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Fruit · tree
Citrus (lemon, orange, lime) from seed
Citrus spp. · also searched as lemon, orange, lime, tropical fruit seeds
- Sowing depth
- about ½ in (12 mm)
- Light
- Cover the seed; darkness helps
- Before sowing
- No chilling. Sow fresh and do not let the seed dry out.
No tested germination data were found for citrus; guidance is general.
Sowing
Citrus seed does not need stratification. Take it from fresh fruit, keep it damp and sow quickly in a warm place.
Care and transplanting
Seedlings are slow and may take many years to fruit; most are grown as foliage plants or rootstock.
Problems
Dried seed fails. Cold windowsills stall seedlings.
Saving seed
Plant seed straight from the fruit.