Thanks Mike for the information...I have four 3ft. citrus to bring in and I sure don't want to kill these since my DH didn't water my meyer and calamondin while I had pneumonia twice last year. Sadly, my calamondin was loaded with fruit which dried during my hospital and bed stay. All of my new trees are loaded with fruit and some of my calamondins are turning orange. I'll be sure to take your advice and try to keep my fingers crossed. Just praying not to lose a tree this time.

Thanks again.

I brought my Bearss Lime in a couple of weeks ago before the temperatures outside began to fall below 50F at night. So far, so good. I have found that keeping my citrus on the second floor of my townhouse, where the temperature is more uniform from floor to ceiling than on the first floor, helps reduce leaf loss. With regard to watering, while I cut back on the amount of water I give my plants, I try to keep a regular schedule and not let the plants dry out. In the past I was so afraid of overwatering that I think I underwatered and the plants were too dry. But the biggest beneficial change that I made last year that made a huge difference in keeping my citrus healthy during the winter was regular daily misting in the morning and evening. I plan on keeping the same regimen this winter season.

Good luck to all of you with your citrus this coming winter season.

Jerry

Mike, same with my navel the leaves turned into a cup but there was alot of scale.

I would suggest spraying your trees a day or two before bringing them inside. This week and I'll be bringing my citruses into the greenhouse. I always spray everything before it comes inside. They are easier to access and if your spray has an odor, it won't be overpowering in the greenhouse after sitting outside a couple of days. I have very few "inside" bug problems. For you "greenies" who are dead set against spraying, just remember that most of the fruits and vegetables you buy at the supermarket, fresh, canned or frozen, have been sprayed several times.

Thanks for that tip. I will be bringing my citrus inside real soon. Last year I left them outside until night temps were forcast to be in the high 40's but day temps were in the 70's and 80's. The outside spray was already on my list of things to do. I am also considering a soil drench.

DL

ts: What do you recommend spraying my grapefruit tree with?
No insects on the leaves, but last year, I found small
critters in the soil.

I will tell you what I have used if you want to know, that works...Just ask..:-)

OK, Mike. What do you use that works?

Yes, Mike, please tell!

Bill, you asked what to spray your tree with, so this is what I use. If you wanted to drench your soil for critters in the soil, which I wasn't clear if that is what you asked, I use nothing. There is no need for me to do so in the soiless mix I use..

Thanks to a many members here, I was recomended to use a few to "spray". The ones that I have found to work beautifully are,

Toni's recipe natural killer...linked on the bottom..

And this year before bringing them in, a combination of rubbing alchohol, pure neem oil, and some dish soap in a quart squirt bottle.

Tonis recipe keeps them under control to non-existant all winter, while the other seems to kill pests immediately for good so far. Since using this method, it is the first time I have no pests after a while indoors...

I like them both..

Goodluck everyone..Happy winter already!

Here is a link that might be useful: tonis recipre

Thanks, Mike.

I have had a lot of trouble with mealy bugs this summer. Do you know if that combo works for mealy bugs as well as mites?

Not sure....I use to use a systemic, and that was the only thing that EVER worked for me...I no longer use chemicals though. But also, since then, I have never had plants with mealie.
If I did, I would probably toss them, since they are very difficult to eredicate. But, I am sure many here have great sucess at ridding them completely for good, without chemicals...Just don't know what yet..

But, I have been told by many here a good solution of rubbing alchohol and water sprayed on them can actually dehydrate their outer bodies then kill them.

I have yet to even try. I don't have any yet, thank God:-)

If you use this approach, please let us know the results..ok

Thanks!

Mike...:-)