HOW TO GROWING ORANGE FRUIT SEEDS

HOW TO GROWING ORANGE FRUIT SEEDS

Commercial Propagation

Commercial growers propagate orange trees by grafting rather than from seed. Grafting has several benefits: The trees and fruit from the new tree are genetically identical to the parent orange tree, and grafted trees start producing sooner than seed planted trees. Commercial growers do plant the rootstock from seed. The rootstock is a citrus tree that will provide the roots and base for the grafted variety. Rootstock varieties are chosen for their rapid root growth and size.

Planting an Orange Seed

When preparing to plant an orange tree from seed, pick an orange that is completely ripe. The seeds inside an immature fruit are themselves likely to be immature and unlikely to germinate. Rinse the seed thoroughly in cool water to remove all the fruit juice and pulp. Use a soilless seed-starting mix or sterile seed-starting compost and plant the seeds about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep.

Germination

Orange seeds should be planted in early spring indoors or in a greenhouse where the soil can be kept consistently at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Regular moisture is critical during germination, so be sure to mist the soil as soon as it starts to feel dry. Look for emerging seedlings within two to three weeks after planting. Three seedlings will emerge from a single orange seed. Keep one of the two strong outer seedlings and remove the weaker central one and one outer seedling.