What citrus fruits you can grow at home: simple instructions for every type

Growing citrus trees at home is an interesting and exciting activity. Many types of citrus fruits can be grown from seed: lemons, oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits. Each of them has its own characteristics, but the general principle is similar.

First of all, you need mature seeds for growing, and you should choose them from juicy and ripe fruits. To get rid of excess water, be sure to take care of drainage. OBOZ.UA tells you how to grow citrus fruits at home.

General tips

1. The container should be deep enough for the roots to develop freely.
2. You need to choose a special substrate for citrus fruits or a mixture of turf, humus and sand.
3. Citrus fruits need bright, diffused light.
4. Humidity should be monitored regularly. You will need to ensure constant watering and spraying of the leaves.
5. Young plants are transplanted annually, adult ones - every 2-3 years.
6. Citrus fruits grow slowly. The first fruits may appear in 5-7 years.
7. Inspect the plant regularly for pests and diseases.

Lemon

• Drainage: expanded clay or small pebbles.
• Light: bright, diffused.
• The optimum temperature is 18-25 °C.
• Humidity: regular watering and spraying of the leaves.

Rinse the seeds thoroughly from the pulp and soak in warm water for a day. Fill the pot with drainage and substrate. Plant the seeds to a depth of about 2 cm. Cover the pot with foil or glass to create a greenhouse effect.

Water the soil regularly, avoiding drying out or waterlogging. Place the container on a bright windowsill, avoiding direct sunlight.

Home lemon usually blooms twice a year: in March-April and in October. The fruits ripen between November and May.

Orange

The process of growing an orange at home is not much different from a lemon. However, orange, unlike lemon, requires more light and heat. The optimum temperature should be between 22-26°C.

Rinse the seeds and leave them in warm water for 24 hours. Then fill the pot with drainage and substrate. Plant the seeds to a depth of about 2 cm.

An orange tree grows slowly. The first fruits may appear in 7-10 years. Ventilate the room regularly to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases. In winter, provide additional lighting with a purple LED lamp.

Tangerine

The seeds should be pre-soaked in water or hydrogel, but in general, the stages of germination of tangerine seeds do not differ from lemon and orange.

The first shoots will appear in 3-4 weeks. Place the pot on a bright windowsill, avoiding direct sunlight. Maintain a stable room temperature. Shape the crown of the tree to keep it compact and neat. To accelerate fruiting, you can fix the twig with growing fruit. Tangerine grown from a seed begins to bear fruit in 4-5 years.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit seeds do not need to be soaked; they are planted immediately to a depth of 2-3 cm. It is better to cover the container with half a plastic bottle or cling film so that seedlings appear faster, Grapefruit can stop developing if the substrate is too dry. When the sprouts reach 10 cm, you can transplant the grapefruit into a larger pot.

Pomelo

The seed should be subjected to cold stratification. They are dried, placed in wet sand or cloth and kept in the refrigerator for about 2 months. This will accelerate seed germination and positively affect the development of seedlings.

The seeds should be planted to a depth of 3 cm. It is best to create greenhouse conditions - the seedlings should be protected from drafts and bright sun. Watering is not too strict - it is enough to spray the plant twice a week with warm water and slightly moisten the substrate.

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