I promised to write when a project crashes and burns…for me that project/plant has been the avocado tree I grew from a pit. The photograph below shows the state of my avocado tree today. It seemed to flourish for a few months. I pruned and pinched it at the required stages, gave it a summer vacation on my porch, and brought it inside again in the Fall of the year. Through the late Autumn months and early winter the tree seemed to lag. I cut it back very hard, hoping to prompt better branching and leafing out. I think that idea was a mistake. The tree has become an eyesore and is taking up valuable sunny space I’d rather give to a plant that provides lush greenery all year.

I am beginning to wonder if anyone who grows an avocado gets beyond the sprouting and early growth stage. The Internet is flooded with pictures, blog posts and advice about starting the pit, but I can’t recall finding many pictures or posts on the tree when it matures. Hmmm….perhaps today I’ll go on a hunt to find the answers. For now, I’ve decided this particular tree belongs in the compost heap.

A few weeks ago I threw an avocado pit into the worm bin. Hmmm….I had cantaloupe seeds sprout in the bin. Perhaps the heat from the worms’ super-composting abilities will perform wonders, and I’ll finally grow a gorgeous avocado tree this Spring. I like the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” There is often good wisdom in well-known cliché’s.