Not everyone has heard of a calamansi tree, but it is surprisingly easy to grow from seed. When learning how to grow calamansi from seed, start small with baby steps. Our how-to articles dives in how to grow calamansi from seed in just 5 steps! It is great for beginner gardeners that have not grown a fruit tree.
This beautiful tree produces small orange-like fruits that smell and taste delicious. As long as you are excited and have patience, you should have your own calamansi tree in no time. The fruits the plant produces are super nutritious and great for your health.
Contents
What Is A Calamansi Tree?
Not many people have heard of a Calamansi tree. If you don’t know what this tree is, we don’t blame you! This tree is sometimes also called the Calamondin orange tree. These trees grow between 4 to 6 feet and have thick and luscious green leaves.
Although the tree looks stunning on its own, its most prized possession and the reason most people run to find calamansi tree seeds is the fruit. The fruits these trees produce is a cross between a tangerine and a kumquat. It is small and tart and very citrusy. Some people eat this fruit raw while others cook it into hot dishes or fresh salads.
The Health Benefits Of Calamansi
While you can enjoy the fruit raw, I like to make it into a juice. There are multiple health benefits to consuming calamansi regularly. Since it is an acidic fruit, though, you will need to be careful to not dry out or burn your skin, especially on your face.
By eating a serving of calamansi fruit, you can gain benefits like lower cholesterol levels. Sadly, many Americans have high cholesterol which can lead to heart attacks and chest pain. Consuming these fruits can lower the risk since the fruit has a high soluble fiber.
Not only can you lower your risk of heart disease, but the fruit is rich in Vitamin C. This acidic and sweet fruit can help boost your immune system to fight diseases, illnesses, and common viruses. However, just like with any other food, you need to limit your eating.
How To Grow Calamansi From Seed In 5 Steps
Step 1: Find the Right Seeds
Not all seeds are alike. They do have expeditation dates and low germination rates when they are not taken care of correctly. Some producers also sadly use pesticides and other chemicals to lower the chances of germination. You can try to take a seed from a fruit, but there is a low chance it will sprout.
Instead, look online or in your local garden center. This seed, though, is not easy to find as it is a rare and expensive plant.
Step 2: Germinate the Seeds
Once you have the seeds, there are two things you can do. You can immediately place the seeds in a container with the right mixture of soil or germinate the seeds in a separate ziplock bag and paper towel. For the best chance, I recommend germinating the seeds in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel.
Keep the seed in the center of a wet paper towel for three days. Place it in a clear ziplock bag and keep it tightly closed for three to five days. By day three, you should see the seed start to open and the roots emerge. This is a great step to show you if the seeds are viable or not.
Step 3: Fill a Large Container with The Right Mix
These plants/trees are finicky and need a specific potting mixture. You can’t just pick up dirt from outside and hope for the best While they are resilient, there is no telling if the seed/plant will survive. They require a mixture of 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 sand or perlite.
Step 4: Water Well
The amount of watering depends on the climate your calamansi plant is growing in. For example, it does require a subtropical climate, but if the temperatures are extreme (90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), I recommend watering every 1-2 days. Typically though, these plants need a lot of moisture, about one inch of water every week.
Step 5: Transplant as it Grows
With luck, patience, and determination your plant should grow quickly! Since this is the case, it is likely to outgrow its container every two months. When it reaches 2 feet tall with multiple branches, and before the plant starts to flower in Spring, I recommend transplanting outside if possible.
Read more about How To Grow Corn In A Pot In 6 Steps Quickly
Tips And Tricks On How To Grow Calamansi From Seed
Although growing a calamansi from seed is not hard, I do have some neat tips and tricks for you to follow.First, did you know you can also propagate calamansi from the branches of the tree? Not all branches will root and create a new tree, so I recommend cutting at least four branches.
In water, you can propagate the tree branches with higher success and quicker growth. You will need to snip off all of the leaves on the branches to give the tree room and energy to root. Some people also fertilize their calamansi trees if they are not producing fast enough.
If you need to, use an organic and all natural fertilizer. It can be expensive, but you could also save scraps of natural food at home like eggshells, coffee grounds, and orange peels. As it breaks down in your plant’s soil, the roots absorb the additional nutrients.
Conclusion
What do you think about our how to grow calamansi from seed guide? Were you able to follow along smoothly? If you have any questions or concerns, let us know in the comment section below! We love hearing from our readers and getting feedback.
Do you know anyone else interested in learning how to grow calamansi from seed? While you can always buy your own tree, it can be expensive since it is rare. When you grow it from seed, you get a feeling of satisfaction and can teach others to do the same.
FAQs
Can you plant calamansi branch?
Yes! You can plant a calamansi branch to produce fruit and roots, however, the branch should be cut right at the node connected to the rest of the tree.
How do you make calamansi bear more fruit?
You can help your calamansi tree bear more fruit by watering regularly. This will encourage growth of the fruits and decrease the stress your plant goes through.
How long does it take to grow Calamansi from seed?
It can take anywhere from 1 to 3 years for your Calamansi tree to grow from seed and produce fruits. However, see growth of a seedling within 1 week of planting as long as the soil temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How often should you water calamansi plant?
You should water at least once a week and give your plant 1 inch of water.
A garden is a place that relaxes us and reflects our personal style, it’s a place to spend time with loved ones and grow our own fruits and vegetables. Maybe you’re looking for design inspiration or plant selection, or you’re concerned about garden privacy, shady areas, or pests, but don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.