Don’t toss that avocado pit — with a little patience, you can sprout the seed to plant and grow an avocado tree. It’ll make a lovely houseplant that may someday pay you back with fruit.
How long does it take to grow an avocado from a seed?
If you have purchased and planted a tree, you can probably expect to see your first fruit three to four years after planting. If you are growing from a seed, it can take anywhere from five to 13 years before the tree is mature enough to set fruit.
Do avocado trees grown from seed produce fruit?
Avocados grown from seed will not bear fruit until they are at least a decade old. Trees planted from a nursery will begin fruiting much more quickly, beginning at about three or four years old.
Can you plant avocado seeds from store-bought avocados?
Yes you can grow an avocado tree from a store-bought avocado, and it’s a fun, easy project to try. However, this is only recommended if it’s a decorative plant you’re after and not a productive one. An avocado seedling grown from a pit will take at least ten years to produce fruit, if at all.
Do I need 2 avocado trees to get fruit?
Pollination
Avocado Trees are self-fertile, so you don’t have to have another tree for fruit. But if yours is growing indoors, it’s beneficial to shake the tree a bit to spread the pollen, since you will have no bees or wind to do it for you.
Can I grow an avocado tree indoors?
This fact leads to the question, “Can avocado trees grow indoors?” The simple answer to this question is yes. In fact, there are several dwarf varieties, which can help the cold and temperate season gardener produce the healthy fruits in their own home.
How long does it take for an avocado tree to bear fruit?
First of all, grafted trees usually begin to produce fruit in three to four years while avocado seedlings (non-grafted) take much longer to produce (7-10 years), if at all. So one reason why an avocado won’t produce fruit is simply because it is not a mature grafted variety.
Which side of the avocado seed goes down?
bottom
For propagation purposes, the broad end of the seed is considered to be the bottom. The pointed end is the top. Insert several toothpicks into the sides of the seed. They should be placed about halfway up the pit.
How do you dry an avocado pit for planting?
Remove the outer flesh and wash the seed in warm water. Let the seed dry for 24 to 48 hours at room temperature. The skin is often more easy to peel when the seed dries for 48 hours. Fill a 5- to 7-inch diameter container with fast-draining potting soil that contains perlite, course sand or vermiculite.
How do you start an avocado seed?
How to grow an avocado from seed
- Remove and clean pit.
- Locate which end is “up” and which end is “down”
- Pierce with three toothpicks.
- Place seed half-submerged in a glass of water.
- WAIT FOR YOUR AVOCADO SEED TO SPROUT.
- Pot in soil when tree is about 15cm tall.
- Water and watch it grow.
How do you tell the difference between a male and female avocado plant?
Each flower is female when it first opens. That is, its stigma will receive pollen from other avocado flowers, but its stamens (male organs) do not shed pollen at this first opening. The petals and sepals, which look alike in the avocado, protect the delicate sex organs while they develop.
Do avocado trees need full sun?
Sun and shade
Hass avocado trees thrive in bright, direct, unfiltered sunlight. They need at least six hours of sunlight per day, but they can tolerate slight shade. The more light hitting the leaves, the better.
Can avocado trees grow in pots?
Like many citrus trees, avocado trees grow very well grown indoors. Natural terra cotta is an excellent choice for pots because the porous clay allows air and moisture to move through soil easily. Start with a 6- to 8-inch-diameter pot, with good drainage holes.
How long do avocado trees live?
Avocado trees will also bear fruit for their whole lives. That said, their crops will begin to diminish as the tree gets older. Avocado trees can live for 200–400 years, but they may not bear much fruit worth harvesting by the end of their lifespan.
Do avocado seeds need direct sunlight?
Light. Like banana trees, avocado plants thrive in full sun. They will tolerate some shade, but potted indoor plants generally need the brightest spot you can find. If you’re starting from a seed, the seed can be kept on a bright windowsill until roots form, and the first leaves emerge.
Why do avocados need so much water?
Avocado trees have shallow root systems and their roots lie in the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. The shallow roots do not search for water in the soil, making the roots prone to drying out.
How often should you water avocado trees?
If you look on the water table, it says that a 10 foot (diameter) tree should get 10.3 gallons per day, and it should be watered every three days.
What month is avocado season?
Avocados are available year round like most agricultural commodities these days, but January through March is the best time of year for flavor. It is during this time that the fruit has developed higher oil content, resulting in that buttery flavor and texture that we all love.
Do you have to dry avocado seeds before planting?
That depends on how dry it is. It’s a good idea to plant avocado seeds as soon as you can after you remove them from the fruit. If the seed dries out too much, it may not sprout. If it’s only been dry for a few days, it should be fine.
Do you peel the avocado seed before planting?
That will take care of most microorganism on the surface of the pit. But the truth is that this thin brown shell is as much a cover as a source of potential pathogens, so you need to peel it off. Once the seed is clean and free of its cover, cut away 5mm of the bottom of the pit and 1cm of the top.
Why won’t my avocado seeds sprout?
Keeping the pit too cold:
if the temperature’s too cold, your avocado will have difficulty growing. It may still sprout, but it will take much longer. The ideal temperature is about 25°C. Keep your little plastic baggie next to your water heater or furnace so it stays consistently warm.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.