How an avocado tree grows: growth characteristics, plant care and photos

• October 13, 2018
• Trees and shrubs
• Ksenia Yedikhanova

Avocados are known and loved by many, this is due to the unusual taste and high nutritional value of the fruit. Large green fruits can be purchased in almost any supermarket, but few people know how and where the avocado tree grows. Is it possible to grow an exotic crop yourself?

Appearance

What does an avocado tree look like? The plant is an evergreen tree that can reach a height of 6-18 m. The tree has ovate leaves with pointed tips, about 10-20 cm long and 2-12 cm wide, in a dark green hue. The flowers of the plant are unsightly, yellow-green in color, collected in small inflorescences in the form of umbrellas.

The avocado fruit is a green drupe with a thick, dark green skin. Its flesh is also green in color, has a slightly sweetish taste and a creamy-buttery consistency. The size of avocado fruits varies from 5 to 15 cm, depending on the degree of ripeness and variety.

The avocado tree can be of three varieties:

1. West Indian - suitable for growing in tropical climates with high humidity.
2. Guatemalan is a hardy species that grows in subtropical mountainous areas.
3. Mexican is the most common variety due to its resistance to slight low temperatures, which other varieties cannot boast of.

Due to different varieties of culture, avocados from different countries may have slightly different appearance and taste.

Crafts from avocado seeds: description, photo

Unfortunately, you can’t make many crafts from avocados. The stone is ovoid in shape and quite large in size. Many of the usual options will look rough and untidy, no matter how hard you try.

• But you can cut out awesome little figures. True, you need to be able to wield a knife well.

Interesting! The artist Jen Campbell is considered the “mother” of such crafts. Noticing the interesting shape of avocado seeds, I saw in them beautiful miniature figures of forest creatures. By the way, the collection was called “avocado stone faces.”

• You can wrap the core in foil or other bright and shiny paper, attach a ribbon and you will get an unusual Christmas tree toy.
• You can paste the halves of the bone over a photo frame, and, if desired, decorate it in your favorite colors. But keep in mind that such skill is suitable for large objects.

Crafts from avocado seeds Crafts from avocado seeds Crafts from avocado seeds Crafts from avocado seeds

• You can even make a hot stand. Again, for this it is better to take halves of the seed. Or even use only the middle so that there are even bases.
• If you use your imagination, you can come up with animal crafts. It will also be a great time with the kids. For example, you can make an ostrich. You just need additional accessories: feathers (these will be wings), a bead (for the head), wire (legs and neck) and threads to wrap all parts of the body.

Purchase of planting material

You can try growing an avocado tree at home. To do this, you should take care of good planting material - a seed. It must be removed from ripe fruit purchased in a store. You need to choose the right avocado in order for the seed to germinate. For these purposes, only ripe fruits should be used. You can check ripeness in the following way: lightly squeeze the avocado with your palms, the fruit should take its previous shape after that. If you can’t buy ripe fruit, don’t despair, because it can always ripen at home on the windowsill.

After purchasing an avocado, the fruit itself can be eaten, because only the seed has value for germination. You need to remove it carefully so as not to damage its peel.

Planting an avocado in a pot after germination

The plant is planted in a deep pot with loose, fertile and breathable soil. A layer of expanded clay or small crushed stone must be poured at the bottom of the pot to improve drainage properties.

Basic rules for replanting indoor flowers

The tree grows equally well in acidic and alkaline substrates, but slightly acidic soil is the best option.

It can be prepared by combining soil intended for cacti and succulents with peat and perlite in a ratio of 3:1:1. Citrus soil with a small amount of perlite or sand is also suitable.

A layer of substrate is poured on top of the drainage layer and the tree is placed so that the upper part of the seed from which the seedling grew remains above the soil line.

Straighten the roots of the plant and fill the pot with the remaining soil, carefully compacting the soil as it is added. After planting, the tree is watered abundantly. Replanting is another important step in caring for avocados grown from the seed.

A plant in comfortable conditions quickly develops not only the above-ground part, but also the root system. Therefore, young seedlings in the first 2-3 years need to be transplanted into a larger pot.

The procedure is carried out in the spring. In the future, avocados can be replanted as needed, when the roots of the plant have filled the pot space and are visible from the drainage holes.

Planting methods

At home, an avocado tree can be grown in three ways:

1. The seed is planted in loose soil with the blunt end down. It is important that the sharp end rises slightly above the surface of the ground. It is necessary to water the seedlings once every 7 days with clean water. This method is the simplest, but you will have to wait a long time for the first shoots, since the roots need to break through the hard crust of the seed.
2. You need to punch three holes in the pit. After this, it is placed in water so that the holes are above the surface of the liquid. It remains in this state until germination, after which it can be placed in the ground.

3. The last method involves completely clearing the seed from its shell. After this, it is placed in water until roots appear. This method is not only the fastest, but also the most interesting, since it becomes possible to observe the formation of the root system.

Regardless of the chosen method of planting an avocado seed, seedlings appear in 90% of cases, which is considered a fairly high figure.

Is the avocado seed poisonous or not?

There is no clear answer. The leaves, peel and core are considered the poisonous part of the plant. But in moderate quantities, the bone is not only possible, but also necessary to be eaten. To understand this issue in more detail, we should take a closer look at our bone.

• In addition to all the beneficial substances in the seed, as well as in the peel and leaves, there is a fungicidal toxin - persen. It is an oil-soluble element that is similar in structure to fatty acids. It is dangerous not only for humans, but also for animals.
• The latter representatives suffer the most. Eating avocados will be especially dangerous for goats, horses, cattle and other large animals. The fact is that they can swallow the entire fruit. And this will cause significant harm.
• In cows and goats, in small doses it will provoke mastitis and negatively affect milk production.
• Cats and dogs, for example, if they eat even a small fraction of an avocado seed, will get vomiting and severe poisoning with diarrhea.
• Rabbits, rats and other rodents will develop gastritis or even aggravated forms of other stomach diseases.
• In birds, the heart muscles suffer more, and its rhythm is disrupted.

In small doses the seed is not poisonous

Important! A large dose will be lethal for all animals! Persen can cause swelling in the body, blocking the airways. And also have a depressing effect on the functioning of the heart.

• For an adult human-class specimen, the bone will not cause significant harm. If we are talking about small doses. For example, half or one kernel per day is within acceptable limits. But only as a seasoning or additional element. And don’t forget that you shouldn’t get too carried away with it.
• An overdose can often cause allergies, even among non-allergic people. And sometimes it causes indigestion and even diarrhea.

Extremely important! Do not give the pit and peel to children. Their body will perceive an overdose in a more acute form. And under no circumstances let your child play with the avocado pit.

Growing in the ground

After the avocado tree sprouts from the seed, you can begin planting it in the ground. It is recommended to use universal soil for indoor plants, as it has a sufficient amount of nutrients and a loose structure. The soil must be well drained so as not to retain excess moisture, which is detrimental to the roots.

Experienced gardeners suggest adhering to the following planting system:

• drainage must be at least 2 cm in height;
• the bone goes two-thirds into the ground with the blunt end down;
• in this case, the sharp end must remain above the surface of the earth;
• After planting, it is recommended to water the plant with warm water once a week.

To ensure good rooted growth, it is necessary to fertilize the plant once every 2 weeks. In addition, avocado is a light-loving crop, so you should take care of good lighting in the place where the pot is located.

How to transplant a seed into the ground

After the seed germinates using the first method, it must be transferred to the soil. Take a pot and place a small amount of drainage at the bottom. Then add soil. Handle the seed carefully, as its roots are quite fragile. You need to place it in the center, then cover it with soil. In this case, the upper part of the seed and sprout should be open, and the lower part should be hidden underground. After completing the procedure, it is necessary to water the plant.

If you live in a region with a year-round warm climate, then the future tree can be planted in open ground, for example, in a garden or country house. It is better to do this when the sprout is a little stronger. The procedure is similar to the previous one: you need to make a small depression in the ground and carefully place the sprout there without damaging the roots. Then sprinkle the lower part with soil and water. A tree in the open ground, unlike a domestic sprout, can be grafted so that it bears fruit in the future. However, if you want to use it as decorative, then you don’t have to do this.

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How to care?

How does an avocado grow? Despite the fact that countries with very warm climates are considered its homeland, growing avocados from seeds at home is possible. To do this, you need to know some nuances about caring for wood.

The optimal temperature for the plant is considered to be about +23 degrees, while in winter these indicators can be reduced to +10 degrees. If the temperature is below this mark, it will be detrimental to the young plant.

Flowering begins in the third year of the tree's life. In order to subsequently obtain fruits, it is necessary to have several plants so that they can be pollinated by insects. At the same time, it is recommended to expose the tree outside to direct sunlight in the spring and summer, as this has a beneficial effect on its growth and provides an opportunity for natural pollination.

Watering should also change throughout the year:

• in spring and summer, watering is required as the soil dries;
• in winter, after the soil dries, at least 2 days must pass before the next watering.

It is recommended to use settled water at room temperature. In this case, it is necessary to add fertilizer for citrus crops to the water and fertilize it with this composition once every 2 weeks in the spring and summer.

From the moment of flowering to the formation of fruits, about 6 months pass; during this time it is important to carefully care for the plant in order to obtain high-quality fruits.

An interesting option is to plant three seeds in one pot and then weave the trunks into a braid. At the same time, it is not recommended to make it tight; you need to leave space to compact the stems.

Avocado pit, kernel: cooking recipes

The most labor-intensive process will be the process of chopping and preparing the bone. It must first be removed from the fruit. To do this, cut the fruit in half lengthwise along the axis of the seed. This is easy to do, because the core is quite large. To make it easier and more accurate, arm yourself with a dessert spoon.

IMPORTANT: The seed has a bitter taste. Moreover, without heat treatment, its dose should be reduced several times so as not to harm your health. Be sure to fry or bake in the oven before using.

Avocado paste
The pit can be crushed in several ways:

• The easiest and fastest method is using a blender. Just peel the core first. And don’t even think about throwing a whole cannonball, otherwise you’ll ruin the technique. Cut into small pieces.
• This operation can also be carried out using a grater. The avocado core is quite soft and pliable, so grating it will also be quite simple and quick.
• And another option is a rolling pin or jackhammer and a plastic bag. You should also cut it into small pieces first. By the way, it’s better to work with dried kernels this way.
• If you want to get avocado flour, then grind the dried kernel in a coffee grinder. Just throw in small portions, then the grinding will be better.
• After chopping or before it, the bone must be fried or baked in the oven until golden brown. Please note that the temperature should be minimal. It would even be more correct to say that the kernel needs to be dried . Then that bitterness goes away. If you plan to bake in the oven, then choose a temperature of no more than 70-80°C. This will take about an hour.
• If you want to bake a whole kernel, then the drying time is extended to 2-2.5 hours.
• By the way, the bone can also be baked in pieces, then the time takes about 1.5 hours.

Salad with avocado
An avocado seed cannot be any ingredient in a dish, it is only a seasoning that is rich in nutrients. You can safely add the kernel:

• In pasta or porridge. Just sprinkle a pinch on top
• You can make healing tea. To do this, the seeds need to be boiled a little more for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar or honey (since the bitter taste is inherent) and you can even drink it instead of morning coffee
• It is good to prepare salads with avocado kernels. Moreover, both vegetable and fruit
• Can even be added as a supplement to first courses
• You can prepare compotes or make sandwiches

Treatment of diseases

When growing an avocado tree at home, you should beware of the same diseases that affect many other cultivated plants:

1. Phytophthora is a fungal disease that over time destroys the root system. The disease can be identified by the sudden appearance of ulcers on the trunk and leaves of the tree. After detection, the affected plant should be set aside from others and the affected parts should be pruned.
2. Spider mites appear when there is high humidity in the room where the avocado grows. It can be identified by yellowing leaves and their falling off. The diseased plant must be sprayed with a soap solution and the affected parts of the tree removed.
3. Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on the leaves, causing them to curl. This disease can be controlled with fungicides.

In addition, the avocado tree at home is susceptible to the same pests that affect other indoor plants. These are scale insects, whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs.

Diseases, pests and other problems

Like other houseplants, avocados can be threatened by scale insects and spider mites. The first one drinks the juice of the plant, causing the leaves to dry out. The second may leave the bush without leaves at all. If you notice parasites, immediately purchase insecticides from the store and treat the tree. Or use folk remedies.

For scale insects, you can treat the leaves with a toothbrush dipped in a solution of laundry soap, alcohol and water (1:1:10).

Spider mites can be fought with garlic tincture. Grind a few cloves, add water and let it brew for 5 days in a dark place. Then start spraying the infected plant.

Powdery mildew can also cause a lot of trouble. To get rid of this scourge, replace the top layer of soil, remove affected leaves, water less often and add a little more light.

If you care for your avocado incorrectly, it will affect the appearance of the plant:

The tips of the leaves dry out

You are not watering the plant enough and have not created a humid microclimate around it. Add water to the pot more often and spray the air near the bush.

Leaves are falling

Avoid drafts in the room and increase the room temperature.

The leaves have turned pale

Add lighting. Either move the pot to a brighter window or artificially increase daylight hours.

Having eliminated deficiencies in care, you can wait for the first fruits. This usually occurs in the 3-4th year of plant development. If your avocado does not bloom with green-yellow flowers in due time, then you should plant a couple more to allow cross-pollination to occur.

Keep in mind that the leaves of the tree are toxic, so wear gloves when handling it, and keep children and animals away from the pot.

Tree pruning

Although the avocado tree does not grow to its maximum size at home, it is necessary to periodically prune it. This way you can control its length and give it the desired shape. Trees that are not pruned have a minimum number of side shoots, grow exclusively in height and, as a result, have an unattractive appearance.

To form a beautiful crown, which can be seen in any photo of an avocado tree, pruning in a pot must be done every spring. In the first year of growth, it is important to shorten the tree after 7-8 leaves, and the side shoots after 5-6. In the future, annual pruning can increase the number of side shoots and control the height of the tree.

Avocado seed face mask: recipe

You can make scrubs, tinctures and lotions from avocado seeds. Masks for the face, body and even hair are very useful. Avocado nourishes hair follicles, preventing hair loss and strengthening them from the inside.

IMPORTANT: When using a scrub or mask, do not forget that the bone contains coloring pigments. And therefore, it can give a tanning effect. Monitor the application time and the proportions of the seed with other components.

Useful mask

• You need to mix the crushed avocado kernel and clay in equal proportions. Dilute with water to the consistency of sour cream. Apply for no more than 15 minutes. After rinsing, apply cream. This is the simplest mask that can even be called universal. It will cope with wrinkles, improve the condition of the skin, and relieve inflammatory problems.
• A face mask can have different ingredients that will suit your skin type. You can add yogurt or kefir, yolk, banana or honey.

On a note! Crushed seed flour and a few drops of tea tree will help with acne. Little needs to be done. This paste is applied to the inflamed area for literally 5 minutes.

Beneficial features

Despite the fact that growing a fruit-bearing avocado tree at home is quite difficult and time-consuming, the resulting fruit will undoubtedly delight you. In addition to the classic taste, they have the same beneficial properties as store-bought fruits:

• vitamins A and E;
• monosaturated fats;
• antioxidants;
• useful minerals.

Based on the totality of useful substances, avocado fruits are good in that they prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system, have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and are useful for diabetes and cataracts.

Despite its benefits, avocado, like most other fruits, is not hypoallergenic, so it can cause individual allergic reactions. For this reason, it is not recommended to give avocados to children under 14 years of age.

Avocado seed: medicinal properties, benefits and harm to the human body

Based on the previous point, we can conclude that this is an incredibly useful part of the fruit and should not be thrown away. In addition to the useful elements in the rich composition, it is worth analyzing the effect of the seed on the body.

• Avocado and its seed contribute to the production of the “happiness hormone” or, in scientific terms, serotonin. Therefore, to eliminate depression or its symptoms, or simply to lift your mood, add “forest oil” seed to your food.
• It contains a lot of antioxidants. They support normal heart function, preventing various ailments, and “clean” blood vessels from “bad” cholesterol. In addition, the avocado seed will also have an analgesic effect. Thus, improving the patient’s condition, for example, arthritis or arthrosis.

The bone has many beneficial properties

IMPORTANT: Avocado pit helps against yellow fever , which is carried by mosquitoes. She is also able to cope with other fungal and infectious diseases in tropical climates.

• This is a “fighter” against cancer ! And not just, but among other fruits it was awarded first place. Due to the high flavanol content, an antitumor effect is created. And Vocation B leads to self-destruction of leukemia cells.
• Avocados generally have a low glycemic index (no more than 10), and with a high oleic acid composition, they are a must-have fruit for diabetics .
• of the gastrointestinal tract improves . Fiber makes a special contribution. But antioxidants and other substances will help the ulcers heal. Avocado will also help with constipation or eliminate symptoms of diarrhea.
• It is also an assistant for the immune system . The necessary elements will cope with viral and colds, so during a flu epidemic it is extremely important to eat the seed and the pulp itself.
• Despite the high fat content, this is an indispensable item for those trying to lose weight. The whole secret is that the level of glucose in the blood decreases and a feeling of satiety appears. And this is already half the battle on the way to weight loss.

Avocado is good for the body

• Gives vigor and activity . It doesn’t hurt to add a pinch of grated bone to your morning tea or coffee to boost your energy for the whole day. By the way, waking up in the morning will become much easier.
• It will help prevent a terrible, dangerous and not fully understood disease - epilepsy .
• It will also be a natural cure for asthma . Moreover, the stone has an expectorant effect, which is very important for lung diseases. By the way, many pharmaceutical manufacturers use avocados as the basis for syrups. And not only that, but avocado seed is also included in anti-cancer drugs.
• Regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland .
• The seed contains a lot of folic acid . The female body needs it not only during pregnancy, but at other times of life.
• And you should also know that the seed improves the condition of bones . Therefore, it should be included in the diet after injuries or fractures. This will shorten the rehabilitation period.
• The entire body, including the brain, receives a charge of energy Therefore, avocado and its pit should be consumed by those who have intense brain activity.

Despite the long list of beneficial and medicinal properties, the avocado seed also has a “negative side”:

• Like any exotic fruit, avocado seed causes an allergic reaction. More often it manifests itself in the form of a rash, which is more typical of food allergies. But it can also be expressed by other symptoms, for example, tearing or runny nose, and maybe itching.
• This is extremely unsafe for nursing mothers. And not just because of the baby's sensitivity. Avocado, and especially the pit, reduces milk production. And, despite the fat content of the fetus, milk loses its usefulness.

The avocado seed also has a negative side when consumed.

IMPORTANT: Avocados and, especially, its seeds are contraindicated for children under 3 years of age.

• Oddly enough, avocado did not make much friends with the liver. And all because of the large number of essential oils, which have a detrimental effect on the health of the “filter”.
• If you eat more seeds than normal, you may experience an upset stomach, nausea or vomiting.
• And with severe overdoses, swelling of the mucous membrane and tongue is often observed. This is a very dangerous symptom as it can cause suffocation.
• When taking medications, check your diet as well. The fact is that the avocado seed neutralizes some drugs. Therefore, their use will be useless.
• Also, do not get carried away with avocados when dieting. It helps burn fat, but at the same time, it is a very high-calorie fruit. Therefore, both the pulp and the pit should be consumed in moderation.

Features of a home tree

A home-grown avocado has some differences from a naturally grown avocado:

1. The height of a tree in nature can reach 18 m, while the height of a home avocado reaches a limit of 2 m. At the same time, it looks quite decorative and interesting.
2. It takes a lot of time and effort to create the conditions in which a tree begins to bear fruit, so most often such a tree is used exclusively for decorative purposes.
3. If all conditions are created for the plant to bear fruit, its fruits are slightly inferior in size and taste to the imported ones.
4. Avocados purify the air, which is why they are popular among gardeners.

In general, growing an avocado does not present any particular difficulties if there is no goal to ensure its constant fruiting.

Is it possible to grow it yourself?

Home conditions make it possible to grow an avocado, although in nature the tree is very large and therefore poorly suited for growing in a pot. If the tree’s crown is not formed in a certain way , the result will be a weakly leafy shrub without a decorative appearance that does not even bloom.

But this does not stop lovers of exotic plants, since propagation by seeds is easy, and the result is an evergreen tree with a lush crown and a height of up to 2.5 m . This will require compliance with certain rules and maintaining optimal environmental conditions.

What soil to prepare

To properly plant an avocado seed, it is important to choose the soil. It should be well aerated and fairly loose. In particular, limestone and sandy loam are the main soil types that promote lush plant growth. Avocado trees tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils, with the best pH range for a successful tree being 6 to 6.5; this slightly acidic range can be achieved by periodically adding lime or sulfur to the soil, depending on pH readings. Compacted soils will inhibit root spread, which can stunt tree growth and promote root rot. The soil does not need heavy fertilization until the tree is 1 year old.

During this period, soil testing should be done to find out what nutrients are present or missing in the soil. You can use regular potting mix and add a few stones to the bottom of the pot to help drain excess moisture.

How to plant an avocado seed correctly

Avocado trees are popular landscaping plants. They are small, rooted trees that require good aeration and well-drained soils. They do best with a thick layer of mulch. The point of mulch is to create a layer of organic matter for the fine roots. Over time, the tree will shed its leaves and create a natural mulch that is very beneficial for the roots. The ideal time to plant an avocado seed is from March to June. In summer there is a risk of sun damage as young trees cannot absorb water well.

It is important to compact the soil around the tree to avoid air pockets around the roots. The main nutrients needed by avocado trees are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) in a balanced zinc fertilizer. Young trees should be fed sparingly - 1-2 teaspoons per tree of balanced fertilizer per year. The best time to apply fertilizer is during maximum root growth - March, July and October.

Sprouting Avocado Seeds

The avocado tree at home should have moist soil. Within a couple of months, the seed should take root and produce a stem. If you notice that the seed is starting to crack, this is a good sign. Check the soil every few days to make sure the soil remains moist.