You will want to use grow lights to get them as big as fast as you can to get them past the damp-off stage of 12 inches tall.

Steve

Thanks Steve! I didn't see your comment until today. What is the damp-off stage?

Damping off is the period of vulnerability seedlings have to fungal rots until they develop resistance. This can be rotting seeds, as well as soft, tender seedlings. Be providing 24 hour adequate lighting, chlorophyll development provides a measure of protection. Cool, soggy media with inadequate lighting is almost an invitation for damping off.

Proper moisture levels, temperature controlled at 86°F, and good lighting are preventative of damping off. Additionally, media, seed, and germination environment sanitation are critical.

My experiences with damping off almost always related to: Too much moisture, dark period overnight, cool temperatures and careless sanitation.

Thank you Herman! Very informative. I am guilty of many of those things you listed.

Damp-off is a real monster.

On the other hand .... I’ve never had any seedlings damp off and I definitely don’t keep the lights on all night. In fact I don’t use lights. Warmth and not over watering are all the care they need imo. So don’t assume you’ll get damping off.

Sour orange is super easy from seed. Damping off should not be an issue in Phoenix. LOL!

What Dave said, Sour Oranges are the easiest Citrus from seed! I end up having to give trees away.

This is encouraging to hear! I'm glad I picked an easier start for my first forays into growing from seed! From these 18 in the propagation tray, I figure I'll pick the strongest 10 to move into the next size pot, and from those pick the strongest 4-5 to try my first graftings on. I'm hoping at least a few of those will survive ὢC.

Cool video, thanks herman!

Here's an update. The oldest (biggest) has been in there for 1 month now. All of them have sprouted, and there's one pair of twins. Some of these leaves don't look great and I'm trying to figure out if this is a water, pest, or nutrient issue. Any thoughts?

Are you fertilizing them. One month old seedlings should be further along than that.

@Silica, there is a little Osmocote Plus in the starter mix, and I add a couple drops of Foliage Pro when I water them every few days. It could be that it's still to cold for them. I don't supplement with heat or light. I keep my house in the low 70s, and I give them about 5 hours of direct sun most days, which right now is between 60-70 degrees. I'm hoping the growth will speed up when we start to get more 80 degree days. I'm not sure what to make of the leaf shapes.