How to Grow Clementines From Seeds
Clementines are a sweet, small citrus fruit that are often confused as tangerines, but is actually a cross of the mandarin orange and tangerine. They were bred to be easy to peel, seedless and sweet to eat. You can grow clementines in a pot, inside the home or outside in your yard, with little care, saving you money at the market.
Clean your clementine seeds by running them under warm water to remove any fruit residue that can cause mold. Place your seeds on a paper towel and allow it to air dry. After drying, leave the seed in the napkin and fold it, then place in the refrigerator, to remain cool until you are ready to plant it.
Mix equal parts potting soil and coarse sand into a 3 inch plant pot, with a sufficient drainage hole. The sand will help retain moisture for longer periods of time, while allowing proper drainage when your plant is watered. Lightly moisten the soil mixture with water to prepare it for seeding. Avoid soaking the soil, which could drown the seed when planted.
Dig a small hole into the center of the pot 1/2 inch deep into the soil. Place the seed into the hole and cover it. Gently pat the soil, then lightly moisten the soil with water and cover the pot with plastic wrap. Place the pot in a warm area of the home, allowing it to germinate for three to six weeks. Lightly moisten the pot once a week to prevent the soil from drying.
Remove the plastic wrap once the clementine seed has sprouted and place your plant in an area of the home that receives light natural sunlight. Continue to water your plant once a week evenly moistening the soil to allow the roots to continue establishing. Avoid overwatering your plant, as it will cause the roots to rot and your plant to die.
Transplant your small clementine tree to a larger pot once it has become well established and several leaves have sprouted. Place your tree in an area that receives four to six hours of sun daily, as well as shade. Add a potassium fertilizer to the soil to allow your tree to grow strong and healthy.
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Anya Meave is a freelance writer from San Diego, Calif. She began writing in 2009 for various websites. Majoring in telemedia, she has written scripts for student projects and has been chosen to submit a spec script for the 2011 Nickelodeon Writers Fellowship. Meave has an associate degree in photography from Southwestern College.
