Damon Mcknight
Mandarins are a popular fruit in Australia, and for good reason—they're easy to peel, delicious, and the trees can be grown in either a garden bed or a pot. Growing mandarins from seed can be a fun project, but it requires patience as it can take several years for the tree to mature and bear fruit. While it is possible to grow mandarins from store-bought seeds, it is not recommended as the resulting tree may take longer to produce fruit and the quality may not be as good as the original tree. However, if you choose the Emperor variety, you will get fruit sooner and the seeds will grow true to form. With the right conditions, care, and a little know-how, you can successfully grow your own mandarin tree from seed in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Seed collection | Seeds should be collected from a large, juicy mandarin, washed, and dried on a paper towel. |
| Seed storage | Seeds should be stored in a labelled envelope in an airtight container. |
| Planting time | Seeds are best planted in spring or early summer. |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist soil, enriched with organic matter or fertiliser. |
| Sunlight | Full sun, around 6-8 hours per day. |
| Watering | Regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. |
| Fertiliser | Citrus-specific fertiliser should be applied in spring, summer, and autumn. |
| Pruning | Prune in winter when the tree is dormant, removing dead wood, crossed branches, and suckers. |
| Fruit bearing | Trees grown from seed can take 2-3 years or up to 7-10 years to bear fruit. |
| Harvest | Fruit is ready to harvest when it turns orange, typically from early autumn to early spring. |
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What You'll Learn
Seed preparation
To grow mandarins from seed in Australia, you'll need to start with seed preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Start by collecting seeds from a large, juicy mandarin. You can carefully peel the mandarin to access the seeds, or remove them from the fruit once it's been cut open.
- Gently wash the seeds to remove any remaining pulp or fruit fragments. This step is crucial, as any leftover pulp can hinder germination.
- Place the cleaned seeds on a paper towel and allow them to air-dry. Ensure they are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
- If you're not ready to plant the seeds immediately, you can store them for future use. Place the dried seeds in a labelled envelope or paper bag, or use an airtight container. Fresh seeds have a higher chance of germination, so it's best to use them as soon as possible.
- When you're ready to plant, fill a small pot or tray with a seed-raising mix. You can purchase this mix from garden centres or hardware stores. Use a small pot (around 10 cm) for individual seeds or a tray for multiple seeds.
- Gently push the seeds into the seed-raising mix, burying them about 5 mm deep. Cover the seeds with additional mix.
- Water the planted seeds thoroughly and position the pot or tray in a warm, brightly lit spot. Avoid direct sunlight, as the young seeds are delicate.
- Maintain regular watering to keep the seed-raising mix moist. You can create a favourable environment for germination by using a mini greenhouse or plastic cloche to retain warmth and humidity.
- Once the seeds have germinated and grown into seedlings, you can transplant them into separate pots when they reach a height of 7-10 cm. Use premium potting mix for this step.
Remember, growing mandarins from seed requires patience. It can take several years for the tree to mature and produce fruit. However, with care and attention, you'll be well on your way to enjoying your very own homegrown mandarins!
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Soil and fertiliser
The ideal pH level for the soil should be slightly acidic, with a range of 6.0 to 7.0. Regular monitoring of the soil pH is essential, and adjustments can be made using lime or sulphur if the pH level drifts too far in either direction. Maintaining the correct soil pH ensures that your mandarin tree receives the optimal level of nutrients.
Mandarin trees have specific fertiliser requirements. It is recommended to use a slow-release citrus fertiliser with a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio, such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10. Fertiliser should be applied regularly during the growing season, which is typically from late winter to early summer in Australia. The frequency of application will depend on the specific fertiliser being used, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
When fertilising your mandarin tree, it is important to consider the age of the tree. Young trees require less fertiliser than established trees. For the first two years after germination, a diluted liquid fertiliser applied every two weeks during the growing season should be sufficient. Established trees will benefit from a granular citrus fertiliser applied three times a year: once in early spring, again in late spring, and finally in mid-summer.
In addition to commercial fertilisers, organic matter such as compost, manure, and worm castings can be incorporated into the soil to enhance the overall health and fertility of the soil. These organic amendments provide a
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Planting
Mandarin trees can be grown from seed, but it's important to note that it can take several years for the tree to mature and bear fruit. The seeds are best planted in spring or early summer. If you're collecting seeds from a mandarin, gently wash and dry them on a paper towel before planting.
When planting, start by filling a small pot or tray with seed-raising mix. Gently push the seed about 5mm deep into the mix and cover it. Water the mix well and position the pot in a warm, brightly lit spot out of direct sunlight. Regularly water the mix to keep it moist. A mini greenhouse or plastic cloche will help retain warmth and humidity.
Once the seedling reaches 7-10cm in height, repot it into a larger pot with premium potting mix. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and dig a hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any tangled or circled roots. Position the tree in the hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water the tree well.
Mandarin trees thrive in subtropical and warm climates but can also tolerate cooler areas with frost protection. They prefer full sun but can handle some shade. When first planted, water the tree daily for up to six weeks, then reduce to deep watering two to three times per week.
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Watering
When you first plant the seed, moisten the mix before sowing the seed. After sowing, water the pots with a diluted seaweed solution. You can purchase this solution from gardening centres or hardware stores. Follow the application rates specified on the container.
Once your mandarin seedling has grown into a robust shrub, which usually takes about two years, you can consider planting it in your garden. Mandarin trees thrive in subtropical and warm climates, but they can also tolerate cooler areas as long as they are protected from frost. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil to ensure your tree gets sufficient sunlight and drainage.
After planting your mandarin tree in the garden, water it every day for up to six weeks to help it establish its roots. Once the tree is established, you can reduce the frequency of watering to two to three deep waters per week. However, if you are growing your mandarin tree in a pot, it may dry out faster and require more frequent watering.
To support the optimal health of your mandarin tree and maximise fruit production, remember to water regularly during flowering and fruiting seasons. Mandarin trees generally prefer moist, well-drained soil and do not like sitting in water. They like to dry out a little before being watered again.
In terms of fertiliser, it is recommended to feed your mandarin tree with a granular or pelletised citrus fertiliser in spring, summer, and autumn. However, be cautious not to overfeed when the tree is flowering, as this could cause the flowers to drop.
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Harvesting
Mandarin trees grown from seed take two to three years to start fruiting, and even up to seven years in some cases. Flowering occurs in spring, with fruit forming in summer and ripening in early autumn. You will know your mandarin fruit is ready to be harvested when it has turned orange, which typically occurs from early autumn to early spring. Don't leave them on the tree after this point, as they can dry out. The best way to harvest mandarins is by using secateurs or snips, which avoid causing damage to the tree.
Young trees with weak branches should be discouraged from fruiting by removing flowers and tiny fruit. Sometimes, mandarins will only produce fruit every second year, which is called biennial or alternate bearing. To help minimise this, remove some of the fruit when it's still small and green, reducing the drain on the tree's energy reserves.
Once all the fruit has been harvested, you should prune the tree. Prune off any low branches that are closer than 30 to 45 cm to the ground and remove any suckers. Remove any branches that are growing from below the graft. Remove crossing and inward-growing branches from inside the canopy to open up the interior of the tree. Make sure that you cut the branches as close to the trunk as possible at a 45-degree angle.
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Frequently asked questions
Mandarin trees grown from seed can take anywhere from two to ten years to bear fruit. However, the Emperor variety will bear fruit sooner and grow true to form.
The ideal time to plant a mandarin tree is in spring or early autumn, when the temperatures are mild and the soil is warm.
Mandarin trees prefer to grow in full sun in well-drained, enriched soil. They can be grown in a garden bed or pot. If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 60 cm in diameter with adequate drainage holes.
