Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Planting an Orange Seed
• Part 2 of 3: Caring for a seedling or sapling
• Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
• Tips
• References

Orange trees are grown all over the world for their delicious nutritious fruits.If you do not live in warm climates, you can grow such a tree indoors or in a greenhouse. The best way to grow a healthy, fruiting plant is to acquire a young tree or seedling. However, you can plant an orange seed in the soil if you want to grow it from scratch.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Planting an Orange Seed

1. 1 Understand the challenges of growing a seed tree. An orange tree grown from seed will be more susceptible to disease, and its fruit can taste very different from the orange from which you extracted the seed. In addition, it will begin to bear fruit in 4-15 years. A young tree from a nursery is actually two plants combined: one is grown for healthy roots and vitality (stock), and the other is grafted onto it for tasty fruits (scion). The graft is taken from a tree that bears good fruits, and since such a tree is already mature enough, it will begin to bear fruit in a year or two after purchase. However, if you are not afraid of difficulties or you are interested in the process of growing a tree from seed as such, follow the steps below.
2. 2 Collect the seeds before they are dry. Cut open the orange carefully so as not to hurt the seeds inside, or simply use seeds that are not damaged by a knife. Choose seeds without dents or discoloration. Seeds that look shriveled and dry, usually from the fruit some time ago, have a lower chance of germinating.
   • Please note that some orange varieties do not have seeds. Ask the fruit seller if the oranges contain seeds.
3. 3 Wash the seeds. While holding the seeds under running water, gently wipe off any pulp or other particles adhering to the seeds. Be careful not to damage the seeds, especially if some of them have already begun to germinate.
   • There is no need to dry the seeds after this. Keeping them moist will increase the chances of germination.
4. 4 Germinate your seeds faster by keeping them moist. If your seeds have not yet begun to germinate, you can reduce the amount of time it takes by keeping them in a humid environment.You can keep the damp seeds in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting, or simply keep the soil in which they are planted constantly moisten (it should be damp but not squishy with water).
   • If you are using dried seeds, keep in mind that they are dormant and may take several months to germinate - or they may not germinate at all.
   • Professional orange growers soak slowly germinating orange seeds in gibberellic acid prior to planting to further accelerate germination. This is not necessary if it is just a couple or three or a handful of seeds that you germinate at home, and you will only spoil everything if you use the wrong amount of chemical for your orange variety.
5. 5 Plant each seed in a small pot with potting soil and good drainage. Plant them about 1.2 cm deep. Orange trees are not picky about the soil, but it is important that water does not collect around the seeds (and subsequently the roots) and cause rot. When watering, the water should seep quickly into the soil. Optionally, you can purchase citrus compost to add to the mix. This will increase its ability to retain nutrients and create a more acidic (lower pH) environment in which citrus trees thrive.
   • Remember to place the pot on a tray or saucer so that the water can drain into it.
   • If the soil is poorly drained, mix it with hardwood bark shavings. This makes the soil less dense, which allows water to seep into it faster.
6. 6 Keep the pots in direct sunlight. Both indoors and outdoors, seeds will germinate best at a temperature of 24–29 ºC. Sunlight is the best way to warm the soil to the correct level, as a battery or heater can dry it out too quickly. If you live in a cold area or where there is little sun, you may need to keep the orange tree in a heated greenhouse or conservatory even before it has germinated.
7. 7 Add a balanced fertilizer every two weeks (optional). If you would like to speed up the growth of the tree, apply a small amount of fertilizer to the soil every 10-14 days. For best results, you will need to select a fertilizer based on the nutrient level in the soil you purchased (the composition should be listed on the package). Otherwise, choose a balanced fertilizer with relatively equal amounts of nutrients.
   • Stop adding fertilizer as soon as you have formed into a sapling. Instead, follow the directions for seedlings or young trees. Most likely, additional fertilization will be needed only in the second year.
8. 8 Remove one of the weakest shoots one at a time when the seeds germinate. Citrus seeds have the unusual ability to produce exact clones of the mother plant, called nucellar seedlings. These are, as a rule, two fast growing shoots, and the third genetic offspring usually grows more slowly and has a smaller size. Cut off this weak third sprout to get a tree that repeats the properties of the parent.

Part 2 of 3: Caring for a seedling or sapling

1. 1 Transplant the tree into a pot that is slightly larger than the diameter of the root ball. If you have just purchased a tree or have been growing it for many years, you should plant it in a container that will fit the roots easily, but not much larger than the size of the root ball.
   • The best time to transplant an orange tree is in spring, before it has expended a lot of strength to grow.
   • Cut off dead or broken roots before planting. Sterilize the knife first by boiling it or rubbing it with alcohol to reduce the chances of transmitting any disease to the tree.
   • Gently tamp the soil around the roots to remove air pockets. The top roots should be located just below the soil surface.
2. 2 Consider if you can plant an orange tree outside. Oranges can grow in climates where the minimum temperature does not drop below -12 ° C. If you live in a warm climate, you can plant an orange tree in your garden. [Image: Plant-a-Peach-Tree-Step-4-Version-2.webp | center]]
   • Choose a location that is sheltered from the wind.
   • To ensure sufficient root space, plant regular orange trees at least 3.7 m from walls and other large objects and 7.6 m from other trees. If you are planting a dwarf variety, find out what are the recommendations for it.
   • The crown can eventually reach 3 m in diameter, so plant a tree at least 1.5 m from the paths so that it does not interfere with walking on them.
3. 3 Plant the tree in regular soil in your garden. When planting an orange tree in your garden, only dig a hole deep enough to accommodate all the roots. Cover the roots with the same soil that you removed from the hole. Potted mixes hold too much water for orange trees, which can cause the plant to rot.
   • Do not cover the trunk with soil, otherwise the tree may die.
4. 4 Keep the tree in the sun and at a warm temperature. Keep a close eye on young seedlings, as they always burn more easily and are more vulnerable to other hazards than rooted plants, but orange trees do best in full sun. The best temperatures for them are in the 24–32 ºC range. They will not grow well if the temperature falls below 7 ºC in spring or summer and, depending on the variety, may die at 0 ºC or below. On the other hand, a stable temperature above 38 ºC for several days is likely to damage the leaves.
   • If a mature tree is exposed to too high temperatures, hang a light shield or sheet over it until the temperature drops below 38 ° C.
   • Bring the orange tree indoors before frost. Citrus trees are more vulnerable to frost than heat, although some varieties may be able to withstand mild frosts.
5. 5 Water the plant infrequently but abundantly. When the orange has changed from a sprout to a sapling, it will prefer that the soil is completely dry before watering again. Check the soil by completely immersing your finger in it: if the hole is dry, then it's time to water the plant again abundantly (and again wait until the soil is completely dry). A large adult plant does not need to be watered until the soil is 15 cm deep.
   • Typically, a tree can be watered 1-2 times a week, but this will vary depending on temperature, humidity, and the amount of sunlight the tree receives. Make up your own mind and water more regularly during hot, dry periods, but don't water your plants when the sun is high in the sky.
   • If your tap water is hard (rich in minerals, leaves a white residue in the kettle or on the taps), use filtered or rainwater for irrigation.
6. 6 Fertilize the tree carefully, according to its age. Adding fertilizer or manure at the right time gives trees all the nutrients they need to grow and bear fruit, but improper use can burn or damage the tree. Use a special citrus fertilizer or any high nitrogen fertilizer. To apply fertilizer or compost, follow the instructions:
   • Young trees 2–3 years old need 2 tablespoons of high nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilizer should be scattered under the tree 3-4 times a year and do this just before watering. Alternatively, stir in 4 liters of good quality compost manure into the soil, but only in the fall, when the rains can wash away excess salts, otherwise they can harm the plant.
   • Outdoor trees aged 4 years and older require 450–680 g of nitrogen per year.The fertilizer should indicate what percentage of nitrogen it contains, and this will allow you to calculate how much fertilizer you need to take in order to achieve the required amount of nitrogen. Spread fertilizer where tree roots are in the soil and water the soil. Do this either once a year in winter, or in three equal portions in February, July and September.
7. 7 Remove dust from indoor trees regularly. The accumulation of dust or dirt on leaves can interfere with photosynthesis, which the plant needs for energy. If the plant is kept indoors, dry or rinse the leaves every few weeks.
8. 8 Be aware that pruning is rarely required. Unlike some other trees, orange and other citrus fruits grow well without pruning. It is only necessary to completely remove dead branches and shoots at the base, which look especially unhealthy. You can prune the tree to give it the shape you want and to keep it low enough, otherwise it will be awkward to pick fruit from. However, remove large branches only during the winter months to avoid sunburning the inside of the tree when it is exposed.

Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting

1. 1 Protect burnt or withered trees by wrapping newspaper around the trunk. If your tree is still young and freshly planted outdoors, it may be particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Tie newspaper loosely around the trunk and large branches if you see signs of sun damage or if you live in an area with bright sunshine.
2. 2 Check the acidity of the soil if the leaves turn yellow. Yellow leaves can be a sign of alkalinity or too much basic salt. Check the acidity of the soil to find out. If the soil is too alkaline, apply an acidic (low pH) fertilizer and water liberally to flush out the alkaline salts.
   • Alkalinity can be caused by applying too much manure or compost during the dry season.
3. 3 Wash off aphids with soapy water. Aphids are small green insect pests that feed on many plant species. If you see them on an orange tree, wash them off with soap and water. You can find other solutions to this problem in this article.
4. 4 Get rid of ants and other pests that feed on the tree. The ants can be difficult to eradicate, but if the tree is growing in a pot, you can put it in a large container of standing water to block its path. Do not overdo it with pesticides and try to resort to them only as a last resort, especially if the tree bears fruit.
5. 5 Protect trees from frost. If possible, bring the young trees indoors before frost. If planted outdoors or you don't have room indoors, wrap the trunks in cardboard, corn stalks, fleece, or other insulating material. Cover the trunk all the way to the main branches.
   • Healthy adult orange trees rarely die from frost, but frost can damage foliage. Wait until spring to see which branches survived and prune dead ones.
6. 6 Stimulate next year's fruit growth by harvesting all ripe fruit this year. If you leave fruit on the tree, it may produce less fruit the next year, although if you grow them for yourself and not for sale, a mature tree will already produce more fruit than you need. must produce more than necessary. Some citrus fruits, such as tangerines and Valencian oranges, have alternating yields - high year, low year. Fertilize them less during the year before a small harvest, the tree's nutrient requirements will be lower.

Tips

• Orange trees can be grown indoors all year round if you live in cold climates, and dwarf varieties will take up much less space. A window sill with bright sunlight is ideal for small trees. Larger plants will do well in a humid greenhouse or conservatory.
• Do not plant orange trees in the shade. They need a lot of sunlight.
• Keep animals away from your oranges. You may need to build a hedge, or use plants or odors to keep intruders away.
• When the tree is fully grown, you can prune it once a year to keep it in shape.

References

1. ↑ http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_Plant_Orange_Seeds
2. ↑ http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/seed-germination-tips.htm
3. ↑ http://www.crfg.org/tidbits/gibberellic.html
4. ↑ http://www.margamcountrypark.co.uk/default.aspx?page=8169
5. ↑ http://www.sunkist.com/products/how_citrus_trees.aspx
6. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
7. ↑ http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201106-how-to
8. ↑ http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/seed-germination-tips.htm
9. ↑ http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_Plant_Orange_Seeds
10. ↑ http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/fruit/orange.html
11. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
12. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
13. ↑ http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201106-how-to
14. ↑ http://www.almanac.com/plant/lemons-oranges
15. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf
16. ↑ http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/citrus/msg060015311222.html?19
17. ↑ http://www.garden.org/ediblelandscaping/?page=201106-how-to
18. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
19. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf
20. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf
21. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf
22. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
23. ↑ http://www.whatprice.co.uk/conservatory/growing-orange-trees.html
24. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf
25. ↑ http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/files/140618.pdf