Planting Seeds

• While it is possible to buy orange seeds at nurseries or gardening centers, they tend to be hard to find. You are probably better off just buying an orange, taking out the seeds and planting them. You'll have the most luck with an orange variety adapted to your area. Valencia oranges tend to grow well in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona, while Washington navels are best suited to California.
  
  Since orange seeds are very hard, they take a long time to germinate. Speed up the process by soaking the seeds in warm water. After a few days, they should bulk up a bit in preparation for planting. Put about 6 to 8 inches of regular potting soil in a clay pot. You can space up to five seeds evenly in one pot, but it is better to have one pot for each seed so that you won't have to transplant them anytime soon. Plant the seeds about 1 inch down in the soil, making sure to pack the dirt firmly back over them. As soon as you have planted the seeds, water them liberally and put the pots in a warm, sunny window. Check the soil each day to make sure that it stays moist. Germination generally occurs in one to two weeks.
  
  

Tree Care

• Newly-germinated orange trees have a long tap root and glossy, bright green leaves. Orange trees need lots of room for both their roots and their branches, and often require transplanting within the first few months. Orange trees also thrive in the sun, but too much exposure can dry out their leaves. If you live in the north, grow your trees on a sunny windowsill; if you live in the south, consider planting your orange tree in the partial shade of another tree.
  
  If you are planting your trees outside, choose a place where the soil is gritty, arid and drains well. It also needs to be a big enough space for a mature orange tree. Make sure the site is clear of branches, twigs, old roots, stones and trash. Weed and rake the area. In order to get an idea of how big a hole you will need, spread out the roots of the tree. Then place your tree in a bucket of water to keep the roots moist until you have finished digging the hole. The hole needs to be a few inches shallower than the pot so that when you plant the tree, it will sit a few inches higher than it did in the pot. After you have placed the tree in the hole, fill the hole halfway full of dirt and then pat it down to get rid of the air. Next, fill the hole with water. After the water has drained and the soil settles, fill the hole most of the way with the remaining dirt before you pat it down again. Dig a water basin that will hold 7 to 10 gallons of water. Doing so will help ensure the orange tree gets all the water it needs. Once you have finished digging the basin, fill it with water.
  
  Pruning orange trees is a good idea since they often have crossing branches. Thin out any crossing branches to ensure good air flow. Orange trees also benefit from regular fertilization. Fertilize your orange tree every four to six weeks from February through August. Use a weak compost tea or any liquid fertilizer made for houseplants. Add mulch to the soil around your tree to help you conserve water. Water your orange tree thoroughly every 7 to 10 days in the summer. In cooler temperatures, water less often. Always protect your trees from frost, since they can't survive in freezing temperatures.
  
  

Harvest

• Orange trees can start bearing fruit three to four years after they are planted, but some take as long as fourteen to fifteen years. Each type of orange tree is different and may yield fruit at different times of the year. The tree is close to producing fruit when it starts flowering. Once it starts bearing fruit, harvest the oranges after the skin color has changed from green to a yellow-orange. Most orange trees bear fruit once a year.