How to Plant an Avocado

Avocados are not a particularly beautiful looking fruit-compared to pears or apples-but are as versatile a fruit as either of them. Avocados are low in calories, high in vitamins and minerals and the main ingredient in a guacamole dip. They can be enjoyed sliced and enjoyed by themselves or with slices of cheese. Added to a fruit salad platter, their size alone makes them stand out among all the other fruits. The pit of the avocado, when rooted and potted, will become a beautiful flowered plant to adorn your patio or garden.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• avacado
• toothpicks
• glass of water

1. 
    
   Sliced down the center

   Cut the avocado down the center lengthwise, being careful not to cut into the pit itself. Remove the pit and wash it under water, removing any remaining flesh of the fruit itself. Leave the light brown seed cover intact.

2. 
    
   remove the pit and enjoy the fruit

   Hold the washed avocado pit with its narrow side pointing upwards and insert four pointed end toothpicks into the sides of the pit as shown below. Find a wide mouth glass or mug and fill to the top with fresh water.

3. 
    
   half in water and half out

   Place the avocado pit so that the toothpicks lean or rest on the rim of the glass and the bottom of the pit sits in the water. This is where the roots of the plant will eventually emerge. Place the glass in a well lit area, either indoors near a window or on the patio and wait for the roots to sprout.

4. 
    
   pit minus the skin

   Change the water every few days, spilling out the old and replacing it with fresh clean water. Since water evaporates quickly, make sure that the base of the pit is always in the water. The plant will not sprout quickly, so do not lose your patience. Eventually the brown layer of the pit will become dry, wrinkled and eventually fall off.

5. 
    
   leaf bud opens as above picture

   Be careful and do not move or touch the root. It takes time for it to grow sturdy roots. Watch to see a leaf bud sprouting on top. This will eventually open to grow a shoot that will be bearing many leaves. Remove the plant from the water and plant in the soil in the garden or in a decorative plant pot to adorn your patio or room.

6. 
    
   A beautifully flowerd potted plant

   Do not over water the plant but just enough to keep the soil moist and not saturated. Check on the color of the leaves to give you an idea if the plant is healthy. Brown leaves on the top mean the plant needs more watering. Yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering, and that your plant needs to dry out before watering once again. A healthy plant will give off delicate white flower buds that will eventually open.

Tips & Warnings

• Many fruits will also grow beautiful flowers, including pineapples.

References

• Avocado Information and recipies
• Guacamole dip

[ljsomma]

on 8/22/2009 wow! i never knew this was possible!! thanks! a 5!

[jull14]

on 7/6/2009 Thank you for sharing this information with me, it is very interesting, helpful for many here at ehow and the article is well written and easy to follow, thanks so much.