AVOCADO - How to Grow Avocados

If you have tried to grow avocados in your home a number of times and failed, it's okay.. you are not alone. But don't you just hate those people who had successfully grown an avocado tree? You go visit their house and the first thing you see is a beautiful avocado houseplant sitting in their living room and the proud owner saying "And this is my avocado tree named Abby." Yes, they even named their avocado tree. Well, don't fret. Soon you'll have your own avocado tree, and you can name it too. I'll show how.

If you don't live in countries where avocados are grown (in the USA only in California and Florida), you probably may not have seen a full-grown avocado tree.

An avocado tree grows to approximately 70 feet tall, with alternately arranged leaves which are about 5 inches to 10 inches long. The flowers are very small greenish-yellow. The pear-shaped fruit is about 3 inches to 8 inches long, weighs between about 3.5 oz to 35 oz, and has a large seed in the center.

Now, if you are worried that your avocado tree will grow that high and probably put a hole on your ceiling and through the roof, not to worry.. your avocado tree won't grow that high in a pot.

How to grow avocados

It is fun to watch an avocado stem sprouting from the pit. To be successful in growing an avocado tree from the pit, make sure that the pit matures inside the avocado. Some stores will put their overripe avocados on sale. The pits of those avocados are the best to grow.

Here's how to grow avocados from the pit:

• Remove the pit from a ripe, unrefrigerated avocado.
• Wash the pit thoroughly under cool water making sure you remove all the green fruit on it.
• Gently dub the pit with a paper towel to dry.
• Stab gently with three or four tooth picks, about one third of the way up.
• Place the avocado pit (point up) in a glass or jar filled with tepid water.
• Place the glass in a warm place away from direct sunlight.

Always check the water level and make sure that at least an inch of the base of the pit is in the water. Add more water as needed.

In four to six weeks, the pit should split and a stem will sprout from the top and roots will begin to grow at bottom. If there is no change in the pit by this time--sorry you got a dud. Better throw the pit out, buy another avocado, and start all over.

To make the stem stronger, when the stem grows to about six inches, cut the stem back to three inches. In another two to three weeks, new leaves will sprout and there will be more roots at the bottom.

Now, it's time to plant your avocado seedling. In a medium size flower pot (10-1/2 inches wide), put in some enriched potting soil up to about an inch to the top. Make a hole in the middle by pushing the soil down with your fingers, deep enough to cover the pit half-way. Place the pit (round at the bottom) in the hole and add more soil around the pit making sure that the upper half of the pit is above dirt line. Gently firm the pit into the soil by gently pushing the soil around the pit. Make sure the stem is straight up.

Water your new plant gently so as not to make water holes but make sure the soil is thoroughly moist but not muddy. There you go, you got an avocado plant.

Place your new avocado plant on a windowsill or near a window. Avocado plant loves lots of sunlight.

Here are a few tips on how to take care of your avocado tree:

• Keep your avocado tree where it can get lots of sunlight - the more sunlight, the bigger it will grow.
• Water lightly regularly, with an occasional deep soak. Keep the soil moist, but not muddy.
• If the leaves are turning yellow, you are over-watering.. so let the soil dry out and then water as usual.
• If the leaves are turning brown and fry at the tips, the soil has accumulated too much salt.. let water run freely into the pot, and drain.
• When your avocado tree grows to about 12 six inches high, cut it back to six inches. This will encourage the tree to grow side shoots and more leaves. Soon you'll have a beautiful leafy avocado tree.

If you're wondering if your avocado tree will bear fruits--it can, but you have to wait 7-15 years, and the fruit will not be the same as the parent variety.

Related Articles on Avocados by Rosie2010

• Are avocados good for you?
• Are avocados good for your pets?
• Is AvoDerm safe for your pets?
• Avocados Health Benefits, Nutrition, Calories
• How to grow avocados
• How to ripen avocados faster
• Martha Stewart's Guacamole Recipe

Enjoy your avocado tree!

Did you know? by Rosie2010

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