Indoor Citrus Trees
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-708 -- More Projects »
Floral designer Ardith Beveridge offers tips on choosing and caring for citrus trees that are grown indoors.
- Indoor citrus trees can grow to be eight feet tall. They can even be grown in cold climates, but they need some specific care.
- First, they require high humidity. To ensure this, place them in the bathroom periodically, or keep them atop a pebble tray.
- They should be kept out of high temperatures--no higher than 65 degrees. Move out of direct sunlight in the summertime. At night they require a temperature of between 50 and 55 degrees.
- Do not water citrus trees with a watering can. Instead, immerse the entire pot in a large bucket of warm water and allow to soak for five to 10 minutes.
- Place the pot on a pebble tray.
- Place pine cones in the pot to keep the moisture in and pets out.
- Turn the plant periodically because it will grow toward sunlight.
- Fertilizing citrus trees is very important. Ask for instructions when purchasing your tree.
- The small oranges that grow on these trees can be used when cooking. For example, use them in recipes that call for kumquats or even in key lime pie.
- A salt deposit will build up on the pot over the course of a year. To remove the salt, place two tablespoons of either white or cider vinegar in a gallon of water. Pour this through the plant. Repeat two more times. Do this once a year.
- To propagate, remove a tiny stem at a break and insert it into moist, sandy soil. Water the cutting often until it develops its own root system. Transplant as needed into the next size pot.
- Place the plastic pot into a more decorative pot with a liner if you desire.
Resources Designing With Fresh Flowers
This is one in a 12-volume series of videotapes.
Floral Communications Group, Inc.
13200 Lincoln St., N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55434
Toll-free: 888-757-5776
Website:
www.floralcommunications.com
Guests Ardith Beveridge
Floral Designer and Teacher / Director, Koehler & Dramm
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 612-362-3102
E-mail:
Abeveridge@koehlerdramm.com
Website:
www.koehlerdramm.com Also in this Episode
