Why can't I grow a avocado...

[orchidfriend]

I have tried every way possible to grow an avocado from a pit and I've failed time and time again...
Every guide I've read online talks about how easy it is and how it is a good project fro young children and for the classroom.
I've tried the pit in a cup of water with toothpicks method (about a dozen times) to no avail.
I've tried S/H with no luck.
I've tossed a pit in soil...
I've even put a pit in some LSM soaked in superthrive.
Why is this beyond me? I mean I'm not trying to be stuck up or anything, but I grow orchids. Shouldn't an avocado be pretty easy?

Anyways, what I am looking for is a fool proof method. Please, PLEASE help me. I promised my girlfriend a sprouted avocado months ago and she is starting to look at me askance.
Thanks in advance
-Andrew

[fred]

does this help Grow - Avocados Australia

[rcb]

orchidfriend, sorry I had to laugh when I read your post - because I have found myself in the same situation.

Fred, I looked at the link you provided, and that is exactly what I do - and they never grow. Back in March I was talking about my problem with growing an avocado from seed, and someone mentioned that some states irradiate fruits, which would kill the seed. I haven't checked into whether my state does that, but I can confirm, I've never been able to get an avocado to sprout. Although I keep trying. LOL

[fred]

I have never tried myself because I don't like avocado

hmm you could be right about the seed

[janet_a]

it may be the type of avocoado--aren't some of them highly hybridized, and grown on grafts? the pits may be sterile. i''ve had about 50% luck. careful what you wish for though--they got to be three free tall in the kitchen and i had to give them away. (i was at a sushi joint in bethesda, and they had one that was at least nine feet tall---skinny trunk all the way up to a clump of leaves brushing the ceiling.)

[exasperatus2002]

I dont know if it'd apply to avocados but I've had issues with acorns before not sprouting. They needed a resting period and the first time I kept them in the crisper for 2 months I started to get 90% germination rate.

[rcb]

janet - we always have the Haas type available here, but I saw a different kind at the store last week, if they are still there when I go shopping next, maybe I'll get one and see if that one works.

As for size, yeah they get big. I started a Black Bird of Paradise from seed about three years ago, without checking how big they get - and it's over 8 ft tall right now - oops. My hubby calls it 'the jungle' cause I had to move it in the house over the winter and it took up a good bit of our dining room. Funny how everyone just learned how to move around it. LOL

[Plucky Purcell]

Haas avocado trees are all grafted clones of ONE tree grown by a Mr. Haas in Wittier California during the early 20th century. Fuerte's and other varieties are also clones because there is way too much variance in seed grown plants. But the seeds should still sprout, so I don't know. I might look towards temp and climate issues. The growing area for avocados is very small. In CA the band starts about 10-15 miles inland from the coast and ends about 40 miles from the coast. It only goes as far north as Santa Barbara. Try keeping one on a heating pad and see if that helps germination.

[dtje2000]

I have this same problem with growning artichokes. I've tried a few times and for a while the plant grows quite well, then it sort of fizzles...coincidently with the increase in the florida summer heat and humidity... it's in the thistle family, and those weeds grow everywhere... oh well.

Renee, I wonder if you saw the Caribbean-type avocado... large, smooth green-skinned? I read that the fat content is lower than that of the California avocadoes...I'm not sure why, but I like them better than the little Haas ones...

[PhalPal]

If you are using the toothpick/water glass method I don't know why yours won't sprout. It must be one of the reasons mentioned above. I know that avocado trees are one of those that need a male and female plant nearby? Would this matter when it is so young???

I can try to sprout one for you and mail it to you if you want!! Seriously! I have friends with avocado trees so they wouldn't have anything weird done to them to make them sterile.

[patticake]

I grew one with the toothpick method a couple of years ago. I had the water touching about the bottom third of the pit. Maybe the pit was upside down? I had the glass on a west windowsill. If at first you don't succeed...

[solay]

No help here. I have a little tree but got it as a seedling. I hope I got a self fertile one cause I don't know if it's male or female.

Dtje2000, it must be the weather cause artichokes like cool nights and fog. They grow a bunch here around the coast. I have a plant I started a few years back that I've been trying to kill with no luck. Keeps coming back every spring!

[Tarad]

I have grown a couple of them not sure why yours wont sprout? Tara

[bemarine]

I want an avacado plant; it sure would save me at the grocery store!

[rcb]

dt - yes it was larger than the haas, smooth and a paler green. Hopefully they will still have some there.

[orchidfriend]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I am going to buy a couple more avocados today (good thing they are delicious) and try to sprout them... if that dosen't work, I may be taking you up on a 'cado start PhalPal

[cloudswinger]

I've started 3 seeds, but one died. The other two are about 6 ft tall now. One was a store bought and one was from my neighbors. They are all the big fruit kind, not those midget Haas. They are big trees, and will grow up to 30-60 ft tall, although since you're in a colder area you might be able to keep it smaller. Read CIR1034/MG213: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape, Home Fruit Production - Avocado, you might want to look for the Mexican race(i guess the Haas would be one) which has a higher cold tolerance.

Apparently the flowers all have both male and female parts, it's just that they work at separate times. Flowers of type A varieties open in the morning as receptive females, then close in the afternoon until the following afternoon when they reopen for pollen shed. On the other hand, flowers of type B avocados open in the afternoon as receptive females, close overnight and reopen the following morning to shed pollen.

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by fred

I have never tried myself because I don't like avocado

hmm you could be right about the seed

What?!!! I could like eat a million of these a day, but my doctor told me to cut back due to cholesterol.

I so love my guacomole.

[tansyflower]

This is advice from a tropical fruit farmer I asked.

Avocado seeds are irradiated, that may be stopping them from germinating.The hybridization shouldn't stop them germinating.

Get a homegrown one from the markets, or from someone with a tree.

Also, as Vermont is cold (I googled it and I think it's maybe cold?), they prefer some warmth to sprout- put it somewhere warm- apparently your compost heap is a good place as it generates heat.

[orchidfriend]

Originally Posted by articuno75

What?!!! I could like eat a million of these a day, but my doctor told me to cut back due to cholesterol.

I so love my guacomole.

if only avocados weren't so expensive... They are $2.25 at my coop and I still end up getting a couple at a time so I can always have a ripe one or two

[orchidfriend]

Originally Posted by tansyflower

This is advice from a tropical fruit farmer I asked.

Avocado seeds are irradiated, that may be stopping them from germinating.The hybridization shouldn't stop them germinating.

Get a homegrown one from the markets, or from someone with a tree.

Also, as Vermont is cold (I googled it and I think it's maybe cold?), they prefer some warmth to sprout- put it somewhere warm- apparently your compost heap is a good place as it generates heat.

Well, unfortunately, I don't know anybody with a avocado tree... PhalPal said she would send me a start if I still come up empty handed.
As for the cold It is freeeeeeeeeezing here. Last winter it went all the way down to -26 Fahrenheit. Also, I live in an apartment so no compost... I'm sure I can come up with a warm place though. Maybe if i put it on top of my t5's...

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by bemarine

I want an avacado plant; it sure would save me at the grocery store!

You think you want one ontil your have HUNDREDS a week rotting on your lawn! Once those babies gets growing there is no slowing them down. I love avocados so it's a common practice to give your guests a bag to take home!

The offer remains orchidfriend - if you want a leg-up just ask and I will try some for you.

[tansyflower]

I grew up in Tasmania, where it is very cold. The warmest place in the house was always on top of the hot water heater (if you have one), otherwise maybe on top of your lights would work well instead (maybe in a plastic container to keep warmth in- I don't really know what T5 lights are or how hot they get.)

[Rivka]

Originally Posted by articuno75

What?!!! I could like eat a million of these a day, but my doctor told me to cut back due to cholesterol.

I so love my guacomole.

ok this i really dont understand, they have no cholesterol, they are not a animal product.
in fact there are a number of studies showing it can lower bad and raise good cholesteral. your doctor needs to get more current on his info and sugestions.



quote "High avocado intake has been shown to have an effect on blood serum cholesterol levels. Specifically, after a seven day diet rich in avocados, hypercholesterolemia patients showed a 17% decrease in total serum cholesterol levels. These subjects also showed a 22% decrease in both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and 11% increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels."
Monounsaturated fatty acid (avocado) rich diet for mild hypercholesterolemia."]

[PhalPal]

Ha!! You are absolutely right Rivka! Cholesterol only comes from animal products; not a fruit (which an avocado is).

In fact I recently read that because avocados are so high in good fats and oils, they can actually HELP when losing weight. I seriously eat two or three a week with feta chesse and a drizzle of olive oil, cracked pepper.....yuuuum.....makes a great lunch and I have very high 'good' cholesterol levels and low triglicerides. I'm also a vegetarian so that is a big part of the story too.

Eat your guacomole with a smile Jenny!!!!!

[delphiguy]

wow i love avocado, i can eat 2-3 per day, but then my doctor told me to take it easy
since its high on cholesterol. so now i only eat about 2-3 per month if im lucky. we
usually just put it in a blender and put some powdered milk and small amount of sugar or
honey then thats it.

[Rivka]

i wonder why so many doctors don't understand the basics on cholesterol? not to mention the difference between good and bad fats, though that is slightly more understandable. in the 70's and 80's we got sooo hung up on low fat diets, we really lost touch with the big picture.

you might not want to eat 2-3 a day since they are very high caloric foods, but in a good diet they are wonderful and should be happily enjoyed by all who want to. if some doctor wants to show me a recent study that contradicts that, they are welcome to, till then....



homemade GUACAMOLE!!!!!!!!

[Tarad]

I really like Guacamole however on the new way of eating that I have taken on (dont say diet) I cant have it, because it is a food that has BOTH fat and carbs together and I cant have them together and still lose weight. With that said avocados really are good for you not bad fat. Just not great for a food combining diet. I have lost 45 pounds since February. Oh ya avocados are good for eliminating stress Tara

[bemarine]

Yes I'll take one already started PhalPhal. I live in an apartment though; Could I keep it in a pot outside? Its very hot and humid here in Houston.

[PhalPal]

I really don't know bemarine. Do avocado trees grow in your area??? I have always started them on a sunny kitchen windowsill.

[bemarine]

Have no idea?? Wouldn't mind trying though

[Dendian]

I used to live in Santa Barbara and have sprouted a couple of avocados myself, I found the easiest ones to sprout are the really big seeds from a very ripe avocado. That means you have to wait until it is good and soft before you open it up. (waiting is the hardest part). Also, buy only the avocados which still have a stem in them when they are not ripe. That way they will ripen without rotting. When they are really ripe they are smooshy soft to light finger pressure but not hollow/hard on the outside.

The best sprouted avocado I had just got planted outside last week, it got too big for the sunroom too many times (I had to cut it back three times already). It came from a huge avocado I bought at the store up here and the seed had already split and was sprouting when I ate the avocado. I don't know if that avocado was irradiated but it was from Raileys so it could have been.

I really miss the avocados in Santa Barbara. No trees up here (Northern California in the mountains), too cold. I will put christmas lights on it (like I do with the orange tree) and see if it can survive the winters (if it survives our summer first).

If the avocado is not very soft, the seed may not be ready to sprout. I suppose you already have the "pointed end up and round end in water" information, right?

If nothing else, you have lots of excuses to have guacamole... right?

[mrspiza]

Originally Posted by articuno75

What?!!! I could like eat a million of these a day, but my doctor told me to cut back due to cholesterol.

I so love my guacomole.

Jenny, your doctor is very confused. Avocados have no cholesterol: they are plants. Only animals products, by definition, contain any significant or indeed measurable amount of cholesterol. Now, avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, but it's a healthy fat when eaten in moderation. And in fact, consumption of healthy unsaturated fats, like avocados, along with oily fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel is one of the best ways to REDUCE your cholesterol number, especially "bad" cholesterol. Eat up, but don't just take my word for it.

Avocado - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by bemarine

Yes I'll take one already started PhalPhal. I live in an apartment though; Could I keep it in a pot outside? Its very hot and humid here in Houston.

It'll grow in Houston fine in the summer, but you'll have to bring it inside in winter. It does not like freezing, especially if it's young.

[lmartiny]

I remember my Mom growing Avacados on the kitchen windowsill. (in jars with tooth picks) But we never had an Avacado tree.

[articuno75]

Eat your guacomole with a smile Jenny!!!!!

Jenny, your doctor is very confused. Avocados have no cholesterol: they are plants. Only animals products, by definition, contain any significant or indeed measurable amount of cholesterol. Now, avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, but it's a healthy fat when eaten in moderation. And in fact, consumption of healthy unsaturated fats, like avocados, along with oily fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel is one of the best ways to REDUCE your cholesterol number, especially "bad" cholesterol. Eat up, but don't just take my word for it.

Avocado - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'll take your word for it. Like I said to Mrspiza in a PM, I even argued with my doc over it, but for sake went along with it and cut it out of the diet along with dairy and increased the Cheerios intake. LoL

I think I'm going to go back to the Avacado cause I'm having withdrawls. I have this awesome salad that I make and it's killing me just not eating any.