Growing an avocado tree on my desk

[angusrobinson]

Hey everyone. So my desk here at work gets a ton of light (unlike my basement apartment), so I'm trying to load my desk full of plants to satisfy my green thumb. I bought a couple plants, which are great, but there's nothing like germinating a seed on your own and watch it progress. I figured, may as well start BIG! So about 6 or 7 weeks ago, I decided to try my hand at growing an avocado tree. I started with it in a cup of water, with toothpicks to suspend it:

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I waited a good four weeks before anything happened. I was actually about to throw it away, suspecting it was a dud, when I realized it had started to split! So I left it in water to develop for a few more weeks, and just last week I planted it in a pot:

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It's been progressing nicely, and now has a shoot poking up out of the soil, and the pit is now fully split open. Here are some pics I snapped earlier today:

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Pretty exciting! I'll post updates every week or two, although I have a feeling this will be a sloooow growing plant.

Anyone know a good guacamole recipe?

[williamtully]

I think the CG users deserve a time-lapse video of the entire event... AND, where's the love to the support crew who looks after your weeds while you're on vacation?! That's it - I'm growing shrubbery between our desks!

[Laura]

Really great ... I had heard about this but never seen it done.Hope it keeps on growing strong for you.

Sorry cant help with a recipe but I'm sure someone will.

[angusrobinson]

I think I have some years ahead of me before my guacamole party, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!

Ah yes... big thanks to William and Jen M. for keeping my plants hydrated during my absence. Although a shrubbery between our desks sounds pretty sweet!

[Lulu]

Angus,,good on you, your avacado seed sprouted! Was running the same experiment here, but, gave up on it, at about the 6 week point; nothing was happening, so,,I threw it in the compost, just yesterday.

After your post, I fished it out, and cut it open,,and voila! I think it was getting ready to sprout! Too late now,,been in dried out, too long,,but,,it's encouraged me to get another one going!.Glad you posted!

And,,btw, Angus,,don't be holding your breath for the guacamole!

[Eeyore]

That's cool Angus!

[angusrobinson]

@Lulu: I had read online that it usually takes 2 weeks for them to sprout - I guess that's not quite right. I would leave at least a month of time before it sprouts. May as well start a whole bunch at a time as you'll likely have a dud or two. Too bad your pit had dried out... but at least you'll know for next time now!

[kelly_m]

That is cool....will your desk support the weight??? And what're you gonna do with all the leftover avacados when you just can't keep up with the harvest??? I'm sure they'll make a mess on your nice clean desk....and your neighbours' desks!!

And ya know your co-workers are gonna get sick of taking home all your leftovers (there's only so much room in those composters.)



Oh and William...nice to hear you are learning the abc's of gardening and not just a geeky tech guy!

Kwho loves fresh guacamole.....

[evepet]

It's fun watching those finally sprout through and grow isn't it! In case you're interested, you can also similiarly start sweet potatoe vines from the actual potato. You do the same thing - toothpicks, suspend in water, etc. I grew a few plants last year that way, and put them in my balcony containers.It was fun watching them sprout and grow.

[angusrobinson]

Thanks for the idea! That could be my next desktop garden project. I am a fan of the yam. How big do the yam plants get??