Don’t pick fruits directly from the trees. These seeds may not be mature enough to grow. The milky juice from the fruit could irritate your skin, so be sure to wash your hands any time you handle the oranges.
A popular trick is just leaving the fruit where it falls through the winter and then gathering it in the spring. This way, some of the work is already done. [3] X Research source If you leave the fruit outside, make sure no animals can get them.
The seeds might still have some pulp on them after you soak them. You can wipe this off easily.
It’s normal for up to 50% of the seeds in a batch to fail to germinate, so don’t worry if not all the seeds start sprouting. You didn’t do anything wrong. You could also germinate the seeds by storing them in a refrigerator for 30 days. If you prefer to save your seeds rather than plant them right away, then you can store them in a dry, cool place for up to 3 years before planting.
Generally, you’ll still have to soak the seeds in cool water before planting them to start germination. [6] X Research source
Make sure the pot has drainage holes on the bottom so the seeds don’t get waterlogged. You can plant several seeds in the same pot, especially if you’ll be transplanting the seedlings outside when they start growing. [9] X Research source You could also just start planting the seeds outside if you know exactly where you want the trees. You can plant them any time between Spring and Fall, as long as the first frost hasn’t happened yet.
Osage can generally grow in indirect sunlight as well, just not as fast. To get the seeds started, it’s best to leave them in direct sunlight for a boost.
Osage trees don’t need much care or nutrition, but you could add some plant food to make them grow faster. [12] X Research source Try a slow-release fertilizer. You only need to apply this once while the trees are potted, because it releases nutrients over a long period of time. [13] X Research source
You can also let the trees grow longer in the pot. They can easily reach a few feet tall while still potted.
If you miss the frost, don’t worry. You can keep the trees potted until the spring. You just might have to move them into a larger pot if they’re getting tall.
Keep in mind that generally, Osage trees grow faster and larger when they’re in a sunny spot. If you don’t want the tree to grow out of control, you might want to put the seedling in a spot with some shade. Osage trees are resilient and can grow in most types of soil. While they grow best in moist, mineral-rich soil, they can tolerate alkaline or depleted soil as well. They aren’t very picky, so you don’t have to worry too much about soil nutrients on your property. [17] X Research source
Make sure the seedling is facing straight up so it grows properly.
Leave a few inches of space between the tree and the mulch. Direct contact with the mulch could damage the tree.
Remember that Osage trees can grow a lot and overtake other plants. You might want to avoid planting multiple ones until you’re sure you like them.
When the tree is established, it only needs watering about twice per month.
Start pruning the tree early in its life. This generally makes the tree more resilient to damage later on and keeps its growth under control.
