To grow an avocado tree from seed is easy if you know what you're doing. In this article, we'll show you how to do it right.
The avocado tree is native to Mexico and Central America. It has been cultivated for thousands of years in tropical regions around the world. Avocados are rich in nutrients and contain many beneficial phytonutrients. They also provide a source of fiber, potassium, vitamin E, folate, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Choose the Right Variety
There are two main varieties of avocados grown commercially today: Hass and Fuerte. Both varieties produce large fruit with thick flesh. However, there are differences between them. Hass avocados are more common and widely available. They are larger than Fuertes and have a thicker skin. Fuertes are sweeter and have thinner skins.
Prepare the Soil and Plant the Seeds
To start growing an avocado tree from seed, you need to prepare the soil first. You will also need to plant the seeds at the proper depth and spacing
Once you've prepared the soil, you can plant the seeds. Start by planting them in small pots with potting soil. Then transplant them into larger containers when they sprout.
It's important to water the plants regularly so they can develop strong roots. You should also fertilize them once every two weeks.
Or Use Water to Grow Sprouts
Prepare the avocado seed by washing it thoroughly with soap and water, and remove the top skin of your avocado, but leave the bottom intact. Make a hole in a glass or container deep enough to barely cover the bottom of the avocado.
Suspend the avocado over the water with three toothpicks, evenly spaced around the circumference of the top half of the fruit. The bottom half should be just barely touching the water. Be careful to keep the toothpicks in place and not fall into your cup!
Place your cup in a warm, sunny location. Some like to put them on window sills, but since sun often only hits one side of your window sill it may get lopsided. Sunlight from both sides is critical for growth. If you want faster results, consider buying a grow light for about $10 at your local garden store (but it’s by no means necessary).
Change out your water once a week and make sure to keep checking up on your seed’s progress! Watch for small roots to start growing within 2-6 weeks. Once roots are about an inch long, start adding more water to make it deeper so that more roots can grow longer.
When should you move the seed to the field
It will need a decent amount of roots first. Sprouting sometimes happens first, but usually at the same time as rooting. When the roots are beginning to become abundant and the stem gets long enough, about 30cm each, then you can transfer it into soil. Keep it moist for a while until it “hardens” or becomes toughened enough to stand less watering without dying. Usually a week. Allow the sprout to have full sun for a few days before transplanting it to also harden it in preparation for the transfer.
Harvest the Fruit
It will take from several years to a dozen for Avocado to be mature enough to bear fruits. Once the fruit starts to ripen, you can harvest it by cutting off the top with a knife. Then, gently pull the fruit away from the plant.
It's fund to watch your baby grow up as you take care of them everyday and then one day you eventually see the result.
