Germination of
Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis
Buddha's Hand Citron, Fingered Citron, Citrus Medica var. Sarcodactylis, Fingered Buddha's Citron, Buddha's Finger Fruit, Citrus Buddha's Hand, Florentine Citron
To start, harvest mature Buddha's Hand Citron fruits and carefully extract the seeds, ensuring they are clean and free from any pulp or residue. Allow the seeds to air-dry for a day or two to remove excess moisture.
Prepare the seeds by soaking them in warm water for 24 to 48 hours. This soaking process helps to soften the seed coat, potentially aiding in germination.
Use a well-draining potting mix or a blend of sand and peat moss as the germination medium. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Plant the seeds in pots or trays, burying them about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in the soil. Place one or two seeds per container, adjusting based on available space and desired plant quantity.
Maintain consistent moisture in the soil by misting or covering the containers with plastic wrap to create a humid environment. Keep the temperature consistently warm, ideally around 70-85°F (21-29°C) for successful germination.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight to the seeds. Avoid direct exposure to intense sunlight, especially during the initial stages of growth.
Germination of Buddha's Hand Citron seeds can take several weeks to several months, so patience is essential during this process.
Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves and are sturdy enough, transplant them into larger pots or individual containers. Ensure they receive adequate light, water, and nutrition as they continue to grow.
Some of plants may have very have specific germination requirements that may not be covered in these general instructions.
Many seeds require pre-treatment before sowing which we try to list here when we can, but this information may not be present here. Germination times and germination temperatures are to be a guide only. Many factors can DRASTICALLY affect this.
It's always a good idea to research the specific germination requirements from multiple sources for each plant before attempting to grow them from seed.