How to grow avacado trees in Charleston South Carolina - Knowledgebase Question

Charleston, So

Question by michelle_cli
January 17, 2008

I bought a avocado in the grocery store back in the summer and after eating it I planted the seed. The squirrels kept digging it up. I thought they had taken it so I gave up. I brought all my plants in for the winter and all of a sudden I had a large sprout come up and it was the avocado seed. I've never grown one before, so can you please give some tips?

Answer from NGA
January 17, 2008

Uploaded by robertduval14 An avocado tree won't survive outdoors in your climate, but you can grow one indoors and it makes a lovely foliage plant. Begin by potting it up; use regular potting soil and a container with lots of drainage holes in the bottom. Once it has adjusted to being in a pot, move it to the brightest location you have.  When the stem is about 12 inches tall, pinch out the tip to encourage branching. The result will be a multistemed plant. If you don't pinch out the top, you'll get a tall, skinny, leafless stem with foliage appearing only on top. Give the seedling plenty of light, the brighter the better. You will need to repot it into larger containers as it grows or it will quickly become very unhappy! Fertilize it with the low rate of a liquid plant food periodically. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and your plant should do well.

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