How to Germinate Clementine Seeds
"Clementine" fits several categories. The variety is a citrus, a mandarin and a tangerine. Also known as "Algerian" tangerine, the plant comes from the North African country that gives it its alternate name. "Clementine" trees arrived in Florida in 1909, migrating to California five years later. The fruit is 2 inches wide with a dark-orange rind. The edible pulp is divided into eight to 12 sweet-and-juicy segments. Each section has three to six seeds. Plant them to grow a plant, but not necessarily a crop-producing one. Citrus trees do not usually flower and bear fruit when started from seeds. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part peat moss
- Pot, 2-inch
- Propagation mat, as needed
- Pots, various sizes
Instructions
-
-
1
Mix 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part peat moss to prepare a potting mix suitable for citrus.
-
2
Add the soil blend to a 2-inch pot. Leave 1/4 inch between the surface and the planter's rim.
-
-
3
Irrigate the soil until excess water drips out of the drainage holes. Maintain the potting mix moist through germination.
-
4
Push the "Clementine" seed 1/4 inch deep into the soil. Move some of the mix on the surface over the area to cover the hole.
-
5
Place the pot where the temperature ranges from 59 to 95 degrees F. Use an electric propagation mat to provide bottom heat, if the temperature might drop below the minimum. Set the thermostat to 77 degrees F. Turn off the heat after germination. Keep the seedling in a pot, transplanting it to larger ones as the roots grow. Wait until the following spring if you intend to transplant the "Clementine" to the garden.
-
1
References
- AgriLIFE Extension; Home Fruit Production--Mandarins; Julian W. Sauls; December 1998
- Purdue University; Mandarin Orange; Julia F. Morton; 1987
- University of Minnesota Extension; Growing Citrus Indoors in Minnesota; Deborah L. Brown; January 1999
- "Seed Storage of Horticultural Crops"; S.D. Doijode; 2001
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
