Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck

Pot the tree in a large container filled with a mixture of 1 part each potting soil, organic compost and per-lite or vermiculite. Give the tree plenty of room to spread out and establish a healthy root system. Replant container plants every few years to prevent roots from becoming root bound.

Semi-ripe stem cuttings in summer; Bio Roota and warmth are necessary. Alternatively, sow pips in spring.

Take softwood cuttings from new growth early in the day in Summer. Cut, neatly, an 8" approx. piece of a non-flowering shoot, and remove the bottom leaves, leaving just the top 3 leaves. Trim the end of the cutting so that it is about 6" long, cutting neatly just below a leaf node. . Dip the bottom of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, and carefully place in a pot of cutting compost about 2 1/2" into the compost. Water, label, cover with a polythene bag, and place in a warm - 65 deg. to 70 deg. - bright place, out of direct sunlight. Take the polythene bag off periodically for a while for ventilation (at least twice a week), and keep the compost moist, but not wet.

The pip of any type of citrus fruit can be grown in a pot of seed compost as long as the compost is kept moist - not wet - and the pot is placed in a warm environment. The compost needs to be at a temperature of no less than 60 deg., or germination may not occur, or the seedling may die.

Pot the tree in a large container filled with a mixture of 1 part each potting soil, organic compost and per-lite or vermiculite. Give the tree plenty of room to spread out and establish a healthy root system. Replant container plants every few years to prevent roots from becoming pot-bound.