When most people think of growing their own fruit, they think of planting a peach or apple tree. But what about oranges?
Believe it or not, you can actually grow an orange tree from a seed taken from an orange.
It’s not as difficult as you might think, and the end result is a beautiful addition to your garden.
Seeds from oranges can be planted, and will grow into orange trees. However, the quality of the tree grown from a seed may not be as good as one grown from a nursery-purchased young tree.
You can grow an orange tree from a seed taken from an orange. It will take some time, but if you’re patient, you can watch your little orange tree grow and produce fruit.
Orange tree seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours before planting, and then planted in well-drained soil.
The seeds will germinate in about two weeks, and the young plants should be watered regularly.
When the plant is six months old, it can be transplanted to its final location.
How to plant orange seeds
The best option is to start the seeds off indoors where they can be kept warm and you can check them daily.
Fill a plant pot with good quality seed compost and then plant two seeds per pot before watering well.
Cover the pot with cling film or a plastic bag and place in a warm place such as an airing cupboard.
As soon as the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic and place the pot in a well lit, draft free and warm spot.
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How long will it take the seeds to sprout?
The seeds should germinate in around two weeks.
Growing your orange plant on
Once the orange plant has germinated, it’s important to water it regularly.
You can then transplant the young plant into a larger pot and when it reach a height of 10-15 cm (4-6 inches), you can then transplant it outside into the garden if you live in an area that is frost free and has good warm weather year round.
It will take around 3 years for the orange tree to start producing fruit.
Can an orange tree be grown indoors?
An orange tree can be grown indoors, but it will need plenty of light and you will need to re-pot it every year to ensure growth.
Keep the tree near to a window where it will get plenty of light and make sure that it doesn’t dry out.
During the warm summer months you can place the plant outdoors in a sheltered spot that gets lots of sunshine.
In the winter, move the plant back indoors and keep it warm.
Can you get young orange trees instead of growing from seed?
Yes, you can get young orange trees from a nursery.
Nurseries will have a variety of citrus trees to choose from and will be able to give you advice on how to look after your tree.
They will also be able to tell you how long it will take for the tree to start producing fruit.
When you buy a citrus tree, make sure that it is a dwarf variety as these are better suited for indoor growing.
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What type of soil is best for growing orange trees?
Orange trees prefer well-drained soil, so make sure to mix plenty of sand or grit into the soil before planting.
If you’re planting the tree in a pot, use a potting mix that will retain moisture but also has good drainage.
When can I transplant the young tree?
The young tree can be transplanted when it’s six months old and has a strong root system.
Dig a hole twice the size of the pot and carefully remove the plant from the pot.
Gently loosen the soil around the roots before planting in the hole.
Final words
If you’re patient, you can grow an orange tree from a seed taken from an orange.
It will take time, but if you live in an area that has a good warm climate year round, the tree can be planted outdoors and will produce fruit in around 3 years.
An orange tree can also be grown indoors, but will need plenty of light and will need to be re-potted every year.
Make sure to water the tree regularly and keep it near a window where it will get plenty of light.
