I knew someone has successfully germinated avoccado's pit in water, not totally submerged but held suspended in a glass of water -- with the help of several toothpicks to sprout the pit. Anyone has experience to share?
I purchased this large avoccado when it appeared green, now the skin is turning this smooth, velvety albony color. It's time for me to start the process of sprouting the seed? Or do I need to clean off the seed and wait for it to air dry? Anyone has experience to share?
I usually make a big batch of guacamole and clean the seeds and let them air dry first. I have tried the toothpicks suspending the seed over a glass of water, but they do better by just putting the seed in a pot of potting soil in a dark area for a few weeks. I have two decent sized plants, over 3 feet tall, by using this method. We have guacamole every week and I had been throwing the seeds in the compost pile. There are a few plants coming up in there too.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the prompt response. How deep do you plant the seed under the potting medium? We're in the same zone, that sounds very hopeful for me. Ofcourse we need to overwinter them indoor comes time of light frost?
The pit placement. When one is in doubt which end is up? Can I just safely lay it on its side?
Next step is keeping the pot in dark area for several weeks, but continue to water and make sure the potting medium isn't dried out?
Your help is much appreciated.
I planted the seed about 4-5" under the soil and I usually put the pointed end of the pit downwards and water regularly.
My plants are about 2 years old and they have been left in the garage to overwinter one year. Last year, one was on the deck the entire winter and it survived. I have 2 cats, so I battle keeping them out of plants that come indoors for winter.
What part of AL are you in? I'm from Montgomery :)
I'm in the B'ham area not too far from Talladega. I've a frost-free corner in the property that afforded some subtropical vines to return every year. Once I'm succeeded with sprouting of the pits. I may try to leave one out door to 'test the water' so to speak. Many, many thanks, Susan.
Oh one more question, the one that was left out on your deck. Did it drop off all the leaves, and sprouted new growths?
Kim
The avocado that I left outside kept all of it's leaves. A few of them had brown tips but that was the extent of damage. I am debating whether I should plant it in the ground or give it another year or so grow. Any ideas?
Is that a plumeria? Beautiful!!!!
I just wash the avocado seeds and plant them so the pointed end is IN the soil and the flat end is just ABOVE the soil - I water them in and they usually sprout anywhere from one week to one month after I planted them. I have about a dozen growing right now. Once they are about 6" tall, I cut the growth off to the first leaf juncture (from the seed), and keep doing that until I get 4 or more 'branches' - they make a beautiful tree!
Ah hah, there is more than one ways of germinating the mentioned pits! It's good to know.
Susan, indeed those are plumerias, I've been very lucky with growing them past few years.
Kay, do you leave the potted avocado pit in the pot out in full sun while it's sprouting?
Susan, in our zone, do they tolerate our Southern's heat/humidity well?
Thank you to both for your tips.
Kim
Kim, I start them in 12-ounce clear plastic glasses, on my sun porch, so to answer your question, no - they get no sun - just bright light. I will put them in gallon pots in a couple of months. I am moving to zone 8b on Sept. 1st - don't know what I will do with them when they outgrow the gallon pots!
I lived in Orlando for 17 years and saw large avocado trees grow up from seeds and then get totally killed during a cold winter. If you want avocado trees to survive in AL or GA, plan to wrap them when a hard freeze is predicted. A heat source like a 100 watt light bulb can really help under a loose wrap. I have a large cotton painters drop cloth which helps me save my cold sensitive black mission fig tree.
Paul
