I have an avacado seed that I have been growing in water for nearly a year (approximately) and since the first month it has been growing this white, puffy, popcorn stuff on the roots. I looked it up and have found mixed responses, some said it was mycorrhiza and was symbiotic and some said it was white mold and the plant should just be ditched.
I have two seeds, one that is growing this white stuff and one that isn’t. The first of which, with the odd growth, has been steadily growing much taller (granted I think the second might have thicker, but not longer roots). Not to mention the first seed grows at least five times faster. The second seed (which I put in water at the same time) does not have any upwards growth besides two little stubs which have barely changed for months, but it does not have any white puffy stuff on its roots.
The first three pictures show the seed with the white stuff on it which currently has three shoots but might be growing a smaller fourth. The middle shoot was originally twice as tall than it currently is and it even had a couple small leaves but it was unfortunately pruned (against my wishes and not to my knowledge) which is why you now see new growth coming out the sides instead of directly upwards.
The last picture shows the second seed (the one that doesn’t have white stuff).
Finally, I do plan on potting both of them soon as long as the first one doesn’t have mold because I think it would be a waste of soil. I plan on creating an equal mixture of potting mix, perlite, and peat moss when I plant them and eventually adding either a liquid fertilizer or a slow release fertilizer.
Ultimately I’m just wondering if anyone knows what this is and if I’m going in the right direction so hopefully I can have a healthy plant.
Forgot to mention, I did originally plan on pruning the first plant into one shoot instead of multiple so it could focus on the strongest one but that plan was put off since all three were unexpectedly cut and I wasn’t sure which shoot would grow back the best after that.
Sorry for the long post but if you got this far thanks for reading.
by nightshade_0524
9 Comments
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I doubt it matters, but it’s currently in an east facing window and was originally grown in a west facing window.
Mealy bugs or cottony scale. Plant parasites. But if those are only underwater, it’s something else entirely.
Starting of roots. I wish I knew how to post a picture on here because I have a plant doing the same. Finally, roots came out of a few of the white puffy things. I was freaked out at first!
Callus development.
Or, tissue developing asynchronously in ruptured areas based on the various plant hormones available. 😁
https://www.biologydiscussion.com/plant-tissues/callus-tissue/how-the-callus-tissue-is-formed-in-plants/14593
In other words, it’s normal.
Oftentimes, new roots will grow from that same or an adjacent area.
My houseplants do that when I propagate in water. It’s the start of roots.
it’s totally normal! starting lil roots
It’s totally fine. I had a tiny tree I propagated where my husband was going to throw away bc he thought it was mold, one month later it was flourishing with roots
That seed is ready for soil.