Don’t buy tangerines again, learn to plant them at home

Planting tangerines at home can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you grow tangerine trees from seeds:

Materials you’ll need:

Fresh tangerine fruit
Potting soil or seed-starting mix
Planting pot or container with drainage holes

Plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag
Watering can or spray bottle

Instructions:

Choose a ripe tangerine: Select a fresh tangerine that is fully ripe. This increases the chances of viable seeds inside the fruit.

Extract the seeds: Cut open the tangerine and carefully remove the seeds. Rinse them to remove any excess pulp or fruit flesh.

Prepare the planting container: Choose a pot or container with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Fill it with a well-draining potting mix or seed-starting mix.

Plant the seeds: Plant the tangerine seeds about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in the soil. You can plant multiple seeds in the same container, but make sure they are spaced apart.

Water and cover: Moisten the soil with water and cover the container with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect. This helps retain moisture and warmth for seed germination.

Provide warmth and sunlight: Place the container in a warm location, ideally with a temperature of around 70-80°F (21-27°C).

 Tangerine seeds need warmth to germinate. Once sprouts emerge, move the container to a sunny location or use grow lights to provide adequate light for healthy growth.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely between watering.

Seedling care: As the seedlings grow, thin them out, leaving only the healthiest and strongest ones in the container. If you have multiple seedlings, you can transplant them into separate pots once they have developed a few sets of true leaves.

Fertilizing: After a few months of growth, you can begin fertilizing the young tangerine trees with a balanced liquid fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Transplanting: Once the tangerine trees have grown larger and stronger, you can transplant them into larger pots or move them outdoors if the weather and climate in your area are suitable for citrus trees.

Pruning: As the tangerine trees grow, you may need to prune them occasionally to encourage a more robust and well-shaped structure.

Remember that growing tangerines from seeds is a patient process, and it may take several years before the trees bear fruit. Alternatively, you can purchase a grafted tangerine tree from a nursery, which will likely produce fruits sooner and maintain the characteristics of the parent plant.