How to grow avocado in pots starting from the seed, 4 toothpicks are enough to make the plant germinate

The next time you eat an avocado, don’t throw away the seed… plant it! Growing an avocado it has never been so simple and with these few steps you can even grow one on your balcony!

Multiplication by seed is the easiest, so once you have eaten your beautiful avocado, do not throw away the large stone, but clean it thoroughly from the pulp residues and keep it for planting.

What does it take to sprout and grow an avocado

The procedure is very simple and very few things are needed to experiment with growing an avocado at home:

Once you have obtained the seed, insert 3 or 4 toothpicks perpendicular to each other and place it in a glass with water and with the roundest part facing downwards. In practice, the seed must rest on a rack made of toothpicks so that it is only half immersed in the water.

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At this point, place the glass in a medium-lit place and remember to add the water as it evaporates.

Once this is done, you will have to be patient a little, in fact, it will take about four or five weeks before the roots emerge.

You will always have to continue adding water even once the roots appear in the lower part because soon a small sprout will emerge from the seed which will become a beautiful leaf.

At this point your little avocado is ready to be planted. Remove the toothpicks and place the seed with the roots and the shoot in a jar, reminding you that, as it is a tropical plant, it requires heat and humidity.

However, avoid excessively wetting the soil which must always be well drained.

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In a short time your little plant will become a splendid little tree!

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The entire procedure of growing avocado from seed can be done at any time of the year. The subsequent phases and planting in the ground outside the house will then be the real challenges given that this tree cannot tolerate very harsh climates.

How to choose the right avocado seed

Not all avocado seeds are equally likely to germinate, so it is important to select a fresh, undamaged seed, preferably from an organic avocado, to avoid chemical treatments that can reduce the seed’s ability to germinate. If possible, choose a ripe, locally grown avocado, as it is better suited to the climate and has a better chance of success.

What are the common problems?

Growing an avocado can present some challenges. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

How to stimulate more luxuriant growth

To help the plant develop a thick foliage, prune the central shoot once it has reached a height of about 30 cm. This will stimulate the production of lateral branches and make the tree more resistant. Repeat pruning every spring, removing any dry or too weak branches.

When it should be transplanted

When the seedling outgrows its original pot, consider transplanting. It is important that the next pot is well drained and deep enough to allow root development. If you live in an area with mild winters, you can transplant the plant outdoors after two or three years, choosing a sunny area protected from the wind.

When the fruits grow

Even when carefully grown, avocados may take up to 5-10 years to produce fruit, and only if conditions are optimal. To increase the chances of fruiting, it may be useful to have at least two plants, one belonging to group A and one to group B, to encourage cross-pollination.

Things to know, tips and tricks:

The avocado (in botany American Persea) is a tropical tree 6 to 20 meters high. In nature it grows spontaneously from Mexico until Brazil. Today it is grown in all tropical and subtropical areas but also in Italy and with the advice of GreenMe even at your home!

If you don’t want to grow a plant, there are several ways to reuse the avocado seed, you can dry it, grate it and use it as a food supplement, rich in antioxidants, or to prepare a tea with beneficial properties. Some also use it as a natural dye or to create crafts.

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