From the page: The kitchen's acid gold
Idea 8
Lemon tree sprout
Growing a lemon tree from seed is a long-standing tradition in Brazilian kitchens and backyards, where a seed would often end up in a glass of water. It works because citrus seeds germinate easily: all it takes is moisture, warmth and the loosening of the seed coat's inner layers, which opens up when water softens it.
What you need
- Fresh lemon seeds (from a ripe lemon, not a dried-out one)
- A small plastic cup or small container with a lid
- Cotton or paper towel
- A small pot with a drainage hole in the bottom
- Regular potting soil mixed with a bit of sand
- A warm, bright spot near a window
How to make it
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1
Pick the plumpest seeds and wash them well to remove all the pulp — the sweet residue attracts fungi that can rot the seed.
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2
Soak the seeds in water for a day: this softens the outer coating and wakes the seed from its "sleep."
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3
Wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel inside the closed container and keep it in a warm place, away from direct light — constant moisture and warmth trick the seed into sprouting.
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4
Check every two days and keep the towel damp, without soaking it — excess water without air makes the seed rot instead of sprout.
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5
When the white root and a little green shoot appear, plant the seed lying down with the root facing downward, one finger deep, in the pot's soil.
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6
Keep the soil lightly moist and the pot in bright indirect light until the sprout firms up — light that's too strong burns the still-delicate seedling.
Finishing touches
A lemon tree from seed takes several years to bear fruit, but it grows beautifully as an ornamental plant with fragrant leaves. Transplant to a bigger pot as it grows, and squeeze the little leaves to enjoy the citrus scent.
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