I love avocados. I love guacamole. But, it's very disappointing that avocados can be a bit expensive. I don't get to eat them as much as I'd like, which would be everyday, if I could.
So, I came up with a perfectly logical solution. I decided to grow my own avocado tree. From a seed that came out of a previously eaten avocado.
I didn't let the fact that I live in Ohio (long, cold winters, snow, ice) deter me.
Last year, I took my little seed, stuck some toothpicks in it, and stuck it in some water. These are all very techinical terms, so try to follow, okay? I also stuck a piece of charcoal in the water, to sweeten it up. Apparently, they like sweet water. Can't blame them.
Then, I waited. And watched. And waited. At first, nothing happened. But, then I noticed that the seed was spliting. And, if you look very closely, in the center, something is growing. Oh happy day!
The roots were growing, too.
As it grew stem and leaves,Hubby kept telling me, "You'd better get it in some dirt." I kept saying, "I think it's ok in the water." (But, I did a little research on the internet, just in case. Turns out, he was right. Again.)
I found a big pot, filled it with potting soil, and plopped (new term) it in its new home. I think it liked being in soil, because it continued growing very nicely.
As you can see, my plant is now at 12 inches.
Now, if you look closely at the next photo, you will see that at six to eight inches, there are no leaves! I would only have a stem! This is the very worst part of gardening! I hate HATE to thin out and pinch off! I don't know if I can do it! What if the leaves don't grow back! But, the purpose of pinching off is so that the base will grow rounder. I know it needs to be done, but, but, arrrrggggggg - I can't do it!
I'll get Hubby to do the dirty work. Then, if it dies, I can blame him. It goes without saying that if it flourishes, it will be due to my fantastic gardening skills!
So, I mentioned to Hubby that the avocado needed trimmed. Maybe "decapitated" is a better term. He simply said, "Get me the scissors, and show me where to cut." I was hyperventalating as the deed was done!
Now, I have to wait and see if
If it lives,I only have to wait about six more years to see if I get an avocado out of it! I will keep you posted on the progress.
*Teehee*...What? No stores or farmer's markets near your house with grocers you can haggle with?! LOL Although...watching you grow one could be interesting too!...Carry on!! ^_^ {I've never even eaten an avocado!}
ReplyDeleteSix years!!! And here I was expecting to see some avocados this summer!! Are you going to plant it outside at some point? I hate thinning and pinching off, just like you!!!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting. My mother sprouted and avocado but I don't remember what happened to it. Pretty sure (in pre-internet days) that we didn't pinch it back.
ReplyDeleteWe bought two of them at Costco and brought them home. A few days later we had a few days of frost. The poor things almost died.
ReplyDeleteI worked hard and saved them and now they are doing good in their pots. I probably will have to wait the six years to get any fruit but then again the wait will be worth it.
The orange tree we bought with them has four oranges growing on it. They are the size of golf balls and one is a little bigger. I am very thankful that I have four of them growing on this tiny little tree. It is almost 3 feet high. Yup, I am very proud of that tree. It survived the frost too.
Just hang in there and every avocado will be worth it. But I am not sure if you have to graft it with a fruit producing tree. I had heard that you have to do that or you will not get any fruit.
Lots of well wishes for your tree.
God bless.
LOL! You are so funny, and I would do the same: get somebody else (probably my son) to "do the dirty-work" so I can blame THEM if it doesn't work! Ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteI've been on my 'blogging break' but am trying to visit my favorite bloggers to say hi. Hope you have been well, Darlene! Have a great weekend!
Best,
Gloria
I've never known anyone to actually get a plant out of an avocado seed. I grew up putting them in water until they split and then a we'd get a couple of leaves and then it died. More than likely because I missed that all important "put it in the dirt" step. I love avocados - but I can't eat them - so probably it's for the best that I've never been able to grow them.
ReplyDeleteI love avocados, but I hardly ever buy them because they are soooo expensive. Good luck with your plant I tried that once and the plant got really tall....I missed the part of cutting off the top!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
I love white wine and I've been inspired by you to grow a grapevine in my back yard. Maybe in 6 years time we can share a glass of my wine over a plate of your avocados. I laughed all the way through this post Darlene.
ReplyDelete