Citrus fruit

Supplies

• Citrus fruit (choose varieties that have seeds)
• Plant tags and binder clips
• Sieve (for rinsing seeds – optional)
• Paper towel
• Nail clippers
• Food storage container or food bags
• Small cups or plant pots with drainage holes
• Potting mix (see options, below)
• Fertilizer for citrus plants

Instructions:

1. Get Citrus Fruit Be sure to get the ID stickers that come with the fruit in many stores (they have the SKU barcode on them). You want to know exactly what the name of the fruit is, where it’s from, and have this info to further research it (if desired).

2. Make Plant Tags

Plastic bags labelled with citrus fruit names with seeds germinating inside. 

If possible, make the tags water-resistant (so the ink doesn’t run) and get some binder clips to attach them to your seed / plant containers. Put the SKU stickers on the tags for future reference.

3. Gather Seeds. Cut the fruit in half, top to bottom (if top navel is visible). This avoids damaging too many seeds with the knife, as many seeds tend to form around the middle horizontally. Gently remove all seeds and set fruit aside. Discard any seeds that look strange—small, flat, empty shells, etc.

4. Test for Seed Viability. Place seeds in a small cup of water. If they sink to the bottom, they should be viable. If they float, they are not (discard them). If seeds have jelly-like coating, rinse in a strainer and gently push it off with soft towel.

5. Remove Seed Coat. This step can significantly speed up the germination time. Seeds naturally come with outer protection that prevents unwanted germination. For citrus, the seeds have both a hard seed coat (made of two half shells sealed together), protecting the tender seed inside, and there may also be gel around the seed, to provide an additional barrier. To make germination go faster, we can remove both that gel coat (Step 3) and the hard shell. Look for the hard, flat pointed end of the seed shell and snip it off with nail clippers, careful not to damage the actual seed inside. Gently slide your fingernail between the two shell pieces to pry them open/apart and remove them (break them apart).

6. Germinate the Seeds. Moisten a few sheets of paper towel and place the seeds on it, at least an inch apart in all directions to leave room for root growth. Cover with another layer of moist paper towel and place in a food storage tub with lid or food storage bag.

You want the seeds in contact with warm moisture ongoing. Not too damp. And don’t let them dry out. Attach your plant tag with a binder clip and place everything in a warm, dark location. 

7. Check on the Seeds. Check the seeds every few days. If needed, spritz the towel to keep it moist. You want it moist, not dry or soaking wet. Wrap it back up and put it back in the cupboard. We want roots at least an inch long before planting.

8. Plant Seedlings. When there is at least an inch of roots, you can sow the seedlings in potting mix. The roots often look thick and off-white, like bean sprouts. Plant the sprouted seed in a small cup, pot, or other container with drainage holes. Position the roots just below the soil surface. Any other growth can be above soil level. Gently press the potting mix around the plant so it’s snugly in place. Water thoroughly, top up potting mix if needed, and gradually transition plant to a warm, sunny location over a few weeks.

9. Grow a Citrus Tree. Citrus trees are slow-growers and heavy feeders, doing best with 8-12 hours of sunlight per day. The less light, the slower the growth. It may be 3-5 years before flowers form, then pollination can occur (you can help it), and fruit forms.

Use fertilizer specifically for citrus plants and follow the application instructions on the label.

Keep outdoors until temperatures reach 40°F (4°C), then bring inside for winter.

Do not allow soil to dry out. Moderate, even moisture is best.

More Info and photos: Empress of Dirt