Reasons To Grow An Avocado Tree From A Seed
Avocados are one of the most popular fruits of all time. People love the mild, creamy texture and the vivacious green hue of the pulp. Growing an avocado tree from a seed is very simple and achievable, making it worthwhile to learn. There are numerous rewards, advantages, and experiences that come with homegrown avocados, such as providing endless edible harvests, learning the process of grafting, and taking pride in the accomplishment of cultivating a tree from a single seed.
What You Need
The process of growing an avocado tree from a seed is not difficult and doesn’t require fancy equipment or sophisticated tools. All you need is a few basic items. The requirements are two or three toothpicks, a glass or jar full of water and an avocado seed.
The Process
The first step to sprouting your avocado seed is to insert the toothpicks into the surface of the seed about 2 centimeters apart. Then, place the seed into the jar of water and make sure that the toothpick-side remains above the water’s surface. Position the jar near a bright window or in a warm room. As an extra measure, press the opening of the jar over a piece of plastic wrap so as to generate heat. It is important to leave the seed submerged, but not completely submerged in the water.
The avocado seed will take several weeks to sprout. During this time, the seed will start to break apart. Once your seed starts to sprout, rotate it every second or third day in order to ensure the stem grows evenly and straight. Approximately two or three weeks after planting, the seed will sprout some leaves. When this happens, fill a small pot with soil and plant the seed into the soil in an upright manner. During the next two or three weeks, you will see the branch of leaves grow gradually.
Caring For The The Seedling
Avocado trees are resilient, requiring little assistance for them to thrive. All it requires is regular watering, and occasional fertilizers or pest control, depending on the region you live in and the climate. When the seedling is around six inches tall, you should start to prune it every two or three months in order to promote branch growth. After pruning, let the soil freeze in the sun so that it can help prevent the tree from developing any diseases.
Growing From Grafted Plants
Another option to grow an avocado tree is by growing it from a grafted plant. But, you don’t need to go through the process of growing a seed if you don’t want to, as there are numerous nurseries selling grafted plants. Grafted plants are a great choice, as they are already well established, meaning that you can enjoy your avocado tree sooner.
Fruit Bearing Trees
A mature, fruit bearing avocado tree takes approximately four to six years to grow, and depending on the variety, can yield hundreds of pounds of fruit annually. It is also important to research the right variety as there are many to choose from, such as the Bacon, Hass, and Fuerte; each having unique growth habits, successes, and tastes.
Conclusion
Growing your own avocado tree from a seed is a simple and rewarding process. With the right planning and care, you can enjoy your tree in no time, harvesting a variety of the most delicious and nutritious avocados from your own backyard.
