Orange tree, lemon tree, mandarin tree - the decorative citrus fruit trees are at home in warm areas. In our cold winters they would freeze to death in an instant if left outdoors. You therefore have to bring the trees into the house or winter garden over the winter.
How can citrus fruits be properly overwintered?
In order to overwinter citrus fruits successfully, they should be kept cool and bright, for example in an unheated winter garden or south-facing window. Temperatures should be a maximum of 8°C and the tree should be examined for pests and diseases. Water sparingly, with lukewarm, low-lime water.
Overwinter citrus fruits cool and bright
Suitable winter locations are:
- Unheated winter garden
- Corridors with large windows
- Unheated living spaces facing south
- Garden houses with windows
It is important that temperatures do not rise above a maximum of eight degrees, as the tree then wakes up from hibernation and hardly bears any fruit in summer.
The place for the tree must also be as bright as possible. If you only have dark rooms available, install plant lamps (€49.00 on Amazon) so that the trees get at least ten hours of light.
Check for pests and diseases before overwintering
If the citrus fruit tree has spent the summer on the terrace, you should examine it closely for pests or symptoms of disease.
Remove spiders and insects and also look for snails and their clutches. When overwintering indoors, pests spread quickly and damage more than just the citrus fruits.
This also applies to sick trees. Cut off infected branches and leaves before storing.
Be careful when watering
Citrus fruits need little water in winter. Check with your fingers whether the upper third of the soil is dry and only then water with lukewarm, low-lime water.
Make sure that the water does not pool at the roots. If the tree loses its leaves, you gave it too much water or the root ball suffered from waterlogging.
Don't change winter location anymore
Think carefully about where you place your citrus tree. Once the tree has been in one place for a few days, it should no longer be moved or turned. A change in location can lead to leaf loss.
Bringing a citrus fruit tree out of winter dormancy
Slowly get the citrus fruit used to life outdoors again after the winter break.
First place it in a shady place protected from the wind. Gradually move the pot more and more into direct sunlight.
Tips & Tricks
Place warm insulation under the pot of the citrus fruit tree. Styrofoam plates or coconut mats are well suited. This means that the root ball doesn't cool down as much when it stands on a stone floor.
