I Don't Know Which End Is Up ?

Most avocado pits are a slight acorn shape, with a pointier end and an end with what looks like the part that was attached to the stem of the tree. That part that looks like it was attached to the stem of the tree is the root end of the pit. The shoots of the seedling will erupt out of the more pointier end.

You can see the spot I refer to on the bottom of the pit in this photo:

I wrote an answer but lost it in the melee on my desk top. Anyway, I always did plump top up.

More -
http://able2know.org/topic/184658-2

Thanks for your info. If the shoots rise from the pointier end, then the roots will descend from the rounded ? In your photo there is a kind of ring around what appears to be the rounded end. I'll be using ring as a sign of the root end.

Your photo was the first I've seen that clearly shows the pit. Thanks again.

yes - the end with the ring is where the roots will develop

I think of it as the not smooth end

AAACCCKKK Two answers. Thank you, Butterflynet, and thank you, Ossobucco...BUT the advice in the second response is the opposite of the first.

OH MY EARS AND WHISKERS.

Thanks for your reply ....rounded end down. I'll plant my "new" pit today, cross my fingers, and see what happens.

Plant it on its side, then the plant will figure out which way is up (which it'll probably do anyway, but starting it on the side should work either way).

if you stick some toothpicks in it and soak the bottom in water, it will give you a big head start...

it will sprout and root ahead of planting.

Your advice has an elegant logic. The plant will do what it needs to do to grow.
I have one question about your suggestion: Do I leave half of the pit out of the soil ?

Thanks for your suggestion. I remember my mother used the toothpick technique for avocados and mangos, also sweet-potatoes which were never repotted, stayed in water and became very pretty hanging plants.

Aaaack, I remembered wrong. Sorry, nextone!

Now I'm going to have to invest in another avocado (they're expensive here) and try it again.

Besides, I may use ground avocado pit in my next carne adobada.

I did the toothpick and water thing too - just got the what-end-is-up part wrong in the retelling.

Mangos? Uh oh. Mango goes on grocery want list.

Isn't it fun to eat your fruit and then have a beautiful plant to enjoy for years and years. I also plant the seeds from lemons and grapefruits . I like using plastic containers from take-out, feel virtuous recycling, and also have fun planting in random cups, bowls and glassware, finds at Aunt Sally and Uncle Will.

Right now avocados and mangos are not too expensive. Just got a Hess for 79 cents. Haven't paid more than $1.00 for one all summer. Mangos cost 99 cents (Why am I not seeing the cent sign? Has my keyboard's manufacturer jumped the gun and abolished pennies?...smile/sigh) for small ones, still under $2.00 for large sized.

So far have never had an indoor harvest except for oregano and basil. (And while I love basil's smell I'm not wild about the taste. Hope you enjoy your next avocado as food, then decor.

Hi, kid (or vice versa). I'm enjoying just talking with you. Very happy.

That's haas, I think, or hass.

I assume I am inland of available good fruit -
I have given up and gone to walmart and, about a week ago, buying a papaya or even mango would have shut me down - and I like both, walked away.

I don't know re the economics, re delivery charges.

Glad I could help. Google can probably answer your last question. I don't know much about Avacado's specifically, I just know elegant logic Good luck.

I plant them just under the soil, after they have sprouted...

Quick Update:

In September had 2 pits in earth that had done nothing for two months. Both planted pointy end up, sticking out top two inches. One sprouted about a week ago and the stem is showing the tiny furled leaves. The other , nada.

Have three more pits sitting 1/2 submerged in water, started since September. What can I say ? I like avocados.

Thanks again for your advice. The problem reminds me of Gulliver's Travels and his encounter with the Big and Little Endians. When I plant pits, I'll do pointy end up, spotted end down and keep in mind the virtue of patience.

http://cookinggallery.blogspot.com/2009/11/jus-alpukat-avocado-juice.html

Thanks for the picture and link. Wondered about the "black ice cubes" and learned they were "grass jelly". Think I'll take a pass on the grass and avocado smoothie in a glass (With chocolate??????). I'll stay with lemon, salt and pepper and spoon the flesh straight from the skin. .....whispering this so the plants don't freak.....