In an earlier post , we talked about ways in which northern gardeners grew plants indoors from the earliest days of the hort lodge ’s account . Method have exchange over the years , but the desire for a taste of the tropic is strong with winter - aweary gardeners . Here are five more crown for growing citrus and other tropical plant indoors .
In a 2014 clause on growing citrus indoors , Eric Johnsonoffered advice about the best attention techniques , including keeping plants in the burnished , most humid area you have . Six or more minute of light is perfect . If you have a four - season porch or sun parlor , that ’s ideal . And , do n’t keep it too warm in winter . He recommended monthly fertilizing from April through September and regular plant checks for spider mites and scale .
For best yield production , Eric recommended giving plants a summertime holiday on your patio or deck , where bee can buzz around and promote pollenation . ( Citrus is self - fertile , so no need for more than one plant . ) If you keep your plants indoors all year , give plants a light tap or shake to move pollen around when they are following . Or , you canbe the bee . commend citrus for northern dwelling house : Calamondin orange , ‘ Meyer Improved ’ lemon andKaffir lime leaf , which is used more like Laurus nobilis leaves in the kitchen .
You can get lemons from an indoor citrus tree.
A February 1978 article by Klara Peterson of theComo Park Conservatoryoutlines how to grow your own citrus tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree indoors at menage , recommending gamboge , orange , grapefruit , and tangerine as excellent options . you’re able to even utilise the seeds from fruit you bought at the store . Here ’s how she did it :
In a 2000 article title “ Who Gives a Fig ? ” horticulturist Deborah Brown break-dance down some misconceptions about thegenusFicus , specifically explain that while warmth and abundant sun is idealistic , it is n’t necessary for many ficus plants .
In fact , several do well in low - light conditions as long as they are n’t over - watered . Fig plants should be thoroughly water until excess drain through , and then water again when soil feels ironical about half an inch below the surface . Brown recommends weeping Libyan Islamic Group , safety Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , violin foliage fig , genus Ficus alii , creeping fig , and Indian laurel as excellent houseplant .
Several types of ficus grow well indoors in the North.
Adding a grow visible radiation will serve plant such as hibiscus , clivia , brugmansia and genus Plumeria keep on growing indoors , according to Margaret Haapoja in a 2008 article . To keep mites off the leafage of hibiscus , give the industrial plant a shower with lukewarm water once a week .
Learn more inNorthern Gardener®magazine…
Four seasonal issues full of growing tips and featured garden — write and edited by local northerly horticulture pro just for you .
