How to grow an avocado from a seed

Avocado is an exotic plant, it’s hard to believe, but growing it at home is quite easy.

In order for it to decorate the interior and even bear fruit, it is necessary to plant it correctly and then care for this tropical beauty.

Characteristics of domesticated avocado

When kept indoors, the plant has a number of characteristics:

• In natural conditions it grows to 20 m, at home – up to 3 m.
• Fruits appear rarely, as a rule, the plant is used as an ornamental.
• When fruiting occurs, it can occur in the 3rd to 6th year, the resulting fruits are edible, but somewhat inferior in taste to store-bought ones.
• Has the ability to purify the air.

Timing of avocado planting, selection and preparation of planting material

It's best to grow a tree from seed in the spring, during the active growth period. Choose a fully ripe, undamaged fruit.

Characteristics of ripe fruit:

• darkness of the peel;
• maximum density and elasticity of the pulp; when squeezing and releasing the fruit, it takes its original shape;
• ease of separating a stone the size of a quail egg.

Method of stimulating ripening

If the avocado isn't quite ripe, place it alongside a banana, apple, or tomato. These foods contain ethylene, a gas that accelerates ripening. At temperatures between 18 and 23°C, the avocado will ripen in two days.

The fruit is then cut down the middle and the pit is removed by twisting it. It is carefully rinsed under the tap.

Planting methods, pot, soil

There are two methods for sprouting avocados:

• closed;
• open.

Closed method

This process involves directly planting the seed into the pot.

Step by step it happens like this:

• Prepare the container by placing 1.5-2 cm of drainage material (small expanded clay, pebbles) on the bottom.
• Prepare a nutrient mixture for planting: use equal parts sand, humus, and garden soil, possibly adding peat and a little ash. The soil should be loose and well-drained. Add it over the drainage layer, filling the container to a height of 1-1.5 cm from the top.
• Place the blunt end of the bone into the soil to a depth of about 3 cm, leaving the sharp end protruding above the surface. Water generously.
• Place the pot on a bright windowsill in a warm room. Water periodically, avoiding the soil from drying out or becoming overwatered.
• A sprout should appear in about a month.

Open method

With this method, at the initial stage, the planting material is germinated in a glass of water.

It consists of the following actions:

• Prepare a container with cool water and hydrogel.
• Make three holes (120° angle), or four holes (90° angle) in a circle around the middle part of the bone, into which sticks (toothpicks, matches, etc.) are inserted.
• Resting the bone on them, place it with the blunt end in the glass, immersing it 1/3 full.
• Constantly monitor the water level and add more as it decreases.
• After the root appears (0.5-2.5 months), transplant into soil prepared in the same way as for the closed method.

Another method that relates to the open method is:

• Place the planting material in wet cotton wool, constantly moistening it.
• When dividing it into two parts, plant it in a pot.
• The sprout will appear in 1-2 weeks.

Avocado care

To grow an avocado at home, you need to meet several conditions:

• Plant so that the tip of the seed is always above the soil level.
• Maintain living conditions for the plant that are close to natural tropical conditions.

Parameter	Spring/summer	Autumn/Winter
Location	South, east, west window.
Lighting	Bright but diffused for 15 hours.	With the help of additional illumination for half a day.
Temperature	+16…+20 °C.	+10…+12 °C.
Watering	When the soil dries out, about once a week.	When the soil is completely dry, after 2-3 days.
Humidity	Maintain a high level. Place plants with large leaves nearby. Place moistened sand or expanded clay in the tray. Mist 4-5 times a day in hot conditions (heated or summer).
Top dressing	2-3 times a month.	once a month.
	Fertilizer for ornamental flowering plants.

Avocado transplant

The transplant procedure must be carried out in a timely manner, preferably in the spring:

• The first one is a 15 cm sprout.
• The second and subsequent ones - every year.

The soil composition is the same as when planting. The pot is approximately 5 cm larger each time.

Trimming

Tree formation is carried out in early spring:

• The first is the upper level of 7-8 leaves, the lateral ones are 5-6.
• The second and subsequent ones are to maintain one height to form a large crown.

It's a good idea to plant three plants and intertwine their trunks as they grow, resulting in an original tree with a lush crown.

Diseases, pests and other problems

Avocados, like any plant, are susceptible to disease and pest attacks. This is often due to improper care.

Manifestation	Cause	Elimination
Drying and falling of leaves.	Low or high temperatures. Under- or over-watering. Dry indoor air.	Monitor the plant, changing the conditions. Once the cause is identified, correct the problem.
Paleness of foliage	Spider mites, scale insects, powdery mildew.	Remove affected areas. Treat with a solution of laundry soap. As a last resort, use insecticides (Aktara, Actellic).