Lemons can be grown easily from seeds and become beautiful plants. You can plant and develop the seeds directly in the soil, or in a sealed plastic bag with a damp paper towel. This article will show you how to grow lime seeds using both methods. In addition, this article will also provide tips on how to choose the best lime seeds, as well as caring for the lime seeds you grow.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Planting Seeds in Soil
Step 1. Prepare the soil in a separate bucket
Put the soil in a large bucket, then add water until the soil is damp. Stir or mix the soil with your hands or a shovel to thoroughly moisten the soil. However, do not let the soil is too wet or muddy so that the seeds planted do not rot. You need to prepare soil with good drainage. Although the lime tree will thrive if watered, its development will be disrupted if the water is watered to stagnate.
- Try using a pasteurized soil mixture. The pasteurization process in the soil helps eradicate bacteria that can damage or kill lime seeds.
- Try using a mixture of peat, perlite, vermiculite, and organic fertilizer as a planting medium. In this way, the planted seeds will get good drainage, as well as proper nutrition.
Step 2. Choose a small pot with drainage holes at the bottom
Try using a pot with a diameter of 7.5 to 10 centimeters, and a height of 13 to 15 centimeters. The pot is large enough for one seed to be planted. However, some people like to plant several seeds in one pot. If you want to plant several seeds in one pot, choose a larger pot.
The pot used must have drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If there are no holes in the bottom, make several holes with a drill
Step 3. Fill the pot with soil
However, don't fill the pot to the brim; leave a distance of about 2.5 centimeters from the soil surface to the lip of the pot.
Step 4. Make a 1-inch-deep hole in the soil
You can make it with your own fingers or a pencil.
Step 5. Choose organic lime seeds that appear full (solid)
As much as possible do not choose lime seeds that are not organic because usually these seeds do not germinate. Also, don't choose seeds that are too small (like rice) or appear to shrink (like raisins). These seeds cannot germinate or grow into good seeds.
- Try planting 5 to 10 limes at a time in case some seeds don't germinate or die during the seeding process.
- Try choosing Meyer's lime seeds. These lime seeds thrive best when grown indoors. In addition, the seeds will develop into a beautiful lime tree and produce sweet limes.
Step 6. Wash the seeds to remove the protective coating of the seeds
You can remove the coating by washing the lime seeds or sucking on them until the coating is lifted. This is important because the protective gel-like coating contains sugar, which can cause the seeds to rot when planted.
To make the seeds germinate faster, try soaking the lime seeds in a bowl of warm water overnight
Step 7. Insert the seeds into the holes that have been made, then cover the holes with soil
Make sure the pointed end of the seed is facing the ground and the rounded part is facing up because the roots will come out of the pointed part of the seed.
Step 8. Cover the pot with plastic to keep it warm and moist
Place a sheet of clear plastic wrap (plastic wrap) to cover the opening of the pot. After that, attach a rubber band around the plastic wrap to keep the plastic from sticking and covering the pot opening. After that, make a few holes in the plastic using a pencil, toothpick, or even a fork. The holes allow the plant to breathe.
Step 9. Put the pot in a warm place
You can also place it in a sunny location, although at this stage the sunlight is not very important. In fact, too much sunlight hitting the seeds can actually "scorch" the young seedlings that are still fragile. After about two weeks, you should be able to see the buds emerging.
The ideal temperature that needs to be maintained in the nursery process is between 20°C to 28°C
Step 10. Water the soil when it starts to dry
The plastic wrap that covers the pot will keep the moisture in, and the dew or water droplets that stick to the plastic will fall back to the ground so the soil is moist again. However, in very hot/dry environments or weather, this may not be the case. If the soil starts to dry out, open the plastic wrap and water the plant again. Make sure you cover the pot with plastic wrap again after the plant is finished watering.
Step 11. Remove the plastic wrap once the shoots appear and move the pot to a warm, sunny place
Remember to keep the soil moist, but don't let it become muddy. Click this link to read information on how to care for lime tree seedlings.
Method 2 of 3: Sowing Seeds with Plastic Bag Media
Step 1. Wet a paper towel and place it on a flat surface
Start the process by soaking a paper towel in water, then wring it out to remove any excess water. After that, place the damp paper towel on a flat surface and smooth the surface of the towel so that there are no wrinkled areas.
Paper towels used should fit in a buttoned or sealed plastic bag. If they are too large, first fold the paper towels in half or quarters
Step 2. Pick 5 to 10 organic limes that look plump
Non-organic lime seeds usually do not germinate. Look for seeds that are large and contain. Avoid seeds that shrivel or appear as small white spots. The seeds will not germinate or grow into healthy seedlings.
- Even if you're only planning to plant and grow one lime tree, it's a good idea to plant a few seeds early on. Keep in mind that not all seeds will germinate or survive.
- Try using some Meyer lime seeds. Meyer lime trees can grow and thrive indoors. Not only looks beautiful and beautiful, this tree also produces limes that are smaller and sweeter.
- If you are using a small plastic bag (the size of a sandwich), choose about 5 to 7 limes. If you put in too many limes, there won't be enough room for the limes to grow. If you use a larger plastic bag (which is used to freeze water or food in the freezer), you can fit up to 10 seeds in the bag.
Step 3. Try soaking lime seeds in a cup of water
This way, the seeds won't dry out when you prepare the ingredients. The seeds to be used must be kept moist. If the seeds are dry, the seeds cannot germinate/
Step 4. Clean the seeds from their protective coating (which resembles a gel)
You can clean them by soaking the seeds in cold water, or by licking them. The gel or protective coating contains sugar which can trigger the development of fungi and bacteria on the seeds.
Step 5. Peel off another white layer to get the brown part of the seed
You can peel off the coating from the pointed end of the seed. To pry the ends, use your fingernail or a craft knife. After that, peel off the outer layer. In this way, the lime seeds used will be easier to sprout.
Step 6. Also peel off the brown seed coat
You can see that there is a thin layer of brown covering the seeds. Use your fingernail to scrape the layer off to remove it.
Step 7. Place the lime seeds on a damp paper towel
Try to place each seed the same distance apart so the roots don't tangle together when the seeds start to sprout.
Step 8. Repeat the peeling process for the other seeds, and place them on a damp paper towel
Once the seeds are placed on a paper towel, they will retain moisture. If you notice the seeds are starting to dry, try covering the paper towel with another damp paper towel. Make sure you lift the second paper towel before moving on to the next step.
Step 9. Place a paper towel in a plastic bag with buttons or seals, then seal the bag tightly
Do not use plastic shopping bags because you will need to lock or seal the bag. This way, moisture and warmth will be maintained in the plastic bag. Both are needed by seeds in order to develop and germinate.
Step 10. Store the plastic bag in a dark, warm place until the seeds begin to sprout
The process takes one to two weeks. Sometimes it can take up to three weeks for seeds to appear.
Step 11. Remove the seedlings when the shoots have reached 8 centimeters in length
If you don't want to wait that long (until the shoots reach 8 centimeters in length), you can transplant the seedlings when they reach 1.2 centimeters in length. Put moist soil with sufficient drainage into the pot, and make shallow holes in the soil. Insert the seeds into the hole with the shoots facing down. After that, cover the hole with soil and gently pat the soil around the seedling.
Step 12. Move the pot to a warm, sunny place
Don't forget to water the plants and keep the soil moist. Don't let the soil get too wet or too dry. Click this link to read information on how to care for lime tree seedlings.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Seeds
Step 1. Water the plant regularly (about 2 to 3 times a week)
When four leaves begin to sprout from the seedling, allow the soil surface to dry before re-watering. However, don't let the soil dry out completely; the soil should still feel moist when you touch the surface.
Step 2. Make sure the plant gets enough sunlight
Lemon trees need at least eight hours of sun exposure. Meanwhile, the seedlings need exposure for 10 to 14 hours. You may need to place special lights (known as grow lights) next to the plants to ensure they get enough sunlight. You can buy these lighting products at garden supply stores and flower shops.
Step 3. Know when you can transplant seedlings
Eventually, the seedlings will develop and grow beyond the size of the pot. When the seedlings have reached the age of one year, transfer the seedlings to pots with a diameter of 15 centimeters. After that, you also need to transfer them to pots with a diameter of 30 to 45 centimeters, with a depth of 25 to 40 centimeters.
As an illustration, to find out the right time to transplant the plant, try looking at the bottom of the pot. If you notice roots emerging from the drainage hole, it's time to move the plant to a new, larger pot
Step 4. Maintain soil acidity (pH)
Lemon trees grow well in slightly acidic soil conditions. Soil acidity should be in the range of 5.7 to 6.5. You can measure this using a pH test kit, which can be purchased from a garden supply store or flower shop. A good way to restore soil acidity is to water the plants once a month with black coffee or cold tea (without added milk or sugar).
Step 5. Don't forget to provide the right nutrition for the lime tree so that the tree can grow healthy and strong
You can dig a small trench around the tree and fill it with dry compost, or water it with a water-soluble fertilizer. There are several ways that can be done to provide the nutrients needed by trees:
- Fertilize lime trees every two years with an organic fertilizer, such as compost or vermicompost.
- Water the plant every 2 to 4 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer. Make sure the fertilizer has a high potassium and magnesium content.
- If you want to keep your plants indoors, buy fertilizer for indoor plants. Make sure the product you buy contains the micronutrients that plants need.
- Once a month, water the plant using a mixture of 2 liters of water and 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt. If your tree is very small, you don't need to water it too much. Water the tree sparingly, and save the remaining mix for the following month.
Step 6. Understand that it takes time before a tree can bear fruit
Sometimes, new lime trees can produce fruit after (at the most) five years. There are also some trees that have only produced fruit for a very long time (eg 15 years).
Tips
- Keep the compost moist, but not too wet.
- Use a pot with a high depth because lime trees usually have long roots.
- Try planting five seeds in one pot. In this way, the tree will appear larger and more lush. In addition, the presence of these five seeds can prevent waterlogging due to excessive watering. When the seedlings are big enough, you can transplant them into separate pots.
- Some people report that lime trees do not grow well in earthenware or terracotta pots. If you prefer, you don't need to use a terracotta pot at all, or maybe line the inside of the pot to prevent the pot from absorbing too much moisture.
- The lime tree takes several months before it reaches a few dozen or ten centimeters in height. In addition, the nursery takes quite a long time for the leaves that appear to look beautiful. If you want to give a lime tree as a gift, it's a good idea to plant it nine months in advance before giving it as a gift.
- Sometimes, one seed can produce several tree seedlings. If you notice that your planted seeds are producing multiple seedlings, wait until each seedling has four leaves. After that, remove the seedlings from the soil and, carefully, separate each seedling. After that, place each seedling in a separate pot.
Warning
- Do not let the compost used is too wet because it can make the planted lime seeds rot.
- Trees grown from seed are not identical to the parent tree. Sometimes, the fruit produced by the child tree is of lower quality than the quality of the parent tree. In fact, some trees may not produce fruit at all. However, this does not reduce the beauty of the sapling (or child tree). You need to keep this in mind when planting and growing lime trees.
