How to grow an AVOCADO TREE from a seed
IT’S MUCH EASIER THAN YOU THINK!
Did you know you can extend the life of your avocado and embark on a rewarding journey of growing the fruit from seed? The process is simple and can be an engaging experiment, making it an excellent educational project for kids. Ready to take on the challenge? Here’s a step-by-step guide…
1 Remove and clean the pit
When cutting your avocado open, take care not to cut the seed.
Remove it from the avocado and wash it well, removing all of the fruit’s flesh. Anything left will turn to mould, but be careful not to remove the brown skin covering the seed.
“Look for a seed that is plump, without any cracks or blemishes,” says Ashley Webster from All Green Nursery. “It should also feel heavy for its size.”
2 Figure out the top and bottom
While the size and shape of avocados can vary slightly, they all have a top and a bottom. The pointier end is classed as the top, and the flat end is the bottom, where the roots will emerge. The top will sprout the shoot. This is important to know when submerging the seed in water.
3 Pierce the seed
Next, it’s time to submerge the bottom half of your avocado seed in water. You will need three toothpicks to balance the seed over the water so only the bottom half is submerged.
Stick the toothpicks into the seed at a slight angle, evenly spaced and allowing the bottom half to be
immersed in water.
“Make sure about 2cm of the seed is submerged,” says Ashley.
If you want to skip the toothpicks, avocado seedgrowing kits are also available to make the process easier.
4 Regularly change the water
Keep the water level consistent and change it every few days to prevent mould. The top of the seed should remain dry.
5 Watch it grow
Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot (away from direct sunlight) and wait for your avocado seed to grow. You should see signs of life in around two to eight weeks, with some roots growing out the bottom. A leaf should start to grow out of the top of the seed at about eight weeks.
6 Get planting
Once the root is about 5 to 8cm long, it’s time to transfer to a small pot.
“You’ll want to use a welldraining potting mix,” says Ashley. “It should be a mix of soil, sand and organic matter. This soil type will help prevent waterlogging and provide good aeration for the roots. You can also add some perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.”
Dig a small hole in the soil, then carefully insert the seed with the root side facing downwards. Cover the seed with soil, ensuring that the top part of the seed remains visible. Water the soil, making sure you don’t overwater the plant.
“Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avocado plants love sunlight!” says Ashley.
7 Upgrade your pot
Once your seedling reaches around 15 to 25cm tall and has a strong root system and a few sets of leaves, transplant your avocado seed to a pot using a well-draining potting mix enriched with organic matter.
“Choose a pot slightly larger than the current container to allow room for growth,” says Ashley. “Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.”
Give your plant a good water and place it in a nice, sunny spot (away from direct sunlight).
“Monitor the soil
moisture and water when the top centimetre feels dry,” advises Ashley.
Like many other fruit trees grown from seeds, there’s no guarantee your avocado plant will bear fruit. Some have reported fruit after three to four years while others say 15 years. Either way, it’s a greatlooking plant and a fun activity for the whole family.
For more gardening advice, head to bhg.com.au.