Although it is not particularly likely that ripe fruits will grow from home-grown avocados under Central European climate conditions, growing the tropical plant can still be worthwhile. With its elliptical, dark green leaves, up to 15 centimeters long, the avocado plant looks very distinctive and is a real gem for any living room or winter garden.
How to propagate an avocado?
An avocado can be propagated either from the seed or from a cutting. In the seed core method, the core is rooted in a glass of water or planted directly in soil. Propagating cuttings requires patience, as the shoot needs to be placed in a water bath to form roots and then planted in soil.
Propagate avocado via the seed core
The easiest way to propagate an avocado is from the seed. There are two methods for this: In the more common water method, the core is first placed in a glass of water to form roots before it is planted in suitable soil. But the second method also promises good success: To do this, put the core in a flower pot filled with soil and keep the substrate evenly moist. However, don't lose patience: depending on the variety and size of the pit, an avocado needs several weeks to months before the first tender shoots appear.
Pulling an avocado plant from a cutting
It is unusual, but still possible, to grow an avocado from a cutting. Avocados should be topped regularly so that they branch and form a lush bush. However, you do not have to throw away the trimmed top; you can use it to grow another tree. However, you need a lot of patience because propagation from a cutting takes longer than from seeds. This method is also more complicated.
How to grow plants from a cutting:
- Choose shoots from an older, preferably woody avocado
- Renew water regularly
- Occasionally enrich water with an auxin mixture
- Pot the cutting in suitable soil as soon as roots have formed
- have a lot of patience
Root the cutting in a water bath
To do this, place the cutting in a glass filled with stale, room temperature water and place it in a bright, protected location. Be sure to renew the water regularly and enrich it from time to time with a few drops of an auxin mixture (these are plant growth hormones enriched with vitamins and available at any horticultural center). It can take several months for the first roots to form.
Tips & Tricks
The auxin mixture ensures that the cutting receives enough nutrients and does not drop its leaves. They are also known as “root forcing fix” and can be easily made yourself. To do this, dissolve 1 g of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in acetone and fill the mixture with two liters of water. Done!
