I've started quite a few avacados successfully from the seeds of store
bought avacados. I've used both the smooth skin and rough skin varieties. I
place 3 toothpicks towards the top of the pit. Then I susupend the pit in a
glass of water making sure the top inch or so is above the water. I placed
the glass on my kitchen windowsill until it was ready to be planted
outdoors. I changed the water in the glass every few days. I don't remember
how long they took to sprout - a few weeks at least. I waited until they
had a strong stem and a few leaves growing out of the top before planting
into my garden.

I live in planting zone 10 in hot and humid SE Florida. The last avacado pit
I planted out in the yard had to be removed - the tree was getting too big
and it was too close to our septic tank. I guess a fully grown avacado tree
can get to be over 60 feet tall - way to big for my tiny yard. But the kids
get a kick out of seeing the seeds sprout. I guess I could try growing one
in a very large container - not sure if it would set fruit but they also
make a nice ornamental plant.

Good luck and let me know how you make out.
Lynn Smythe
e-mail:
website: http://users.adelphia.net/~lynnsmythe


"Shystev99" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I am going to try to plant an avocado from a seed. I have searched
websites and
found 2 main ways of doing it, First let the seed sit in water pointed end
up
till it sprouts.(I've tried this method once before and all that happened
was
the seed split in half after about 2 weeks or so.)
The second method I have found on the web was just planting it in soil, I
found
a site that suggested to cut the pointed tip of the seed off about 1/4
inch or
so and plant the seed with just the cut part exposed above the soil.
Has anybody had any success with either method and any tips? I read today
that
if you try the water method it helps to add charcoal to the water to
"Sweeten"
it. Would this charcoal idea also work with soil? And would a regular
charcoal
briquette work?
I live in southern Ca about 30-50 miles from where Avocados normally grow,
It
may be to cold here but just not sure, Still like to try. Also not sure
about
what type of Avocado seed I have to plant, A friend brought some over a
few
weeks ago and there were mixed varieties.
I am soaking the seed completley submerged in tap water for the moment,
Just to
keep from drying out till I figure out which method to use. But will
decide
either way by tomorrow (Tuesday).
I had 4 years of horticultre back in highschool but that was years ago and
we
never really started things from seed.
Thanks for any advice
Steve