From the page: Sweet tangerine that goes a long way
Idea 8
Tangerine seedling from seed
Growing citrus from seed is an old tradition of countryside families, who planted the seed straight in the backyard for shade and perfume. The seed carries the plant's complete embryo — with moisture, warmth, and light, it awakens and becomes a tree on its own, though the fruit may take years to appear and may surprise in flavor.
What you need
- Very fresh tangerine seeds (removed while eating)
- A small pot with a hole in the bottom
- Regular soil mixed with a bit of sand
- Watering water
- A sunny little corner
How to make it
-
1
Remove the seeds from the fruit and wash well under running water to remove all pulp — the sweet residue attracts fungi that can rot the seed.
-
2
Choose the plumpest, fullest seeds, discarding the shriveled ones: inside them is the energy reserve that feeds the sprout in the first days.
-
3
Plant 1 to 2 centimeters deep in moist soil, because this depth protects the seed without preventing the sprout from reaching the light.
-
4
Water to keep the soil always moist, never soaked — without air in the soil, the seed rots instead of germinating.
-
5
Keep the pot in a warm place with indirect light: warmth wakes the seed and light will be needed as soon as the little leaf appears, in two to six weeks.
-
6
When the seedling is about 15 centimeters tall, transplant it to a larger pot, giving room for the roots to spread and the plant to gain strength.
Finishing touches
To speed up germination, soak the seeds for a few hours before planting. A tangerine grown from seed may take five to eight years to bear fruit, but the seedling perfumes the home early on and can become a beautiful ornamental tree.
This is one of the ideas from the full page — see all the possibilities.
This page feeds the collective knowledge 🌱 — every discovery makes the next answer better.