Originally published on December 23, 2019. For even more of our favorite varieties perfect for growing in containers, check out our roundup (coming soon!). Try keeping indoor relative humidity in the range of 40% to 50%. I selected these trees because they all have multiple shoots of new growth coming off them. The duration of day (daylight) is different from the hours of sunlight. Smashed, smeared or spooned straight from the fruit, avocado's have a place in everyone's breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Following these days when the temperatures go back down into the low 80s for a high, I’m going to move them indoors. Gradually move them from a partly shaded spot to one with full sun, eventually setting them in the sunniest spot you can find. Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide. Bring them outside once the air temperatures are consistently above 50°F, transitioning them to their new conditions over a period of a couple of weeks. This means that my plants will receive the most natural sunlight in the mornings. When growing citrus in containers indoors, the trees aren’t as prone to disease as they are outdoors, but there are a couple of things to be aware of: Sooty mold is a fungus that can impact indoor citrus trees. Fill the pot with a citrus soil blend, or use regular potting soil mixed with perlite, small gravel, pumice, or expanded shale, which will help to ensure adequate drainage. Create organic nutrient rich soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter for better root growth, stronger plants and more flowers and fruit. You can order three-year-old trees from Nature Hills. Based on 2018, I wouldn’t move your trees indoors any earlier than mid-September. Keep in mind this not direct sunlight, but potential sunlight that trees can use. Even here, in my USDA Hardiness Zone 4 climate, where snow coats the ground for practically half the year. The most important thing is to be sure to use a complete fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). You may want to consider starting the plant in a smaller pot, and moving up to a larger size as it grows so that the ratio of plant to potting mix isn’t too broad. Check out these growing guides next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. It can flower and produce fruit throughout the year, increasing the likelihood that it will provide you with homegrown lemons that you can use in cooking or to make fresh squeezed lemonade. Despite this, we can successfully provide our trees with the right parts of the light spectrum for the right duration during the right part of the year. Find a warmer microclimate in your yard, such as near a building where there might be some heat reflected from a walkway, driveway, or porch. Choose a tall LED grow light, which will give off a little warmth and replicate sunshine. Don’t plant in soil devoid of inorganic material or use a commercial mix that is designed specifically to retain moisture, or it will end up getting waterlogged. I try to simulate the timing of my grow lights based on the time of day and which side of the way they are facing. Fulfilling sunlight requirements is one of the most fundamental issues with growing citrus indoors. With so many trees and relatively few windows I need to supplement with grow lights. On the winter solstice, this ends up being about 3 and 3/4 hours of sunlight. She is also a fanatical gardener, and enjoys spending as much time covered in dirt as possible! Therefore, they will need sufficient light and water year round. Some citrus trees do better when cross-pollinated with other species. The move indoors is the single most important event to plan for every year.