Growing citrus from seeds is a good children's project.
Plants grown from seed seldom get large enough to flower and fruit.
Seeds also grow quite easily, though they will usually not grow plants exactly like the parent.
Repot when new roots reach a length of one inch or so.
Root the cuttings in fresh potting mix, keeping them slightly moist.
Take cuttings in the spring or summer when the plants are growing most actively.
Don't use shoots that are still buttery soft. Hardened shoots have a little substance to them.
Use new shoots which have been allowed to harden just a little.
Since these are not usually present in the home, shake the flowers gently or flick them with your fingers to spread pollen from flower to flower. You may have flowers, but still have difficulty getting fruit to form on your citrus plant.
To treat insects, check garden centers for products currently approved for use on houseplants.
Pay special attention to the undersides as well as the tops of leaves.
Make sure the leaves are kept clean by periodically washing them.
Scale, whitefly and spider mites are some of the more common pests of citrus.
Fertilize the plant only when it is actively growing, usually April through August or September.
Use a fertilizer made specially for acid-loving plants. Mix at half the recommended strength.
Use about one-third sterile potting soil, one-third perlite or vermiculite, and one-third peat or other organic matter in the potting mix.
Since citrus plants prefer acid conditions, use peat in the potting mix to help keep the pH down.
Get them used to lower light at the end of the summer by keeping them in a shady place for a week or so before bringing them back indoors.
Make sure they have plenty of direct light once they're used to being outside.
Let the plants acclimate to sunny conditions by putting them in the shade of a tree or the north side of the house for the first several days.
During the summer, put citrus plants outside to take advantage of better growing conditions and extra light.
They need some direct sun for at least part of the day.
Citrus plants grow best indoors with 65° days, dropping five to ten degrees at night.
Growing citrus plants is not difficult if you can meet these requirements. Growing and caring for your citrus plants
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