Growing citrus trees/herbs indoors?

[ICMag1]

Does anyone have experience growing citrus trees or herbs (besides mj lol) indoors? I think I want to grow lemon or lime trees indoors. I have read that there are dwarf versions of these trees that make the proposition easier, but I want to experiment with growing techniques indoors that allow for growing bigger, taller plants indoors (perhaps through LST) so I wouldn't mind if I used standard seeds.

I have wanted to do something like this for a while. I have been reading a lot into sustainable farming practices and vertical farms, and now I really want to play around with alternative lighting styles and grow and power configurations. I would greatly appreciate any help! I could really use some good sources of information (forums, blogs, seed companies, etc).

 

[haze crazy]

The citrus would be tough one, citrus takes years to begin fruit production, dwarves produce little and large citrus trees need so much dirt. Citrus roots are very fragile and the trees are usually grafted to a sour orange root stock. Seeds would not be much help. Herbs are easy though and organic seeds are at the better garden shops.

 

[zenoonez]

I would just throw them outside myself. I have a beautiful white grapefruit in my backyard that produces grapefruits sweeter than even any ruby grapefruit I have ever bought from the store. Some of the fruit are so sweet that I just eat them like an orange. I will be gathering seeds this winter as they ripen, hopefully get a few good saplings going next year.

 

[Hazy Lady]

If you can, get Tangerine, Mandarin type citrus for indoors, they produce naturally small bushes, far more manageable than Oranges and Lemons
Buy grafted stocks not seeds so you're assured of flowering/fruiting variety's. You don't want to spend years growing a sterile plant. Interesting, by the way you must be very careful bringing other plants, especially hebs into your grow, be sure they are spotless and the same for the medium, goodness knows what you could introduce, in fact thinking on, herbs grow so quickly and easily you need only buy seeds. I hope it goes well

 

[ICMag1]

Thanks for the thoughts. Unfortunately growing outdoors is not an option in my area. Some basic questions: do fruits and herbs and whatnot have to go through vegging and flowering cycles and require different lighting spectrums in each different life cycle stage like mj does? I assume it depends on the plant. Are there any must-read books out there that explain how to grow different types of plants indoors, including what the nutrient/lighting requirements are and so on? I need some pretty specific information because I want to try to build an LED lighting set up, so I need to know what the exact spectrums are. Also I will be growing the plants aeroponically (soiless medium) so if there is any book out there about indoor gardening that's more directed towards hydroponic growers, that would be preferred.

 

[ICMag1]

If you can, get Tangerine, Mandarin type citrus for indoors, they produce naturally small bushes, far more manageable than Oranges and Lemons
Buy grafted stocks not seeds so you're assured of flowering/fruiting variety's. You don't want to spend years growing a sterile plant. Interesting, by the way you must be very careful bringing other plants, especially hebs into your grow, be sure they are spotless and the same for the medium, goodness knows what you could introduce, in fact thinking on, herbs grow so quickly and easily you need only buy seeds. I hope it goes well

Would you say that a lot of people grow those types of plants indoors? I would prefer to grow something that has a large following so that it's easier to interact with a community of growers and find information and help when it's needed. I'll be sure to buy grafted stocks, though i don't know what that means yet lol.

I don't necessarily need something that grows into a small bush. I want to experiment with different growing configurations. I do want to find out how to grow and train a huge plant to grow indoors in a small area. I was thinking that it might be possible to train a plant to spiral around a central light source. Imagine a spiral staircase but with vines drooping down (and UP) off of the rails.

 

[ICMag1]

Sorry for the triple post. Wondering what you think of this bit I found on another website (http://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/solver/indoor.html):

By far, the Meyer Lemon is the most popular. Like all the lemons, it is easy to grow, prolific and does not need a lot of heat to ripen the fruit. The Meyer is slightly sweeter than the classic commercial varieties (Eureka and Lisbon). Its soft skin develops an orange hue when fruit is fully ripe, and its distinctive, mystical flavor combines lemon with a hint of tangerine. It is easy to grow, prolific and does not need a lot of heat to ripen the fruit.

The Variegated Pink lemon is a gorgeous plant that will do well indoors. The trees are slightly larger than the Meyer and are very attractive with variegation in the foliage and young fruit. Often the trees have fuchsia colored flowers and shoots of new growth.

Of the oranges, the Trovita is most suitable for indoor growing. Trovita ripens in the spring, so it can often be taken outdoors to finish sweetening the fruit.

Kaffir Lime leaves are used extensively for Thai cooking, and zest of the fruit is an ingredient in curry paste.

Calamondin, originating in the Philippines, has small tart orange-colored fruit and fragrant blooms. (Calamondin is sometimes called dwarf orange or Kalamonsi.)

Oro Blanco Grapefruit is the sweetest white grapefruit, producing edible fruit without the usual high heat needed for grapefruit.

Also, I think I want to grow a plant called "Salvia hispanica". It's apparently some kind of a mint/herb type plant. It produces chia seeds, which are used in "chia fresca". And I really like chia fresca - I just ordered ~5 lbs of seeds for $40 so maybe this can save me some money lol. You should definitely try it if you haven't heard of it. This is what the plant looks like:

 

[rexamus616]

Not to be too nosey, but why is outdoor growing not an option in your area? Because, well, in my opinion, Herbs and Citrus will grow far better outdoors.... Herbs you might have a better chance, but citrus (i assume) needs the climate of the outdoors...

However, if you can tell us a bit more about your conditions, I might be able to lend my thinking skills to find a solution.... I vaguely remeber reading about some orchards (of citrus trees) in large barrel containers, which were on wheels, so they could be moved under shelter during the winter (i think?)

Have a think on that and I'll try find that article....

 

[ehonda187]

I grow a number of different trees indoors come this time of year. This year I bought a Dwarf Eureka Lemon tree and a Dwarf Key lime tree. The leaves smell wonderful, deep citrus smells float through the house. You can also cook with the leaves. They had to be brought in because of the frost. Also I am growing 3 types of Fig Trees. Brooklyn white, texas brown, Celeste. They dropped thier leaves for the year and they will be put in a garage to keep the rootballs from freezing.
Big barrels and a hand truck works wonders for this hobby!

 

[ehonda187]

Oh here is a pic of a Bears Seedless Lime tree I have in my kitchen. This one will bear fruit next spring. It has thorns and thats a pain in the ass when it comes time to prune and train them.

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[Mr. Greengenes]

ehonda187, my grandmother did the same thing with a fig tree when I was growing up in Massachussetts. I had to haul the tub into the cellar in the fall. We had so many figs they had to be dried.

I have a seedling citrus tree (lemon) that is over 45 years old. Started it when I was little, but had to leave it back east because moving citrus into California is illegal. It still lives in a sunroom on the north shore up near Salem. Citrus seeds often make two plants from one seed. I've heard that one is 'apomictic' and either near to, or genetically identical to it's parent, while the other is a normal genetic variation. Can't confirm this, though I've often seen the 'twins' from a germinating citrus seed. One is usually smaller than the other. Citrus hates bad air drainage and likes to be potted up nice and high. A mix with lots of sand and gravel is better than one with more non nutritive organics especially if the tree will live in that container for some time. Citrus doesn't like collapsed organic matter all chilly and wet around it's roots. I don't know about growing a citrus tree for 40 years in a hydro setup. Seems like hydro isn't very well suited for long term growing. I'd consider using standard containers and mix.

 

[ehonda187]

Damn 45 years old! That is amazing. Soil drainage is key for these babies to survive. They hate having their feet wet! Here is my Dwarf Eureka Lemon Tree. Much more behaved than his Lime counterpart.

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It is cool that leaves maintain a shade of color similar to the potential fruit on the tree.These pots will do till spring then it off to their new homes in whiskey barrels!

 

[spookyteabag]

I put small pots with oregano, basil, coriander and savory seeds into my veg cab to start them off. After a couple of weeks they come out to give the MJ plants room and they sit on the window ledge to give a steady supply of fresh herbs for months.

I also have five very small kaffir lime trees growing indoor (that's the lime that supplies the distinctive fragrant leaves for Thai cuisine). I kept the seeds from a lime I bought in Malaysia last winter and planted them up when I got back. They're only a few inches tall, but seem to be doing okay on the window ledge. In Thailand they are common house, yard and balcony pot plants - they are maintained at around three feet high by the constant picking of leaves to make curries and soups.

What else... I have one lemon tree grown from a seed from a commercial lemon. It about three feet high already, growing in a 1 gallon pot. Seems to be doing fine, but no lemons yet. It lives on a sideboard next to the window.

 

[mellow yellow]

I have an orange, lemon and lime all from cuttings indoors. The orange and the lime both fruited quickly but the lemon has not produced anything as yet. This could be due the weather and the lack of light but I am thinking of putting it in a friends garden for the summer if its a hot one.

 

[arcticjake]

I'm growing a seedling of a mini honey Tangerine under lights but I'll probably replace it with something that will produce fruit someday (something miniature). A lot of seedlings can take ages to produce fruit and then the fruit may not be very palatable.

Jake

 

[pearlemae]

I spent 15 plus years working in garden centers, with out a doubt the Meyer Lemon is your best bet for in doors. Bright East window for light. Use a citrus fert. Monrovia nursery largest nursery grower in the U.S. sells them wholesale across the country. Most Large nurseries/garden centers may have them.Meyer is eaiser to grow indoor than the Lisbon variety.

 

[hanuman]

Also, I think I want to grow a plant called "Salvia hispanica". It's apparently some kind of a mint/herb type plant. It produces chia seeds, which are used in "chia fresca". And I really like chia fresca - I just ordered ~5 lbs of seeds for $40 so maybe this can save me some money lol. You should definitely try it if you haven't heard of it. This is what the plant looks like:

Thats just ordinary chives, if I'm not mistaken. A very common aromatic herb, around here. Did you say 5 pounds of seeds ??


h

 

[smithgerry]

Make sure you have a place in your home where the plant will be happy. Citrus trees needs a long day of sun and good air circulation. Placing the tree near a heating vent will cause the leaves to dry out and drop. In warm climates, place the tree on a rolling platform so that it can be left outdoors most of the time, bringing it indoors only when frost threatens.

 

[mellow yellow]

Update: buds on the lemon - happy days

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Thats just ordinary chives, if I'm not mistaken. A very common aromatic herb, around here. Did you say 5 pounds of seeds ??


h

thoes have leafs, chives have "straws" kind of like onions...
im sure u know this....
just missed the fact that this plant has leafs.