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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Dorthe on May 03, 2005, 16:17:29

Title: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: Dorthe on May 03, 2005, 16:17:29
Hi fellow gardeners

My other half wants to join in with the fun and try to make an avocado grow from the stone.

In other tries this have failed.

We have the stone suspended over water in a glass, but not sure where to keep it until it has begun sprouting.

I understand it has too be kept warm and dark. Could I put it into a dark cupboard behind the fridge? Or is that too dark?

Any hints and tips to make it happen would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: aquilegia on May 03, 2005, 16:22:48
I tried for the first time last year. Soaked it for a week or two. Then cracked it (by accidentally dropping it!) Then planted it half-way up the stone.

I kept it indoors, but after a while, it failed to do anything, so I put it outside in my nursery area. A few months later I suddenly noticed it'd sprouted. It's now about 1ft tall and growing fast!
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: littleweed on May 03, 2005, 21:01:09
My daughter just planted the stone in a pot of compost on a windowsill last year and we ended up with a woody stem about 18 inches tall with two leaves at the top.  Unfortunately it blew over and broke but we have got three more on the go this year!
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: honeybee on May 03, 2005, 21:26:34
I started one off about two weeks ago but not sure if i will get anywhere with it, but i can live in hope :)
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: Heldi on May 03, 2005, 22:45:00
Wow I didn't know you could do this. Must have a go. ;D
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: maz on May 04, 2005, 08:22:48
I started one a few months ago. Followed all the rules and it got to the stage of cracking.............. and that was that.  :(  It just sat there doing nothing.    >:(   The binmen took it away last week.  ;)
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: David R on May 04, 2005, 09:11:13
They take an absolute age to start sprouting, 2-3 months perhaps.

You can keep them in a cool outhouse or conservatory. I kept mine for a couple of years then risked keeping it outdoors all year (live in Kent), but unfortunately a deep frost got it. It did survive light frosts though. Tough plants but not very attractive really - but they are fun to grow from the stone.

They like plenty of water, lots of light and good feeding.

Has anyone tried growing date palms from date stones?
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: piers on May 04, 2005, 17:15:30
I've grown quite a few avos from the stone. Best way is to stick two cocktail sticks in the side and suspend it in water, in an eggcup on the windsill. They make lovely houseplants and one of mine is now about five foot tall. I've also done dates - it's still alive although not exactly huge. Seems to have been the same size for about three years. I've also done pineapple too, which is fun. You cut out the core of a pineapple, leaving all the leaves on top, dry it for a few days so it doesn't rot, and then put it in compost and it'll grow. A real joy and another great looking houseplant. I've also done ginger which started well and then rotted. Might try again.
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: David R on May 04, 2005, 21:00:59
thingytail eh! ;D
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: weedin project on May 04, 2005, 21:19:14
Hi
I tried the cocktail stick thing last summer, but nothing happened except the water went brown with monotonous regularity.  Then after about a month I noticed a littel sprout at one end, but a month later it was no different.  I then stuck it in a 6" pot of compost and put it in the greenhouse, watering it whenever I remembered.  Basically I gave up on it.
Then it grew. 
I have kept it in the greenhouse (heated and bubble-wrapped - the greenhouse that is) over winter, and now it is outside in a bigger pot.  It is about 18 inches high and has the beginnings of a few branches near the top.
The question I have is this - none of the other replies mention actually getting any avocados off their plants, so, has anyone ever actually managed to get edible fruit off theirs? :-\
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: Marianne on May 04, 2005, 21:47:17
I think I tried years ago !!  It would be interesting if anyone could post a photo of their avocado plants to see what they look like.  I might have a go at planting one myself but have to remember to put it on my Asda list  of things to buy .. :D ::)
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: Mrs Ava on May 04, 2005, 22:09:01
I believe it would take many years to get fruit from a tree grown from a stone.  Also, as with a lot of these lovely fruits, our summers aren't long enough.  However, the climate is changing and if you can provide adequate humidity, then why not!  I had one and it reached almost 6 foot, but succumbed to the extreme heat in our conservatory whilst we were away on holiday a couple of years back.  Have not gotten around to planting one again as I am the only person in the entire family that likes advocados, so they aren't something I purchase terribly often.  :-\
Title: Re: Growing Avocadoes from stone!
Post by: philandjan on May 05, 2005, 15:30:10
I also used Piers method but couldn't find any thingytail thingys (not knowing what they look like).

I've used yoghurt pots and paper clips. The best thing about the paper clips is the you can bend them until you get the right "dangle" in the water. Kept in yoghurt pot on windowsill until the shoot is about 6" high and roots starting to curl round in pot.

Then potted up in general purpose compost and then down to the greenhouse with them, next to the fruit-bearing fig.