How to Grow Oranges From Pips

Orange trees grow to an average of 25 feet.

Oranges are popular trees in home gardens, but they grow only in subtropical zones. Like any other tree or plant, orange trees can grow from pips, or seeds, but require good protection and nutrition to do so. They may also take up to seven years to begin producing fruit when they start from seeds. If you're willing to face these challenges, gather some seeds from an orange, rinse them off and get started.

Things You'll Need

• Glass
• Paper towels
• 3-inch pots
• Starter soil or compost mix

Instructions

1. Take orange seeds out of an orange and wash them off. Leaving fruit on the seed may retard or stop germination. Put the seeds in a glass of water and remove any that float to the top. Those seeds are not viable and won't sprout.

2. Fold the viable seeds in a paper towel and place them in the fruit or cheese compartment of your fridge for three to four weeks. This cold stratification period signals to the seeds that it's time to germinate and grow.

3. Put seeds back in a glass of water when your remove them from the fridge, to soak for two to three hours.

4. Fill 3-inch pots three-fourths full with starter soil or compost mix for the new seeds. Plant one seed per pot, at a depth of 1 inch, then water with 1 inch of water.

5. Put the pots in a spot where they'll receive temperatures over 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and bright natural or artificial light for eight hours a day. Maintain soil moisture by watering as needed, but never water the soil until it's soupy. Germination and sprouting should occur within four to six weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Transfer seedlings to larger pots when they are 5 inches tall.

References

• Purdue University: Orange
• Aggie Horticulture: Orange
• The Garden of Eaden: How to Grow an Orange Tree From Seed