Gardner, yes you can take cuttings, but they'd root faster if you used bottom heat. Just take a 4" cutting, set in a well-draining mix, cover w/plastic but cut slit for ventilation. Place in a bright but no direct sun area.

What do I do in winter to keep me from boredom, (regarding plants) Because I live in Il, the humidity is low. Each day I mist plants, and while doing this, inspect for bugs. I also take plants to sink and hose leaves. The plants upstairs is set in the shower and rinsed off..This really perks them up.
Mind you, I have tropicals other than citrus, so this keeps me busy.
If you've any plants w/large leaves, using a soft rag wash them off w/soap then rinse or wipe off w/clean rag.
Depending on the number of plants you have, the more enjoyement you'll undergo. Fun, not work..Toni

Thanks Toni,

A friend of mine lost her orange tree due to overwatering and the fact that she didn't know how to care for it. She gave it to me when it was too late to revive. I thought I would give her a replacement plant from a cutting taken from one of mine but didn't know if I could do it now. I would like to give her the plant sometime in the late spring to early summer.

I will supply bottom heat and use Mr. Manners method for cuttings.
Andi

Andi, that'll keep you busy. LOL..take a couple cuttings, in case one doesn't work.
Are you going to graft, too? Toni

Toni,
Yes I will be doing grafts also. This will probably wait until spring or early summer. I believe the grafts will have a better chance during the warmer months.

I am presently getting the ingredients together for next winters greenhouse,so, the plants that are in the indoor greenhouse will be moved. This will make the perfect room for a propagation room. It has a south facing window and the air conditioner can be closed off from this room.

I have 3 or 4 days off each week and I am used to "playing" with my plants or doing yard work. Now that I have dug up my yard plants and my trees have slowed their growth, I am getting antsy. Need something to fill my time besides buying more plants.
Andi

Andi...what Toni said is correct. You can take cuttings of just about anything with bottom heat and light. I use a seed mat. They work very well,I also have a couple spare grow lux lights in a case such as this for whatever.Winter is a long dragged out time but the up side to it is a chance to reflect and plan for the next grow season.I look forward to Januaury when I start all my Tomatoe plants from seed in my house.This also gives me something to focus on. I also take care of many houseplants & 2 greenhouses. One of them is all citrus trees and all are fruited. But I love to sit by the wood stove watching the fire with a cup of cinnamon spice tea and plan the next seasons hanging baskets & and what other citrus to buy.***Suzanne

could go to the store an get some Tangerines an key limes for seed. Tangerines are very costly this year Paid .49 cents each for mine

Andi, I don't know how to graft a tree, but a ton of info can be found on Gw.
I guess once you know how it's done, it's a cinch..I'd need to watch someone actually do it, would love to learn.
I think growing a fruit cockatail tree w/4-5 different citrus on one tree would be a great idea.

Suzanne, you're sure correct about growing other things in mid-winter..I know plants like geraniums and petunias grown from seed need to be started in January..

Dale, wow, that is expensive for a tangerine!! What type did you buy? Will you sow the seeds then after it grows graft?

I planted key limes seeds, but doubt they'll germinate. First, they're in a cool room w/o bottom heat, so that's a negative right there. It was an experiment, and if they work, they do, if not, so be it.

Andi, if you have a camera you can alway take pics..that is time consuming. Yesterday I spent more than 2 hours taking pics of my cactus and succulents, then dl'ing online.

If you get garden/tropical catalogs, browsing through them, making lists of what you want next spring is fun. I get a ton of catalogs, too many..

I also enjoy reading plant books. It's a good time to sit back, and like Suzanne said, sip a nice hot cup of cinnomon spice tea, or the tea/coffee/hot chocolate of your choice and read away.

If you don't have books, check at the library. The computer is informative, but sometimes it's relaxing sitting on your favorite chair, under appropriate light.

Andi, you never answered, do you have plants other than citrus? Toni

Toni I think with all the Storm's down South the prices got jacked up I dont know the price for the rest of the country is . But this is what I paid for each in your neck of the woods I have not found any up here yet

I also seen in one of your past postings. That you bought a bag of key limes. Did you plant the seed's an if you did how are they doing Dale

Dale, were you here in IL? Why didn't you tell me? We could have met at a nursery like Jamacan Gardens, a northern burb of Chicago..
Fruit prices depends where you shop..Dominick's sells all types of fruit whereas Jewel's is limited and overpriced.

Yes, I bought a bag of Key Limes..So far nothing. I ran out of peat pellets, and the seedlings are in a cool room..I might try planting some in soil, then setting in a warmer spot to see what happens. I'd also like to try orange seeds. I like the way lemon leaves smell when planted from a seed..If you have any rub you finger and thumb against a leaf and sniff..Oh it smells pleasanly lemony..Toni

Toni I went to Jamacan Gardens, Very nice place wish we had something like that up here. Did get a few trees from him. They didn't have an Figs. And his Citrus was a bit on the low side for this time of year

I didn't like the way the fruit looked at Jewels I got the Tangerines from a Super Wal-Mart. My wife got the Key limes from one of the stores near Great Lakes

I never knew Key Limes were that small I thought what my wife bought was some kind of mini fruit

Needless to say I felt pretty stupid in learning that was there size

Dale, which Jamacian Gardens did you end up going? There's one in Morton Grove and another in Libertyville or near there. The JG in Morton Grove have a lot more trees than the one in Libertyville, and prices aren't as pricy..The gh's are a lot larger, too, so there's more plants to see.
I wish you had told me cause we all could have met. Are you planning on going back anytime in the near future?
It's funny cause I was supposed to meet w/a girl online Sat, but her kids got sick in the middle of the night and she had to postpone.
Yes, Key Limes are tiny..about the size of Calamondins. Yellow in color.
There isn't any need to feel stupid because you couldn't ID the tree..If we've never seen a certain fruit, how are we to know what size, color, shape they are? For instnace, I thought Key's were green in color and was surprised to find they are really yellow.Considering they're limes and every lime I've ever seen was green.
Next time you plan on coming out let me know.. We can work something out. Toni

Toni.. I went to the one in Libertyville didnt know there was another. My wife said she knows where Morton Grove is. I will have to get to that one next time Thanks for the infor. Take Care Dale

Oh Dale, you would love the one in Morton Grove. They have two whole rows of citrus from little to tall..they had 9'+ figs for 39.00 last time we went there..but it was a bit too tall for my house.
Let me know when you're planning on going, and perhaps we can all meet..and buy, buy buy..lol..Toni