Citrus - any hints?

One plant I have had no success with when taking cuttings is Citrus - my Calamondin orange got scale and I used meths. to clear it, at the same time taking cuttings which I washed thoroughly and then tried to start. They are alive still but not growing, and when I pulled one out there was not a sign of a root. Has anyone any hints as to how to root them?

Hi Vinca,

Although they probably can be rooted, I've never heard of it being done. I've always found them to be grafted. Did you apply a rooting hormone to your cuttings?

Regards,

Mike

Yes, Mike, I did - and I've tried them without, and I've even tried them in water. A big piece broke off an old citrus I had, and I must have stuck it in the corner of a tub with another plant, because I forgot all about it, and I saw yesterday that it is producting buds all along the stem, which would of course be crooked and unaesthetically shapeless, unlike the neat little cuttings I usually unsuccessfully take. Of course, buds don't mean roots, but I'm wondering. Thanks for the answer.

I heard that citrus is better grown from seed (if your oranges have seed, that is) if you want a truer plant. But you have to plant it fresh--wash away the sugar coating first.

Hi Vinca,

in Greece the usual thing to do is to grow bitter orange (Seville orange) from seed - it provides a strong root and grows fast. Then we graft it with whatever - it common to have a tree half orange and half lemon.

Let me know, I will try to find bitter orange seeds - although their peak season is February.

Dimitri

Hi Vinca,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I have never had any luck with rooting any citrus except my Meyer's Lemon. In fact, I have been told by the nursery grower that sold me my original lemon tree years ago that none of the other citrus would root and be viable except the Meyer's Lemon. They said the rest had to be grafted. I root the Meyer's lemon with ease and have done so for years. They reproduce just like the parent plant from which I take the cutting . All others I've tried to root have failed. Good luck anyway.

Calamondins are very easy to grow from seed.