| We have an indoor orange tree approximately 15yrs. old and 10' -12' tall. It's done extremely well and recently flowered and fruited. It originated from Ca. I'd like to know the best fertilizer and how often it should be fed. The container is huge but has no drainage. I'd also like to know if the water amount needs to be varied during this time of year. I was told it is currently the rainy season in California. |
| If you have had the tree for 15 years and it seems healthy, then just keep on doing whatever it is you have been doing! If however it is a newly purchased tree, then you may have to proceed with a bit of trial and error. These trees need very bright light, especially during the winter. Usually they grow more slowly in the winter due to the reduced light and so will use less water than they will when they are in more active growth during the spring and summer. Generally it is not recommended to use a pot without drainage holes, so you are going to have to be very careful about watering -- not too much and not too little. Here are some basic care guidelines for indoor citrus: In cold winter areas citrus trees can be grown indoors from September through April and then taken outdoors a placed in a sunny spot. Indoors, citrus trees need average warmth to slightly cool temperatures, freedom from drafts, ample water, and well draining soil. You may need to supplement natural light with fluorescent or gro-lites especially made for plants. Turn the light on for 12-14 hours each day and turn it off at night. Citrus trees need ample moisture, so water often enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and feed in the spring and summer months with a diluted liquid fertilizer, especially if the leaves are yellowish instead of glossy deep green. Watch out for scale, aphids and mites, and use insecticidal soap or light horticultural oil according to label instructions if they do show up. Be sure to give your tree a gradual transition from indoors to outdoors, and vice versa, so it has time to adjust to the changes in the environment. |
