Mandarin trees with their sweet fruit and attractive foliage make a wonderful addition to any home garden. Propagating new mandarin trees from an existing tree allows you to create genetic clones of your tree which will bear identical fruit. This can be done through several methods like cuttings, seeds, grafting and air layering.
In this comprehensive guide we will explore step-by-step instructions for propagating mandarin trees using various techniques.
Overview of Propagation Methods
There are a few different reliable methods for propagating mandarin trees if you are able to do so in your growing zone
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Cuttings – Taking cuttings from new growth on the parent tree. Requires rooting hormone for best success.
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Seeds – Allows genetic diversity but offspring may not be identical to parent. Requires stratification.
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Grafting – Joining scion wood from parent tree to rootstock seedling for faster fruiting. The most reliable way to produce a strong disease-resistant mandarin tree.
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Air layering – Rooting a branch while still attached to parent tree. High success rate.
Propagating from Hardwood Cuttings
Propagating from cuttings is a common method. Here are the steps:
Selecting Cuttings
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Take 6-8 inch cuttings from 1-2 year old wood in late winter.
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Choose vigorous, pencil-thickness branches with no flower buds.
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Use sharp, sterile pruners to make a straight cut below a node.
Preparing Cuttings
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Trim off leaves from the lower half of each cutting.
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Wound the bottom 2 inches by scraping off the outer bark layer.
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Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone powder/gel to encourage roots.
Planting Cuttings
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Fill small pots with well-draining potting soil. Poke holes with a pencil.
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Insert cuttings in holes about 2-3 inches deep, leaving 2-3 nodes above soil.
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Water well and cover pots with clear plastic to create a greenhouse environment.
Caring for Cuttings
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Keep soil moist but not saturated while roots develop over the next 4-12 weeks.
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Acclimate seedlings to lower humidity levels gradually before transplanting.
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Transplant into larger containers or ground once rooted.
Propagating Mandarin Trees from Seeds
Growing mandarin trees from seeds is an option but offspring trees will be genetically different than the parent. Follow these instructions:
Collecting and Storing Seeds
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Allow mandarins to fully ripen on the tree before harvesting fruit.
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Scoop out seeds from fruit pulp and rinse clean. Dry on paper towels.
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Place dry seeds in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 months of cold stratification.
Planting Seeds
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Fill starter pots or trays with seed starting mix. Press seeds in 1⁄4 inch deep.
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Keep seed starting mix moist but not saturated as seeds germinate over 2-4 weeks at 65-75°F.
Caring for Seedlings
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Pot up seedlings into 4 inch pots once they have 2-3 sets of leaves. Use well-draining potting soil.
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Grow on in bright light. Water when top inch of soil is dry.
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Fertilize monthly with half strength balanced fertilizer once established.
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Transplant outdoors the following spring after any chance of frost has passed.
Air Layering Mandarin Trees
Air layering involves rooting a branch while it’s still attached to the parent tree. Follow these simple steps:
Selecting a Branch
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Choose a healthy, pencil-thickness branch that’s at least 18 inches long.
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Remove leaves and thorns from the bottom 6 inches of the selected branch.
Wounding the Branch
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Make a 2 inch long cut upward into the bark about 3-4 inches from the tip.
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Dust rooting hormone on the cut to stimulate root growth.
Wrapping the Branch
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Pack sphagnum moss around the cut, wrapping it fully with plastic.
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Seal the plastic wrap in place on both ends with tape to create a greenhouse effect.
Rooting the Branch
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Roots should develop within the moss in 6-12 weeks.
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Check periodically by unwrapping the tip. Re-seal once checked.
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When filled with roots, cut off the rooted layer and plant it.
Propagating Mandarins through Grafting
Grafting involves joining scion wood from the parent mandarin tree to rootstock of another citrus tree. This results in a genetic clone that fruits faster.
Selecting the Rootstock
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Trifoliate orange or rough lemon rootstocks grow well with mandarins.
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Choose vigorously growing 1-2 year old seedlings about 1⁄4 inch thickness.
Choosing Scion Wood
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Take 6-8 inch scion wood cuttings from pencil-thickness branches on the parent tree.
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Make straight cuts below leaf nodes. Store cuttings wrapped in damp paper towels in the fridge.
Making the Cleft Graft
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Make a 2-3 inch vertical cut down the center of the rootstock stem.
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Shape the scion wood into a wedge. Insert into the cleft so the cambium layers match.
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Wrap graft union tightly with grafting tape, leaving bud exposed.
Caring for the Grafted Tree
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Keep soil moist while the graft heals over 4-6 weeks. Mist graft daily.
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Protect new growth with tree wrap or shelter once buds start swelling.
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Transplant into ground or larger container once graft has healed and growth starts.
Troubleshooting Propagation Issues
Here are some common problems and solutions in propagating mandarin trees:
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Cuttings not rooting: Use fresh wood, wound cuttings, apply rooting hormone, and provide bottom heat.
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Seeds not germinating: Scarify thick seed coat before planting. Ensure proper stratification period.
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Air layers drying out: Check wrapping integrity frequently. Remoisten moss as needed.
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Graft failure: Ensure cambium layers aligned, wrap tightly, and keep graft union moist until healed.
Final Tips for Propagating Mandarin Trees
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Take cuttings, scion wood, and seeds from healthy, productive parent trees.
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Use sterile, sharp pruners and pruning saws to make clean cuts.
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Dip all cutting ends in rooting hormone to speed root growth.
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Label propagations with parent variety and date for easy tracking.
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Propagate in early spring right before new growth emerges.
With proper methods and care, you can successfully propagate new mandarin trees from existing specimens. This allows you to expand your edible fruit orchard or share the bounty with others.
SERIES 29 | Episode 02
Many common citrus, such as oranges and lemons, are hybrids that can’t be grown from seed, however species citrus can be propagated this way. Try cumquats, Makrut (Kaffir) limes (Citrus hystrix), pomelos (C. maxima) or Mandarin ‘Parramatta Sweets’ (C. reticulata), which is what Jerry used.
- container of water
- good quality potting mix
- plastic pot
- watering can
- 1. Soak your citrus seeds for a few hours and remove any that float to the surface; these are unviable.
- 2. ¾ fill your pot with potting mix
- 3. Place the citrus seeds on the mix and cover with another handful of potting mix.
- 4. Water well and keep moist until they have germinated, which could take a few months
- 5. When the seedlings have reached about 10cm tall they can be repotted separately
- 6. Water well and keep moist until they are large enough to plant into the ground or larger pots
The seeds are polyembryonic, which means that more than one plant may grow from each seed – sometimes up to seven! They are also gregarious, which means that you can sow many more seeds into the pot than you normally would because they like each other’s company.
5 Tips How to Grow a TON of Mandarins on Just One Tree Organically
FAQ
Can you root citrus cuttings in water?
- Take cuttings: Select healthy, non-flowering stems from a mature citrus plant.
- Prepare the cuttings: Cut the stems into 4-6 inch lengths, making sure to include at least one leaf node.
- Dip in rooting hormone: Dip the cut end of the cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in a soilless medium: Use a well-draining soilless mix like sand or perlite.
- Maintain high humidity: Keep the cuttings in a humid environment, such as a plastic bag or a humidity dome.
- Provide adequate light and warmth: Ensure the cuttings receive enough light and warmth.
- Water as needed: Water the cuttings when the medium starts to dry out.
- Be patient: It can take several weeks or even months for citrus cuttings to develop roots.
How to propagate an orange tree from cutting?
Place the cuttings in a free draining mix such a 50/50 seed raising and pumice mix, water the mix well, avoid using garden soil as it can have soil borne diseases. Reduce the leaf area by half, dip the cutting into rooting hormone available from garden centres and DIY stores, and place the cutting into the mix.
How to plant a tree from a branch?
- Dormant Season: The best time to take cuttings is during the tree’s dormant season (late fall or early spring).
- Healthy Branch: Select a branch from a healthy, vigorous tree.
- Avoid Weak or Diseased Branches: Do not use branches that are weak, thin, or show signs of disease.
Can you grow a satsuma tree from a cutting?
However, it is certainly possible to propagate a Satsuma tree by rooting a branch cutting.
How to grow a mandarin tree from cuttings?
Once the cutting has established roots, it’s time to transplant it into a larger pot or outside into the ground. Make sure to choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. To grow a mandarin tree from cuttings, we need to encourage healthy growth. And to do so, make sure to fertilize the tree regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
How do you propagate a mandarin tree?
There are a few techniques that can be used to propagate mandarin trees Cuttings – Taking cuttings from new growth on the parent tree. Requires rooting hormone for best success. Seeds – Allows genetic diversity but offspring may not be identical to parent. Requires stratification. Air layering – Rooting a branch while still attached to parent tree.
How do you grow a mandarin tree from seed?
Make a basin out of soil roughly 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter around the tree. The basin rim should be 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) thick. Water the tree. Fill the basin with water and allow it to seep into the soil. Repeat the process until the soil is damp, but not soggy. How do you grow mandarin trees from seed? Germinate the seeds in water.
Can you grow a mandarin tree from an existing tree?
Mandarin trees, with their sweet fruit and attractive foliage, make a wonderful addition to any home garden. Propagating new mandarin trees from an existing tree allows you to create genetic clones of your tree which will bear identical fruit. This can be done through several methods like cuttings, seeds, air layering and grafting.
How to grow a mandarin orange?
The first step in your journey is choosing the right seed. While any mandarin orange will do, seeds from a healthy, mature tree with good fruit quality will give you the best chance of success. Freshness is key: Choose freshly picked oranges, as the seeds will be more viable.
How long does a mandarin tree take to grow?
When you buy a citrus tree from a plant nursery, that tree is typically a grafted tree (rootstock). Rootstocks are often around 3 years old already when you buy one, so they need less time to start producing fruit. If you grow a mandarin tree from seed, it may take about 7 years to bear fruit. How do you water mandarin trees?