How to Grow an Orange Tree

Understand the challenges of growing from seeds. While you can grow an orange tree this way, it may be more prone to disease and other issues. Additionally, it could take anywhere from 4 to 15 years for the tree to bear fruit for the first time. The saplings purchased from nurseries are actually propagated from two types: one plant is grown for strong roots and other desirable traits, and the branch of another tree is grafted onto the first one. These branches come from a tree that produces high-quality fruit, and because they are already mature, the tree will bear fruit within 1 or 2 years after purchase. That means, if you are ready to grow your own orange tree, continue with the following steps.

Choose seeds before they dry out. Carefully cut a fruit open, avoiding cutting into the seeds inside, or only use seeds that are intact. Choose seeds that are free of cracks or fading color. Flat, dry seeds (often after being removed from a fruit for a long time) are less likely to sprout successfully.

• Note that some varieties of oranges are seedless. You need to ask for varieties that contain seeds.

Clean the seeds thoroughly. Rinse the seeds under running water, gently rubbing off any pulp or skin clinging to the seeds. Be careful not to damage the seeds, especially those that have already started to sprout.

• No need to dry the seeds afterward. Keeping them moist will improve their chances of sprouting.

Accelerate seed germination by keeping them moist. If you are using seeds that have not yet started to sprout, you can speed up the germination process by keeping them in a moist environment. You can store the seeds in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to 30 days before planting, or simply keep them in moist soil, but not waterlogged.

• If using dried seeds, they are dormant and may take months to sprout, or may never sprout.
• Professional orange growers soak certain slow-germinating varieties in gibberellic acid before planting to boost germination speed. This is typically unnecessary for home gardeners and could even backfire if the wrong seed quantity is used for your orange variety.

Plant each seed in a small pot with good drainage and mix with soil. Choose a pot with good drainage to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to rot. Ensure that water flows freely through the pot when watered. Additionally, you can purchase citrus potting mix, which will enhance nutrient retention and create a more acidic (low pH) environment that citrus plants thrive in.

• Remember to place a tray or something else under the pot to catch any excess water.
• If the soil has poor drainage, mix in some hardwood bark. This will loosen the soil and allow water to flow through more easily.

Keep the soil in full sunlight. Whether indoors or outdoors, the soil performs best at temperatures between 75º and 85ºF (24º-29ºC). Sunlight is the best way to warm the soil precisely, since a radiator could dry out the soil too quickly. If you live in a cold area or a region with limited sunlight, you may need to keep your orange tree in a heated greenhouse or sunroom, even before it germinates.

Add a balanced fertilizer every two weeks (optional). If you want to accelerate the growth of your plant, adding a small amount of fertilizer to the soil every 10-14 days will help it thrive. For best results, you'll need to adjust your fertilizer choice based on the nutrient levels in your soil, which should be labeled on the bag if you're buying potting soil. If not, choose a balanced fertilizer with a relatively even amount of nutrients.

• Stop adding fertilizer once the plant has matured into a young tree. Follow the care instructions for a sapling or young tree. No further fertilizer is needed until its second year.

Remove the third weakest sprout when seeds germinate. Citrus seeds have a unique ability to produce exact clones of the parent tree, known as 'seedlings.' Typically, two sprouts grow faster than the third, which is smaller and slower to develop. Cut off this weaker third sprout to ensure a plant with the same quality as the parent tree it was bred from.

Plant the tree in a larger pot whenever necessary. Whether you bought a tree or have been growing it for years, you should always repot it in a space where the roots can grow comfortably, but not in a pot that's too much bigger than the root ball.

• The best time to repot your citrus tree is during spring, before it devotes too much energy to growth.
• Trim any dead or damaged roots before replanting. Sterilize your knife by boiling it or rubbing it with alcohol to reduce the risk of transferring diseases to the plant.
• Firmly pack the soil around the roots to remove air pockets. The roots should finish just below the soil surface.

If planting outside, choose a wind-protected area with plenty of space and use the existing soil. If you live in a warm climate such as Florida or California, you can plant your citrus tree outdoors.

• Pick a spot where young trees will be sheltered from the wind.
• Consider planting near a wall or large tree that can block the wind. However, ensure the citrus tree is at least 12 feet (3.7 meters) away from large obstacles, especially other trees, to avoid competition for root space.
• Citrus trees can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) wide, so choose a location that is at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) from traffic areas and footpaths.