Citrus plants are not affordable for everyone. Because even small specimens require a comparatively large amount of money. This may be one reason why propagation at home is being considered. And of course there are plant lovers who enjoy growing plants themselves. Above all, both of them need perseverance for this project!
What methods are there to propagate citrus plants?
Citrus plants can be propagated by two methods: 1. Propagation from seeds by collecting ripe seeds from fruits, cleaning them and planting them in soil. 2. Propagation via cuttings, in which a mature shoot is cut from an existing plant, defoliated and placed in a soil-sand-coconut fiber mixture.
These two methods can be done at home
If you want to propagate citrus plants yourself, you can choose between two different options. For one method, a ripe fruit is sometimes sufficient, for the other, access to an existing specimen is a prerequisite. These are the two variants:
- Propagation from seeds
- Propagation via cuttings
Propagation from seeds
Are you eating a citrus fruit that you like deliciously and you find a few seeds in it? Then just put it in the ground. At the beginning, normal potting soil is sufficient, later you can repot the small plant in soil for citrus plants.
- only use seeds from ripe fruits
- Remove the pulp from the seeds and wash them off
- let it air dry for a day
- Plant about 1-2 cm deep
- Place the pot in a bright and sunny place
- Keep soil moist throughout
- if applicable. cover with foil or glass pane
If sowing has been successful, the new citrus plant will appear above ground within 3-6 weeks. To improve the chances of success, you can use multiple cores at the same time.
Advantages and disadvantages of this method
The citrus plants grown from seeds are more resilient, which is a real plus point given their long lifespan. On the other hand, these specimens often develop thorns, which may bother some owners.
But perhaps the most serious and, for many, unacceptable disadvantage is that citrus plants grown from seeds may not produce fruit, or may produce fruit much later. Many years or even decades can pass before the first harvest. When exactly the time comes depends on the type of citrus.
Propagation via cuttings
Propagation via cuttings is not always successful and may require several attempts. You can start in spring or autumn.
- Cut a mature shoot about 15 cm long.
- Remove all leaves from the cutting, leaving the petioles attached.
- Fill a small pot with a mixture of soil, sand and coconut fiber and insert the cutting a few centimeters deep.
- Place the pot in a light place and around 30 °C.
- Put a transparent bag over the shoot, but ventilate it regularly.
- Keep the soil moist.
The first shoots should be visible after about 5-6 weeks. If the young plant has increased in size, you can repot it in citrus soil. You can buy these or mix them yourself at home.
Tip
You can treat a citrus plant cutting with a rooting hormone before planting. It improves the chances of success and also accelerates rooting.
