UK households urged to keep hold of avocado stones for crucial reason
Avocados have become a breakfast staple, especially among health-conscious foodies and Instagram aficionados, earning the title ' Millennial favourite'. Many people frequently enjoy them slathered on toast or included in Buddha bowls.
But there's a catch – avocados don't come cheap, largely due to their import costs. Originating from Central America, these rough-skinned green fruits thrive in tropical climates, a far cry from Britain's comparatively cooler weather and damp conditions.
However, avocado enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief because you can actually grow these fruits right in your own home. Plus, they double up as stylish houseplants with their shiny leaves and slender stems, adding a dash of elegance to any space.
Next time you're scooping out an avocado, think twice before binning the pit. Green-fingered experts suggest that this seed could sprout into your very own avocado tree.
But it's not all plain sailing; it requires a bit of TLC. As Gardener's World notes: "If you like a challenge and have plenty of patience, you can grow an avocado from seed using supermarket-bought avocado – simply pot the stone in a pot of moist compost and wait for the shoot to appear," reports the Mirror.
However, they caution against using just any avocado variety; for instance, the Haas might not be the best candidate for propagation.
To successfully germinate avocado seeds, they need the perfect environment – warm, damp, and humid conditions are key. The gardening gurus at Gardeners' World have a nifty trick: pierce the stone with four toothpicks. Dangle it over a cup of water, ensuring the base is submerged.
Stick it in a toasty corner and within six weeks, you might spot roots sprouting. They suggest shifting your budding seed to a peat-free compost blend after germination. Bear in mind, the soil shouldn't contain much peat, since avocados thrive in sandy, mineral-rich earth.
Alternatively, let your seed soak up sun and warmth on a windowsill until it begins to split, then pot it. Or, bury it pre-sprout in moist soil and leave it to germinate somewhere warm and dim.
Gardeners' World recommend: "Check it regularly and make sure it doesn't dry out. When shoots have appeared on your plant, place it in a sunny spot and keep it well watered."
After your avocado baby starts to shoot up, upgrade it to a spacious pot. Remember, avocados don't do well in frost, so indoors or a greenhouse is their happy place.
To look after your avocado plant, you should water it diligently and provide it with liquid feed every two weeks.
However, bear in mind that you might be waiting a decade for homemade guacamole, as they're slow to fruit even under the best care.
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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK households urged to keep hold of avocado stones for crucial reason
Avocados are a staple in many people's diets and it turns out that you can actually grow your own plants from the stone. Here's everything you need to know about growing avocados at home Avocados have become a breakfast staple, especially among health-conscious foodies and Instagram aficionados, earning the title ' Millennial favourite'. Many people frequently enjoy them slathered on toast or included in Buddha bowls. But there's a catch – avocados don't come cheap, largely due to their import costs. Originating from Central America, these rough-skinned green fruits thrive in tropical climates, a far cry from Britain's comparatively cooler weather and damp conditions. However, avocado enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief because you can actually grow these fruits right in your own home. Plus, they double up as stylish houseplants with their shiny leaves and slender stems, adding a dash of elegance to any space. Next time you're scooping out an avocado, think twice before binning the pit. Green-fingered experts suggest that this seed could sprout into your very own avocado tree. But it's not all plain sailing; it requires a bit of TLC. As Gardener's World notes: "If you like a challenge and have plenty of patience, you can grow an avocado from seed using supermarket-bought avocado – simply pot the stone in a pot of moist compost and wait for the shoot to appear," reports the Mirror. However, they caution against using just any avocado variety; for instance, the Haas might not be the best candidate for propagation. To successfully germinate avocado seeds, they need the perfect environment – warm, damp, and humid conditions are key. The gardening gurus at Gardeners' World have a nifty trick: pierce the stone with four toothpicks. Dangle it over a cup of water, ensuring the base is submerged. Stick it in a toasty corner and within six weeks, you might spot roots sprouting. They suggest shifting your budding seed to a peat-free compost blend after germination. Bear in mind, the soil shouldn't contain much peat, since avocados thrive in sandy, mineral-rich earth. Alternatively, let your seed soak up sun and warmth on a windowsill until it begins to split, then pot it. Or, bury it pre-sprout in moist soil and leave it to germinate somewhere warm and dim. Gardeners' World recommend: "Check it regularly and make sure it doesn't dry out. When shoots have appeared on your plant, place it in a sunny spot and keep it well watered." After your avocado baby starts to shoot up, upgrade it to a spacious pot. Remember, avocados don't do well in frost, so indoors or a greenhouse is their happy place. To look after your avocado plant, you should water it diligently and provide it with liquid feed every two weeks. However, bear in mind that you might be waiting a decade for homemade guacamole, as they're slow to fruit even under the best care.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
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Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
Exact date and time for UK emergency alert that will be sent to all mobile phones
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