Planting seeds at home is an excellent strategy to spend quality time with the family and arouse the curiosity of the little ones at home. It is also a good way to stimulate their creativity and help them understand the origin of life in nature in a simpler and more fun way. The fact of seeing a seed germinate and accompanying the plant throughout its growth will be an experience that they will surely not forget.
Planting seeds at home is an excellent strategy to spend quality time with the family and arouse the curiosity of the little ones at home. It is also a good way to stimulate their creativity and help them understand the origin of life in nature in a simpler and more fun way. The fact of seeing a seed germinate and accompanying the plant throughout its growth will be an experience that they will surely not forget. Deduction for large families or dependents of people with disabilities.
What is avocado?
A simple way to motivate children to plant avocado seeds is to explain to them what this fruit is, where it comes from and what properties it has. You can tell them that the avocado is the fruit of the avocado tree, a plant that belongs to the Lauraceae family, a species of woody plants that grow in warm climates. Its name derives from the Aztec term “ahuacatl” which means “testicle”, which is surely due to its oval shape.
Originally from Central America, it was called by the Spanish upon arrival in America as “pear of the Indies”. This is due to its pear shape, with hard, dark skin that houses a single large seed inside. One of its greatest distinctions is its creamy, greenish or yellowish flesh, whose flavor is slightly reminiscent of hazelnuts.
It is worth noting that the plant is currently also grown in Spain and, as there are so many varieties with different harvest times, it is possible to find avocados both in winter and in summer. A fruit that is not only appreciated for its delicious flavor and versatility in the kitchen, but also for its multiple properties and health benefits.
In fact, did you know that avocado contains tons of healthy fats? 23% of this fruit is fat, but it is also rich in vitamin E, provitamin A and provides up to 22% of the daily needs of vitamin C. It also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and zinc, essential for maintaining good health. Therefore, it is an excellent ally to improve cardiovascular health, avoid constipation, satisfy appetite and provide an extra dose of energy.
Sowing avocado seeds, step by step
You don’t have to be a botanist or scientist to sow avocado seeds, in fact these seeds hardly need any care so even if you don’t have much planting skills you are likely to get the seed to germinate. Of course, if you want to teach children well how to plant an avocado seed, we recommend that you follow the following steps and that you do it together from the beginning.
1. Prepare the avocado seed
Some seeds need to dry before they can be planted, but with avocado seeds this is not necessary. In fact, you can use the seed of an avocado that you have bought at home. After removing the pulp, wash the seed well and let it dry overnight to prevent mold from proliferating. The next day, stick four thin toothpicks perpendicularly into opposite sides of the seed, forming a kind of cross.
2. Place it in a container with water
Use a glass or jar that is not too wide and fill it about ¾ full with fresh water. Place the seed flat side down and rest the toothpicks on the edge of the container so that the seed is suspended in the water. Make sure the water covers a third of the seed so it can germinate. If it is not enough, you can add a little more water.
3. Wait for the roots to emerge and cut the stem
Keep the seed in semi-shade, that is, in a place where it is not exposed to direct light. When you notice that the water begins to change color, change it to prevent mold from proliferating in the roots of the plant. If you change the water regularly, the roots will stay well hydrated and grow faster.
In fact, after a few weeks you will notice that the roots begin to grow in the water and that the stem sprouts from the top of the seed. Wait a few days and, when the stem has reached about 15 centimeters in height, cut it in half to stimulate the growth of the plant and make it stronger.
4. Move the plant to a place with enough light
After cutting the stem, keep the plant in a place where it does not receive direct light until the roots have thickened and the stem reaches about 15 centimeters in height again. At this time, change the site plant. Keep in mind that plants need the sun’s rays to carry out the photosynthesis process and grow. Therefore, this time choose a place where it receives direct light and wait for the first leaves to sprout.
5. Plant the seed in the ground
When the leaves of the plant begin to grow, it is ready to be planted. Keep in mind that the plant will grow indoors, but it will not bear fruit, so if you want it to continue growing, you must plant it in the ground. If you have a garden or patio it will be great, otherwise you can plant it in a pot to transplant it later.
4. Move the plant to a place with enough light
After cutting the stem, keep the plant in a place where it does not receive direct light until the roots have thickened and the stem reaches about 15 centimeters in height again. At this time, change the site plant. Keep in mind that plants need the sun’s rays to carry out the photosynthesis process and grow. Therefore, this time choose a place where it receives direct light and wait for the first leaves to sprout.
5. Plant the seed in the ground
When the leaves of the plant begin to grow, it is ready to be planted. Keep in mind that the plant will grow indoors, but it will not bear fruit, so if you want it to continue growing, you must plant it in the ground. If you have a garden or patio it will be great, otherwise you can plant it in a pot to transplant it later.