ward off any danger. As for diseases, avocado black streak is the most common disease that can affect the tree, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of disease.
Provide Extra Support
When the tree reaches about two feet in height, it may need extra support to keep it standing. You can stake the tree near the base of the trunk or wrap it loosely in mesh or twine. Extra support will ensure that the tree grows upright and doesn’t become top-heavy, leading to breakage.
Pay Attention to Watering Regimen
When it comes to watering an avocado tree, it is important to strike a balance between not watering too much and not watering too little. Generally, the tree should be watered until the soil is moist, but not soaked, and then allowed to dry out slightly before watering again. Paying attention to the watering regimen can help prevent over or under watering, which can both lead to damage.
