
How to Grow an Avocado (Plant)
Tereza Fejtková
Has any of you ever thought of growing your own avocado? Even if you answered no, I'm going to teach and show you, how to simply reuse the seeds you have been throwing away and turn them into beautiful plants!
Now, this might seem funny like the question of if the chicken was before the egg, but for us to have an avocado (or at least the plant), we will primarily need one. Now let's just hop into it!
Step 1: Remove the pit carefully, preferably without using a knife as it might damage the seed. The avocado you're using should be as perfectly ripe as possible and freshly cut. (Just remember it next time you'll be making your favorite toasts).
Step 2: We will need to wash our seed under warm water with a cloth or soft brush, to remove all the flesh there is around it. Then you can gently wipe it however, it should stay wet and we will wrap the seed into a paper towel. Be careful so the towel is not dripping wet, but if there is not enough moisture, you can wet the towel a little as well.
Step 3: Place your avocado junior into a plastic bag with an air source (so do not shut the zip tight). We will then let it grow in a dark cupboard or drawer.
Step 4: Check on your baby seed every three to four days while making sure your paper towel is still wet. Once you see the germination, it is a good sign that the seed will soon split much more and little roots will eventually grow out of it. While it stays like this ensure that the seed is not split by force (let it naturally be) and the roots are being delicately handled.
Step 5: Yay! If you have managed to come to this stage, you are getting closer. Once the root is at least 7,6 cm long, it will be time to find a real home for our avocado junior. It is best to fill the pot halfway through and gently place the seed there, without breaking the roots. Then keep adding the potting mix, until only the top is visible. Place your pot into a warm room with strong indirect light and water it often, so it is moist ( your seed doesn't want to go for a swim yet so don't overdo it).
Tips: It is best to ensure the humidity is on a certain or high level because as you may know, avocados usually do not grow in our country.
You can also use some nourishing fertilizer, but be careful with it.
Further information:
Sadly to say though, for our plant to produce actual avocados it would take years and they probably wouldn't look as pretty as the store-bought ones. And it is mainly because farmers or commercial growers use different, faster, and sometimes not the healthiest ways to raise their avocado families. It is a way to grow a real avocado, but the slowest one. Nevertheless, it is still great to add a new type of plant to your collection at home!
Edited by B. Trnková
