How do I grow an avocado?

The avocado is a plant that thrives in tropical regions. It cannot therefore be grown in the garden or vegetable patch in temperate countries except in pots, greenhouses or conservatories.

How to get an avocado from a lawyer

If you want to obtain an avocado tree, it is first necessary to select an avocado stone of a good size. In addition, its surface must be smooth, free from any cuts or other injuries. Then clean it with water, and place it in a container of hot water at 35-40°C. Then expose it to the sun or, failing that, place it in a dry, well-ventilated place. The aim of this operation is to remove as much moisture as possible.

A first technique is to pierce the avocado pit with 3 toothpicks, which you will then place on the edges of a glass. The pit will then be suspended above the inside of the glass. Make sure that the most pointed part is facing upwards. Take care to place a little cotton wool soaked in water at the bottom of the glass.

As soon as roots 1 to 2 cm long appear, you can put it in the ground. To do this, use a pot into which you will put potting soil. You can then bury the stone, taking care to keep the soil moist, especially in the early stages. Alternatively, you can place the core in the potting soil without going through the steps we discussed earlier. That said, the result is likely to be less effective.

How to look after your avocado tree

The avocado tree is a plant that needs to be watered well, but you should still avoid excess. Requirements will decrease as the plant grows. In hot weather, you can moisten the avocado leaves by misting. As far as light is concerned, the avocado tree needs enough of it to develop properly. That's why we recommend planting it near a window. There is no need to prune an avocado tree at the start of its growth. In fact, it would actually be detrimental. Later on, the main purpose of pruning will be to remove dead branches.

Cultivating avocado trees in temperate climates is undoubtedly difficult. Nevertheless, in the right conditions and with perseverance, you can expect to harvest your first avocados after 8 to 10 years. You could also consider growing other trees from their seeds, such as the lemon tree, which many people grow indoors.