Avocados have wide range of uses in the kitchen thanks to their delicious, nutritive content. They can be a bit expensive, since most of them come from California, a state dealing with a harsh drought. But, did you know that you can grow your own avocado trees in your home?
Step 1: starting
Take out the seed from the avocado fruit and then gently wash any fruit leftovers stuck to the seed.
Step 2: rooting
The avocado seeds have oval shape. The top of the oval is where the tree is going to grow upwardly, and the bottom of the seed is where the root is going to be formed. Using a sharp knife, cut of a thin slice off the top and the bottom of the seed, in order to accelerate the germination. Wrap it in a moist towel and leave in a dark place for a period of 2-4 weeks, until the taproot starts emerging.
Step 3: planting
After the taproot has emerged and grown about 2 inches in length, it is time you place the seedling in soil. The perfect soil consists of three parts: coco peat, perlite and organic potting soil. You can start with a 6-inches pot, where you will put the seedling and pack the soil around it. Keep it wet, especially for the first seven days.
Step 4: watering
You will need to water the avocado tree frequently, but take care not to make the soil too muddy. If the leaves become yellow, it means your tree is getting too much water, so you would have to let the soil dry for several days and then continue with light watering.
Step 5: pruning
Pinch off the top set of leaves, so that you make sure your tree grows stronger and with bushier foliage. Do not prune until your tree becomes a foot tall. Do the same thing for every 6-12 inches of growth.
Step 6: dealing with pests
If your tree dries out for too long, it might be spider mites. If you find them, unleash ladybugs onto the tree or make a mixture using a mild soap and a lot water to wash them off. Aphinds can also be a problem, but you can solve it by wrapping tape around your hand with the sticky side out and patting your tree lightly. The aphinds will stick to the tape.
Step 7: outdoor planting
If in your place of living the winter lows do not frequently drop below 45 degrees, you can replant your tree outside. The best soils for avocado tree are the acidic and the alkaline ones, their optimal range being 6-6,5 pH. If you do not live in a warm climate, you can keep your avocado tree in a pot near a sunny window in the winter. It is just not going to be that big, the rest is all normal.
Note: avocados have male and female flowers, but they do not open at the same time. That is why it would be great for you to have more than one avocado tree, but it is not necessary.
