Growing avocados

Q.  I have three avocado pits which have sprouted. They are all in the same pot. The largest is about two feet tall. What should I do with them? How do I get them to fill out?

A.  Put each one in a separate pot. A seedling gets height first, then fullness. Once they have reached several feet, pinch out the top and this will cause side shoots to form. They can make an attractive patio plant.

Q.  How many chilling hours do we typically get in North Florida? I want to order some fruit trees and want to get the right ones.

 A.  Look for varieties of fruit that need no less than 300-350 chilling hours and no more than 400-450. A chilling hour is the number of hours a plant requires below 45 degrees to initiate flowering.