| Growing your own orange trees can be a fun and | | | | important to place them on a window, which allows |
| fruitful activity. You first need to determine where to | | | | sufficient light into the house once they have |
| grow the trees. Orange trees can survive outdoors | | | | sprouted. The seeds are normally planted 1/2 inches |
| or indoors depending on the purpose of growing | | | | deep in sterile soil and watered during the initial |
| them. Orange trees grown for commercial use must | | | | stages. Caution must be taken however, not to |
| be in the open, while those grown for aesthetic and | | | | water them too much. Too much water will make |
| occasional fruit production can be nurtured indoors. | | | | the soil soggy, which in turn will cause the seeds to |
| The trees are grown from either the pips of freshly | | | | catch mold and rot even before growing. The roots |
| eaten oranges or seeds from a nursery. The seeds | | | | of the orange plants do not survive too well with |
| bought from the seed nurseries are normally ready | | | | much water and that is why it is vital to make a few |
| for planting. | | | | holes underneath the container used for the indoor |
| When using the pips, wash them in tepid water to | | | | orange trees. |
| remove any juice or pulp from them. You have the | | | | The tree must also be covered with a plastic bag |
| option of planting them before they dry up or | | | | during the initial stages, as it does not need sunlight |
| alternatively you can dry them before they are | | | | then. Ensure that the bag used has a few small holes |
| planted. Pips that are yet to dry only require washing | | | | for aeration purposes. The plant is placed in a warm |
| before planting. On the other hand, dried pips need to | | | | place until it sprouts. Regular checks must be made |
| germinate before planting. Germination takes place | | | | and a soluble fertilizer sprayed on it to avoid mould |
| after soaking them in water for 24 hours. Seeds that | | | | and rot. Once the tree sprouts, you should place it in |
| float should be discarded, as they will not germinate. | | | | the sunlight for a few hours and then move it to a |
| Orange trees require lots of sunlight to grow and | | | | windowsill that exposes it to light. The tree can also |
| they thrive in warmer areas more than in cold places. | | | | be moved to a permanent container. |
| However, this should not discourage those who live in | | | | During winter and cold days, you can use the grow |
| cold areas, as grow lights are able to counter this | | | | light to make up for reduced sunlight. Apart from the |
| problem. If you are growing the trees in the | | | | sunlight aspect, orange trees are easy to maintain as |
| outdoors, it is important to plant them far from | | | | you only water them when the soil is slightly dry |
| shades and each other, as they require sufficient | | | | (mostly once weekly). Within a short time, they |
| sunlight. The recommended spacing is about 25-50 | | | | produce glossy green leaves and beautiful white |
| inches apart so that their foliage and branches do not | | | | flowers that contrast with bright orange fruits adding |
| cover each other. | | | | an aesthetic value to the house. The fresh |
| Indoor orange trees are grown in a container with | | | | almost-tropical scent produced by the orange trees |
| holes at the bottom to allow for drainage. It is | | | | gives off a lovely aroma to the home. |