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Old 12-18-2007, 07:30 AM
Yarcofin Yarcofin is offline
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Default Is it possible to grow tropical fruit plants indoors in the Canadian winter?

I have currently grown two orange/tangerine seeds in a 6" pot into small sprouts about 2", but it's been about 2 months and they have basically stopped growing (but they are still alive and look healthy.) What can I do to get them more light and warmth even though it's winter? Will regular lights work as well as sunlight for photosynthesis or is it the wrong wavelength? I don't want to buy any specialized lamps or bulbs for them.

What should I do to keep them warm? Will keeping them in an airtight container help keep heat in? Should I blow in it to add moisture and CO2?

I am also planning on growing a mango pit that I got out of a mango from the grocery store, but I think I will wait for spring. Any tips for that too?

Mainly I just want to know if it's possible to have warm-climate plants thrive in a house at 20 degrees C, or should I basically just rip them out and wait until spring?

When the oranges came up they had 2 shoots and I cut one off... is that y they stop growin
The little sprouts are just one stem with two leaves at the top, and the stem looks like a little stub is forming and extending between the leaves.

I ran out of room at the bottom of my question to really mention properly that the plants both came up with two sprouts, and I cut one off of each. I thought they were twins and it was just a freak of nature, but now that they stopped growing I wonder if that is why.


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Old 12-18-2007, 07:32 AM
Patricia D Patricia D is offline
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Citrus needs full spectrum light and citrus fertilizers to thrive. Since your plants are young, they are tender and need specialized TLC. You need to keep them warm: Hang a bare light bulb close to the soil to warm it. They need full spectrum color waves for at least 8 hours a day. You can purchase a full spectrum light bulb from Home Depot or Lowe's and put it on a timer. They need humidity which can be accomplished by placing the pots into a pan with stones. Water only from the bottom to help the roots reach and grow. Use a half strength water soluble fertilizer until the trees are freely leafing and branching. Then switch to a specialized granular citrus fertilizer. Be very careful not to overwater and don't pinch off or cut anything until the trunk of the trees are at least the thickness of a pencil!! The tender shoots may not be able to handle the stress..
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Old 12-18-2007, 07:35 AM
grannygrunt28391 grannygrunt28391 is offline
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Try a very large size terrarium with stones under the soil, if it gets too cold put a small size light bulb for warmth. That will not give them enough light for growing citrus though.
You definitely need to buy a grow light bulb. They work in regular drop cords, about $15 for bulb and cord.
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Old 12-18-2007, 07:38 AM
JustAnotherAdoptee JustAnotherAdoptee is offline
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You need to not only provide them with light, but a moist environment as well. Put a large dish full of rocks that you can fill with water at the base of the plants; this will allow the water to evaporate and rise up to keep the foliage moist. Also, misting the leaves often will help.

When I am starting my seeds indoors, I just use a regular shop light fixture with aquarium bulbs. They aren't that expensive (I think 5 bucks for the fixture and maybe 12 for the bulbs?) and the plants love it. I don't think your tropicals would require anything different; however I'm not an expert!

I don't know how successful you could be at getting them to bear fruit, at least during the time they are indoors.

Good luck!
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