Growing Avocado From Seed
You can easily grow avocado from a seed, as long as you know how to select the seed and then take so that germination occurs. Take a ripe avocado. You will know it is ripe when you squeeze it. If the fruit is soft, it is perfect for selecting the seed. Cut along the length of the fruit, making sure that you do not damage the seed inside. Then twist the two halves in opposite directions. This will separate the fruit andyou can remove the seed.
Wash the seed under flowing water to get rid of the fruit flesh sticking to it. Use a sharp knife to slice off the top as well as the bottom of the seed to hasten germination. Now wrap it is a damp paper towel and place it into a closed container. Put the container in a dark place and let it stay there for around 2 to 4 weeks. Keep checking on the seed periodically during this period. You will notice that roots are coming out of the broad end of the seed. The moment the roots attain a length of three inches, the seed is ready for planting.
The roots will have 2 distinct color; red and white. Make sure that when you plant the seed, it is the white part that is submerged in the soil. At this point, it is best to plant the avocado seed in a container. Keep the red portion of the roots and around one-third of the upper part of the seed out of the soil. Place the seed in the middle of the container. Prepare the potting soil by mixing one part peat, one part perlite and one part sterilized potting soil. Pack this soil firmly around the seed and ensure that it is quite wet for the initial one week.
Once your avocado tree grows and is too big for the pot, it will be time to transplant it outdoors in your garden. Make sure that you transplant the tree during spring.
While the plant is growing in the container, ensure that it is not kept in direct sunlight, as it will die. Keep the temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate quick growth. These conditions are also required once the avocado tree is transplanted outdoors.
Mist the leaves with water every two to three days if you intend keeping the plant indoors.
Once the tree is two to three feet tall, it is time to prune it. This will make the tree bushier and also slow down the vertical growth. Make sure that the area you transplant the tree to has well draining soil, as avocados are prone to root rot. Do not over water the plant to prevent root rot. Just water every few days until the soil is wet, but ensure that the soil does not get water logged.
During summer and spring, fertilize the tree every two weeks. But once winter sets in, feed the soil with fertilizer just every six weeks.
If you take care of the watering and soil condition, you will have a healthy avocado tree growing in your garden. Remember, the tree does not like intense heat and hence, it is best to grow in partial shade. Try to cover it up during hot summer months, so that it does not wilt or get burned by the sun. Nonetheless, the tree is a tropical or sub-tropical fruit tree.
The avocado tree will take several years to bear fruits. However, if you have the patience, you can enjoy fresh avocados from your tree and use them to make salads or even eat them as a fruit. However, many people do not like the taste of avocado as a fruit. But, you can improve the taste by adding sugar or honey. Nonetheless, the fruit is healthy and is a great addition to any dish you prepare at home, especially salads. If you cannot wait for the tree to bear fruits, then enjoy its evergreen leaves and use the tree to add more color to your garden.
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