Growing trees from seed is an extremely rewarding experience and I try to grow as many trees from seed as I can.

Me and my wife frequently plant calamansi from seed although we also planted a lot of calamansi trees bought from nurseries.
We love to make calamansi juice and lemonade from our calamansi fruits.

Here I will share you the perfect ways of planting calamansi.

What is calamansi

Calamansi also knows as Philippine Lime is a citrus tree that produces small fruits similar to limes. The fruit is sour with a tinge of sweetness.
Like most citrus trees, calamansi can handle full sun and is resilient against drought. Calamansi can grow both in clay and sandy soils.

How to plant calamansi from seeds

To plant calamansi you first need to get seeds from fresh mature ripe fruit.
Gently cut open the fruit 1/4th from the top, being careful not to damage the seeds.
Then squeeze the fruit and push out the seeds into a strainer.
Lastly wash off the juice from the seeds to clean them. The juice inhibits germination and causes mold formation on the seeds.

Once the seeds are clean, prepare a seedling tray or small pots filled with a well-draining soil. Plant the calamansi seeds about half an inch deep into the soil, spacing them evenly apart. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and gently press down to ensure good soil-to-seed contact. Place the tray or pots in a warm, with indirect sunlight. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged by watering lightly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Germination usually occurs within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on environmental conditions. Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and are sturdy enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the full soil. Remember to continue providing adequate sunlight and water as the seedlings grow to promote healthy development. With proper care and patience, your calamansi seeds will sprout into vibrant seedlings ready to thrive and eventually bear fruit.

How to plant calamansi from a cutting

Planting calamansi from a cutting is another effective method, especially if you have access to a mature calamansi tree. Here’s how to do it:

1. Selecting the Cutting: Choose a healthy branch from the calamansi tree that is about 6 to 8 inches long. Make sure it has several leaves and is free from any diseases or pests.
2. Preparing the Cutting: Using sharp, clean pruning shears, cut the branch at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf node. Remove any leaves from the lower half of the cutting to expose the nodes.
3. Rooting Hormone (optional): Some gardeners like to dip the cut end of the calamansi cutting into rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth, although this step is optional.
4. Planting the Cutting: Fill a small pot with well-draining soil. Insert the cutting into the soil, burying it about halfway deep.
5. Watering and Care: Water the cutting thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot in a warm, location with indirect sunlight.
   Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and avoid over watering, as this can cause the cutting to rot.
6. Transplanting: Once the cutting has developed a healthy root system, usually after several weeks, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or directly into the ground, however if you transplant the cutting into ground when its too young and fragile it can kill the tree, especially if you damage the roots during transplanting.
7. Maintenance: Continue to care for the young calamansi plant by watering it regularly, providing adequate sunlight. As it grows, you can gradually increase the size of the pot or plant in the full ground.