Question
QUESTION: What is wrong with my avocado seed? This avocado seed is 5 months old. It has split and as you can see, it is growing a twig out the top of it. But it has no root!!! It does have lumpy things around the base. I have kept it suspended in water with toothpicks for 5 months. My other avocado seed grew a root and I have planted it. It is 5 months old, 12 inches tall and has tons of thick pretty leaves on it. Why is this one struggling so much?

Please go to my facebook album below where I have posted 2 pictures of the seed showing what I'm talking about.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150194885094263.318993.620624262&l=28

ANSWER: Hi Desirai,,Not all seeds (of any kind) put out a totally healthy growth, many don't germinate at all; this one looks like a weak output, but could still pull through, given time. Wait awhile longer and give it a chance, but it does look like one of those that just was deficient from the start.

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QUESTION: How is it able to grow at all if it has no root?

It did take almost a month for the first crack to appear, whereas my other avocado started cracking open within about 2 weeks.

What are the chances of either plant producing fruit? I got these seeds out of avocados at work (I work in a grocery store)

I've been keeping my other avocado as a houseplant. I live in zone 7-8 (depending who you ask)

I am not expecting it to, and I'm growing these for the sheer joy of just growing. (:

Answer
It initially grows and takes its nutrients from the water alone without use of a root from the membrane of the seed, but it will indeed need to grow a taproot pretty soon, in order to proceed with its growth. I would discard it, and start with a new prospect.....Nick