Planting Avocado Seeds Upside Down.

Saw an article on this "method" to create seeds with multiple shoots plant the seed upside down. Just for fun, I planted some seeds upside down, side ways and mostly the natural right way up.

As I'm potting the sees to the poly bags, I examined the seeds. This seeds was planted upside down. It has 3 shoots. The roots tap tried to grow up, but terminated. Side roots then grew down. The shoots grew down but turned up.

Another upside down seed, but only 1 shoot.

The root grew out from the side then turned down.

 A nature right way up with 3 shoots.

 Another nature right way up with 2 shoots.

Seed planted side way.

The way I see it, planting the seeds upside down doesn't guarantee multiple shoot. If multiple shoot is required, I feel the a better way shall be when the seed germinate, cut off the shoot closest to the seed.

At this moment I have no interest on multiple shoot as I germinate the seeds to graft and the only variety I have at the moment is Borneo Avocado. These are for planting in our farm. So I require seeds to grow single stem, big, fast and strong so that I can reduce "nursery" time.

In the future, I may look into this again as I do see a potential on Multiple stems seedlings. When I have other Avocado varieties, I shall try to graft a different variety to each stem. This shall be suitable for home growers, where land is limited. By planting 1 tree with different varieties (different fruiting time), hopefuly the owner can have fruits almost all year round.

Grafting Scissor, Blade Replacement.

The scissor came with a U blade attached. When I wanted to try the other shaped blade, I realized that there were no instruction given. I tried to change the blade using what tools I have from the truck, but couldn't do it as the Philip Screw is of the wrong size. Assembled it back, at least now I think I know how it's done.

Bought a correct sized Philip screw driver (+).

 I used a Philip screw driver and a pliers for field as it's easier to work with, but a proper tool should be a spanner, a size 8 I think.

Flip the grafting scissor over. Remove the the self locking nut.

 Flip back to the front and take off the Philip screw. Keep pressure on the handle while doing this as the screw is the pivot for the cutting action. Once the screw is out, you can release the pressure on the handle.

 Slide the blade assembly to the top and remove.

There are 4 Philip screws holding the blade to the assembly. Remove all 4. One of the screw is just too tight, I had to resort to knocking the screw driver to loosen it.

Change the blade to which ever type that is required. When re-assembling blade assembly, screw loosely first, then tighten with a diagonal cross method. Check to confirm the blade is sitting properly and the assembly is flat.

Insert the assembly back into the scissor, apply pressure on the handle and align the pivot hole. Check that the return spring on the handle is sitting properly. Insert the screw. Screw it down until almost tight. Check for the scissor action, it should be smooth and return smoothly (open position). Adjust the screw accordingly.

Flip the scissor over and install the self locking screw. Hand tighten fist.

You then need to hold the screw to prevent it from turning while locking the nut as this shall affect the adjustment made earlier on the smooth scissor action. Adjust again if required.

We are almost done. Do not forget to adjust the orange bobbin. Turn it to a new position ( as mine is a new scissor and had only been using the U blade). Unlock the self locking nut. I think the bobbin should be able to turn, but mine is just too tight. I had to unscrew the screw also, then pull out the bobbin to change position.

New position. Note the previous U cut.

Reassemble. Check the scissor action again. Lubricate if require. We done, ready for grafting.

Happy grafting.
Am testing out the grafting scissor, learning to use it within it's designed range. Shall write a review of the scissor soon. Stay tune.