The tropical avocado can be grown at home very easily and with just a few resources. All you need is the seed core of a ripe fruit - the flesh of which you have of course previously eaten with pleasure - and a little patience.
How do you successfully germinate an avocado?
To germinate an avocado successfully, you need an avocado pit, potting soil or water and patience. Place the core in either moist soil or a glass of water and wait at least four weeks for seedlings to appear.
Prepare the seed core optimally
Experience has shown that seeds from very ripe avocados germinate best. To access the seeds, carefully cut the fruit open with a sharp knife. However, be careful not to damage the core. Carefully remove the core from the pulp; this is easiest to do with the help of a large spoon. Then remove the brown membrane that surrounds the core. This measure ensures that the seed can germinate more easily.
What you need for successful avocado farming
- Avocado kernel
- a small pot/glass of water (depending on the method chosen)
- Growing soil / water
- very patient
Germinating in potting soil
Many hobby gardeners first germinate their avocado pit in a water bath. However, this method is neither faster nor more successful than placing the seed directly in a pot with soil. For the direct method, you should either choose special potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) or a peat mixture that is filled into a small plant pot. The avocado seed is inserted into this soil with its flattened side facing down, with the upper part of the seed sticking out. Pour the soil well and cover the pot with foil. A warm location protected from drafts is best. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. The kernel will germinate within at least four weeks.
Germinating in a water bath
The water method, on the other hand, is a little more complicated. To do this, place the core with the flat side down in a glass filled with water, with the top end sticking out. You can fix the seed with toothpicks - but be careful, otherwise you will damage the seed and germination will no longer be possible. To be on the safe side, you can also use a shot glass instead of a water glass, then there is no need to fix it. Now place the glass and its core in a warm but dark place and ensure that the water level is always even. The kernel germinates within a few weeks. Once a sprout has formed, place the container in a bright but not sunny location. The avocado can be planted as soon as a root ball has developed.
Tips & Tricks
Just don't lose your patience: an avocado seed needs at least four weeks to germinate - under certain circumstances it can take several months for the first visible successes. However, the attempt must be interpreted as unsuccessful as soon as the core becomes moldy or begins to rot.