Blood orange seedling

I planted a seed I got on a blood orange like 3 months ago and not only it is this small (like 2 inches tall) but also it has this amorphous leaf. What should I do?
Unfortunately, I live on an underground flat so I receive very little direct sunlight, if that is what the seedling needs. But I have considered putting the little thing under fluorescent light to help it grow?

I don’t know, I’d love to hear your suggestion!

Thanks :)

Comments for Blood orange seedling

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 22, 2020

Light!
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Citrus of all kinds do tend to have odd little mutations in the form of weirdly shaped leaves, sometimes three together, or one with an extra lobe (even though they are not supposed to have lobes!). I suspect that they are not finished evolving.

In time, it will grow more normally. For a three month old baby it's looking pretty good. No need to change what you're doing, except for the light.

They need lots of light. In the places where they succeed and grow, such as Spain, the climate is hot, dry and sunny. To grow them successfully you will need to try and emulate that. Failing moving to Spain, I recommend a grow light at the very least. Use the search bar to find more information on this site using the term 'grow lights'.

The light they need is not only intense, but also timed. They require a day length of ten to twelve hours to grow well.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.