How do I get an avocado seed to sprout?

Question

My mom used to be able to get an avocado seed to root, but I've had terrible luck. I have a seed now, it's suspended in water, but I want to know if there is anything else I can do to ensure it roots. Plant food in the water? Direct or indirect sun? How long should it take before I see anything?
Thanks for your help in advance

Answer 1

Avocados have increased in popularity over the last few years. They are used in salads, dips, etc. Inside there is an added bonus. The pit or seed can be sprouted. The result is an interesting and attractive houseplant.
Avocado plant

To sprout the seed, remove the large seed from the center of the fruit and wash it in water. 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. Then suspend the seed in a glass of water. The bottom one fourth of the seed should rest in water.

The seed should sprout within a few weeks. During this time, periodically add water to maintain the initial water level. If it doesn't sprout within 2 to 3 months, discard the original avocado and begin another. The roots are usually the first to emerge from the seed. The stem appears later. Pot the seedling when the root system has become well developed; the roots should be at least 2 to 3 inches long.

Remove the toothpicks and plant into a 6 to 8 inch pot using a commercial potting mix. Position the seed in the center of the pot. The top of the seed should be level with the soil surface. After potting, water thoroughly, then place the plant in a brightly lit location. A location near an east or west window is ideal. Water the plant regularly. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Fertilize once or twice a month during the spring and summer with a houseplant fertilizer.

Avocado plants grow rapidly. They often have to be discarded after 2 or 3 years because they've become too large for indoors. (The avocado is actually a tree. It will never produce fruit indoors as it may take 20 or more years to bear fruit.)

Answer 2

Wash the seed in cool water to remove the residue from the fruit. No soap please. Pat dry. Insert 3 or 4 toothpicks into the seed at the mid point. Place in a small jar or glass of water pointed side UP. The toothpicks should rest on the rim of the glass. Te water should be almost to the top of the container. Put it in a sunny window and add water to maintain the level. In a few weeks the roots will begin to sprout from the flat end. You will then see green sprouts from the pointed end. Once you have a stem on the top transplant to a pot with good drainage and all purpose potting soil. I haven't done this in years but I have an avocado on my window sill and will sprout the seed just for kicks. Even in South Louisiana it is difficult to grow avocado trees because we do get an occasional freeze. Happy gardening

Answer 3

Push a toothpick into either side of the seed and this will act as a support so you can suspend it over a glass of water. Approx half of the avocado seed should be sitting in water. After roots sprout transplant into rich loamy soil and water regularly. Avocados are notoriously difficult to grow and if you are successful in growing a tree be prepared for a very long wait before it bears fruit.

Answer 4

Blapath has the exact answer that I would give! My mother used to use this method when I was growing up. It seemed like there was always an avocado seed with toothpicks in it sitting in a glass of water on the window sill! It works!! Good luck!!

Answer 5

I noticed avocado seeds sprouting in my compost heap. Dark, humid and warm.

Answer 6

This article talks about using charcoal and direct sun to start a plant...take a look!

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/avocado.html