20.10.09

i signed out The Avocado / Botany, Production and Uses (Whiley, Schaffer, Wolstenholme) from the university library today. i read a bit about successful germination. apparently an avocado seed should be planted soon after it is removed from the fruit to avoid dehydration-- and it doesn't take long for this to happen. scarification (removing the brown coat surrounding the pit or cutting sections from the cotyledons*) and soaking the pits in gibberellic acid (GA)** for 24 hours prior to planting have been shown to increase both the speed and percentage of germination. the seed coat actually contains chemicals that inhibit germination!

today the pit did seem to be drier. (this is its fourth day outside the fruit.) after reading about the danger of dehydration, i was hoping that the pits large size would mean the embryo was well protected. but squeezing the pit, it did not feel firm; it felt somewhat spongy. i removed the pit's coat with a dull knife. it was splitting already and there were some soft orangey-brown dents. i impulsively ripped the pit in half with my hands. there goes that one.


avocado pit interior, 4 days out of fruit

i suspect there is some rotting going on in there.

* the avocado is a dicot, so it has 2 cotyledons.
** gibberillic acid is a hormone found in plants.

17.10.09

look here:

newly acquired avo pit next to menno cinn doughnut for scale

this very large avocado pit was extracted last night from a variety of the species with which i am not familiar. unlike the typical hass variety, this avocado has smooth, shiny, green skin. the grocery store cashier informed me it was from mexico. it proved to be a most delicious specimen via guacamole.

i am seriously considering trying to grow this pit, but whether or not i have sufficient resources, i am not sure. it has also occurred to me that if i am to document the lives of two avocado plants, in order to keep things clear, i will have to name them.


avo sunbathing in kitchen, oct 17th