How to Grow Apples and Oranges from Their Fruit in Plastic Bottles | How to Grow Fruit
Growing your own apples and oranges at home may sound like a big challenge, but with a few clever techniques and some recycled materials, you can start both fruit trees right from the fruit itself — using nothing more than plastic bottles! This is an easy, space-saving, and fun way to watch nature work its magic. Whether you live in the countryside or in a small city apartment, this simple plastic bottle growing method lets you enjoy fresh fruit and a rewarding gardening experience.
1. Why Grow Apples and Oranges in Plastic Bottles?
Plastic bottles are an excellent alternative to traditional pots. They are lightweight, easy to cut, and can be recycled into perfect mini greenhouses. The transparent walls allow sunlight to pass through while keeping moisture trapped inside — creating a perfect warm, humid environment for your seeds to sprout faster.
Additionally, plastic bottles help you monitor root growth and soil moisture easily. They’re great for starting seeds, especially in warm climates or during seasons when outdoor germination is difficult.
2. Preparing Apple and Orange Seeds
The first step in growing apples and oranges is getting viable seeds from fresh fruits.
For Apples:
- Choose a ripe, healthy apple with no bruises or rot.
- Slice the apple and remove the seeds carefully.
- Wash the seeds to remove any sugary residue or pulp.
- Dry them for one day on a paper towel.
For Oranges:
- Pick a juicy, fresh orange — preferably from a tree that produces sweet fruit.
- Extract the seeds and rinse them gently under water.
- Let them dry for a few hours but don’t over-dry them; orange seeds germinate best when still slightly moist.
Now, both apple and orange seeds need a short stratification (cold treatment) period to wake them from dormancy — just like winter in nature.
How to Stratify Apple Seeds:
- Wrap the seeds in a moist paper towel.
- Place them in a zip-lock bag and refrigerate for 3–4 weeks.
- Check weekly to ensure the towel stays damp.
For Orange Seeds:
- Stratification is not always necessary, but a 1–2 week rest in a cool place (around 10–15°C) can improve germination.
3. Preparing the Plastic Bottle Planters
You’ll need a few 1.5 or 2-liter plastic bottles. These will act as your mini seedling greenhouses.
Steps:
- Cut the bottle horizontally around the middle.
- Poke 4–5 small drainage holes at the bottom for excess water.
- Fill the bottom half with a mix of 50% garden soil, 30% compost, and 20% sand for good drainage and nutrients.
- Moisten the soil slightly.
- Place the seeds about 1–2 cm deep in the soil — apples in one bottle and oranges in another.
After planting, place the top half of the bottle back on (like a lid) to create a humid dome effect. This will trap warmth and moisture, promoting faster germination.
4. Germination and Early Care
Place your plastic bottle planters in a bright spot — such as a windowsill or balcony — where they get indirect sunlight.
- Temperature: Keep around 20–25°C.
- Watering: Mist the soil lightly every few days. Avoid waterlogging.
- Ventilation: Open the bottle cap or lift the lid once a day for 15–30 minutes to let fresh air in.
Within 2–4 weeks, you’ll see small green shoots emerging. Once they reach about 5–8 cm tall, you can carefully remove the top half of the bottle completely.
5. Transplanting to Larger Containers
After about 6–8 weeks, when your apple and orange seedlings have grown a few true leaves and roots are visible through the bottle, it’s time to transplant them.
Steps:
- Gently squeeze the bottle to loosen the soil.
- Cut away the plastic without disturbing the roots.
- Transfer the seedling to a bigger pot or garden bed with rich, well-draining soil.
- Water gently and place in partial sunlight for a few days to reduce transplant shock.
6. Caring for Your Young Trees
Once your seedlings are established in their new pots or garden space, they’ll need some regular care to keep growing strong.
Sunlight:
- Apple and orange trees love sunlight — give them at least 6 hours of full sun daily.
Watering:
- Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Deep watering once or twice a week is enough.
Feeding:
- Use an organic fertilizer or compost tea every 3–4 weeks to provide nutrients.
Pruning:
- When the seedlings grow taller, pinch off the top leaves to encourage branching and a stronger structure.
Protection:
- Young trees are sensitive. Keep them safe from heavy rain, strong winds, or pests. If growing indoors, rotate the pots weekly for even growth.
7. Patience and Long-Term Growth
Growing apples and oranges from seeds takes patience. Apple trees may take 5–7 years to bear fruit, and oranges around 3–5 years, depending on the variety and conditions. However, even before they fruit, these plants bring beauty and a sense of achievement to your home garden.
If you want to speed things up, once the seedlings are strong, you can try grafting your young apple or orange plant with a mature fruiting branch from another tree. This can help your plant produce fruit much faster while keeping its compact size.
8. Tips for Better Success
- Always label your bottles if you’re growing multiple types of seeds.
- Use clear bottles so you can monitor root development.
- Try using half-buried bottles in garden beds to retain humidity naturally.
- Avoid placing bottles under harsh, direct sunlight in the beginning — the plastic can heat up quickly and damage tender roots.
9. The Joy of Home-Grown Fruit
With time, care, and a bit of creativity, your recycled plastic bottles can become the birthplace of thriving apple and orange trees. You’ll not only reduce waste but also experience the joy of growing your own fruit from scratch. Watching your seedlings transform into leafy saplings and, eventually, into fruit-bearing trees is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening.
So next time you enjoy an apple or peel an orange, don’t throw away those seeds or bottles — plant them! You’ll create something green, fresh, and fruitful right in your own home.
Start small, grow smart, and let your fruits flourish! 🍎🍊🌱
