How to Grow Orange Trees in Containers
Orange trees are popular with home gardeners across the world. Some people enjoy growing these gorgeous, sweet-scented trees, and presenting oranges to their friends and guests. If you don't have an outdoor garden, you can grow orange trees in indoor pots. The best way to start orange trees in pots is from seed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Orange seeds
- Glass
- Water
- Paper towels
- Plastic bag
- 2- to 3-inch pots
- Potting soil
- Compost
- Soluble fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Buy orange seeds from a supplier, or collect seeds from store-bought oranges. Cut open an orange and remove the seeds, then wash them to remove fruit and juice residue.
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2
Place your seeds in a glass of water. Throw away any seeds that float, since they won't sprout. Throw away any seeds that are smaller than the others, as they might not contain enough nutrition to be successful.
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3
Put your seeds in a damp paper towel, and then inside a plastic bag. Put them back in the refrigerator for two to three weeks. The cold will start the orange seeds' germination.
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4
Soak the seeds in water for two to three hours before planting, to soften the husks for planting in the soil. Fill your pots with a quick-draining mixture of compost and potting soil. Use a 50/50 combination.
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Sew your seeds, putting one seed in each pot. Push the seeds down until they're covered with soil.
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Water and put the pots in a warm, dry location. Water periodically to keep the soil moist but never wet. Orange trees should sprout in four to six weeks.
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Leave the seedlings in these pots for three to six months. At 4 to 5 inches, they should be transplanted to larger pots. Water the trees and give them soluble fertilizer once a week. Keep the pots in sunny locations.
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Tips & Warnings
Small breeds of orange, like calamondin orange trees, are ideal for growing in pots.
Cold temperatures and frost can kill or damage orange trees.
