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or soil-based, the avocado is not fussy. When you plant it up, make sure the top half of the pit stays above the soil surface.

If you want to grow your pit in compost from the beginning, then simply plant it so that half the pit is buried and half above the soil, then keep it moist and warm until the plant starts to grow. A heated propagator is ideal, otherwise cover the pot in a plastic bag and leave it somewhere warm.

Your avocado plant will be happy in its small pot for several months, but when it starts to become pot-bound or looks top-heavy it will need potting on into a 10" container its permanent home. Using a soil-based potting medium in this container will keep it from needing repotting too often, and balance the weight of the top growth, but you can also use soil-less compost. The plant is likely to be 2 feet tall before it need repotting.

If you add a layer of fresh compost to the top of the pot every year then your avocado will be happy in this pot for 3 or 4 years, after which you can repot it into the same pot but with fresh growing medium. The top growth may need support when the plant is young, but if it is grown in good light it should become sturdy enough to support itself.

Feed your plant with a liquid feed every 2 weeks when it is growing. It will have dormant periods when it does not require feeding. The most important maintenance task is regular pruning to prevent the plant from getting too tall, and to encourage the growth of new, leafy shoots. Give the leaves an occasional wipe to remove dust, and in a dry atmosphere the avocado will also appreciate an occasional mist with water.

Source: The Pip Book, by Kevin Mossman. Published by Penguin, ISBN 0140462554.

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