Day 7
Skin is starting to dry up and fall off. Not much occurred the first week.
Note actually the one that was dry and easily peeled off is actually the dud. The rest took a while for the water to soak through before finally peeling.
Note: I am in USDA hardiness zone 10a and Sunset Western Garden book's climate zone 16
Note actually the one that was dry and easily peeled off is actually the dud. The rest took a while for the water to soak through before finally peeling.
Note: I am in USDA hardiness zone 10a and Sunset Western Garden book's climate zone 16
Day 25
During the first 3 weeks, a crack formed cracking the seed in half starting at the bottom.
After daily to every other day peeling off the deteriorating skin, watering, washing off the avocado seed, one of the four finally sprouted a root beyond the margins of the avocado. This avocado had been more ripe compared to the others when it started. This is a side view
At this point, 2 others have started splitting, but one is still tightly intact in pretty much the original state.
Some have said the avocado seed turns a little pink just before it sprouts, but I haven't really found that to be true.
After daily to every other day peeling off the deteriorating skin, watering, washing off the avocado seed, one of the four finally sprouted a root beyond the margins of the avocado. This avocado had been more ripe compared to the others when it started. This is a side view
At this point, 2 others have started splitting, but one is still tightly intact in pretty much the original state.
Some have said the avocado seed turns a little pink just before it sprouts, but I haven't really found that to be true.
Day 29
This is a bottom view. 2 are growing roots, another is cracked open and on its way. the fourth appears to be a dud - not much activity. However, I will keep the faith and continue it in water.
Day 33
I realized with great delight today that I got twin embryos!
At least I am assuming because I realized the other two which are sprouting only have one root coming out!
I also see a tiny bud of a shoot coming out the embryo, but it still has an inch or so to grow before it'll come out the top of the seed. I'll get a picture when it's bigger.
At least I am assuming because I realized the other two which are sprouting only have one root coming out!
I also see a tiny bud of a shoot coming out the embryo, but it still has an inch or so to grow before it'll come out the top of the seed. I'll get a picture when it's bigger.
Day 39
Wow, it's been 5 weeks and still not much from above.
At least from below you can see the roots forming. Sadly, the one with two roots (on the left) is growing more slowly now compared to the one with singletons. The singletons have fatter roots now and just as long. Isn't that always how it goes?
The fourth is still a dud.
At least from below you can see the roots forming. Sadly, the one with two roots (on the left) is growing more slowly now compared to the one with singletons. The singletons have fatter roots now and just as long. Isn't that always how it goes?
The fourth is still a dud.
Day 44
The sprout is in there, curled up. Come on out! The sun would like to greet you! As the sprout gets closer to coming out, the top of the seed splits even more. You can also see some knobs on the roots. I think little side roots are going to come out soon.
Day 59
To my horror, I think those knobs are actually mold. It was getting ridiculous, almost devouring all the green part inside the seed. After taking the picture I took a toothpick to remove as much of it as possible from there and the roots. I hope they survive :/ At least it still seems to be growing upwards.
Also, the reason why the two on the right are twisty is because I put them in smaller containers.
Also, the reason why the two on the right are twisty is because I put them in smaller containers.
Day 81
Well, two were overtaken by the white plague (the one on the left and right). This picture is in reverse order of the previous. The one on the right in this picture was the one on the left in the previous picture. I tried to save it by planting it in dirt, but it didn't work. You may not be able to tell but the sprout is pretty withered.
The middle one is rooting but the sprout is shriveling. I think this may be the end of my attempt to grow avocados, sadly.
The middle one is rooting but the sprout is shriveling. I think this may be the end of my attempt to grow avocados, sadly.
Day 90
Holy cow! There may be hope yet.
This is the avocado in the second to right picture above. See how the initial sprout is all shriveled? I can't believe it - another one is growing next to it!
This one seems to be more resistant to fungus. There had been a few colonies of fungus on the sprout, but none on the roots. I am keeping the water level a little lower to decreased fungal growth on the sprout. I am so nervous - should I plant it in dirt?
Will this one survive? It would be only one of the original four to make it! Cross your fingers!
This is the avocado in the second to right picture above. See how the initial sprout is all shriveled? I can't believe it - another one is growing next to it!
This one seems to be more resistant to fungus. There had been a few colonies of fungus on the sprout, but none on the roots. I am keeping the water level a little lower to decreased fungal growth on the sprout. I am so nervous - should I plant it in dirt?
Will this one survive? It would be only one of the original four to make it! Cross your fingers!
Day 94
Look at that! My one survivor!
Day 102
I planted it last week because I was afraid that letting it sit in water would encourage the fungus. It seems to be doing very well in dirt. I keep the dirt very moist.
Day 127
I gotta say, I am super impressed at these survivors. Remember that super fungified 2-rooted avocado (on the right in day 81, on the left in day 59)? I just left it in the planter because I was too lazy to do anything else with it. In fact I planted some other plants around it. I even dug the whole thing up just to verify it was dead before planting anything else in there. The roots were completely shriveled and dark. Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. It's growing!!! It's not the green plant behind it, but see that leaf?
Day 150!
The left one: Look how beautiful and healthy it looks! Amazing. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have some fungus gnats from possibly overwatering at times, but they aren't harming the plant at all. I think it's probably better that they eat the fungus so it doesn't harm the avocado. I still keep it in doors. Hooray! so proud of my little avocado.
The right one: wow, it's growing two sprouts (the red-brown leaf ones). don't mind the green sprout (that's either an orange or lemon seed I stuck in there dirt, and don't mind the jade plant in the foreground). I think the reason why it's brown is because it grew up completely outdoors where it's sunnier, and yet colder and breezier.
The right one: wow, it's growing two sprouts (the red-brown leaf ones). don't mind the green sprout (that's either an orange or lemon seed I stuck in there dirt, and don't mind the jade plant in the foreground). I think the reason why it's brown is because it grew up completely outdoors where it's sunnier, and yet colder and breezier.
Day 215
My indoor avocado hasn't grown much these past 2 months, which is my fault. First, I didn't keep it watered enough because of the fungus gnats. So I tried to keep it on the drier end which helped decrease the gnat population but then my avocado didn't grow. Then, just as it started growing a small leaf, it got knocked over out of its pink cup and I repotted it in a bigger soup container. After this trauma that growth dried out and died. So, I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer for more growth.
The outdoor avocado is doing well! It's growing greener with time too. I think because it gets more sun, it's more squat with thinner leaves.
The outdoor avocado is doing well! It's growing greener with time too. I think because it gets more sun, it's more squat with thinner leaves.
Day 241 = 8 months
The outdoor avocado continues to grow. It's just been repotted to a bigger container and I took out the jade plant and lemon seedling next to it. I'm not sure what to do about the two avocado plants from one seed. hopefully they don't kill each other.
The indoor one is finally starting to grow a bit at the tip so hopefully soon I'll have some more leaves. I think it might need more sun than it's currently getting. It also fell over AGAIN, which keeps stunting its growth. I've put it in a ceramic pot now so that should keep it in place
The indoor one is finally starting to grow a bit at the tip so hopefully soon I'll have some more leaves. I think it might need more sun than it's currently getting. It also fell over AGAIN, which keeps stunting its growth. I've put it in a ceramic pot now so that should keep it in place
Day 350
Wow, almost a year old. In the past 3 months the indoor Avocado has grown another node and one leaf. The outdoor one.... it's hard to say. It did get burned a little by frostbite. The temperature dipped down to about 35 degrees F, but it's surviving!
Since it's December, I think they are done growing for the year. Hopefully come spring they'll sprout a bit more
Wow, almost a year old. In the past 3 months the indoor Avocado has grown another node and one leaf. The outdoor one.... it's hard to say. It did get burned a little by frostbite. The temperature dipped down to about 35 degrees F, but it's surviving!
Since it's December, I think they are done growing for the year. Hopefully come spring they'll sprout a bit more
4 years, 3 months and 3 weeks later....
The indoor avocado died. Outdoor avocado: The initial stalks appeared dead, possibly from the California drought, or from a cold winter. I live in a very windy and foggy hillside. I cut one of them to see if it was still viable. Surprise surprise, the next year the uncut one started sprouting a few leaves at the top, and the stalk I cut started growing some leaves from the bottom. Surprise some more, it resprouted from the bottom as well! hardy things! nature finds a way to survive it seems. |