Storing My Citrus Collection
All my dwarf citrus trees are now safely tucked away for the winter.
Because I live in a four-season region, during colder months, it’s vital these warm-weather plants move indoors, where the temperature and humidity levels can be controlled. Fortunately, I am able to keep them in high-grade greenhouses, where they can continue to thrive all year long. And thanks to a very strong outdoor grounds crew, the proper equipment, and some fast footwork, all the plants got inside before a week of chilly autumn weather.
Enjoy these photos, and be sure to catch me on QVC later today starting at 4pm ET when I share more pieces from my Apparel Collection that are perfect for fall!
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- Dwarf citrus plants can be kept outdoors as long as temperatures stay above 40-degrees Fahrenheit. In this hoop house, I keep my citrus and some other warm weather specimens such as the bay laurel trees, Laurus nobilis. Native to the Mediterranean, it is one of the plants used for bay leaf seasoning. I have four of these beautiful trees.
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- My citrus collection has grown quite a bit over the years. They look great in their new gray pots from my Garden Collection on QVC. When I was home last weekend, I started moving the citrus into the hoop house, examining each one and positioning them with plenty of room in this enclosure.
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- Tall citrus trees are placed on the gravel floor, while smaller specimens fit on the long wooden shelves. Any potted plants that are drying out are placed on a back shelf on their sides as a reminder not to water them. Some plants are placed on stumps to make better use of the space.
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- All citrus plants dislike abrupt temperature shifts and need to be protected from chilly drafts and blazing heaters. Consider the needs of the plants when deciding where to store them indoors.
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- I have many, many agaves. Smaller specimens are kept in this hoop house, while the giant agaves are stored in another structure across from my vegetable garden.
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- With proper placement, we are able to fit so many inside including these palms. It takes a lot of organizing and reorganizing, but I am always so pleased with how much these enclosures can hold.
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- One by one, these tall plants are brought right into the hoop house on our John Deere tractor – there is just enough clearance to get the tractor inside.
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- The pots are extremely heavy and have to be moved in carefully, so their branches aren’t damaged, and their fruits don’t fall.
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- Dwarf citrus trees require at least eight to 12 hours of full sunshine. Dawa and Phurba position this citrus as close to the one behind it without any branches touching.
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- This is a fan palm – any of several different kinds of palms with leaves that are palmately lobed, and resembling a fan. Fan leaves are typically circular or paddle shaped, or shaped like a portion of a circle.
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- This is called Araucaria araucana, or more commonly called the monkey puzzle tree, monkey tail tree, Chilean pine, or pehuén. It is an evergreen tree native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina.
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- This hoop house has three large fans positioned up high to provide better air circulation when needed.
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- When growing them indoors, position your plants beside a south-facing window with good airflow. It is important that air can circulate throughout the entire space around the plants.
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- Dawa and Phurba move in another blue agave.
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- All citrus fruits are members of the genus Citrus and many of them have thorns on their trees. Some of the most common citrus trees to sport thorns are Meyer lemons, most grapefruits and key limes. Thorns provide protection from predators, specifically hungry animals that want to nibble away at the tender leaves and fruit.
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- I am so fortunate to be able to grow citrus here in the Northeast. My potted citrus plants thrive in this temperature controlled hoop house during winter, and provide such delicious fruits.
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- Space filled up quickly, but there was ample room for all the plants.
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- Here is another citrus tree – Calamondin, Citrus mitis, an acid citrus fruit originating in China.
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- I have many different lemon trees. I haven’t bought a lemon in years. These are so much more flavorful than store-bought. I love to use them for baking and cooking.
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- Ryan and Chhiring bring in one of the last agaves.
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- This ‘Ponderosa’ citrus tree is always the last pot to be stored in this hoop house. I always keep it in the front just behind the doors. This plant produces huge lemons, often up to five-pounds each!
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- To simulate the best subtropical environment, we try to keep the temperature in this greenhouse between 60 and 80-degrees Fahrenheit with some humidity. All the citrus plants are now safely stored for the winter.
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