How much sun light are they getting? Track lights are usually halogen which does provide heat but poor amounts of light the trees can use. 40 degrees is about perfect if they are getting no light, maybe a bit low but not bad.

Now if they are getting a good amount of light 4-6 hours or more of sun light or grow lights then 55 is the magic number.

Mike

Thanks for reply
Unfortunately they are not getting much sun. In our weather there is no sun to speak off. I leave the track lights on for 24 hours for the heat. When I started and planted them they were losing leaves, now they stabilized I think and no leave loss any more. I thought this is a good sign they are getting used to the new environment. I can not raise the environment temp to 55 even with Xmass lights I may get it to 45.
Abe

Abe

if they arent getting light and you dont wish to provide more then the temperature you are maintaining will keep them alive they just wont grow. Its a lot of stress to put them through but many here do this and have good success. Citrus dont go dormant like a deciduous tree does. They are evergreen, however if you limit the light and keep them cool you can slow them way down.

a good Rule of thumb is
if they get high light then high temps are needed
if they get low light then low temps needed.

if you ever swap those parameters you will start to have big trouble.

Mike is right on.

In fact, I actually stick those of my sisters in my cold, no sun at all room in which the leaves may drop or a few will just hold on, sort of a suspended animation and once I give them lot's of light in the spring with warmth, they come back and fill out nicely.

One thing. I am not sure of how trees planted in mixes that stay wet for long periods of time will fare. But mine are kept in mixes that dry out evenly, that stay lightly moist even in very cold low light conditions that does not allow the roots to rot while they barely function. These mixes will still dry out for me in a rapid amount of time.

Mike:-)

This post was edited by meyermike_1micha on Thu, Jan 3, 13 at 20:17