Nowadays, oranges are grown all over the world for their delicious and nutritious fruit, and can be kept indoors or in a greenhouse if you don't live in a warm climate. The best way to grow a healthy fruit-bearing tree is to purchase a young one or even a seedling. However, you can plant an orange seed directly in the ground if you want to experience growing it from the source.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting an Orange Seed
Step 1. Know the problems growing from a seed entails
It is possible to grow a tree this way, but it will be more vulnerable to disease and other problems. It may also take 4 to 15 years for it to produce its first fruit. A young tree purchased from the nursery is actually a combination of two plants: one grown for healthy roots and other qualities, while the other is grafted onto the first for its branches. These branches come from a tree that produces high-quality fruit, and as they are already ripe, the tree should bear fruit within a year or two of purchase. Following this explanation, feel free to continue reading these passages if you wish to take on the challenge.
Step 2. Select the seeds before they have dried
Carefully cut an orange without breaking the seeds inside, or just use the ones that haven't been damaged by the knife. Choose seeds without dents or stains. Those that appear wilted and dry have usually been left out of the fruit for too long and have a lower chance of growth.
Keep in mind that some varieties of oranges are seedless. Ask the greengrocer for a variety with seeds
Step 3. Wash the seeds
Hold them under running water and scrub them gently to remove any pulp or other material. Be careful not to damage them, especially if some are already beginning to sprout.
It is not necessary to dry them. If they remain moist they will sprout more easily
Step 4. Make the seeds sprout faster by keeping them moist
Assuming you are using seeds that have not yet begun to sprout, you can reduce the time this takes by keeping them in a humid environment. To ensure an adequate level of humidity you can keep them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting them, or simply keep the soil where you planted them moist (but not soaked).
- If you use dried seeds, which are in an inactive state, it can take months to germinate and may not grow at all.
- Professional orange growers soak some slow-germinating varieties of oranges in gibberellic acid before planting them to speed up the process even more. This technique is usually useless if it's a small home project involving only a handful of seeds, and can easily backfire if the wrong amount of acid is used for your orange variety.
Step 5. Plant each seed in a pot of well-draining potting soil or soil
Place them about 1.5cm below the surface. Oranges adapt easily to any type of soil, but it is important that the water does not stagnate around the seeds and roots (which will form later) as it could cause rot. The water must drain quickly through the pot when you water. In addition, you can purchase citrus potting soil to add to the potting mix, which will increase the ability to retain nutrients and create a more acidic (low pH) environment, ideal for citrus trees.
- Remember to put a plate or other similar object under the pot to catch the draining water.
- If the soil doesn't drain well, add some hardwood bark chips. This makes the soil less compact, allowing for quick water drainage.
Step 6. Keep the pot in full sun
Whether indoors or outdoors, the soil does best in temperatures between 24 and 29 ºC. Sunlight is the best way to warm the soil to the right temperature, as a radiator may dry it out too quickly. If you live in a cold or sunny region, it may be necessary to keep the plant in a greenhouse or heated shed, even before it is germinated.
Step 7. Add a balanced fertilizer once every two weeks (optional)
If you want to accelerate the growth of the tree, you can add a small amount of fertilizer to the soil every 10-14 days. For best results, you should adapt the fertilizer type to the nutrient level of the soil, which should be noted on the soil label if you purchased it. If not, choose a balanced one with a relatively even amount of nutrients.
Stop adding fertilizer when the plant has grown into a young tree. Then follow the instructions for how to grow it which are indicated below. No more fertilizer should be needed until its second year of life
Step 8. Remove the weakest of the three shoots when the seeds begin to sprout
Citrus seeds have the unusual ability to produce exact clones of the mother plant, called nucellar embryos. These are typically the two fastest growing shoots, while the third "genetic" shoot tends to be smaller and slower growing. Cut this weak third seedling in order to produce a plant with the same qualities as the mother tree.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for a Seedling or Young Tree
Step 1. Plant the tree in a pot slightly larger than its roots at the appropriate time
If you have just purchased a tree or have been growing it for years, you should plant it in a container where the roots fit easily and comfortably, but not too large in relation to the root system.
- The best time to repot your orange tree is spring, before it starts putting all the energy into growth.
- Cut off dead or broken roots before planting. Be sure to sterilize the knife by boiling it or rubbing it with alcohol, to reduce the chance of transmitting disease to the tree.
- Press the soil gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets. The first roots must be just below the soil surface.
Step 2. Consider a seat outside
If you live in a warm climate like southern Italy, you can grow orange trees outdoors. Choose an area where the young tree will be protected from the wind, such as near a wall or a larger tree to shelter it. However, keep the orange trees at least 3-4m from these large obstacles, especially other trees with competing root systems. The canopy of orange trees can grow up to 3m wide, so choose a spot at least 1.5m from roads and paths.
- Choose an area protected from the wind.
- To allow for root development and growth, plant standard-sized trees at least 4m away from walls and other large obstacles and approximately 8m from other trees. If you are planting dwarf oranges, do your research based on the variety's specific needs and adjust accordingly.
- The trunk itself can grow up to 3 m in width. Plant trees at least 1.5m from walking paths to keep them clean.
Step 3. Plant the trees outside in existing land
Dig a hole deep enough to cover the roots. Cover the roots with the earth you previously dug. Ready soil tends to absorb too much water for these types of trees, which can cause them to rot.
Do not cover the shrub with earth, otherwise the tree may die
Step 4. Keep the tree in full sun and warm temperatures
Check the young seedling constantly, as it is increasingly prone to sunburn or other dangers than adult plants, even though oranges do best in full sun. Ideal temperatures are between 24 and 32 ° C. Oranges suffer in spring or summer temperatures below 7 ° C and, depending on the variety, they could die in temperatures below freezing. Constant temperatures above 38 ° C for several days could cause damage to the leaves.
- If your adult tree is exposed to too high temperatures, hang an awning or tarp over the tree until the temperature drops below 38 ° C.
- Move the tree indoors before frost. Citrus trees are more vulnerable to frost than heat, although some varieties may be able to survive a short period of frost.
Step 5. Water the plant infrequently, but abundantly
Oranges, once they have grown into young trees and no longer sprouts, prefer to stay in soil that dries up completely before it is watered again. Wait until the ground feels dry, you can make an assessment by digging a hole as deep as your finger. If it is completely dry, water abundantly until it is wet throughout its thickness. A large adult plant should not be watered until the top 15cm of surface soil is completely dry.
- Typically, the tree can be watered once or twice a week, but it depends on the temperature, humidity, and amount of sunlight it receives. Use your judgment and water more regularly during hot, dry seasons, although you should generally avoid watering them when the sun is high in the sky.
- If the tap water is hard (heavy minerals that leave a white halo on kettles or pipes), use filtered water or rainwater to water the tree.
Step 6. Fertilize carefully according to age
Adding fertilizer or manure at the right time provides the tree with all the nutrients it needs to grow and produce fruit, but incorrect use can burn the tree or cause other damage. Use a fertilizer specifically for citrus trees, or any fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. Follow these instructions for applying fertilizers or compost:
- Young 2-3 year old trees should have two tablespoons (30ml) of high nitrogen fertilizer distributed under the tree 3-4 times a year, just before watering. Alternatively, mix 4 liters of high-quality composted manure into the soil, but only in the fall, when rains can wash away excess salts before they can cause damage.
- Adult trees 4 years or older grown outdoors require 0.45-0.68 kg of nitrogen per year. The fertilizer package should indicate the percentage, which will allow you to calculate how much fertilizer you need to use. Spread it on the root zone of the tree and water the soil, annually during the winter, or in three equal lots in February, July and September.
Step 7. Remove dust from indoor plants regularly
Dust or dirt that accumulates on the leaves can prevent photosynthesis, the system the plant uses to absorb energy. Brush or wash the leaves every 2-3 weeks if the plant is kept indoors.
Step 8. Know that pruning is rarely necessary
Unlike some tree varieties, orange and other citrus fruits grow well even without pruning. You can just cut off completely dead branches and suckers near the base that look especially unhealthy. You can prune the tree to direct its growth and keep it low enough to harvest all of the fruit, but remove heavy branches only during the winter months to prevent the sun from burning the inside of the tree.
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Protect the tree from too much heat or drought by wrapping the trunk in newspaper
If the tree is still young and has recently been planted outdoors, it can be particularly vulnerable to excessive heat. Tie the newspaper loosely around the trunk and large branches if you see any signs of sun damage, or if you live in a very sunny area.
Step 2. Increase the acidity of the soil if the leaves turn yellow
Yellow leaves are a sign of alkalinity, i.e. too much basic salt in the structure. Apply an acidic (low pH) fertilizer and wash the soil thoroughly to disperse the alkaline salts.
One cause of alkalinity can be too much manure or manure applied during the dry season
Step 3. Eliminate the aphids with soap and water
Aphids are small green insects that feed on many types of plants. If you notice them on your orange tree, wash them off with soap and water. Many other solutions are described in this article if the soap and water remedy doesn't work.
Step 4. Get rid of ants and other pests that feed on the tree
Ants can be difficult to eradicate, but placing the pot in a larger container of standing water will make it impossible for them to access. Use pesticides sparingly and only as a last resort, especially if the tree is bearing fruit.
Step 5. Protect trees that will be exposed to frost
If possible, young trees should be brought indoors before frost. However, if they are planted outside and you don't have space in the house, you should wrap the logs with cardboard, corn straw, wool fabric, or other insulation material. Cover the entire trunk up to the main branches.
Healthy adult oranges rarely die from frost, but can suffer damage to the leaves. Wait until spring to see which branches survive before pruning dry ones
Step 6. Promote fruit growth for the following year by harvesting all of this year's ripe fruit
If you leave the fruit on the tree you can reduce its production the following year, even if you only use the fruit for home consumption and the tree produces more than your needs. Some varieties, such as mandarins and Valencia oranges, alternate years of abundant production with years of low production. Fertilize less during the year with little production, since the tree has lower nutritional needs.
Advice
- You can grow orange trees indoors all year round if you live in a cold climate, but much less space is required for dwarf varieties. For smaller trees, a windowsill in full sun is ideal. Larger plants can grow well in a wet greenhouse or shed.
- Don't let animals go into your orange grove. It may be necessary to build fences or use repellent or aromatic plants.
