I decided to attempt at growing avocados. I will be the first to admit I am no expert in gardening. But, I want to try growing things using some of the information that I garner from books and the internet to see if I can actually grow stuff without killing it. I even watched videos on Youtube. So, what I found is that some people peeled the seeds, and some did not. Some planted in water first then soil, others panted directly in the soil.
To get started, I bought an avocado and cut it open and of course ate the avocado. To take the seed out of the avocado you must hit it with the knife lightly to get the knife to stick into the seed and then twist. If the avocado is ripe it will pop right out. I left the seed sit out over night then I peeled one of my seeds and the other I did not. I inserted toothpicks at three points and set it into water.
I also planted one directly in soil just to try three different ways of starting the seeds. It will take weeks for them to start to do anything. Here is my first batch of seedlings. I now have five plants growing at various stages of success.
I rooted them and once they had leaves on them planted them in soil. I used an organic soil with mulch in it already since I do not have a mulch pile or bin or anything yet. I have been fertilizing them with coffee grounds and egg shells so far. I did give them a dash of Epsom salts because I read that it is good for plants.
I have the trees out on my patio over the summer, but they will have to come in during our harsh winters. Tonight, it is expected to go as low as 47 degrees and it is not even September yet.
Some of the damage they have incurred while on my patio is hail storms. I saved them from the first one. The second hail storm I was not home and here is the results.
When I inspected my plants I also found some critter has decided that he likes my plants and has started eating them. I have been going out at all hours trying to catch the culprit and I believe it is grasshoppers. I am sure there is something else but have not been able to catch them at it. Now this may seem strange to you but, I try to catch them at take them miles away and then let them go. I do not want to kill them if I can help it.
I have also tried to pinch the avocado trees to get them to bush out. They are beginning to now. Even planted them in small pots thinking that might get them to bush out and not up. I think this is going to be an ongoing project. I will have to update you on how they all do in the house over the winter.