How to properly grow seed avocados at home?

Avocado is a type of tropical fruit tree that is very popular with exotic plant lovers. Many of them have a plant in their collection, since it is quite easy to grow an avocado with your own hands. But in order for it to grow and please its owner, careful care is needed.

Features of homemade avocado tree

A home-grown avocado tree has a number of features:

1. In its natural habitat, the plant grows to a height of 20 meters, and a small tree growing at home reaches a maximum of 2.5–3 meters.
2. Fruiting of this tree is very rare. It is mainly used as a decorative element.
3. If you are lucky, the fruiting of the tree begins at 3–6 years of growth. Its fruits are quite edible, although they are slightly inferior to the imported ones in taste.
4. The plant purifies the air, and thanks to the original and lush crown, a warm and cozy atmosphere prevails in the room.

Conditions for growing avocados

To grow an avocado from a seed at home, you must adhere to some rules. It is better to plant the seeds in the spring, it is during this period that active growth of plants is observed. For harvesting planting material, it is necessary to choose a ripe fruit that does not have deformations.

Indicators of a ripe product are the peel of the fruit of a dark color, dense and elastic pulp, after pressing on the fruit, it regains its shape, the bone is easily separated from the pulp, a high-quality bone is the size of a quail egg.

If the product is slightly unripe, you need to put it in a paper bag with products that contain a large portion of ethylene - this is a gas that accelerates fruit ripening. These include bananas, apples, or tomatoes. When storing the fruit at a temperature of 18 to 23 degrees, after 2 days, the avocado will reach the required condition.

Avocado seed germination stages

Growing an avocado at home from a seed is done in this sequence.

The seed is removed. For this, a small incision is made in the center of the fetus, 1 cm deep and carefully, with rotating movements, its bone is cut out. Further, it is washed under running water without damaging the brown shell.

Before germinating an avocado, a place is prepared for its growth:

1. A drainage system is laid in the pot, for which ordinary gravel or expanded clay is suitable.
2. A nutrient mixture is prepared, consisting of equal parts of humus, garden soil and sand. Since the avocado can be planted directly into the soil, for the normal germination of its seed, it must have a loose consistency.
3. The prepared mixture is poured into the pot, leaving a little free space, 1–2 cm from the top edge.

The seed is germinated using different methods.

How to germinate an avocado seed

The closed method provides for the germination of planting material directly in the soil. To do this, the bone is placed in the ground 25 mm deep, the sharp end is on top and watered well, soaking the entire soil. The container is placed in a warm place with good lighting and watered throughout the entire germination period. After 20-30 days, a sprout will appear.

The open method of growing avocados is to hang the seeds in a container of water, suspended. This requires:

• prepare a glass or other container;
• in the middle part of the seed, from different sides, make 3-4 holes into which toothpicks are inserted, 2-3 mm deep (they act as a support so that the seed cannot completely submerge in water, but only its lower part);
• the seed is placed in a prepared container with cold water, with a blunt end, and the immersion of the planting material should be 1/3 of its part;
• instead of water, you can use a hydrogel, which is able to retain moisture for a long time;
• throughout the entire period of germination, you need to ensure that the water level does not decrease;
• after the first root appears, the plant can be transplanted into the ground, but in order for the plant to take root, its roots must be at least 30 mm.

It takes 2 to 6 weeks for the first roots to appear.

Avocado seed contains a substance such as persin, which disrupts the digestive system and causes various allergic reactions. Therefore, it is recommended to work with rubber gloves.

Conditions for growing an avocado tree

After the avocado seed has been planted at home, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to arrange its place.

For the normal growth of avocados, you need to comply with some requirements:

1. Regular moistening of the soil, which occurs as it dries. On average, watering is performed once every 10 days. In the winter season, the tree is watered less often, allowing the soil to stand dry for a couple of days, this is necessary to maintain the optimum level of soil moisture.
2. Maintaining moist air is achieved in different ways - this is placing a pot with a tree next to crops that release a lot of moisture, spraying the leaves of plants, in the summer season or heating, the pot is placed on a pallet with wet sand.
3. Providing a favorable temperature regime in the room, which should be in the range of 16-20 degrees. In winter, the temperature is favorable - 10-12 degrees, as the plant falls into a state of dormancy and sheds its leaves.
4. Timely feeding of the plant. On average, it is performed 1–2 times a month. For feeding, mixtures for growing ornamental crops are used.

When the leaves turn yellow, you need to pay attention to the frequency and amount of watering. This is usually a sign of over-watering.

Avocado tree decoration

Before growing an avocado from a seed at home, you need to think over all the nuances of its decorative design:

1. Some options involve planting several shoots in a pot, with further intertwining of their stems, thereby obtaining a lush and original tree.
2. To obtain a tall tree, it is recommended to transplant it at least once a year. The favorable period for this procedure is the end of February, this is the time when the plants actively begin to grow. The first transplant should be carried out when the tree reaches a height of 15 cm.
3. To reduce the intensity of avocado growth, pinching of its top is carried out. This procedure accelerates the growth of lateral shoots, which makes the crown lush and attractive.

Forming pruning is done in the spring when all plants are actively growing. The first pruning of the top is done after 8-10 leaves, in the presence of lateral shoots, their shortening is performed after 5 leaves.

From seed germination to a formed tree - video

Avocados have very fragile branches covered with smooth glossy bark. The leaves, which have a dark green tint, are rather large and tough. In length they reach 25 cm. Their shape can be oval and lanceolate. Avocado flowers are small, bisexual: the stamens are arranged in several circles around the pistil. They are located at the ends of the shoots. When growing an avocado from a stone at home, a tree can reach 2 m.

The taste of the fruit, which contains a large amount of vitamins, resembles butter. Avocado is ideal for preparing various salads, as well as Japanese cuisine (sushi). Therefore, today more and more people want to know how to plant a pitted avocado.

How to choose a bone for planting

To grow an avocado tree at home, you will need the most mature fruit, since the seed in such a fruit is already in the condition necessary for planting. The ripeness of the fruit can be determined by pressing on its sides, after which small dents should remain on them.

To get the bone out of the fruit, you need to take a sharp knife and cut the fruit in diameter, being careful not to damage the bone itself. If the fruit is chosen correctly, it will easily come off the pulp.

The removed bone is washed in running water, after which it is laid out on a plate to dry. At this time, you can prepare the container for germination.

How to sprout an avocado from a seed

Today, there are two ways to germinate avocado seeds. It can be planted directly in the ground or germinated in water. In the first case, obtaining any result can be achieved only after several weeks and even months, and in the second, the process goes much faster. In addition, the first method is most suitable for experienced flower growers who know everything not only by hearsay about how to grow an avocado from a seed, but also about the need to adjust the moisture content of the soil and air. Therefore, the second option is more suitable for beginners.

To germinate an avocado from a seed in water, it is necessary to carry out simple preparatory work. To do this, three small holes are made on the surface of the bone using a thick needle, which pierces the top layer. It is very important not to damage the inside of it. Matches or toothpicks are inserted into the finished holes. The result should be a kind of design with handles that stick out in different directions.

Now you need to take a glass of water and put a bone in it so that its thick side is at the bottom. Matches should lie on the sides, holding it in weight. Water is best used boiled and cooled to room temperature. The bone should only lightly touch it, and not be completely immersed in it. As the liquid evaporates, it must be added.

The appearance of the first roots can be expected in two weeks. But this is only on condition that the bone is provided with constant moisture. It can be transplanted into the ground as soon as the roots grow up to 3 cm.

Transplanting an avocado seed into the ground

To grow an avocado from a stone at home, it is necessary to prepare a loose substrate consisting of a mixture of humus, raw peat, earth and sand, taken in equal proportions, to which 14 parts of lime are added.

The planting pot must be made of plastic. For the first time, a small container will be enough, the depth and diameter of which is no more than 9 cm.At the bottom of it, small holes are necessarily made, intended for the release of excess moisture. In addition, you need to prepare high-quality drainage using expanded clay or polystyrene for this.

When answering the question of how to sprout an avocado from a stone, it must be borne in mind that in no case should it be completely buried in the ground, since in this case it will simply rot. It is immersed in the ground with the blunt end down only halfway. In the same way, the seed is planted in the ground without preliminary germination.

A bone planted in the ground needs to create a constantly high humidity. The substrate must always be slightly wet. If everything is done correctly, very soon you will be able to see the first leaves of the avocado.

Growing an avocado from a seed: care

Avocado thrives in a bright place, while it should be protected from direct sunlight. The plant is thermophilic. The optimum temperature for avocados is 18 ° C. In winter, the temperature of its content should not be lower than 12 ° C. If it is lower, the tree will begin to shed its leaves.

In the spring and summer, the tree needs abundant watering. In winter and autumn, watering should be moderate, as the soil dries up. In no case should you overmoisten the earth. In addition, in the autumn-winter period, it is necessary to take care of additional lighting, using special phytolamps for this.

Growing an avocado from a seed is possible only if the air humidity in the room is high, especially during the heating season. This can be achieved with frequent spraying.

Pinching avocado

The seed avocado grows rather quickly and tends to stretch out. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly pinch to give the tree a bush shape. If you pinch the top of the head, you can achieve better branching of the plant. Pinching the stem is done to give it a stunted shape and further germination of shoots from dormant buds. It is produced at a level of at least 15 cm from the surface of the earth, leaving 3-4 shoots, which should be directed in different directions. As soon as the stem reaches 20 cm, the tops are pinched to form the branches of the next order.

The first pinching procedure is performed over the eighth leaf, after which the plant will begin to branch. The twigs are pinched over the fifth leaf.

Proper pinching and proper care of the tree helps it to form a crown. This is a prerequisite for fruiting.

Pollination of avocados

The knowledge of how to plant an avocado from a stone is not always enough for the tree in this case to begin to bloom, and even more so to bear fruit. And despite the fact that the plant is capable of self-pollination, results can only be achieved with cross-pollination. Not even all wild avocado flowers bear fruit. So, on a twenty-meter tree with abundant flowering, 150-200 fruits are formed, no more.

At home, you can artificially cross-pollinate numerous avocado flowers with a soft brush. You need to start as soon as they bloom, and the pollen is ripe. This should be done in the early morning and preferably on a sunny day. An avocado tree that has been harvested from the seed will not be able to bear fruit. If it is cloudy outside and no warming is planned, you can extend the lighting of the plant during the flowering period up to 15 hours a day using supplementary lighting. Cross-pollination is carried out three times a month, after which the plant is fertilized.

Top dressing

The avocado tree begins to feed at the age of one. Mineral fertilizer should be applied 4 times a year. This should be done in the spring or summer once or twice a month. When feeding already mature trees, the amount of nitrogen is increased, which must be applied to the soil twice a year, at the end of winter and at the beginning of summer.

Sometimes the leaves on a mature tree start to turn yellow unexpectedly. The reason for this is the lack of zinc and iron. To avoid this, the plant is sprayed with iron chelate and additionally fertilized with formulations containing large amounts of iron and zinc.

Avocado transplant

Young plants need annual replanting. And it is necessary to make a transplant after the winter dormant period. For this, it is important to use fertile and well-drained soil.

Experienced gardeners, who know perfectly well how to grow an avocado from a stone, advise, if possible, to put a container with a tree outside in the summer, not forgetting that when young, avocados are very sensitive to the sun and can die from sunburn. Therefore, the plant first keeps in full shade, gradually getting used to the light. You can also whitewash the barrel to avoid problems.

If it is not possible to carry out a complete plant transplant, you can simply remove the top layer of soil and carefully spill the soil remaining in the pot with boiled water. This will prevent the tree from suffering from soil salinization.

Potential pests and diseases of avocados

The main pests of avocados are spider mites, scale insects and false scales, due to the action of which the leaves begin to turn yellow and fly around. To prevent this, there is little knowledge about how to grow an avocado from a seed. They still need to be remembered to be put into practice, namely, to regularly inspect the tree for their timely detection.

Are the avocado leaves turning brown and starting to fall off? The air is too dry. Problems can be avoided if you do not forget to constantly spray the plant with water at room temperature.

If the leaves begin to lose their color, you need to adjust the lighting. If the plant has been in a darkened place for a long time, then it must be taught to light gradually.

Anyone who enjoys working with the land and growing plants will certainly love and experiment with planting seeds of various fruits at home, including overseas ones. But planting an avocado simply by burying a bone in the ground will not work - it is necessary to create special conditions so that after a certain time the “overseas” tree will turn green on your windowsill.

Growing an avocado at home - step one

To begin with, I would like to note that avocado is grown at home only as an ornamental plant. It decorates the interior of the room, creates a special atmosphere, releases a lot of oxygen, but nothing more. Even with the most careful care according to all the rules, this tropical tree at home very rarely blooms, and fruiting happens even less often, so you should not wait for the harvest.

Even with the most careful care according to all the rules, this tropical tree at home very rarely blooms

So, if you nevertheless decide to plant an alligator pear (the second name for an avocado), then in order to achieve at least some results, you must first of all get planting material. Not every fruit is suitable for this. It is necessary to choose the largest and ripe (or better - overripe) fruits, the peel of which was not damaged during transportation. If there are only hard avocados on the counter, then for planting the fruit must be left at room temperature at home for several days, which will allow it to ripen. The bone must be removed with extreme caution. The remnants of the pulp must be washed off under a stream of warm running water, after which it is worth letting the bone dry (but in no case postpone planting for a month or a week. It is optimal to do seed on the same day). When the planting material is ready, you can safely proceed to the second stage.

How to plant a bone - step two

It is useless to simply plant an avocado seed in a pot with soil, you must first prepare it. To do this, the seed is soaked in sufficiently hot water (but not boiling water) for half an hour.Next, the shell is removed from the heated bone, the tip is cut off from the narrow side, and the cut is treated with an antifungal drug, which must be purchased in advance in a specialized store. After that, the wide end of the bone is placed by a third in the prepared soil mixture. (we'll talk about how to properly prepare the soil a little later). Further, the future plant grown at home is left alone - until the moment of germination, only watering is needed once a week.

While waiting for a sprout, it is very important to monitor the quality and amount of water in the glass.

There is another way to grow seed avocados at home, which is considered more reliable. It is necessary to take three or four toothpicks, and along the perimeter at the middle level, make punctures and insert prepared toothpicks into them, sticking them to a depth of 2-5 mm. The entire structure must be placed in a glass with pre-settled water at room temperature, so that the blunt end of the bone is in the water, and the punctures remain dry. Many agronomists advise, in this case, to take not just settled water, but add a little charcoal to the bottom of the glass. If there is none at home, replace it with a simple activated one.

While waiting for a sprout, it is very important to monitor the quality and quantity of water in the glass. Fine dust, debris and microorganisms slow down the "pecking" process. Therefore, every 2-3 days, the bone must be removed and the water in the glass must be quickly replaced with a new one. The process of sprouting a seed at home is quite long, so don't be alarmed if you don't see any results even after a month. As a rule, sprouts and roots can be seen after about 5-8 weeks (it all depends on the planting season). Once the shoots have reached 4 cm, the seed is ready to be planted in the ground.

Transplanting into the ground - step three

Avocados do not like too heavy, acidic and clayey soils, so simple soil from a garden plot will not work. The soil mixture will have to be prepared as follows: It is necessary to take in equal proportions garden soil, peat, coarse sand, humus and a pinch of lime. Mix all components thoroughly. That's it, the soil mixture is ready. The same soil must be used in the case of planting the bones directly into the ground.

Avocado dislikes heavy, acidic and clayey soils

Since the soil from the garden can be filled with harmful microbes, it is better to try to disinfect the prepared mixture by spilling it with boiling water the day before planting a seed or sprouted seed.

For planting, it is better to take a simple plastic pot, no more than 15 cm high. It is better not to use a clay container in this case, since the walls of such a pot can allow moisture to pass through, which is vital for an avocado. The bottom of the selected pot should be water-permeable, it should also be equipped with a drainage system, which can be done using special granules or the usual expanded clay.

A seed with a sprout does not need to be completely buried in the ground. It is only necessary to dig it in by a third. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Video about how to plant an avocado correctly

Home avocado care

But it is not enough to properly plant an avocado - it is necessary to provide the plant with proper care.

1. The plant does not like direct sunlight, so when growing it at home, you need to put a pot of avocado in partial shade or on the windows on the north side.
2. The tree must be pruned regularly, otherwise it will stretch out and no longer be so attractive.
3. The plant is very hygrophilous. In summer, it is necessary to ensure frequent watering, in winter a little less often. Overdried soil will cause the plant to shed its leaves. (Discarded leaves are not always indicative of a lack of moisture, however.)
4. In the summer-spring period, the tree needs feeding once a month.When grown at home, suitable for tropical plants that must be purchased at a specialized point of sale.

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Exotic crops are worthy of your site, greenhouse or ornamental garden. One of them is the avocado tree (perseus). It differs in height (reaches almost 20 m) and the presence of pear-shaped fruits, half of which is a grain. How to grow an avocado from a stone, summer residents can learn from the recommendations of gardeners and agronomists. Experts note the unpretentiousness of the plant, easy germination and the peculiarities of the formation of compositions.

Conditions to be followed

Deciduous tree is characterized by wide foliage, plastic trunks, which are intertwined like pigtails. Growing an avocado is simple: start by looking for a good, ripe fruit. Use a simple method: press down a little with your hands and release. The ripe fruit will return to its original shape. An unripe avocado is more difficult to grow because you have to wait for it to ripen. To speed up the process, place it in the same box with bananas or apples - the ethylene released from the fruit stimulates ripening.

Site preparation and lighting

It is important to plant the seed correctly. Gardeners recommend:

• plant a plant in an open sunny area, but light partial shade is possible;
• try not to give direct streams of light access to culture;
• at home, place the sprout on the windowsill.

The ideal place for a tree is the west side of the property, a windowsill or a balcony.

Temperature selection

The tropical plant is thermophilic. With a decrease in thermal performance, growing an avocado on your own from a pit taken out will not bring success. Draft will lead to rapid leaf fall. To create optimal conditions for hardwood, you must:

• maintain the desired temperature regime. In summer, room temperature is enough, and in winter it is better to set +20 degrees Celsius;
• take into account the dormant period and the risks of dropping leaves with an indicator of +12 degrees.

An evergreen tropical plant requires a balance of temperature - control it carefully.

Organization of watering

The tree is accustomed to heavy tropical rainfall, so it needs regular watering. It is worth taking care of the culture correctly: avoid waterlogging of the soil and increase the portions of water in the summer. Make sure that the topsoil is dry (2-3 days), and then add a little moisture. It remains inside the flowerpot for another 48 hours.

Maintaining normal air humidity

Avocados are grown in damp places because they are its foliage suffers from dry air. The following activities will help create a normal microclimate:

• carry out regular spraying;
• humidify the air, not the stem itself;
• avoid getting drops on the leaves.

A simple way to achieve a suitable moisture content for the tree is to install a pallet with expanded clay filler and periodically moisten it with water.

Application of dressings and fertilizers

Growing an avocado from a prepared seed according to all the rules does not provide for feeding in March - September. In the remaining months, fertilize citrus fruits once every 30 days. Feeding with fertilizers based on sodium, phosphorus and potassium is performed twice a year.
Proper care of avocados contributes to the rapid growth of a tree with a beautiful lush crown, saturating the air with oxygen.

Current germination methods

The avocado seed is independently cultivated by planting it in the ground or in water. At home, you can grow Mexican Perseus. Germination in the ground is long-term, shoots are formed in 2-3 months. A tropical tree grows faster in water, which makes the work of amateur gardeners easier.

Preparation of the bone

Purchase in a ripe alligator pear, no rot. Before planting an avocado, prepare a seed:

• carefully cut the fruit in the center. Try to cut the flesh 1 cm deep and, gently rotating the knife, cut out the bone.
• clean the core. Be sure to rinse it under water without a brush to keep the brown shell intact.
• When germinating the plant in water, make holes for the toothpicks. Lift the sharp end of the bone up and insert several toothpicks into it, deepening them by 5 mm.

After preparing the seed, you can solve the problem of how technologically correct to grow avocados at home.

Use of the aquatic environment

The bone is planted in a container with water, with a blunt side. The liquid should cover the seed by half. For avocados to take root, cultivate as follows:

1. carefully, using a thick needle, pierce the surface of the shell.
2. place a few toothpicks in the resulting holes.
3. put the grain in a glass of water with the thick side, placing toothpicks on its edges.
4. choose the right liquid - boiled, cooled to room temperature.
5. watch the water evaporate and add it gradually.

Primary roots appear in 14-21 days. A shoot grown up to 3 cm can be placed in the ground.

Landing in the ground

Prepare the soil mixture before planting the seed. You will need peat, earth, sand and humus in equal proportions, to which 14 servings of lime will be added. To germinate Perseus, you need:

1. Planting an avocado seed correctly means choosing a clay pot of the right size for it. A vessel with equal depth and diameter, 10 cm, would be optimal.
2. Make small holes in the container, thanks to which the liquid will not stagnate.
3. Prepare drainage - expanded clay or foam pieces.
4. How to plant an avocado seed, the previous method will tell you - with a blunt end down to the middle.

The plant is planted only in a clay pot filled with soil up to 2 cm from the edge. Instead of a soil mixture, you can mix earth and coconut fiber in equal parts.
Moisten the soil constantly and the first shoots may appear in 2-3 months.

Growing process

How to grow homemade avocado properly? Start by gently lifting the cracked bone out of the container of water. It is placed in a pot with a special soil mixture with a blunt edge down. Water the plant moderately, arrange drainage and lighting. Correct procedures will accelerate the growth rate of the Persea to 1 cm per day.

Transfer

The tropical tree grows up to 20 m in height. Cultivating the Mexican avocado variety will not produce the same result for gardeners. It will be possible to grow an avocado quickly only with frequent transplantation:

1. A 15 cm shoot is placed in a large container.
2. Young stems are transplanted once every 12 months, and then once every 3 years.
3. The soil is prepared in a special way - you need a loose soil, with a low level of acidity, fertilized with wood ash or dolomite flour. As a soil mixture, a composition is prepared based on peat, garden soil and coarse river sand in equal amounts.

How to plant a plant correctly without damaging the soil? Agronomists advise using the transshipment technique - the tree is transferred with a clod of earth from a container that has become small.

Forming and sanitary pruning

Gardeners who are thinking about how to plant an avocado are guided by its decorative properties. Several Perseus are planted in one container, and then the stems are intertwined intricately. To reduce the intensity of growth, pinching is carried out. The optimal number of leaves for the procedure is from 8 pieces. First, the upper part of the trunk is trimmed to form lush branches on the side, which are subsequently pinched.
Shaping pruning can be done in March. The procedure will improve the appearance of the crop, accelerate its growth and create a beautiful crown.

Why is there an avocado in the house?

The fruit - the alligator pear - is unique: from a biological point of view, it belongs to fruits (it grows on a tree, has a bone), and in terms of sugar content it resembles vegetables. The pulp of a ripe avocado is needed for culinary purposes - salads, snacks, cold dishes, sushi and the Mexican guacamole are prepared from it.
Vegetarians know how to grow Perseus while preserving the taste of the fruit: in terms of potassium, vitamins and oleic acid, it is an excellent alternative to meat and eggs.
Tropical culture is valued not only for its decorative qualities, but also for its beneficial properties:

• strengthens memory, improves concentration and stress resistance;
• eliminates the risks of heart and blood vessel disease;
• normalizes metabolic processes and blood pressure;
• strengthens the digestive system;
• carries out the prevention of periodontal disease, eczema and Paget's disease.

The beneficial properties of the fruit are preserved for 5 days - this is how long it is stored in the refrigerator.
When thinking about how to grow a healthy avocado effortlessly, keep in mind that proper care does not always guarantee fruit formation. Thanks to patience and hard work, you will grow a beautiful tree with an unusual crown, which will decorate a room, a greenhouse or a winter garden.