Q&A for How to Germinate Orange Seeds

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  • Question
    How long do I leave them in the mist paper
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Instead of placing the seeds in moist paper, I would recommend planting them directly in the soil and keeping it moist.
  • Question
    What if the seeds have been out of the orange for a long time?
    Community Answer
    If the seeds have been kept out for a long time, they might have dried up, and will not germinate. If they have been kept moist, it does not really matter how long they have been out of the orange.
  • Question
    How long can an orange tree live?
    Community Answer
    When given proper care, they bear fruit for 50 years or more, according to Four Winds Growers. It's not uncommon for healthy trees to live for more than a century. Trees planted in the ground produce fruit longer than container-grown orange trees.
  • Question
    How quickly do the orange seeds germinate?
    Community Answer
    An orange seed will often split and show a slight bit of green in the cup of warm water within 24 hours. Tape the unsealed plastic sandwich bag with the seed in the wet paper towel to a morning sun window. After about two weeks in the window, you will have about 1/8" sprout.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of a paper towel?
    Community Answer
    Use the round cotton makeup discs available at any drugstore, dollar stores, box stores, etc . You can use small mason jars with cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar, to allow for air and to let in sunlight for warmth. Keep the cotton disc moistened daily.
  • Question
    Can I germinate orange seeds from an orange that has been refrigerated?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Orange seeds have a natural dormancy period and require a period of cold temperature in order to initiate germination.
  • Question
    How do I plant oranges?
    Community Answer
    After the seed splits and the root or stem comes out, get a small pot, put stones at the bottom and fill the rest with sterile soil burying the seed 1/2 inches below the soil. Make sure the soil is moist, not wet.
  • Question
    Can I put a seedling directly into the garden?
    Aphasia
    Community Answer
    Orange seeds can be sown directly into soil, but only if the soil temperature is warm enough. The temperature needs to be between 70 and 75 F (21 and 24 C) for the seeds to germinate. Also, if the nighttime temperatures are still getting too cold, the seeds may freeze and die. If you live in a warm climate, you can safely sow the seeds directly in late spring or summer.
  • Question
    When germinating seeds, can I put them on top of the water heater, if it is in a dark closet and there is no sun?
    Community Answer
    The seeds need light of some kind.
  • Question
    How likely is it for mold to grow on the bag?
    Randy Emmanuel Salo
    Community Answer
    Not very likely since the mold will need tiny spores to latch onto and reproduce. This is impossible for the bag since the airtight seal woul act as a "barrier" from the outside air.
  • Question
    I don't have much sun in my home. What can I do?
    Aphasia
    Community Answer
    Orange trees need lots of sunshine to grow. One alternative to actual sun is a gardening lamp that provides the plant with all the UV rays it needs. You can also germinate the seeds and grow the tree in a greenhouse, solarium, or a community greenhouse if you have one.
  • Question
    How often do I water new orange plants?
    Community Answer
    The soil should stay moist, but not wet, for the first 2-3 years. Exact timing depends on conditions and how thirsty the plant is, how big the pot is, etc. After they are 2-3 years old, water only when the soil dries out below the 1" line.
  • Question
    Can it be allowed to germinate in a plastic bag with soil in it?
    Community Answer
    Seeds come with a small supply of nutrients inside. All the nutrients needed for the plant to start growing and live for a few weeks, actually. After the supply runs out, the plant will need more nutrients/soil to continue living.
  • Question
    Can I keep orange seeds in a fridge to collect a large quantity and then plant them after a few months?
    Community Answer
    The seeds would need to be kept moist during the waiting time. If they dry out, they will not germinate.
  • Question
    Can I refrigerate orange seeds?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but the seeds might dry out if they're not placed in a sealed container or bag.
  • Question
    Will orange seeds grow in a bottle?
    Community Answer
    Yes, for a little while. You will have to transplant them when they get a few sets of leaves.
  • Question
    If I planted an orange tree from a seed and grafted it with a different variety, would it take 15 years to mature?
    Community Answer
    If the plant is used as a rootstock and the scion is a mature fruiting cultivar, the time to fruiting can be as short as 1-2 years. If you use your plant as a scion, it could take up to 10-13 years. If used as a scion and grafted to the end of a mature tree branch, the process can be shorted by a several years.
  • Question
    Would I propagate lemons the same way?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Lemons, oranges, gooseberry, etc., are all citrus fruits and are all planted the same way.
  • Question
    How much time it takes for an orange tree to bear fruit?
    Community Answer
    It can take up to 15 years for an orange tree grown from seed to bear fruit, which is why many prefer grafting instead.
  • Question
    Can I leave the seeds in a cup of water until they sprout, then transfer them to a pot with fertilizer?
    Community Answer
    The seeds require oxygen for the biological germination process to occur. Rotting, waterlogged seeds are likely if the seeds are kept in water too long.
  • Question
    I am putting the bag with the towel and seeds in my car, but I think it might be hotter than 70 degrees in there. Will that affect the germinating process?
    Community Answer
    It depends. If the car is for sure hotter than 70 for an extended time, the seeds could get baked. If it is not, they will be fine.
  • Question
    Will they grow in the UK?
    Community Answer
    There are many varieties to choose from, including Jaffa oranges, Navel oranges and Blood oranges. Many orange trees can be grown in the UK, under cover such as in a conservatory or greenhouse. They are not hard trees to grow in the UK as long as they are looked after properly.
  • Question
    Can I put more than one seed in the ground?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but one is recommended to avoid any competition for water and nutrients from the soil.
  • Question
    Can I germinate the orange seeds the way I germinate lemon seeds?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Oranges are closely related to lemons, as they are both part of the citrus family. You can germinate them the same way.
  • Question
    I have an excellent seedless mature orange tree, and have discovered that there were a couple of seeds in the batch I was squeezing for juice. Will these seeds germinate?
    Community Answer
    Give them a go. Try the paper towel method. I peel the outer shell off mine so I don't really have to soak them. If you peel the shell off, they sprout faster also.
  • Question
    How many years before an orange tree can bear fruit?
    Community Answer
    It generally takes four or five years, but depends on factors like climate, soil et cetera.
  • Question
    My 10-15 year old orange tree is now producing catkins. Can they be pollinated?
    Community Answer
    Orange trees don't produce catkins; they produce small clusters of whitish flowers. Those "catkins" might be galls, which are mutations of the plant made by insects to lay eggs. If they are galls, cut them off, but don't use pesticides.
  • Question
    Is there a way to plant the seed without having to peel the shell off?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can do all of the steps above without peeling the outer layers off, it will just take longer for the seeds to germinate.
  • Question
    Can I transplant a small plant that sprouted from seeds I dropped?
    Community Answer
    If the young plant has roots, yes. If not, you could try to get it to root by placing it in a propagator.
  • Question
    Can I plant one or more seeds in a pot?
    Community Answer
    You can plant up to two seeds in a pot. But it is ideally recommended to plant one plant per pot or at least be ready to thin out or shift some of the seedlings once you're aware they're viable.
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