Avocado seeds are quite hard, but sometimes they can crack or break. This can get quite frustrating if you are trying to grow an avocado from an avocado seed. There are several reasons your avocado seed might split in half.
So, why did your avocado seed split in half? Your avocado seed may have split due to an impact (like a fall), natural growth, or being too dry or too cold. They can also split due to insufficient nutrients or a poor growing environment.
If you want to learn more about why your avocado seed breaks and how you can fix it, continue reading.
Why Did Your Avocado Seed Split in Half?
When a seed splits in half, it’s not doing anything abnormal; it’s just growing up like any other plant. This process is called germination.
There are generally several reasons why your avocado seed might split in half.
One of the reasons is the temperature. If the seed gets too hot and dry because you didn’t water it enough, it can lead to splitting in half. However, if the seed gets too cold, the fleshy part surrounding the seed will contract, causing the seed to split.
Another reason an avocado seed will split is the size of the seed. If it grows too large, the weight becomes too much for the fleshy part that holds it. On the other hand, it can sometimes be a sign that the avocado seed is old and does not have enough strength to continue growing.
It’s important to figure out the reason why your avocado seed breaks. This way, you can find the correct solution to prevent this problem from happening again.
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Can an Avocado Seed That Broke in Half Survive?
If your avocado seed breaks in half, don’t worry! It’s certainly possible for an avocado seed that broke in half to survive.
If you put the two pieces of avocado seeds back together in moist soil, they will hold together as the plant grows. This will also allow room for the avocado seed to grow new leaves.
What to Do When an Avocado Seed Breaks in Half?
To save your avocado seed, you will need a small pot filled with moist soil and some compost or worm castings. You can buy these at most garden centers.
You will need to put the two pieces of avocado seeds back together using toothpicks or a paper towel. Then, plant up to the neck using soil and leave the top of the main shoot visible. It’s better to use moist soil for broken avocado seeds.
You can also place both halves on a tray filled with a moistened soil mix and wait for new roots to grow. Once these have developed, plant them in a larger pot with regular soil and continue to provide adequate water.
How Long Should It Take for the Seed to Recover?
A broken avocado seed can take anywhere from one week to three months to recover, depending on how severe the break was and how well other aspects of its care are being performed.
Signs Your Seed Is Not Recovering
It can be hard to determine whether your broken avocado seed is recovering.
There are some signs you should look out for if you suspect that your seed is not recovering. Let’s break down those signs in more detail:
1. The seed has turned black
There are a few reasons why your seeds might have turned black. Your seed might have been contaminated in the water it is in. It could also be contaminated by the toothpicks you used to hold the seed together.
2. The roots of the seed have turned black
If your roots have turned black, your avocado seed might not be recovering. You will also notice that no new roots are growing.
3. The stem is dry at the tip and has no leaves
The seed might not be getting enough nutrients. You might not be watering your seed enough, leading it to die slowly. If you use a toothpick or a piece of cloth to hold the seed together and the stem starts to dry, you could use a few drops of nitrogen and zinc in the water to help the seed grow.
4. After transferring the seed, it stops growing
Depending on how you germinate the seed, it might be harder for some seeds to grow than others. Water and soil have different effects on avocado seeds. It is better to use moist soil with the nutrients an avocado seed needs, such as nitrogen and zinc.
What to Do If the Avocado Seed Is Not Recovering?
It can be frustrating when your avocado seed is not recovering. Some seeds are more stubborn than others, so it’s important to keep that in mind.
If you think your seed is not recovering, here are my tips on what to do if the avocado seed does not recover:
1. Provide more humidity
Avocado seeds need humidity, especially when they are drying out. Place a small plastic bag over the seed and then close it tightly with a rubber band. The bag will trap moisture inside it and allow the seed to drink up its water supply.
2. Provide more light
If your room is quite dark, consider placing a lamp or bulbs near your avocado seed so it can receive enough light.
3. Add drops of nitrogen and zinc
Adding a few drops of nitrogen and zinc to your soil or water will help the seed grow and form a healthy stem that will produce leaves.
4. Try a different variety
You could also try growing another type of avocado that is known for its high germination rate. This is especially helpful if you are trying to grow an heirloom variety.
5. Plant it outside
If you really want your seed to grow, consider planting it in the soil outside, where the temperature is more stable. This will give the seed a better chance at growing and developing into a full-fledged tree.
Tips to Make Sure Your Avocado Seed Never Breaks in Half
Don’t give up if you have had too many broken avocado seeds. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to prevent your avocado seeds from ever breaking again.
Tips to make sure your avocado seed never breaks in half:
1. Select a healthy seed
Having a healthy seed is key to preventing it from breaking. Choose one that looks and feels firm rather than soft or mushy. If it’s old and dry, it’s more likely to split when exposed to moisture.
2. Soak the seed in water for 24 hours before planting it
Even if your seed is healthy, it will benefit from being soaked in water for 24 hours before it’s planted. This will help soften the seed’s outer layer so that it can grow more easily when planted in soil and exposed to moisture afterwards.
3. Place the seed in moist soil with only its root exposed
After soaking your avocado seed in water for 24 hours, place it in moist soil with only its root exposed. The rest of the seed should be buried about one to two inches deep in the soil. This will help prevent it from splitting when watered.
4. Keep the seed moist at all times
Once your avocado seed has been planted, ensure that you always keep its soil moist. This helps it grow quickly and easily. If the seed gets too dry or becomes too hot, it may split in half right away.
5. Place your seed in a warm area with a bright light
To ensure your avocado seed never breaks in half, you should give it a good environment.
Place the seed where it can receive at least six hours of bright light each day and warm temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related Questions
Will an Avocado Seed Grow If It Dried?
If your avocado seed dries out too much, it may not grow or sprout. However, if it has only been dry for a few days, it might still have a chance to grow.
Do Avocado Seeds Need Sunlight?
Avocado seeds need brightness. If they are being planted indoors, they need to be planted in the brightest spot of your house. They can be kept by a bright windowsill or near a strong lamp.