on How to Grow an Orange Tree in a Pot
The most characteristic fruit of the winter season is certainly the orange , with its various shades of warm colors and its intense and unmistakable aroma. In recent years, the custom of decorating the festive tree with dried orange peel and slices has also come back into fashion, combining tradition and creative recycling. In general, the orange tree is grown from cuttings and grafts: in fact, the plant begins to bear fruit several years after sowing, but when you taste a particularly sweet and aromatic orange it is difficult to resist the temptation to extract the seed and plant it. Here, then, are some tips for planting an orange tree from seed.
Extract the orange seed
First, select an orange whose taste you particularly like: the fruit you will obtain, in fact, if grown correctly, will have a taste similar to the original. Cut the orange in half with a knife and extract the seeds, selecting those that seem larger and “healthier”. Orange seeds are quite tough: to ensure their germination, you must therefore take some preliminary precautions. First, the orange seeds must be washed and rinsed with soap and water, in order to remove any remaining pulp that could mold and deteriorate over time. After washing, it is a good idea to soak the orange seeds in clean water for twenty-four hours: this will help soften the outer part of the seed. Using a sharp knife, cut the skin off the orange seed starting from the thinnest part and peel it off. This will facilitate germination.
Plant the orange seed
To germinate orange seeds , first place them in a plastic container lined with moistened paper towels. The container should be closed and stored in a shaded area until the seeds begin to sprout, which should take about ten days. Any seeds that have not sprouted can be discarded at this point.
For the orange tree , it is a good idea to use a terracotta vase filled with a layer of pebbles, then soil mixed with sand and gravel. To obtain an acidic soil pH, which is favored by citrus fruits , coffee grounds can be added.
At this point, the orange seed is ready to be planted in the soil, about two or three centimeters deep.
Taking care of the orange tree
The orange tree grows in temperate and warm climates and cannot withstand harsh winter temperatures, so it is worth considering keeping the plant indoors until summer arrives. In any case, place the orange tree in a sunny spot. The soil of the orange tree must be moist but not excessively so: especially in winter, wait until the soil is almost dry before watering, to avoid water stagnation that could compromise its health. The orange tree plant requires many nutrients: it is therefore a good idea to regularly use compost or organic fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Orange trees grown in pots generally do not require pruning: if the foliage needs to be thinned, it is best to wait until the first summer months and do so every two years.
Orange in the kitchen
Oranges lend themselves as an ingredient in many recipes, both sweet and savory: from the famous and surprising orange and fennel salad of the Mediterranean tradition, to the creation of jams and marmalades for cakes and biscuits, to the candied peel. Its sweet and sour taste adds a touch of originality to every dish. Many people have the good habit of drinking freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning: why not try giving it a little extra exoticism? Simply insert a few oranges, previously peeled and freed from the toughest filaments, into the blender. Before activating it, add slices of fresh ginger root and turmeric in the desired quantities, fresh or powdered, possibly sugar and a little water to dilute the flavor. After blending, pass the juice through a sieve to remove the seeds. Your juice, thanks to the addition of spices, will have obtained an original flavor and an even more vibrant color!