CAN YOU GROW MANDARIN ORANGE FROM SEED?

Can you grow a mandarin orange from seed?

LOOKING FOR MANDARIN ORANGE OR OTHER RARE AND UNUSUAL SEEDS? THEN CKICK HERE FORTHE 'SEEDS OF EADEN' SEED SHOP

Mandarin oranges are a seasonal, easy to peel, sweet tasting fruit usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. However, if while spitting out seeds you have thought to yourself....

'Could I grow a mandarin orange from seed?'

..well the answer would be a resounding yes!

Like most citrus fruits, mandarin orange seeds are relatively easy to both germinate and then cultivate. To begin, collect your Mandarin orange seeds and then wash of any fruit residue under tepid water as the residue will contain natural germination inhibitors. If you are using dried seed then allow to soak, again in tepid water for 12-24 hours.

Mandarin orange seeds
Using 9cm pots filled with a good quality seed mix such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting' plant one seed per pot just below the surface. If it is available then an Ericaceous seed mix would be preferable, but it is not essential. Water in gently and then keep the soil moist during the germination period. Germination times will vary but however the warmer the compost the quicker the germination period. If you have a heated propagator available then set the temperature to approximately 25 degree Celsius. At this temperature you can expect germination to occur within 3-4 weeks. If a heated propagator is not available then position on a warm bright windowsill and place a clear cover over the pots such as a sheet of perspex or a cut-in-half plastic bottle. germination time will be longer under these conditions.

Once the first leave begin to show through the compost remove any covering and reduce watering allowing the soil surface to dry out before watering again. Avoid the compost becoming waterlogged as this can cause damage to the young roots.

When the root system has become established you young seedling will be ready to pot on to a larger pot using either a good quality, soil-based multi-purpose or ericaceous compost. If you live in a Mediterranean or sub-tropical climate then you will be able to harden off your mandarin orange plants for growing outside permanently. In cooler, northern European climates you will be able to harden off your plant for outside conditions once overnight temperature remain above 12 degrees Celsius. However they will need to be bought back in under protection once night time temperature start to drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

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