Growing an avocado tree on my desk

[Aigle]

Hi Angus, nice to see some more tech-geeks getting into gardenL33T. My neighbour used to grow avocados indoors, they made it to about 3' when I last saw them and she swore by weak fish oil fertilizer, frequently applied and well-drained pots. Hers are inside with South light.

Having lived (earlier) in a basement apartment, have you thought of setting up a light garden? I bought a $30.00 shelving unit and 3 sets of 24" flourescent lights and built my own on the cheap and it lasted me 9 years.I now live upstairs, and rent the basement apartment, the new tenant is using the same light garden It really will make a difference from November-April if lack of light affects you.

A fellow tech gardener swore by putting his newly planted seeds on a CRT monitor "to germinate" but I was always scared of water leaks.

[angusrobinson]

Over the weekend, it's grown a couple inches. I think we're really onto something here with using coffee as fertilizer! Fish oil sounds interesting. I'll try that! My window here faces southeast and there's no shortage of light, which is great.

I had considered getting a set of lights for my apartment, but I really don't like fluorescent lights, and I think it would kinda overpower the space. Besides, I'm hoping to move out soon! (but I've been saying that for a while now).

[angusrobinson]

It's time for the Friday avocado update. It's growing like crazy! Grew about 4 inches in the last week, and I can see a few leaves at the top.

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[Eeyore]

Cool! I've got a pit that's been sitting on my counter for a few days. I'd better figure out what I have to do with it!

[angusrobinson]

Lyn, I'm no expert, but if you just throw it in a pot and wait for a month, you should see some germination. I think they're pretty hearty, and aren't too picky on growing conditions.

Now time for the weekly Friday avocado update! He's now got some decent sized leaves, and the stem is getting thicker. It hasn't made too much progress on height in the last week, but that's fine. I'd prefer that it focus it's energy on creating leaves and thinkening its stem anyway.

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Have a great weekend!

[kelly_m]

Wow!! Isn't he growing up to be a strapping young man!!

[angusrobinson]

Yeah, he's growing up nicely... it seems like yesterday that he was just a young lad, sprouting his first root in a cup full of water.

[ Wipes tear from eye ]

[kelly_m]

I wonder....does the avacado fall far from the tree?????

[Aigle]

Have you named it?

Can we have a contest?

[bluewillow]

[color=#4040FF]Angus, some years ago I too grew an avacado tree. However, my tree was more like a stick ..... ought to have pinched off the upper 'trunk' to promote fullness.
The coffee treatment is amazing ... what a difference.
Keep us updated and I shall be peeking in from time to time checking on the progress.

bw/color]