Avocados are very popular these days. The tropical fruits have numerous nutrients and a characteristic aroma. With the increasing interest in the avocado, more and more people are considering getting a specimen, as the care is not too complex and Persea americana even bears the aromatic fruits in Europe. However, since the plants are usually a bit more expensive in stores, growing them from the avocado seed is a cheaper option.
Grow avocado plant
Preparation of the core
The most important thing when growing an avocado is of course the pit. The avocado pit is the seed of the plant and needs to be thoroughly prepared before planting to prevent mold growth. Proceed as follows:
1. Select avocado
Basically, you cannot buy an avocado seed like seeds. The only and easiest way is to buy an avocado in the supermarket, from which you remove the avocado seed and use it to grow a new one. When buying, you should choose an already ripe fruit. You can recognize them by the dark green to brown color of the skin and the soft flesh. Shake the fruit to be sure. If you hear a knock, it's ripe.
2. Halve the avocado
Carefully cut the fruit in half. You cut either lengthwise or crosswise around the whole fruit so that you end up with two avocado halves in your hand. During this step, you must be careful not to cut into the seed, as damage to the core can quickly lead to mold growth. Once the fruit is cut open, you must twist the two halves in opposite directions, which will easily separate the pulp from the seed.
3. Release skin
You have now removed the avocado seed from the fruit. Check for possible damage or mold. Then loosen the enclosing skin of the avocado seeds. This measure facilitates the germination of the kernel and is an additional protection against mold.
The avocado seed is now ready and can be used to grow a new Persea americana. During use, be careful not to drop the seeds as the seeds are very slippery and can easily be damaged. Please note that the germination time for avocados depends on the size of the pit. Large avocado seeds only germinate after several months, while small seeds sprout within four weeks.
tip: Be careful not to choose fruit with dark brown or black skin as these are overripe and should not be eaten. In most cases, the pit of these avocados is infected with mold, making them impossible to propagate.
Direct sowing: instructions
Sowing seeds in a nursery is the best way to plant an avocado seed. This method provides the seed with the necessary foundation for germination and taproot formation, without which Persea americana could not grow. The best time for this is the January or February, since the germination time of the avocado is very long and it can therefore germinate easily over the rest of the winter. For the cultivation you need:
- potting soil
- Flower pot (diameter: 10 cm)
- Indoor greenhouse or cling film
Cultivation soil is ideal for avocados, as the seeds form roots that need a lot of air and also store water. For this reason, potting soil is chosen, because it supplies the cores with sufficient nutrients and water due to the high humus content, at the same time the substrate is loosened by the sand it contains and cannot be compacted. When choosing the flower pots, make sure that they are not too low, as avocados develop a small taproot. In addition, the pot must have a drainage hole. Proceed as follows when propagating:
1. Fill the pot with soil
First fill the pot with potting soil. Be careful not to fill it all the way to the brim so that the avocado pit doesn't sit too far above the pot. Why should you choose pots with a diameter of ten centimeters? Then you don't have to repot. Repotting the avocado is not necessary in the first year, as the plant feeds on the avocado seed and therefore does not need fresh substrate. It could also happen that the roots, which are even finer at this point, are damaged.
2. Moisten the substrate
Moisten the substrate well. It should be very moist, almost wet, before planting the core. Although avocados like a moist substrate, they do not like persistent waterlogging. For this reason, it is important that the pot you choose has drainage holes, otherwise the water will build up too much and the avocado stone will become mouldy. However, you do not need a special drainage layer to grow the seeds.
3. Insert the avocado core
Now put the avocado seed in the substrate. To do this, take the seed in your hand and look for the flat side, because this is put into the ground. Once you find this site, plant the avocado seed halfway through. Now the upper part of the core should look out of the substrate, which is ideal for the germination of the plant.
4. Germination
Planting the avocado is now complete. This is followed by germination, which allows the avocado seed to form roots and shoots. Either place the pot in a mini greenhouse or seal it with cling film. Although the mini greenhouse is the more effective method, the foil is also possible, it just sometimes takes a little longer and you have to lift the foil daily to let fresh air into the avocado seeds.
5. Location
If you have chosen a mini greenhouse for germination, choose a location without direct sunlight. The temperature should be a constant 20 °C throughout the germination period and it must not get colder, otherwise the avocado seeds are in danger of freezing. The humidity is kept at the right level by adding irrigation water, because the seedlings need sufficient moisture to develop their roots. For this reason, you should definitely not miss the watering.
If you choose to use cling film, you must also place the pots in a warm location at 20°C, but this must be protected from drafts. Drafts are deadly for the plant, especially when the first shoots break out of the core. Here, too, no bright location is necessary.
6. Formation of the shoots
Now let the seeds germinate. Over time you will notice that this is breaking up and shoots are slowly forming. As soon as the first shoots can be seen, the plants must be placed in the light. However, the place should not be in direct sunlight. Likewise, no draft is recommended here, because otherwise the leaves will dry out. You should also not move the cores from this point onwards, otherwise the developed roots could break off.
Peeling the pits is the best way to propagate an avocado. Planting is quick and easy, but you have to be patient until you can bring in the first harvest. On average, an avocado tree needs between 6 and 15 years until the first fruits are formed. You should plan this waiting time before multiplying.
tip: Watch for possible mold or rot throughout the germination period. If this is the case, the attempt is unsuccessful and you have to start over.
Toothpick Method: Instructions
The toothpick method is one of the most common ways to grow avocados. Propagating via the toothpick method makes one water bath use and is a bit more complicated than direct sowing in potting soil. In addition, the success rate is not that high because the avocado pits are quite sensitive and sometimes rot with the toothpick method. Proceed as follows:
1. The right glass
First, choose a jar that will fit the avocado pit. The edge shouldn't be too far from the avocado seed, but shouldn't touch it.
2. Toothpick
Now insert three toothpicks into the prepared avocado stone. These should be arranged in such a way that the seed does not fall into the water and is kept up over the germination period. The pointed side of the core must point upwards so that the flat side lies in the water. Be careful not to damage the seed during this step or it will start to get moldy.
3. Insert core
Fill the jar with water and place the avocado seed in the jar. The toothpicks should now hold the avocado seed so that its underside is moistened and germination can begin.
4. Location
During the germination period of several weeks, the location should have a constant temperature of 20 °C and not be exposed to drafts. Top up with water if it evaporates.
5. Planting
As soon as a taproot has appeared, the young avocado is relocated to fresh substrate. This should also be a permeable substrate for growing plants. Further germination takes place as described in the instructions above.
