How to Grow Miniature Orange Trees From Seed
Miniature orange trees are usually created from the calamondin orange, a dwarf variety. They are very attractive, with shiny green leaves, fragrant white flowers, and clusters of small, orange fruit, which are actually sour, rather than sweet.
Because calamondin orange trees are smaller than most citrus trees, they can easily be grown as miniatures, both indoors as ornamentals as well as outdoors, in certain areas of the country. Each orange holds several seeds which you can germinate at home to raise your own miniature orange tree.
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Things You'll Need
- Calamondin orange seeds
- Potting soil
- Sand
- Disposable drinking cups
- Medium zip-top plastic bags
- Pruning shears
- Larger planting pots
Instructions
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Sprouting Your Orange Seeds
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1
Mix equal amounts of potting soil and sand for a potting medium.
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2
Cut open the calamondin orange and remove the seeds. Ensure that they are fresh and free from disease or damage.
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3
Cut the drinking cups to about 3 inches tall and punch holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill the cups with the planting medium.
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4
Plant the seeds by inserting one seed approximately ½-inch deep in each cup and cover with potting medium.
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5
Water the seeds lightly and place each cup in a medium-sized, zip-top plastic bag to keep the seeds moist.
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6
Place the cups in the sun to encourage germination. Watch for growth within the next two to three weeks. Spray the seeds with water occasionally to keep the soil damp, but not wet.
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7
Remove the plastic bags after the seeds have sprouted. Continue to water regularly.
Growing Your Miniature Orange Tree
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8
Transplant your seedlings, once the plants have grown to several inches. Plant them in larger pots or fertile, prepared soil in your garden.
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9
Ensure that the juvenile trees receive about four hours of direct sunlight each day and temperatures remain between 60 and 70 degrees F.
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10
Replant each orange tree in a larger pot each spring to help promote fruiting.
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11
Check your hardiness zone to see if a calamondin orange tree will grow outdoors in your area. Plant your tree outdoors by digging a hole twice as deep and wide as the root ball of the tree. Place the tree in the hole and back fill the hole, being careful not to cover the trunk with soil.
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12
Prune your calamondin orange tree, as it matures, in early spring to keep it's dimensions small. Water regularly, keeping the soil damp, but not wet. Feed twice a year with a good citrus fertilizer.
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