growing Bitter Orange from cuttings?

16 years ago

There is a Bitter Orange tree (aurantium) nearby on a street that makes the best bitter oranges I have ever seen. Very big fruits, full of juice and with fat bark. Excellent for my marmalades! LOL.

Do you think that having a cutting (a piece of stem) from this tree I have any chance to grow a new tree same genus? To get a hard one cutting or a new one? And then what is the best method for making this cutting to root??

Many thanks

Featured Answer

Bradybb WA-Zone8

12 years ago

If your cutting has leaves growing all the way up the stem,pull or cut them all off except the top two or three.If the leaves are fairly large,use something like scissors or sharp pruners to cut across the leaves at about their halfway point.
The purpose of this is so they don't lose so much water through transpiration.It's a good idea to keep the leaves as moist as possible,until roots form.
A lot of times I don't cut the leaves.But I use a Mist-a-matic in a tent type setup,which keeps them wet,but not too wet.I also made a propagation box using a pond fogger/mister which works really well.
It's a good idea also to make the cut at bottom of the cutting at a diagonal to expose as much green as possible. Brady

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Comments (7)

kojac_phx
16 years ago
Rooting a cutting should produce a clone/near-clone of the parent plant. That said, I have not had much luck rooting citrus. Grafting or air-layering are much preferred. Check the link for previous discussions on this topic.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rooting a cutting
karyn1
16 years ago
I have very good luck rooting citrus. I take firm growth but not woody cuttings, about 6". I've used rooting powder and done without with just about equal results. Trim all lower foliage and cut the top larger leaves in half. I just set the cuttings a couple inches into moistened potting mix and seal them in a baggie. Place it somewhere warm but shady. Open the bag occasionally to let some air in and remove any leaves that may have dropped. My cuttings are usually rooted in 6-8 weeks.
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stemn
Original Author
16 years ago
Karyn1 you encourage me! Is this the right period now? or it doesn't the matter? All the ends of stems now on the tree are new and very thin with new leaves. What I am asking you is, should I cut one of them? or I'll try and find a bit older and fatter but not woody one?
karyn1
16 years ago
The best time for cuttings is when the plant is actively growing. That's now thru mid summer for me. I'm in zone 7 near Washington, DC. You don't want newest stems as they are soft. Take firmer stems that haven't become woody yet. New leaves don't matter as you'll be removing most of them anyway. My cuttings are usually about half the thickness of a pencil. I hope that helps. Good luck.
stemn
Original Author
16 years ago
many many thanks from Greece!
chetumia
12 years ago
Hi,
Please, elaborate on the process of "Trim all lower foliage and cut the top larger leaves in half"
How? Horizontal? Vertical? I am confused and have only one opportunity to get a cutting from a neighbor who "willingly" will allow me to get one to propagate. His tree is beautiful and always full of fruit.
Thank you!!!!