The pit that is leftover from eating the fruit can be used to grow avocados.Growing an avocados tree is a rewarding project that leaves you with a great looking tree in the meantime, even though it can take quite some time to produce fruit of your own.If you want to jump start the process of growing your tree, you can either wait for the avocados to start growing or take advantage of the budding plant limbs.Regardless of the method you choose, you can learn how to grow your own avocados by starting with Step 1 below.
Step 1: There is a growing spot with partial sunlight.
avocados love the sunIn warm, humid environments, avocados evolved to thrive.avocados need good sunlight to grow well, even though they have been bred to be grown in locale as far away as California.Young avocado plants can be damaged by excessive sunlight before they have time to develop extensive leaves.If you want to grow an avocados from a single pit, you need a growing spot that has access to good sun during some parts of the day but is not always in direct sunlight.A sunny windowsill is a great place to grow avocados.Indoor windowsills allow you to control the temperature and humidity of the plant, as well as ensuring that the avocados only receive sunlight during a part of day.
Step 2: Avoid cold, wind, and frost.
In bad weather, avocado plants don't do well.Even hardier plants can be killed by snow, cold winds, and rapid temperature drops.If you live in a tropic or subtropic climate with mild winters, you may be able to keep your plant outside year-round.If you live in an area where the winter temperature is likely to drop below freezing, you will want to move your maturing plant indoors to protect it from the elements.There are different tolerances for cold temperatures.The West Indian, Guatemalan, and Mexican varieties will receive significant freezing damage at the temperatures indicated.
Step 3: Good drainage can be achieved with rich soil.
The best place to grow avocados is in a loose, rich soil.These types of soils allow for great aeration and give the plant great nutrition to help it grow strong.For the best growing results, try having a supply of this type of soil that is rich in humus and organic matter ready to use as a potting medium by the time your avocado's roots and stem are well-established.To be clear, you don't necessarily need your potting soil ready at the beginning of the growing process, as avocado pits are started in water before being transferred to soil.
Step 4: It's a good idea to use a soil with low pH.
Like many other garden plants, avocados grow best in soils that have a low pH.If you want to get the best results, plant your avocados in soil with a pH of 7.The lower the plant's ability to absorb iron and zinc, the slower its growth.Adding organic matter or introducing alkaline- tolerant plants to your garden can be used to lower the soil pH.It is possible to achieve good results with a soil Additive like aluminum sulfate or sulfur.There are more tricks to be found in How to Lower Soil pH.
Step 5: Remove and clean the pit.
It is easy to get the pit from ripe fruit.To slice the avocados, use a knife to slice across both sides, then grab and twist to separate the halves.The half of the fruit stuck to the pit needs to be removed.If you can, wash the excessavocado matter that is stuck to the pit.If you want to eat the fruit, spread it on a piece of toast, or eat it raw, do not throw it away.
Step 6: Put the pit in water.
The pits need to be started in water until they are strong enough to support the plant.If you want to suspend your pit in water, you can place it in the rim of a cup or large bowl by sticking three toothpicks into the sides of the pit.This doesn't hurt the plant.When the bottom of the pit is submerged, fill the cup or bowl with water.Make sure your pit is in the right place.The bottom of the pit should be slightly flatter and the top slightly rounded like an egg.
Step 7: Place by a sunny window and replace water.
A windowsill that only gets a few hours of sun per day is a good place to put your pit and container.You can refill the container with fresh water once a week.If the level drops below the bottom of the pit, top up with more water.You should see roots emerge from the bottom of the pit around a month and a half later.It takes about two to six weeks for the initial stage of activity to start.You will eventually see the beginnings of the plant's roots and stem when you are patient.
Step 8: When the stem is more than six inches long, cut it back.
As the avocado's roots and stem begin to grow, keep an eye on its progress and replace its water as needed.The stem should be trimmed back to three inches when it reaches six inches.Within a few weeks, new roots should be developed and the stem should grow into a larger tree.
Step 9: It's a good idea to plant your avocados.
You should transfer the plant to a pot after a few weeks when the roots are thick and the stem has grown new leaves.Remove the toothpicks and place the pit roots-down in an organic matter-rich soil.For the best results, use a pot about 10 inches in diameter.If you don't transfer the plant to a new pot, it will grow into a root-bound plant.Don't bury the pit completely in the soil, but leave the top half exposed.
Step 10: You should water the plant frequently.
As soon as you put your plant in the pot, give it a good soaking.To keep the soil slightly damp, you'll want to water just enough.
Step 11: The plant needs to be destroyed.
When you move a plant outdoors, expose it to outdoor conditions gradually or "harden it off".Start the pot in a location that gets a lot of sun.Gradually move it to brighter areas.It will be ready for direct sunlight eventually.
Step 12: After six inches of growth, pinch the leaves off.
As your plant begins to grow, continue with your regimen of frequent watering and strong sunlight.Measure its progress with a ruler or tape measure.When the plant's stem reaches a height of one foot, pinch off any new leaves that are growing from the tip of the stem.Every time the plant grows another six inches, pinch off the newest leaves.This encourages the plant to grow new shoots, which will lead to a better looking tree in the long run.If you don't worry about hurting your plant, you will be able to recover.
Step 13: To grow a seedling, you need to grow it to about 1-2 feet.
Growing an avocados tree from a pit doesn't mean that you'll be able to grow your own within a practical time frame.Some avocado trees can take a few years to start producing fruit, while others may struggle to produce fruit for much longer or never bear good fruit.Professional growers use the technique of budding to speed this process up.To bud, you'll need access to a tree that is already producing fruit and a plant that's at least 24 to 30 inches tall.Try to find a tree that is hardy and disease-free in order to produce good fruit.A successful budding joins your two plants together, so you'll want to use the healthiest plants possible to avoid issues with their health down the road.
Step 14: Start during the spring.
It is easy to join the two plants together before the weather gets too dry.The process will take about four weeks in the spring.
Step 15: A T-shaped cut can be made.
The T-shaped cut on the plant's stem can be made using a sharp knife.Cut through about one third of the stem's thickness, then turn the knife and cut towards the ground.The bark should be removed from the stem by using the knife.It's important to avoid cutting too far into the stem.The goal is to open up the bark along the side of the stem so that you can join a new limb to it.
Step 16: There is a bud in the tree.
Next, look for a bud on the tree that produced the fruit.To remove it from the tree, make a diagonal cut that starts about 1/2 inch below the bud and ends about 2.5 centimeters below it.If the bud is in the middle of a branch or twig, cut an inch above it to remove it.
Step 17: The bud should be joined to the seedlings.
You should slide the bud clipping you removed from the producer tree into the T-shaped cut on the seedling.If you don't touch the green material under the bark of the plant, the budding may fail.Once the bud clipping is seated in the slit of the seedling's cut, secure it in its place with rubber bands or budding rubber.
Step 18: Don't wait for the bud to open.
The bud clipping should eventually heal together, forming one seamless plant if your budding effort succeeds.This process usually happens within a month after a spring joining.You can remove your rubber bands once the plant is healed.If you want, you can cut the stem of the original plant an inch or two above the new branch to make it the main branch.It can take up to 13 years for an avocados to flower and produce fruit.
Step 19: Water frequently, but not over-water.
Compared to other plants in the garden, the avocados need a lot of water.It's important to remember that over-watering is a potential problem for nearly all plants.If you water the tree too frequently it will cause the soil to look liquid or muddy.One rich in organic matter is usually a good bet.If your tree is in a pot, make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom to allow water to escape.If you follow these simple tips, your plant shouldn't be in danger of being over-watered.If your plant's leaves start to turn yellow, this may be a sign that you have been watering too much.Once the soil is dry, stop watering and begin again.
Step 20: Fertilize occasionally.
You don't need a lot of fertilization to grow a strong tree.Fertilization can boost a young plant's growth.When the tree is established, add balanced citrus fertilization to the soil according to directions included in the package.When it comes to commercialfertilizer, it is best to be conservative.Water after fertilization to make sure thefertilizer is absorbed into the soil and delivered to the plant's roots.Like many plants, avocados should not be fertilized until they are very young, as they can be very susceptible to the burn that can result from overusing fertilization.Try to wait at least a year.
Step 21: See for signs of salt build up.
avocados are more vulnerable to the build up of salt in the soil than other plants.Plants with high salt levels may have leaves that are "burnt" and brown tips.Changing your watering practices can help lower the saltiness of your soil.Try to soak the soil at least once a month.The salts are carried deep into the soil below the roots, where they will be less harmful to the plant.Potted plants are more susceptible to salt build up.Once a month, place the pot in a sink or outside and let the water flow through it and out the bottom.
Step 22: Know how to get rid of pests and ailments of avocados.
A variety of pests and diseases can threaten the quality of the plant's fruit or even endanger the entire plant, like any agricultural crop.It is important to know how to recognize and solve these issues.Cankers, sunken sores on the plant that may ooze gum, are just a few of the most common avocado pests and illnesses.The cankers are from the affected branches.Plants may be killed by cankers on the tree's trunk.Over-watering is the cause of root rot.When all other conditions for growth are being met, yellowing leaves, and eventually decay, are caused.If severe, dig up the roots and expose them to air.It can be fatal to plant.There are dead patches on the tree.These patches contain fruits and leaves that die.Remove the affected areas from the tree and wash the tools you use to do so.Yellow spots on leaves are caused by lace bugs.The leaves dropped from the branch.A natural pesticide like pyrethrin can be used.Borers create small holes in the tree.Keeping trees healthy and well-nourished will make it harder for them to be affected.Remove and discard any affected branches if there are borers.