How to Grow an Avocado Sprout from a Seed in a Jar

Why do hippies do this? No one knows. For a while there in 1972, it was difficult to find a hippie windowsill that did not have an avocado seed sprouting in a jar. (Some hippies credit this phenomenon with ending the war in Vietnam.)

WHAT YOU NEED

  1. Peel and eat the avocado. Save the pit.
  2. Let the seed dry for 48 hours.
  3. Peel off the papery brown skin.
  4. Insert 3 toothpicks equidistant from each other around the middle of the seed, pushing them in far enough to feel securely lodged.
  5. Place the seed, pointed end up, in the jar so that the toothpicks rest on the edge of the jar’s mouth, suspending the seed.
  6. Add warm water to the jar so that the bottom third of the seed is submerged.
  7. Put the jar in a warm spot, away from direct sunlight.
  8. Check the seed daily, adding warm water to the jar so that the bottom third of the seed is always in water.
  9. When the seed begins to sprout roots, move the jar to a windowsill.
  10. Soon you will see a stem push up through the pit. When the stem is 3 to 4 inches high, you can plant the seed in soil.

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