Well, here's my own experience with avocados...
I've got 3 of them planted in soil - tried the water trick and got absolutely nowhere with that ! Patience isn't my strong point either... the 3 of them grew long bare spikes, no leaves no matter what I did. I tried cutting them back, pinching and no luck. They're
growing and
growing and looking like 3 bare sticks in earth, and believe me I've fussed and messed with them and I haven't killed them yet. I'm letting them do what they will right now, they're alive and I can't make myself toss them in the garbage. Hopefully in the
spring they'll realize that they're supposed to grow leaves and do something...