Should I cut the small stem of my avocado sapling?

[ElectroMaster88]

I have a 2.5ish year old avocado sapling I grew from a seed. For the last year, as it can be seen in the pictures, another small stem started to grow in addition to the main one. Just recently it hit me that probably I should cut it, so all of the energy would go to the main stem. Should I cut it? If yes, how?

 

[Chuck]

Yes, at ground level with pruners

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @ElectroMaster88!

Yes, if it were mine, I would trim that "sucker" at ground level to prevent it from diverting the plant’s energy away from the main stem. Good sharp pruning shears or even scissors would do the job.

 

[ElectroMaster88]

I'll do it as soon as possible, thank you so much!

 

[Floweer]

I have a 2.5ish year old avocado sapling I grew from a seed. For the last year, as it can be seen in the pictures, another small stem started to grow in addition to the main one. Just recently it hit me that probably I should cut it, so all of the energy would go to the main stem. Should I cut it? If yes, how?

Yes, cutting the smaller stem can help your avocado sapling focus its energy on the main one. You can prune it by using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut the smaller stem close to the base, just above where it emerges from the main stem. Make sure not to damage the main stem. It's always good to leave a bit of space to avoid any risk of infection. Afterward, just keep an eye on your plant to ensure it recovers well

 

[cpp gardener]

It's more of a shape and prevention of splitting issue than "directing energy". The second stem doesn't 'pull' energy from the other stem, it produces its own through photosynthesis. There can be an issue of a weak point in the trunk where it branches vertically. When either side becomes big enough the trunk will split at that point.

 

[MiTmite9]

You may or may not know that avocado trees do not grow "true to seed." This means it is highly unlikely you will get the variety of avocado you're hoping for. In fact, the fruit may turn out to be inedible.

This video lays it all out for you. If you want a certain type of avocado, you're going to have to graft that type onto the tree you have now.