Avocado is a fruit with several properties, providing a good amount of nutrients to our meals. Not to mention its benefits for our skin and hair. It’s a fruit with multiple virtues that you can always have in your fridge.
Although it may seem impossible, growing avocado is simple. By discovering these little tips, you can have your own plant and enjoy this fruit at home. Today, we’re going to learn how to germinate it.
What you’ll need:
- An avocado seed
- Damp kitchen towel
- Zip-lock plastic bag
- Glass container
- Recycled expanded polystyrene
- Water
Step by step:
- Take your avocado seed and clean it thoroughly to remove any avocado pulp. This will prevent it from rotting in contact with moisture.
- Wrap the seed in the damp towel, making sure it’s completely covered. It’s important for the soil to be moist so that the roots can germinate. Moisture and warmth provide the most favorable environment for this process.
- Place the seed in the bag and seal it tightly.
- Put the bag containing your seed under a stove or another warm and dark place to promote germination.
- Leave it for 2-3 weeks, remembering to moisten the towel every time it dries out.
- When you see that your avocado seed has sprouted and the roots are long, it’s a good time to take it out of the bag.
- Cut the polystyrene foam to the size of the chosen glass’s diameter, and also cut a smaller central circle for the seed. This will hold our seed in place, preventing it from falling into the water.
- Fill your glass with water.
- Place the polystyrene and insert the seed with its roots inside, then place it in a bright location (on a windowsill, for example).
- Change the water once a week.
- Transfer to a pot with soil (or in the garden) in the spring.
- All that’s left to do is wait until you can taste the delicious fruit!
Tips for growing in pots:
- Pot size: Start with a 5-liter pot and increase it to 30 liters. Transplanting will give strength to your plant and allow its roots to grow freely. If you don’t want to transplant too often, you can go from 5 liters to 60 liters.
- Soil: Avocado trees prefer acidic soils with a pH between 5 and 7. A suitable mix is equal parts peat, earthworm compost, and coconut fiber, with a little perlite added for good drainage.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, with extra care during the summer when it will need more water. Good drainage is essential as avocados don’t like waterlogged soil. Stick your finger into the soil to check the moisture level.
- Pruning: When your plant reaches its first year, it’s time to make the first cut. Prune the plant to stimulate horizontal growth, and the appropriate time is when it reaches about 60cm.
By following these tips, you can successfully grow your own avocado tree at home and enjoy the fruits it produces. No need to buy avocados anymore!