Dwarf Lemon Tree (flowers, growing, insects, spring)

[KayAnn246]

I ordered a lemon tree. I would like to keep it indoors. After reading a few articles, it seems that is not the best option to produce flowers and fruit. I have a growing light and humidifier for winter conditions.

I want to keep it indoors so I don't have to worry about bringing it in and out when it gets cold as well as bugs. Has anyone grown citrus trees indoors with success? If so, any tips?

[antinimby]

I have citrus in a pot that have fruited but I bring them outside when it is warm. That is because citrus need lots of sun in order to produce fruit and I don’t have any locations inside that have adequate sunlight all year. In fact, keeping them inside for the four or five winter months is already challenging enough already.

If you do bring them outside, make sure you get them acclimated to the stronger and longer sunlight by slowly increasing the sunlight exposure otherwise you will burn their leaves. (They’ll still recover eventually by growing new leaves but you will have a sickly looking plant for a month or so.)

[Hemlock140]

I also take mine out from about May to September. When indoors, if it blooms, you will really enjoy the aroma but have to pollinate by hand. I use a soft artist brush. I just picked about half of mine, probably 50 (Meyer) lemons on a tree only 2’ high in a 5 gallon pot.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Yes, I have grown both lemon and lime (and fig) under grow lights indoors full time. They produce fruit just fine and the lemon tree smells amazing when it is blooming.

[KayAnn246]

How do you transition from outdoor to indoor? Low temperature to transition indoor, treating insects on the tree? Sunlight? Pollination? It will be warming up here when I get the tree in a few weeks so I want to make a decision to start it indoors or out.

[antinimby]

The insect pollinators like bees, wasps and hornets will take care of your pollination needs when you put the plant outdoors.

I find that insects is not really a problem if you put the plant “off the ground.” That is, the pot is not touching any ground soil.

Citrus is subtropical so it will tolerate low temperatures just as long as it remains above freezing (32° F). As a rule of thumb, the smaller or younger the plant, the more sensitive it will be to cold.

I will look at the forecast. If I see that the nighttime lows are close to or below about 35° F, I bring them in. Set your low limits a few degrees higher if you want to play it safe since forecasts are never exact, as you know.

[antinimby]

Also, if you are keeping it outside in colder temps (30’s), make sure it is well watered. Wet soil helps the plant weather the cold better than dry soil.

[Hemlock140]

The transition indoors is easy, i do in fact spray it well with an insecticidal soap, then rinse well the next day before bringing it in. Putting it outside in spring requires more effort to harden it off, and I must wait until mid-April to ensure no more freezing weather here. We have found that it can bloom any time of year, and often that's when indoors. This current crop is from the bloom late last spring so I did most of the pollination, but more blossoms came after it was outside so the bees did the rest.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by KayAnn246

How do you transition from outdoor to indoor? Low temperature to transition indoor, treating insects on the tree? Sunlight? Pollination? It will be warming up here when I get the tree in a few weeks so I want to make a decision to start it indoors or out.

There is a Bayer systemic product that is made for citrus. If you use it a month or so before you bring the lemon inside, it should take care of any insects.

[KayAnn246]

I really want to enjoy the aroma indoors. If I use a growing light and humidifier, can I grow it indoors year round?