How to Grow an Orange Tree Inside

Growing orange trees inside greatly extends their growing season. Orange trees make good decorative plants for patios and decks during the summer. Trees can be planted in containers and moved indoors during the cold winter months. Orange production for trees grown inside won't be as good as for trees in orchards, but you should get some fruit.

Things You'll Need

• Container (at least 15 gallon) Waterproofing agent (optional) Potting mix Fertilizer Wheeled base for container

Instructions

1. Choose the right tree. Any variety of orange tree can be grown in a container, but larger varieties will outgrow the container and be hard to maintain. Dwarfing rootstock is available that produces a smaller mature tree, from half to a quarter of the size of a tree on regular rootstock. Mandarin oranges, such as Clementine and Satsuma, are smaller, more compact trees suitable for indoor growing.

2. Choose a large container, at least 15 gallons. Wood and clay pots are ideal. Plastic pots are available, but may get too hot during the hot summer months. If you use a wood container, coat the inside with a waterproofing agent, such as asphalt root patch.

   Keep the container off the ground to provide good air circulation and prevent staining below the container. Wheeled supports will raise the container and make it easier to move.

3. Choose a good soil. Pre-mixed, sterile potting soil is best. Do not use ordinary soil to avoid introducing insects and disease. If your soil mix does not include polymers, add them to the mix to increase water capacity and reduce the need for frequent watering. Also mix in a slow release fertilizer.

4. Water often, every day or two in hot weather, orange trees grown in containers tend to dry out quickly. Allow the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between watering but do not let the root ball dry out completely.

5. When cool weather arrives, transition the tree to indoors slowly to avoid shocking the tree. Move it to a spot with more shade for a week or two before moving it inside. Don't wait until the weather is cold before bringing it in: make transition as natural as possible.

   Before bringing the tree inside, hose it off and check it for insects. Fertilize it only lightly while indoors.

6. Place the orange tree in a well lit location with high humidity. If the location is too dry or too warm the leaves may turn yellow and drop off. A cool greenhouse, with temperatures above freezing is ideal. Provide humidity by using a humidifier or by placing the tree among trays filled with rocks and water. Supplemental grow lights will keep the tree healthy in low light.

7. Check the tree regularly for signs of insect pests. The best insect and disease prevention is to keep the tree healthy with proper water, humidity and fertilizer. Locate the tree out of high traffic areas to prevent wounds to the trunk.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase the fertilizer to normal levels about a month before taking the tree back outside.

References

• Citrus Complete Guide to Selecting & Growing More than 100 Varieties, Lance Walheim, 1996