When should avocado seeds be sown? Detailed explanation of germination time and planting techniques

The avocado fruit is a fruit with high nutritional value, containing multiple vitamins, rich fatty acids and protein, and high levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other elements. Its nutritional value is comparable to butter, and it even has the reputation of “forest butter.” It is generally eaten as a fresh fruit, and can also be made into dishes and canned food. So, when should avocado seeds be sown? How long do they take to germinate? What are the planting techniques?

I. When should avocado seeds be sown?

Avocado seeds are planted in spring. When sowing, remove the seed coat and germinate them in a sand bed. Choose a site with deep soil, good drainage and shelter from the wind for planting.

II. How long after planting do they germinate?

When planting avocados, a spacing of 5*(6-7) m between plants and rows is more suitable. Mixed planting of varieties can ensure pollination. After sowing, the seeds germinate in 30-40 days, and after about 1 year of cultivation they can be released from the nursery for planting or grafting.

III. How are avocados grown?

1. Field planting: When avocado seedlings are 10-20 cm tall, transplant them by size grade, with a spacing of 30×60 cm between plants and rows. Water thoroughly before transplanting, and dig as deep as possible to avoid damaging the roots. The spacing between plants and rows for planting is 5-6 m. Grafted seedlings flower and bear fruit 3-4 years after field planting, or seedling trees after 4-6 years.

2. Mulching: The avocado is a fruit tree that grows under tropical rainforest conditions and in competition for sunlight. The high-temperature and high-humidity environment makes it grow quickly, so avocado cultivation abroad mostly emphasizes growing grass or green manure near the plants in the early stage, and applying a large amount of mulch near the root zone.

3. Fertilization: Avocados conventionally require nitrogen fertilizer more than 4 times per year, usually broadcast or applied through the irrigation system. For adult trees, during the young fruit stage, apply 50 kg of organic fertilizer and 50 g of compound fertilizer per tree, and apply once more after harvest, with the amount doubled.

4. Drainage: Avocados need to keep the root-zone soil moist all year round and are very sensitive to soil drought. Once short of water, physiological functions are blocked and tree vigor weakens, causing leaf and fruit drop, and reducing cold resistance in winter. Therefore, water appropriately during drought, but pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.