So, I Grew a Tree

I'm taking a time-out from my vacation recaps just to show you something awesome.

When I left for vacation in early August, the Avocado pit that I planted back in May had finally begun to sprout, and was about an inch tall.  Having forgot about it just after we returned, since we were trying to get back into routine, my mom asked me one day after work if I had seen it since I returned. I answered no, and she took me by the hand and brought me into the other room, where I had placed the glass vase on the fireplace mantle.  Walking in, it was dark, so I couldn't see it right away, but when she turned on the lights, I saw how much it had grown.

Yes, it was that big! I couldn't believe it! It grew over an inch a day in the time that I was gone!  Plus, the leaves weren't small - they were really big! I didn't think I would have this kind of growth for months, never mind it happening essentially in ten days!

I started doing research on how to care for am adolescent avocado tree, and everything that I read talked about pinching.  Initially, I was confused by the term "pinching," but I figured out that what they meant is to cut off the top of the plant to begin the growth of new branches. By pinching off the top set of leaves, it tricks the plant to begin a new sub-stem, which just ends up being a branch that will grow leaves, instead of only having leaves coming off of the main branch.

I just recently did this, after waiting for a few more leaves to show up, so I'm not a part of the waiting game for the tree to start its new branches. I'm really hoping that this works, because having a nice full tree would be great!

I also read that you can try to put the leaf and bud into a small glass of water to see if it starts to sprout roots, so I did that and we'll see what happens. I doubt that it will survive and start to grow, but it can't hurt to try, right?

And now that I know that I can grow a tree from an avocado pit, I may just start a few more just so I have some nice green in the home. After all, I do have eleven more of those vases leftover from the wedding centerpieces, so I may as well just put them to use!

Have you successfully grown an avocado tree? What did you do to help it branch out?

DIY: Grow an Avocado Tree

I have wanted to plant a tree for a while now, and while this won't exactly cross that item off of my 101 in 1001 list, it is a step in the right direction.  Avocado trees are not native to this environment, however, you can still grow the tree, but there is no guarantee that it will be fruit bearing.  

We buy avocados at the grocery store every few weeks, so when D used one in his taco salad the other night, I took the seed and set it aside to plant it.  

I started out with some river rocks, which I bought from IKEA for just about a dollar.  You can also find bags of river rocks at Dollar Tree for $1, or you can just use some rocks from your yard.  I didn't have a planter or a pot to plant this in, but I did have some extra vases that I used in my centerpieces at our wedding.  

I started out making sure that the case was free of dust and oils.  If you wash it ahead of time, also make sure that the vase is free of soap residue.  

Next, line the bottom of your planter or vase with the river rocks.  You want at least two inches high of rocks.  Having rocks in the bottom will help with water flow in a planter that has holes in the bottom.  In a vase, like I am using, this will help you make sure that you aren't over-watering your avocado tree.  

Add in some dirt to about 2/3 the way up the vase or planter.  Gently tap your vase or planter on a hard surface to make sure that the dirt settles in the planter, getting some between the rocks at the bottom.  

Press down gently on the surface of the dirt to pack it in.   

Place the avocado pit in the planter. Make sure that the pointed end is facing up, and the larger rounded end is sitting in the dirt, facing down towards the bottom of the vase or planter.  

Add more dirt, pressing it around the avocado pit and then leaving 1/2"-1" of free space at the top of the vase or planter.  

Add water to the vase or planter. Add enough so that the soil is completely wet.  If you have used a vase, all of the dirt should be wet, and your rocks should be sitting in some water at the bottom.  If you are using a planter, wet the soil enough so that you have a stream of water coming out of the bottom of the planter.  

Place your planted avocado pit in a sunny location indoors, and water as needed. 

And now, the waiting game begins.  From what I have read, it will take about three to six weeks for the sprouts to grow.  I'll make an update when I finally see progress on my tree, but for right now, I'll just keep watering it.

Have you ever planted an avocado tree? Aren't the leaves beautiful!?