Should I plant it in soil?

by Carlos
(Uk)

I’ve been growing this avocado for months (yes, months, the B**** is slow). And now it has these 2 dramatic roots growing in this direction. Should I wait until it grows a stem? Or should I plant it in soil already?

In the second picture you can see how I’d like it to grow: I want to plant the seed horizontally (yes that’s happening hahahaha) and maybe leave a bit of the roots exposed so that they harden into bark, and the rest keeps on acting as a root system. Do you think the roots would die if a small part of them are exposed?


Thank u.

Comments for Should I plant it in soil?

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Feb 26, 2021
 Yes, plant it in soil
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

The roots are starting to show some early signs of rotting, so now is the time to plant it in soil. What I might do is plant it completely into the soil (leaving the seed above ground) and then, next time you transplant it, remove the soil a bit from the roots. They will still look woody, but this will give them the best chance of survival.

Will you make it into a bonsai? If you wanted, you could also cover the roots with a blanket of moss, until they get established.

Luckily, all plants want is to grow, so this should survive pretty much anything, as long as you spray the root area with plain water every day or so. No fertilizer though! Even though it looks on the large size, it's still a baby.
Feb 26, 2021
 Yes! It will be a bonsai!
by: Carlos

Good eye!! I will do everything you just told me. Would you recommend any kind of soil amendment?

Thanks so much for answering back :))
Feb 26, 2021
 Good drainage
by: Jacki

The best way to ensure it stays healthy is to make sure the soil drains quickly. Personally, I like lava rock, or even pumice if you can find it. Can't wait to see your progress (bonsai are my favorite from a long time ago!) Please post again, any time.

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Avocado bonsai update

by Carlos
(Uk)

Hi again! Remember this avocado? You asked me to post back and I’d like to give an update on how it’s going!

The seedling is growing great, the roots are growing white and long into the soil. It’s startling to take off.

The part that I would like to leave exposed as I mentioned in my last post, is, nevertheless, a bit brown. I will attach a disgusting picture. I read online that it’s normal that avocados get a bit of browning on the roots but this seems a very sketchy claim. But yeah, I’d like to know your opinion about it and what further steps I should take.

The plants seems to be doing great tho, and I water it every 10 days more or less.

Thanks!

Comments for Avocado bonsai update

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Apr 13, 2021
 Don't expose the roots
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Let the roots do their normal thing and grow in the soil. Generally, we don't start to expose the roots until a plant or tree is well established. Put some spagnum moss over top of it to allow them to stay moist until it gets old enough to expose them. Brush off the soil to the depth you want over time, not all at once.

Good work!

And yes, all trees roots will get more woody in time, that's totally natural. To go that way, first they show changes in sequence; from soft pliable roots that are doing their thing (obtaining nutrients), to more structural functions of anchoring and strength.

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