![]() While toothpicks are not a substitute for brushing and flossing, they can be a helpful addition to your oral care routine. In addition, the ridges help to massage the gums and remove any bacteria that may be present. The ridges on the toothpick help to grip the food particles so that they can be removed more easily. Toothpicks are designed to clean your teeth by removing food particles and plaque from between them. But upon closer inspection, it’s clear that these tiny ridges serve an important purpose. If you do not live in a growing area, the avocados in your grocery store probably always come from the same few sources (depending on import/export laws).Most people don’t give much thought to toothpicks, let alone why they have ridges.There are three species of avocados and many varieties.The pollination process for avocados is interesting: on day one female flowers open on day two they are male and shed their pollen.Grafted avocado plants produce fruit with a few years compared to germinated seeds (8-20 years).The hard, green fruit can take two weeks to ripen, although this is faster if exposed to ethylene gas. Avocados must be left to mature on the tree, but then ripen after harvesting.Avocados are much richer in potassium than bananas (which are always heralded as potassium-rich).Avocados are considered a healthy food choice, providing (primarily) monounsaturated fat, vitamins B6, C, E, and potassium, magnesium, and folate. ![]() The fruit of an avocado (the part we eat), is actually a large berry and the pit is a seed.Yes, that’s the first time that word has come up in my garden writing. The word ‘avocado’ originates from a word meaning ‘testicle’.If you don’t already have a stem, one will grow. While steadying the seed, gently press down the potting mix and add more as needed, leaving the top inch of the seed above soil level. The plant will know what to do from there. If so, just be sure to place everything root-like under the soil surface. The roots may also be growing in all different directions and/or you may not be able to distinguish a root from a shoot. It is said that root pruning (trimming) can also help produce a bushy rather than a tall, leggy plant but I have not found research to confirm it. Use sharp scissors cleaned with rubbing alcohol or bleach solution ( 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water for at least one minute). If you can’t use a larger pot, you can selectively cut them back-but don’t overdo it. If your root (or roots) are much longer than your pot size, you risk snapping them during the potting process while trying to fit everything into the pot. Handle with care so the roots do not break. To plant, fill the pot half way with potting mix and gently place the seed in the pot. I’ll show you how to sprout your seed, plant your seed, and care for it as a houseplant. You can also use this same method for growing mango plants from grocery store fruit. There is an option to save the instructions at the bottom of the page. So, start saving those pits and get growing. The actual pollination process in rather unusual and intriguing and worth further reading if you are interested. Grafted avocados produce fruit in 2-3 years. If it does fruit, it could take as long as 8-20 years. Growing an avocado from seed is the slowest and least reliable way to get true (same as the parent) fruit.Ĭommercial growers use grafting methods to ensure fruit quality and quantity that are not really possible for home growers.īut, starting a plant from the seed/pit is an easy way to grow a free houseplant. Odds are your avocado plant is not going to produce fruit, or, if it does, it will take many years and may not produce good fruit. No need to rush out and buy chips for your homegrown guacamole. You can also try sprouting avocado seeds directly in moist potting mix, but that too can be hit and miss.īy using the method shown below you can know ahead of time if the seed will actually grow before bothering to plant it. I don’t like the toothpick method because it’s fussy, requires more effort, can rot the seed, and is not as reliable. I have tested this easy method on a lot of grocery store avocados and the germination rate is quite good. With just a few household supplies you can make your avocado seeds sprout. Forget the toothpicks and water! And don’t bother with the plastic gizmo on Amazon that suspends the seed over water. ![]()
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