Ever dreamed of picking fresh citrus right from your own backyard (or living room)? Growing your own orange tree is a super rewarding project, and there are a few different ways to get the job done. No matter which route you take, the secret to success is giving these frost-sensitive beauties the right spot and plenty of TLC.
Different Ways to Grow Your Own Tree
If you already have an orange tree at home, you can easily propagate it to expand your collection. Generally, you’ve got three main options:
- Starting from seeds (pips)
- Growing from cuttings
- Grafting
Starting from Seeds
Growing an orange tree from a seed is a classic DIY project. The trick is to use seeds from fresh, ripe fruit and get them in the ground fast. Orange seeds lose their ability to sprout pretty quickly—usually within about a week of leaving the fruit.
Just tuck your seeds into a pot with some good seed-starting mix. Keep the pot in a warm, dry spot; they really love temperatures around 77°F (25°C). Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and you should see those first little sprouts popping up in just a few weeks.
One heads-up: trees grown from seeds take a long time to mature. You’ll have to be patient for a few years before you see any blossoms, and sometimes they might not bloom at all. To give yourself the best shot at flowers, avoid pruning the tree during its first few years of growth.
Growing from Cuttings
Another great method is using cuttings. If you’re already planning on pruning your tree, save those trimmings! Look for healthy shoots about 6 to 8 inches long.
Stick these cuttings into a pot with some starter soil and keep them in a warm spot. Keep the soil lightly moist for several weeks while the roots establish. Once they’ve grown strong enough, they’ll be ready for repotting into their own permanent homes.
Grafting Orange Trees
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can try grafting. This one is a little more technical. You’ll need a cutting (the scion) from your orange tree and a “rootstock”—a sturdy base plant. Bitter oranges or Trifoliate oranges usually make the best rootstocks because they are nice and hardy.
You’ll want to cut both the rootstock and your cutting at the exact same angle so they fit together perfectly like a puzzle piece. Once they’re joined, secure them with some grafting tape or twine and seal the area with grafting wax to keep it protected while it heals.
