How to Grow A Calamansi Tree?

How to Grow A Calamansi Tree?

If you want to grow a calamansi tree it is better to buy an already grown tree so that you will get fruits faster. Growing a tree takes years for them to grow and bear fruits compared to vegetables or plants which take only a few months to grow. You can buy calamansi seedlings from nurseries, garden centers, or even online.

Calamansi trees grow well in tropical and subtropical countries. This tree loves sunlight and will grow a lot of fruits when getting consistent sunlight. If you are growing a dwarf calamansi tree provide it will adequate water, and fertilizer, and make sure it is getting enough light.

If you don’t want to buy a tree you can also try growing it from seed.

How to Grow A Calamansi Tree From Seed?

To grow a calamansi tree from seed you need to get calamansi fruits. Get as many seeds as possible so that when other seeds don’t germinate you will still have some seeds that will germinate.

Get calamansi fruits and slice them in half. Just be careful in slicing the fruit because the seeds may get damaged. Wash the seeds to remove the pulps and remove the slippery part of the seeds.

Get a small container, fill it will some soil or potting mix then you can plant the calamansi seeds there and wait for them to germinate. Or you can do one other method which is to use a ziplock and tissue paper.

Get the seeds and remove the cover of them using your finger. When all seeds’ cover is removed get the tissue and lay it on a table and start placing the seeds one by one with good spacing.

Spray the tissue paper with water and make it a little bit moist. Then fold it and place it inside the ziplock.

The seeds of calamansi will germinate in a few weeks. It can germinate in 3 to 6 weeks. With consistent care, the tree will grow and soon bear fruits.

But also take note that if the seeds you are getting from the fruit are not true-to-type they might produce different fruits and different trees from the parent tree. So it is better to look for those true-to-type seeds.

Can You Grow A Calamansi Tree In A Pot?

Yes, you can grow a calamansi tree in pot. Look for dwarf calamansi tree varieties so that it is suitable to grow in a pot. You can keep them small by pruning them regularly.

The calamansi tree will not grow so tall when grown in the pot because they have a limited space unlike those trees planted outdoors in the ground they grow much bigger and taller.

The potted calamansi tree needs water frequently because the soil in the pot dries faster than ground soil. You can check the soil moisture if you need to water it or not to avoid overwatering the tree.

Can Calamansi Tree Grow Indoors?

Yes, you can grow calamansi trees indoors as long as they are receiving enough sunlight daily. Commonly dwarf varieties can be grown indoors because they are just growing short.

You can grow standard calamansi trees indoors because they are growing too tall around 20+ feet. Place your potted calamansi tree near the window or in a spot where sunlight is available for long hours.

For the tree to be kept indoors for longer you can keep them small by pruning them regularly.

How To Propagate Calamansi Tree?

Calamansi trees can be propagated through cuttings, grafting, marcotting, or seeds. If you have already grown calamansi trees and they seem to be mature enough, you can cut some semi-wood cuttings and make them root.

To make those cuttings grow roots you need to dip them in rooting hormone so that they will grow roots. The roots will grow in about 3-4 weeks and leaves will grow the next. The rooting hormone will increase the chances of growing roots than not using one.

Grafting and marcotting can also be used to propagate your calamansi tree. Through this method, you can get fruits faster and you can do this to grow more trees.

You can also grow calamansi trees through seeds. Even if the seeds will take years to grow and bear fruit it will be a fun experiment.

How To Care For Calamansi Tree?

Clean the surroundings around the calamansi tree especially when there are many growing types of grass. The grasses will be the competitors of the calamansi for the water and nutrients found in the soil.

For younger calamansi trees need water more often than mature trees. Water will help young calamansi trees to be more established and they need water every few days while mature trees can be watered once a week or every two weeks.

When there are pests roaming around or attacking the tree you must control them. There are sprays that can help or pesticides can get rid of those pests. Neem oil, horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap can also be used but they must be applied when the weather is not too hot to prevent burn on the leaves and trunk.

What Kind Of Soil For Calamansi Tree?

A well-draining soil will be good for the calamansi tree. A loam soil or sandy loam is good to use and it will help to prevent water logging. Avoid growing calamansi trees in heavy clay soil because the tree will not thrive in this type of soil.

You can also improve the quality of the soil by adding some fertilizer. If you are practicing organic farming, compost will be helpful for the tree and it is more eco-friendly since it doesn’t contain chemicals.

When soil is high quality you can expect the calamansi tree to grow well and sooner gives you a lot of fruits.

How Often Do You Water Calamansi Tree?

The young calamansi tree needs to be watered more often about twice a week, while the mature calamansi tree can be watered once a week or every two weeks.

Water is essential for the tree to thrive. It will improve the leaves’ growth, branches, main stem, flower, and fruits. When rainfall is available you don’t need to water calamansi trees especially when there are a lot of rains.

Avoid overwatering the tree because it can cause root rot and other problems on the tree like yellowing or curling leaves.

How Much Space Does A Calamansi Tree Need?

A good spacing will help the calamansi tree to grow well. This is because when the tree has a good distance from other trees it will not compete for the nutrients and water, and it will not fight for the sunlight especially when the other tree is growing so tall.

3.6 to 4.5 meters (12-15 feet) is good spacing for the calamansi tree. This spacing is good between trees or between houses or other structures.

Spacing is needed so that your tree will not be crowded with other trees and the branches will not reach the houses and damage will be prevented.

Is Calamansi Tree Invasive?

Citruses like the calamansi tree don’t have invasive roots, especially when young but they can be invasive when matures. Young trees have smaller and shorter roots than old trees.

So it is important to at least plant the tree at some distance so that you will not worry about the possible damage it can make to the house or other foundations.

The roots of calamansi are not so invasive and they are commonly growing 2-3 feet of the soil.

How Long Does A Calamansi Tree Bear Fruit?

The calamansi tree will bear fruits in 3-5 years. If you buy calamansi tree seedlings from a nursery or a garden center they can bear fruits much faster.

If you grow the tree from seeds it will take much longer for you to see fruits on the tree. How the tree is cared for will also affect the fruiting time.

If the tree is getting its need regularly it gets established and matures faster and will bear fruits very soon. At first, the flowers appear on the tree and those flowers will turn into fruits after.