Do you want to try to grow avocado seeds when planting fruit seeds (yes, avocado is a fruit)? Congratulations! To grow avocado seeds is really easy since the actual seed is so large, there is much more work with, for example, grape seeds. The avocado seed needs sometimes a rather long time to sprout, but when it's germinated you've come a long way and beyond the first crucial step. Many people who grow avocado seed make the mistake of throwing them away because they “never” sprout. It's true that it takes time but if you're patient, you'll be rewarded! The best is if you can just forget that you've planted the avocado seed, and when you eventually remembers, maybe you'll be surprised by a little sprout. Though, some water from time to time can be good... I've divided this article on how to grow avocado seed into sections and steps of instructions. First you can read about what preparations you need to do before growing avocado seeds, then about the actual planting procedure, where to place the pot, how to prune your avocado plant and then some general tips on growing avocado seeds. Grow avocado seeds and good luck!
Preparations to grow avocado seed
When you've enjoyed a guacamole or some other course with avocado, save the seeds and test growing avocado seeds! The first thing you do to the avocado seed (or seeds; the more you plant, the bigger chance you'll get a plat) is to wash away all the flesh. This can be slippery but if you carefully use a bath sponge it'll be easier. Put the seeds on a piece of tissue paper and let them dry for around a day. Many people experience that the germinating and growing process will speed up if you've pre-germinated the seeds. This is done by putting the seed in a glass of water for some weeks until it cracks. Another method is to put four tooth picks at right angles around the waist of the seed and hang it on the edge of the glass of water. The seed should be halfway in the water. The third way to speed up the sprouting is to cut a gash at either end of the seed. If you use one of the water -methods; wait till the sprout and roots grow out and then grow the avocado seed (see below).
Planting avocado seed
When planting the avocado seed; use a clay pot with a layer of clay particles at the bottom. This will ensure a good soil humidity and drainage. Fill the pot with slightly humid planting soil. There shall be some space between the soil and the edge of the pot, but remember that the soil mass will shrink when you water it. Put the avocado seed to grow in the soil so that 1 centimeter of the seed, the pointed end, is above the soil. Water the seed and soil. Put a plastic bag or a piece of plastic foil which you've pierced a few holes for air in over the pot. This will work the same way as a greenhouse; keep the humidity even and the seed won't rot. When you get a sprout you can take the plastic away. You can also use a bottle made of rather soft plastic (like a 2 liters coke bottle) and cut it in two parts. Place the half bottles over your pots. You'll probably have to wait several weeks before something happens after growing the avocado seed.
Place the pot with the avocado seed
Place the pot with the planted avocado seed in a light place, preferably near a window. If you have a bright lamp or a spotlight, place the pot near this to take advantage of the extra light. As I've said, the sprouting will take time so be patient. When, after some years, you've got a big avocado plant, be careful not to place this in direct sunlight during the summer. This may hurt the plant and dry out the leaves.
Pruning the avocado plant
When your avocado seedling has gotten some real leaves except from the cotyledon, you have to decide what form you want your avocado plant to have. If you want a bush, prune it (though it's hard and you want to keep every part of it!) so it can divide into branches. Then you keep pruning every branch which in turn divides into two new branches. It's important to prune the top shoot repeatedly if you want a bush; this is the part of the plant which prevents the stems ability to grow side shoots. This is achieved through so called “apical dominance”; the secreting of chemical substances. On the other hand, if you want an avocado tree; let the sprout grow until it reaches half a meter, then you prune it. Let the tree crown develop but cut off all sprouts from the stem. The best time for pruning is in the spring when the light comes back and the plant gets more power to grow after the rest during the winter.
General tips on how to grow avocado seed
The same obvious rule for planting fruit seeds can be applied on avocado seeds; if an avocado plant gets on well, it will grow fast. This means that you have to change to a bigger pot as the plant gets bigger. Fertilize it once a week during the summer, water it regularly and shower it now and then. It's a hardy plant but still you have to take care of it!
