#Planttok: Growing Trees from Seeds
By: Jacqueline Omdara
Tiktok has been a large influence on trends that have become famous in the past couple of years. The platform is so large and has so many users that there have been distinct ‘sectors’ of Tiktok that have been formed. If you enjoy gardening, you may be on #Planttok or if you are a book worm you may be on #Booktok (I am on both :)). Nevertheless, in honour of UWCC’s new Garden Series debuting in August, I will be sharing a cool way to recycle your mango and avocado seeds into your own at-home plant buddy!
Avocado Tree
This avocado tree will first be grown in a cup of water but will need lots of sunlight!
1. After eating your avocado (or making your avocado toast!), take the seed and clean it off. [Optional: Remove the darker paper-like skin on the seed.]
2. Wrap it in a paper towel and wet it under a sink. Squeeze out any excess water.
3. Place the damp towel-wrapped seed in a sealed jar or Ziplock bag and place the jar/bag in a warm and well-lit area that gets lots of sunlight!
4. Remember to check on the seed and make sure the paper towel is continuously moist. After 1–2 weeks there should be a root sprouting from the split seed (may take longer).
5. Once the roots are long enough you can place the seed in a jar of water, and it will start to grow into an avocado tree!
Optional: Once it gets big enough, you can plant your tree in the soil!
Tiktoks to reference!
Mango Tree
This mango tree will be first be grown in a wet paper towel but will need lots of sunlight and moisture!
1. After eating your mango (or making a mango smoothie!), cut the fruit away from the husk. [Tip: washing and drying the husk will make it a lot easier to handle!]
2. Carefully cut it open to expose the seed.
3. Remove the paper-like layer on the seed and wrap it in a damp paper towel.
4. Place the damp towel-wrapped seed into a Ziplock bag or sealed container and keep it in a warm, well-lit spot. Remember to check on the seed and make sure the paper towel is continuously moist.
5. The seed should sprout in approximately 3 weeks!
Tiktoks to reference!
