The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on December 24, 2010, 09:01:42 AM
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I'm trying to start 2 of them, but no luck. I've had them suspended halfway in water with the 3 toothpicks in a glass but nothing after 2 weeks. I peeled the skin off the bottom, but nothing. No root is emerging. Do you need to let them dry out first, or go from the Avocado right into the water? These 2 may be dead, I'm not sure??? Bill T.
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I'm trying to start 2 of them, but no luck. I've had them suspended halfway in water with the 3 toothpicks in a glass but nothing after 2 weeks. I peeled the skin off the bottom, but nothing. No root is emerging. Do you need to let them dry out first, or go from the Avocado right into the water? These 2 may be dead, I'm not sure??? Bill T.
Gosh Billt, it might not be the avocado.
Try this. Exend your arms out at around 90 degrees from your body. Rotate your hands so the palms are facing you. If your thumbs aren't green I'd go mail order.... ;D
Yes, I am feeling a bit smart ass today. Sorry, have a Merry Christmas and good luck with the avacado.
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I started a pit when I was a kid, I know my father has a tree in his yard in Ca. don't remember if he started it or bought the tree. anyway, sounds like you're doing it right. where are they located? could sunlight or lack of be the prob? good luck, as the are a pain. you have to splice a branch from a fruit bearing tree in order to get fruit from the one you have raised. maybe easier to buy a young tree from the nursery if you don't have the patience. (love fresh avocado) they need warmth and it may take more than 2 weeks to germinate. you can also try it in potting soil.
good luck on the trees, I love planting veggies etc... have some herbs and peppers growing here at the house. mmmmmhm fresh
deepwater
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When we lived in CA we used to do this all the time for fun, and to irritate Mom. I don't recall doing anything other than what you described, but that was over 30 years ago.
Two things come to mind: We, my memory and your technique, are missing a step; or the current commercial stock is sterile. I recommend contacting an elementary school teacher or high school biology teacher for advice. This is the type of thing that many teachers used to use to teach about growing anything from seed.
Good Luck, and Merry Christmas!
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dude, Google.
http://www.ghorganics.com/Germinating%20and%20Growing%20Avocados.html
deepwater
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Yes, old Florida trick. Clean the "seed"/pit...identify the top from the bottom. insert "4" wooden toothpicks, not too deep, so it can straddle a standard "rocks" glass, does not have to be a tall glass.
Fill glass with good water until it just gets the bottom half of the seed submerged. Keep the water level consistent, and rotate from time to time. So it doesn't get cloudy or stagnant.
Roots will develop within a couple weeks or so. Keep in a shady place, no direct sun on seed. The roots will continue to grown in the glass, and eventually the seed will "split" open. When it does this, place in well drained sand, garden soil mix, in a clay pot to establish.
Plant the seed on top of the soil, not completely buried.
Keep in part sun part shade, keep damp but allow to drain, they sprout quickly, get citrus fertilizer at Home Depot, garden center,... Keep replanting in larger and larger pots, until it can stand on its own, perhaps with a stick support. Choose your locale carefully. Desert, arid areas, can be tough, without some thought.
OBTW, It takes SEVEN years to bear fruit..... Mine is 4-5 feet tall after two years.
Good luck, Patience grasshopper... ;D
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Thanks. If these 2 don't split open and sprout soon, I'll get a few new ones. Bill T.
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My wife has tried it so many times I've quit counting. No luck there either!
Good Luck
Richard
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It never worked for me either. My advice? Call your local ag extension agent. Stuff like this what they get paid for. Here in West Palm we're lucky. The Mounts building, our local ag office, hosts an annual flea market. The orchid society, rare fruit society etc all come and sell plants. You can buy pretty much anything you've ever heard of (15 types of bannas? Sapote trees?Durien fruit? ::) ;)). If you have anything like a fruit society (and get your mind out of the gutter, you know what I'm talking about ;)) the ag folks could put you in touch with them. Avacados are tricky and sometimes you do need a grafted tree to get fruit. Its better to just pay a few bucks to get a young tree from someone who knows what they are doing. I mean mine is real pretty, but I get (when I say I, I mean me and the squirells >:() about 5 or 6 a year because the ground is too wet where its planted. I would definately seek some knowledge and the guys at the extension office, if they are anyrthing like ours, will be more than happy to talk your ear off or put you in conract with someone who will.
FQ13
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no, but just a fyi, they don't grow avocados from seeds... the graft them.
Its one of those plants that you never know what you are going to get if you plant it.
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just spoke with my mother, (she used to grow them as a kid) and yes, as Tab says you must graft them to get fruit. there are a male and female plant that must be joined. not all that difficult, but be sure to do it right. My fathers tree gives enough fruit to supply the house and give to all the friends, neighbors, and family. if there are any neighbors with avocado trees? or maybe an orchard nearby? easy way to get a piece to graft onto your own tree.
deepwater