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homerunnermhs115

When to bring in Zone 5 citrus?

I have a potted bearss lime and meyer lemon. Should I bring it inside now in zone 5? Day temps have been 65-70, with nights around 50.


Also, should I place it upstairs on a south facing window where the room temp will be 70?

Or should I place in the basement, where I have a bunch of external lights, but temp is closer to 58?

Comments (9)

  • 8 years ago

    If it would be my tree, I probably would put it in the south facing window. I'm planning to bring my trees in next week.

  • 8 years ago

    I don't know your zone. I am having difficulty this year in my own 7a zone as it is so warm (and DRY) for this time of year. If I put them into their winter shelter a large, sunny loft garage, I won't be able to keep up with watering if the heat persists. Generally, I begin to think of getting them into their winter quarters when the nights regularly stay into the 40's. and days low 60's or cooler. But hard to get into the mood for the big move when outdoor temps are into the 80's, nights over 70 and dew points in the mid 70's. But you are in the Upper Midwest, so temps can drop suddenly once the overall pattern changes; so you might as well start bringing them in and let them acclimate some. (I am coastal and right now ocean temps in the low 70's so there's a limit on how fast and sharp the bottom can drop on the temperature gauge.)

  • 8 years ago

    I wait until the last possible moment to bring my trees in, usually lows of high 30’s even in a bright window it’s like your tree is growing in shade so the longer they stay out the better in my experience.

  • 8 years ago

    I have a lot of new tender growth on my plants. Is it normal to have growth flushes so late in the year? So, I've been bringing my plants in if the temps drop below 45ish. I know they can handle colder, but I didn't want to lose the new growth.

  • 8 years ago

    Alanna where are you located? The temps here were a little bit crazy and like roller coaster. I assume it stressed my trees enough for themto send out new growth and flower buds instead of concentrating to prepare for the cooler temps that are coming. I have no Idea how they will handle the transission to the inside

  • 8 years ago

    I'm in Orange County, NY. We had a really cold August (below 40 at night) and a warm September. Even now, it's been nearing 80 all week during the day and the 60s at night. I have new growth and flowers on nearly every tree.

  • 8 years ago

    So your weather was very similar to ours here in MI.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Yes Alanna, from my experience it's normal. My Ponderosa has grown 20 new leaves in the last 3-4 weeks. I can see more small leaves coming and it looks like it's about to bloom!! My Meyer and Key Limequat also have some new growth but nothing crazy like the Ponderosa.... I'd say your tree is flushing because of the great fall weather we have been having!! I had almost 2 weeks of pure sunshine in the low 30C, Trees thrived on that... The rain and clouds have slowly moved in tho...