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Indoor Citrus Trees - Winter Care
There are a few important care instructions for indoor citrus trees as they navigate through the winter months. Their growth cycle slows somewhat, which is very normal and natural. The main care issue with these trees is making sure they're prepared for the warmer months, when their normal growth cycle resumes and when they typically produce crops of fruit.
Pests - The Enemies of Indoor Citrus
The old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is especially appropriate for indoor citrus trees. Two common pests for these trees are vinegar flies and spider mites. While spider mites are the more destructive of the two, it's best to keep both away from your tree.
Spider mites are extremely small and can't really be seen with the naked eye. They're quite prolific and can cause quite a bit of damage, including yellowing leaves and other abnormalities. If you suspect spider mite damage, use a horticultural oil or a citrus oil based product, both of which are effective when sprayed on the leaves.
You've probably seen vinegar flies before, and most likely called them fruit flies. Vinegar flies thrive on anything that's decaying or fermenting, particularly fruit or over moist soil. To prevent vinegar flies, be sure to eliminate any dead fallen leaves, split fruit, or dead wood. Another key factor to preventing vinegar flies is to not over water your tree, as this causes a conducive environment for breeding vinegar flies.
How To Water During Winter Months
Due to its slower growth cycle during winter, it's quite possible your tree will need less water. However, it's important you monitor soil conditions. Check the soil weekly. If the soil is completely dry, it's time to water. However, make sure you avoid over watering, as this is probably the worst thing for an indoor fruit tree. If the soil is still moist 10 days after your last watering, check for a drainage problem. Proper draining is critical for your tree.
More Tips
There are just a few other things to watch for, in terms of caring for your tree in winter. First, keep the soil temperature above 65 degrees. Soil temperature is almost always cooler than air temperature, usually 10 degrees cooler. One way to keep soil temperature from dropping too cool is watering with slightly warm water. Also, just as you'd do in the summer, be sure to remove any dead blooms or wood to prevent rotting and possible pest problems.
To make sure your tree is healthy in the summer and yields a bountiful crop of fruit, keep on eye on any possible problems during the winter. Watch for pests, be careful to water properly, and keep the soil temperature at 65 degrees or above. If you do, you can expect a happy, healthy tree for years to come.
With proper winter care, your indoor citrus tree will yield a healthy, productive crop of fruit. For further information, care tips, and recommendations, be sure to visit our comprehensive resource center devoted to Indoor Citrus Trees.
Source: www.articledashboard.com