Growing your own avocado tree from a pit is a huge trend and a lot of fun. But how do you make sure it doesn’t just become a long, spindly stick with a few leaves, but a real, fruit-bearing tree?
Here is the complete guide, plus one big gardening secret.
A Guide to Growing
1. Proper Planting
- The Pot: Ideally, use a container with a volume of about 4 liters and a light, well-draining potting mix.
- The Pit: The pit has a “bottom” (the wider, slightly flatter part) where the roots grow from. Plant it bottom-side down so that one-third of the pit sticks out above the soil.
2. Water and Sun
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, but never waterlogged (otherwise, the roots will rot).
- Light: A young plant needs partial shade. Harsh, direct sunlight would scorch its delicate leaves.
3. Shaping and Care
- Support: As the plant grows, tie it to a bamboo stake to prevent it from bending or leaning.
- Pinching (The Key to Fullness): Avocados tend to grow as one long, tall rod. Regularly pinch off the top shoots! This forces the plant to branch out to the sides and become bushier.
THE SECRET TO A HARVEST: Grafting
- The Harsh Truth: A tree grown strictly from a pit won’t start bearing fruit for 10–12 years, and even then, the fruit might not be very good.
- The Genius Shortcut: Grafting! If you graft a branch from an already-fruiting tree onto your young plant, you can enjoy your own delicious avocados in just 3 to 4 years.