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Avocado seed

So, like a lot of people, during quarantine I tried to germinate an avocado seed and now I have this beautiful, 22cm tall avocado plant. I know it’s a subtropical plant but I’m in the Uk and now temperatures are getting COLD and the cherry on the top is that my basement flat’s brightest room is a north east facing window.

What’s the best way of keeping it during this cold season? Should I just plant it somewhere outside where it will have a better life that in my flat? Haha

Also! Should I cut it in half? Lots of people say it online to “increase bushiness” (?)

Comments for Avocado seed

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Sep 27, 2020

Grow Light
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

The only way this plant will survive is with grow lights. If you don't have warm enough and bright enough conditions, you may as well just chuck it in the garbage now. They won't survive anywhere that isn't warm and bright, such as Florida or Mexico.

As for pruning it, you could try that, but first, look at the stem and see if you can see any buds. They'll be hard to see, but that's the only way to get bushiness, and that's to cut it off just above one. It's possible that due to the low light levels, it never formed them, just made a long stem in its search for brightness.

See more about grow lights here.

Sep 27, 2020

What kind of grow light?
by: OP

Do you have any grow light recommendation? Also, I’d like to move it to soil, any suggestion on what medium and how soon I should do it?

Sep 27, 2020

Recommendation
by: Jacki

This type of light would work well for a taller plant, as it can be arranged so it's not just giving light to the top of the plant;

Grow Light, 4 Head Plant Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Full Spectrum, Led Plant Light Grow Lamp with Auto 3/9/12H Timer, 3 Lighting Modes, 10 Level Brightness for Indoor Plants Succulent Veg Flower

Sep 27, 2020

Soil
by: Jacki

You can use almost any kind of indoor potting soil, with good drainage (ie; perlite, pumice, small gravel etc). Make sure it's pasteurized so you don't get bugs in your home along with it.

Sep 30, 2020

Thank you!
by: OP

That’s great advice! Would it be okay to plant it now that we’re in Autumn? Should I keep it inside in the meantime?

Also I decided not to cut it, she’s just very pretty isn’t she hahahaha

Sep 30, 2020

Yes
by: Jacki

Yes plant it into the soil now, but keep it indoors. You'll be the judge of when it should be pruned off - if it starts to climb up the walls and out of the light, to seek more, you'll know it needs brighter light.

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