Hi, my name is Maryann and I’m the manager of the Sutton Massachusetts Worm’s Way retail store.  Have you ever wanted to grow edible fruit trees in your home?  I do. In fact I have a moderate obsession with citrus trees.  I have about 10 different varieties of citrus growing on display at my store in Sutton.  Not all of which are old enough to fruit, it usually takes a few years, but I do have 5 that are fruiting and flowering now.  There are a few things you will need in order to grow tropical fruits inside.


First and foremost would be lighting.  I have most of my fruiting trees under T5 high output florescent lights.  We have 3 sizes at Worm’s Way:  4 bulb 216 watt, 6 bulb 324 watt and 8 bulb 432 watt.  Mine are under a 6 bulb Pioneer fixture and they love it!!  I do put them outside in the summer, if you do make sure you bring them back in before the temperature drops below 55 degrees at night.  Metal halide lighting is another option.  The best way to decide which type is best for you would be the amount of natural light available.  If you’ve got a good south facing window the T5 lights are perfect.  If however you have very little or no natural light the higher powered metal halide lights may be a better choice.


Second would be fertilizer.  Citrus trees like a lot of fertilizer, especially if they are being grown in containers.  Even a large pot becomes depleted of nutrients (fertilizers) over time.  Those nutrients need to be replaced.  How you decide what type of fertilizer you need will depend on the stage of growth the tree is in.  Young trees that have not flowered yet will need a fertilizer high in nitrogen.  Older trees that are getting ready to flower or are flowering will need a higher phosphorus fertilizer.  Make sure that the brand you choose is a complete fertilizer containing macro and micro nutrients.  Macro nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  Plants need these main 3 in larger amounts.  There are also many micro or “trace” elements that plants need in much smaller amounts.  Citrus trees need calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc especially.


The third is temperature. As you know citrus trees grow in warm tropical and sub tropical climates.  Maintaining the proper temperature is very important to fruit development.  If it gets to cold the fruit may not form.  Temperatures between 65 and 80 are ideal.  Generally, as long as the tree isn’t in a cold basement or attic, normal household temperatures are fine.


That’s it for this month.  Next month I’ll discuss all those pesky little bugs that seem to like my citrus trees as much as I do.