Let's address the gardenias first. It depends on the variety. I have gardenias which are evergreen and they don't usually show winter damage unless we have a several nights in the 10-15 degree range which is very rare here. They usually recover. My sister is a florist and she gave me a single blooming hot-house gardenia and it doesn't like 30 gegree temps. So you see, it all depends on the variety.

My citrus trees (calamondin, Ponderosa, Key lime) do ok until it we have a frost. My house is brick and I have a concrete on the south, back side. Even when 35 degrees temps are predicted, I sometimes leave them sitting on the patio and near the brick walls. They do fine. I hope this helps.

Hey Mike and Tsmith..Yes, autumn is here..officially..

Tsmith, do you know the name of your gardenia you call a
hot house type??

I think our weather is similar to yours, Mike..so far citrus and 'denias are still out, among a few other plants, but it's time to prepare for their summer vacation to come to an end.

We had non-stop rain last wk, from Thurs night until Sunday afternoon..really heavy..homes, basements, streets were flooded. The town basically shut down..Even the Village opened their doors, on a Sunday!! This only happens when they consider it an emergency.

So, in came succulents. It wasn't the 40-50 degree temps that worried me, but continous rain and cold nights will rot succulents, so they were the first to come in.

Citrus and Gardenias are 'luvin'' this weather (this week)..days high 70's, nights 50-60F. Fruits are growing on citrus that never fruited before. Whoowee! lol

I have two opinions about time and citrus..in the '80's, I noticed citrus that were kept out until temps cooled (50's) tended to drop leaves. I vowed never to leave them out after August.
On the other hand, citrus left outside till temps were/are between 45-50, seem to grow healthier and sturdier fruit. And stems. It could be coincidence, of course.
So, even though I vowed to haul citrus in earlier, I changed my mind..lol..
Moreso after spraying before bringing in. I believe spraying with Fish Emulsion makes a difference, but that's just my opinion.
Before I'd fear fertilizing after Sept, but FE isn't a problem. In fact, it's beneficial.

Mike, keep an eye on your gardenia. If it's green, healthy and budding, let it be. Don't water at night. If it's raining, (heavy) remove its saucer..they don't like sitting in water for long periods. Root rot.
Plants love rain opposed to indoor plumbing water. lol

Now is the time to inspect for pests..Before bringing plants inside the house, rid the bugs. They'll only reproduce in a warm setting.
Choose a spot to overwinter..Clean windows/glass and frames. Wash the walls nearest windows, and sweep or vacuum floors.
If you have space and time, reduce light by setting in a shadier spot each day, while they're out..Do it little by little, until it's time to haul in the house for good.
All my plants are hosed and rehosed, then after air dried, they get a thorough spraying. You know what I use. lol
Set a small, rotating fan in the room, scissors and a mister..I know, I know, some don't believe in misting, but what can it hurt? Especially for us who live in cold, dry climates.

Some ppl think plants will rot if misted, others say it's a waste of time..isn't that contradictory?
If our homes had 100% humidity, and no circulating air, I'd understand there 'might' be a problem, but the average home in the midwest and east coast gets dry. There were times the humidifier filter was dead..two, not one, but two hygrometers read 5%...what plant will rot if misted when humidity is that low? Even at 50%, plants won't rot..
BTW, I feel different about misting cactus and succulents, though they get a wkly spray for ridding dust particles.

If possible, keep a window/s opened. Some ppl keep citrus in shady spots, others in the brightest south or west exposures. Mine go in south and/or west windows, and the gh. Thank God for the gh.

Run a rotating fan, even 1 hour a day. Walgreen's had them on sale for 14.99. It's perfect.

Good luck, everyone..We all need it.. :) Toni

HEYY!!!!

I've been worried about my lime tree too! I finally have a fruit on it - the later part of summer was awesome growing season. I repotted it about two weeks ago - ahead of the cooler nights so i wouldn't shock it. I have been brining it in every night - but after reading this thread, Ill leave it out for a little while longer. I think its in good shape, so far.

Im really nervous about this winter and brining it inside - as soon as I did this week, the leaves looked like they closed up... My wife says the tree has a new england attitude (Mike!).

I'm researching grow lights for it heres a few questions on that:

1) Anyone used the LED style as opposed to fluorescent or HID?
2) What wavelength should I look for for citrus?
3) Color - blue or white or red?
4) Compact fluorescents seem to be the easiest choice.... any thoughts?

I dont have any southern facing windows in the apartment. Only East...

Hi Mike
I live in New England also, I have left my potted trees outside so far. Between the bugs and the leaf drop that i get in the winter, I try to postpone the inevitable.
BTW this year I am going to store some of the trees in my basement, at least in the dry low light months of Dec and Jan

Frank

Me too!!!!!!!! Frank I am so much avoiding as long as I can bringing my trees indoors! The nights are in the 40's now and in the 60's by day. I almost feel bad for them. But what is funny is that some of my leaves, especially the lemon Meyer one is dropping leaves already, turning yellow, a sign of the times. And yet, all my orange tress are starting to burst out with hundreds of buds and flowers that are so fragrant is the cooler temps!
So, what I did is I took out the windows in my plant room so they would still get fresh air for when I have to bring them in, and will not heat that room for a while.
Ok,the stupid thing I did though was forget to put a screen that covers the whole two windows and this morning I found a bird, a few bugs and mosquetos in there.
I am running to home depot to get screen..Lol
I dread bringing all my 13 trees in, trust me. So they are still outside!
Toni, your going to kill me, but if didn't have to spray all my 30 something houseplants by hand with your insect spray I would of, but I used rose insectiside that I can attach a hose to and gave everything a whopping dose of the stuff.I see no insects, not that I ever did, but it is so much easier than spraying one, every single plant at a time.
I will use your mix though to keep up with the pests if I see them on any plant at all if so happens THROUGH THE WINTER.....promise..;-)
Toni, do you think it would be a good idea to leave my gardenia plants in a basement under lights instead of the same room as the citrus and my other plants, since no matter what you do, I hear that gardenias are spidermite magnets that could introduce them to my plant room? Anyone, what do you think?
Binion, you are right, New England has a big attitude, thanks to the harsh weather we get here, but it hasn't gotten to me yet..Lol..Just my plants!
Take care everyone, and please, let me know if it would be a good idea to grow my gardenias under lights in a totally seperate room....
Tsmith, thanks alot for your advice too. I have the tropical household gardenias, definately not cold hardy ones!
Take care
Mike