I an wondering what the success rate is to growing to a full mature plant from a seed. I was also wondering if it's normal to have such a long stemed plant?

I have attached photos, 30" is this normal?

Avocado trees produce their first crop at 8 -10 years of age. But, not all avocado trees from seed will ever produce fruit. Avocado trees do grow straight up before branching naturally.

If you plan to keep it potted, it will branch just below where you choose to cut the stem. Yours could use a lot more sunlight.

I was aware how long it takes to produce fruit if it will. Thank you. I will see what I can do about getting it more sun.

My grandmother and uncle always grew them. My grandmother kept hers inside by a window but my uncle kept his outside (in Oklahoma 7a) and it soon became tall enough to sit under. My cousin has a few. I know it's possible, just may be hit or miss

I would be happy just to get one to grow roots. I know I'll never get fruit but I just want to grow one anyway. No luck so far but I keep trying

tacogirl,

Lay your avocado seed on its side in a pot of soil, buried about half way. Keep it watered. They grow very easily from seed.

Tacogirl,
I grew it In water, tooth picks and suspended with about 1\2" out of water with narrow end up. Change the water regularly. Mold is the issue and if you dont change the water enough it will not sprout.

I have had a few sprout, one my cat ate, lol. I have just never had one this tall.

I've done the toothpicks in water thing but never tried in soil. I'll give that a go thanks Daisyl!

Compared to the vigor and health of a seed sprouted naturally outside, the novelty of the toothpicks & water is just that, a novelty. No reason to not amuse ones' self that way over winter, but in the spring, simply drop, toss, or lay gently, pits on the ground in a sunny spot. In a few months, you should have an ideal specimen that you can put in a pot if you want to keep as a house plant. If you have a big south or west window, it could turn into a great plant. I knew someone who had one that was as tall as the ceiling & she said it was from sprouting a pit a couple of decades before.

I've put pics of pits sprouted via the toss method in the database entry here. The pits remain visible and a healthy green color for at least a year. I moved away from them after that.
Avocado (Persea americana)

Yes, it's normal! Avocados are very big and vigorous trees. We had planted one from seed and it has now over 15 metres high. And it all started with a seed in the water that was then planted in the yard. It sheds many many leaves in and that can be a problem to some people, but creates beautiful shade with its big green leaves and even delivers fruits! As another member mentioned, it took plenty of years for the tree to produce fruits.

I forgot to say, I believe the height is etiolation. In significant direct light, the nodes are much more close together:

Indeed, I think @purpleinopp is right. Our avocado tree is getting direct sunlight, as it is planted outdoors. The longer stem might be a sign that the plant is "seeking" more sun. It's not a difficult tree to grow outdoors, it needs a warm climate though, but if it grows significantly, it will stand winters.

I have an avocado tree that is 10 years old. It is only 9.5 feet tall as it has been accidentaly topped during it's lifetime. It has never gotten flowers or fruit. I just moved it into my new green house this week. Since I live in zone 5 in NY it was kept indoors during winters and moved outdoors during better weather. Does anyone else have a tree this old that they grew from a pit and got fruit from it. Any help is appreciated.

@gniblock, yes, your tree can produce fruit even after ten years. We had ours over ten years for sure before it gave us fruit! Here is the problem with the avocado tree. It can self pollinate, as their flowers are both female and male. But as it is a rather unique procedure, it may be even after some more years. It may not be mature, due to its topping off incident. Its time will come. First you will see lots of flowering, the flowers only last for some days, and then the pollination will occure. They are trees that take their time. Large, gorgeous trees with delicious fruit! Tomorrow I will take a photo of our tree so you can see how enormous it is!

To pick the gnat poo out of the pepper, pollination would (could only) occur while flowers are present.

purpleinopp said:To pick the gnat poo out of the pepper, pollination would (could only) occur while flowers are present.

You're right ofcourse, it was my Duh moment, lol. Writing quickly.
Showing my avocado tree, as promised. More than a three storey building in height, it got a good pruning last year, some heavier branches were cut, and some with leaves that had got brown in the previous winter. You can see new growth on the edges of each branch.
Age of the tree about 30 years old, bearing fruit started after its 20 years, our tree was late, I couldn't remember so I asked my mom. It all started from a seed in a small glass, the usual method, then it was planted in the garden.

That's a major tree!

purpleinopp said:That's a major tree!

It is! And it has even survived the rare times it snowed here! It always comes back from heat waves, heavy rains, droughts, pests, you name it! I love its shade, I have got so used to looking at it and standing in its shadow in the summer!

Avocados do not come true from seed and many never produce fruit. I take calls at the Extension Service and have had several questions from folks who have huge trees in their landscape that do not produce. I always ask if they grew the tree from seed and the answer is always yes. This is such a large part of the landscape I always recommend buying a grafted avocado tree from a quality nursery. It may cost $20 but that is a lot cheaper than paying a crew to cut down a 50 foot non-producer.

Jim

Jim, what do you mean not really produced by seed? Mine was produced by seed and it is bearing fruit. And even if some avocado trees do not produce, people may not really grow them just for the fruit. For example, it is so easy for me to go and buy avocados when I go to a grocery store, but the shade and beauty of my tree is something that I wouldn't bargain. Anyway, to each her own.

@Hawk, is it a sex difference? Make vs female plant as to why it won't produce? Or strictly a variation of seed dna?