Citrus plants are not affordable for everyone. Because even for small copies, a comparatively large amount of money is required. That may be one reason why home propagation is being considered. And of course there are plant lovers who enjoy growing plants themselves. Above all, both need endurance for this project!

Citrus plants can be propagated from seeds or cuttings

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, 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 tastes delicious and you find a few seeds in it? Then nothing like in the ground with it. Normal potting soil is sufficient at the beginning, later you can repot the small plant in soil for citrus plants.

  • only use seeds from ripe fruits
  • Remove the flesh from the seeds and wash off
  • leave to air dry for a day
  • Plant about 1-2 cm deep
  • Keep the pot bright and sunny
  • Keep soil constantly moist
  • if necessary, cover with foil or pane of glass

If the sowing went well, the new citrus plant will appear above ground within 3-6 weeks. To improve the chances of success, you can use several 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 that may bother some owners.

But perhaps the most serious and for many an unacceptable disadvantage is that citrus plants grown from seeds may not produce fruit or much later. Many years or even decades can pass before the first harvest. Exactly when this happens depends on the type of citrus.

Propagation via cuttings

Propagation via cuttings is also not always successful and may require several attempts. You can start in spring or fall.

  1. Cut a mature shoot about 15 cm long.
  2. Remove all leaves from the cutting, leaving the petioles on.
  3. Fill a small pot with a mixture of soil, sand and coconut fiber and insert the cutting a few inches deep.
  4. Place the pot in a light and warm place at about 30 °C.
  5. Put a transparent bag over the shoot, but air it regularly.
  6. Keep the soil moist.

After about 5-6 weeks, the first shoots should be visible. 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.

tips

You can treat the cutting of a citrus plant with a rooting hormone before planting. It improves the chances of success and also accelerates rooting.

Category:

Vegetable garden