I have two that I started without much of any instruction
or knowledge. I did okay, one seems totally stunted and it
was started at the same time as one that is also in water and stands about 6 inches from the bulb/pit in water, and the root is about the same length in the water. There are 3 small leaves at the top of the one, and the other stunted one is barely rearing its head from inside the seed.

I added a little diluted plant food in water, pour a 1/4 teaspoon of the liquid in the water on the stunted one, and planted the healthy, or faster growing one with the 3 leaves in a rich moist soil. Sprayed it with water, and about a 1/4 cup of the diluted food/water in the soil, not
enough to saturate it, only help it along.

I intend to pinch it back halfway when it gets a little
taller and hopefully it will do fine.

The stunted one which I think is a Haas (Hass) Avocado
seed too is the one I'm wondering what to do about.

I don't think I should put it into soil until it has leaves, but it doesn't appear happy enough to sprout any leaves, and it is frowning considerably. It's 1/4 inch out of the seed, and not growing daily. I started it the same time with the one that is 6 inches tall.

If any Earth people have any ideas it would be appreciated.

Signed,

Moonpeople :)

"Ungrafted" trees (like those grown inside from seeds) rarely produce fruit. In order to have an avocado tree that produces fruit, one must graft the seedling. Since the process of grafting involves mixing the tissues of the seedling with those of a producing tree, it is often just easier to simply buy a grafted tree from a reputable nursery.

Can I graft my own tree?

Avocado grafting requires precise weather conditions and therefore a successful graft yield is often low - even for professionals.

Why should I plant a non-producing avocado tree?

Avocado trees provide a spacious and uncluttered canopy within the foliage. Also, avocado branch growth patterns lend very well to tree climbing. For these reasons alone, a non-producing avocado tree is no waste.

Can I plant an avocado tree anywhere?

A Brokaw Nursery professional, in the process of grafting young avocado plants.
California varieties of avocado only grow well in a Mediterranean climate, which limits them to California's central and south coasts. However, in an avocado-appropriate area, avocado trees can grow to be robust evergreens that are more beautiful than fruit bearing trees, since avocado flowering tends to cause leaf drop and yellowing.

Where can I find more information on growing avocado trees?

For reasonably detailed information on avocado tree planting and care, please see UC Riverside's Avocado Website and The California Avocado Commission website.