It gives you the pip

Oranges and lemons

On July 5th I potted up 3 orange pips from an orange that was hanging around the place. On 18th, I followed those with 3 lemon pips that came from the salad in an Indian takeaway (this was a low budget project!).

At the end of last week, none of them had germinated and I reluctantly decided that they weren’t going to. They were moved into the kitchen on their way to the compost heap.

On Monday, when I came to take them to the compost heap, I noticed that one of each pip had germinated. Talk about leaving it to the last minute. Instead of the compost heap, I took them out to the grow dome.

This morning, there was another lemon pip germinating. According to the gardening literature, citrus plants grown from pips may not bear tasty fruit. Even if they do, it will be some years before they’re mature enough to do so. And the orange may not be best suited to this climate. But in the event that they survive, at leas the flowers will be pretty!

Flower

This photo of a citrus flower was taken at Waterperry Gardens, in the shop.

Posted 25 September 2007, 22:10.   Posted in .

2 Comments for It gives you the pip

  1. I’m afraid that isn’t a citrus flower – its a flower from the trailing vine hanging down (the name of which I forget). Citrus flowers are smaller and generally white (and very nice smelling).

    Nice blog btw.

    tai haku · Oct 4, 07:53 AM

  2. Yes, you’re right, I didn’t spot that at the time. What a shame :(
    But, as you say, citrus flowers are nicely scented, so that’s something to look forward too :)

    Emma · Oct 6, 11:40 AM

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