Avocado Question

[cpeyus]

Will an avocado plant started from a seed in the kitchen window mature & produce? I've had a volunteer peach tree that produced quite a bit of fruit in its 3rd year...unfortunately, we lost that tree, but we're starting others!

[birdie_poo]

It can take from 2-6 years to produce fruit, but they do...be patient!

[cpeyus]

Thanks - I can muster up the patience if there's a likelihood it'll work...I just didn't want to put time & effort into it if it wouldn't produce! Thanks again! I'll keep it growing, then...

[mightybooboo]

Guard em with your life,animals love em.Deer wiped out all my sisters when they were in 3 foot size.

PS,wiped out the 3 foot avocados,not my 3 foot sisters.

BooBoo

[pickapeppa]

Do they have to be in the ground outside, or will they produce in a pot in the house? We love avocados, but don't live in an appropriate zone to have them outside year round.

[birdie_poo]

Originally Posted by mightybooboo

Guard em with your life,animals love em.Deer wiped out all my sisters when they were in 3 foot size.

PS,wiped out the 3 foot avocados,not my 3 foot sisters.

BooBoo

I'll second that..my emu eat the leaves like they are candy!

[birdie_poo]

Originally Posted by pickapeppa

Do they have to be in the ground outside, or will they produce in a pot in the house? We love avocados, but don't live in an appropriate zone to have them outside year round.

They will do ok in a pot, if you re pot it as it grows. These trees get really, really big...30-50'

[Oxankle]

How on earth does one harvest avocados on a 30 to 50 foot tree?

Ox

[birdie_poo]

A picker on a telescoping pole!

Or...just wait until the wind drops them or they fall on their own!

[cpeyus]

booboo - I'm glad your sisters are ok

I can't wait to see if I get anything from these trees...guess I'll have to wait tho!

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by Oxankle

How on earth does one harvest avocados on a 30 to 50 foot tree?

Ox

I had a buddy who somehow topped his avocados,keeping trees in the 15-20 foot range.Dont know exactly how he did it though.But Mr. Greenthumb for sure(outrageous flower gardens,etc.)The branches sort of hang low,not hard to get your fruit off the trees.

He grew his from seed in the City of Orange,next to Anaheim.They grew insanely fast down there,absolutely perfect enviornment,no freeze,moderating ocean breeze.

Now my sisters',hers never really grew bigger than 15 feet,looked more like tall shrubs.They had theirs as a hedge pretty much.Very easy to harvest.I have no idea why hers were like that.

BooBoo

[birdie_poo]

I do that with certain fruit trees...I wait until the are established, then lop off the top of the tree from the trunk to prevent it fromgetting taller. That may be how your friend does it.

[Jennifer Brewer]

so how do you start them? We had guacamole last nite a,d one of the pits looked like a bulb that was about to sprout. I really want to get it in the dirt but i don't want to mess up!

[mightybooboo]

Theres a couple pictures on the link,below link is the story

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortn.../sproutav.html

Horticulture
Sprouting an Avocado Seed
Avocado seed

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.)

This article originally appeared in the July 16, 1999 issue, p. 96.
Prepared by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
This information subject to a usage policy. [Search]
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Last updated 7/13/99 by John VanDyk
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortn.../sproutav.html

[cpeyus]

I've got 3 seeds started...even if it takes many years to get the fruit, they'll be great houseplants, til I put 'em outside!

[ChickenHound]

For whatever reason, I am avocado challenged. I have tried at least a dozen times to get an avocado pit to sprout. Not a single one has ever even put out a root. I just end up with a half rotten avocado pit in the windowsill.

[mightybooboo]

Originally Posted by ChickenHound

For whatever reason, I am avocado challenged. I have tried at least a dozen times to get an avocado pit to sprout. Not a single one has ever even put out a root. I just end up with a half rotten avocado pit in the windowsill.

Do you have the pointy side up?3 toothpicks stuck in just far enough to support the seed? just enough water to cover the bottom of the seed?

BooBoo