Avocadocumentary--Weeks 39/40: Stasis

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Geez I'm behind. As a result, stuff's happened.


Let's switch things up a bit and take a look at Hal first.



This was Hal a couple weeks ago, after I have him a haircut (Note my snazzy clippers. Love those things. <3 ). Instead of cutting down to six inches like recommended, I cut back only enough such that Hal had a few leaves left. I didn't want to completely behead him.

Anyway, take a good look at the picture. Got it in your head? Okay, good. Next slide, please.



I took this picture today. Note the fact that Hal really hasn't changed--no pushing out of new buds, no real growth, nothing. I'm starting to get a little worried. You would think *something* would've happened by now. I hope I haven't essentially permanently stunted Hal's growth.



I mean, there's still buds there. They don't look like they're dead. Maybe doing new growth like this takes a while? After all, it takes about six months to get from straight seed to growing plant. Maybe something similar happens when an avocado tries to grow from a spot that's not the apex. I hope so. *crosses fingers*



Avobaby, in the meantime, has continued to go gangbusters. We've got a whole new set of leaves growing, and they look big and healthy and lovely. I do need to turn Avobaby, though. It's starting to lean the other way. The leaves also look a little droopy too, which is weird, because Avobaby usually perks up after I water it. Maybe it's depressed?



I THINK MAYBE OMG WHAT IS THIS AVOBABY IS THIS A CRY FOR HELP!?! WHY DID YOU DROP A LEAF?!? *wigs out* You know, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem! Is there something you're not telling me? OMG you haven't been going out late again have you? Did something happen? Are you overworking yourself? Am I going completely bonkers and lapsing into overprotective plant mommy mode?

Whatever the case may be, please, no more dropping leaves. WE ALL LOVE YOU. Don't make me have to get Swampy to watch you so you don't go hurting yourself anymore. ;_____;

Comments

[foofasaurus.livejournal.com]

At first I didn't read your subject line as "weeks 39 and 40," but rather, "week 39 out of 40," and did a little flail thinking you'd only be posting updates one more time after this. I've grown attached to Avobaby!

[liich.livejournal.com]

well, baby cado looks like it want to drop its first baby leaves at some point...they're still green and stuck on well, but they don't look as happy as the other leaves. maybe avobaby is just growing out of his baby leaves all together.
also, i think you need to turn him more often. :D his leaves look like they're growing all out of one side.
i need to post more pix of baby cado...he stopped producing new leaves for, like, 2 months but suddenly there are a few more coming in. i think he was just filling out his old leaves first...they're huge!
as for hal, yeah, i would think that it will take a bit for the new buds to grow. avocados seem to really take change slowly, but once they get going, go all out. i can't wait to see how things go for hal. maybe he will fill out all thick and bushy!
one question, what was the texture of the clipping from hal? was it woody? fleshy? what?

[peppermintberry.livejournal.com]

*happy wriggle* I'm so glad you enjoy hearing about Avobaby! I like writing about both it and Hal. I plan to keep writing about them for a while, particularly if Hal gets into gear and starts growing again! <3 <3 <3 There is comparing and contrasting to be done!

[peppermintberry.livejournal.com]

Hm. That could be about the baby leaves. All I know is that I had a minor PANIC! attack when I saw evidence of self-damage. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I hope Hal will start growing again soon! You do have a point about avocados being sluggish. Both Avobaby and Hal, once they actually got around to putting out a shoot, they went wild and crazy with the growing. Maybe once Hal figures out what happens he'll go crazy too. I'm watching that top bud to see if it's making any signs of life.

Well, as far as I can tell, the clipping was fleshy. The only apparent wood tissue I've seen on either Avobaby or Hal is the very bottom of Avobaby, which has that sort of rough, woody texture. But yeah, I hope I didn't cut too far down on Hal. ;_;