Thank you Bacon and Steve! Well, my husband was not exactly thrilled, but he's resigned ;-). Yes, I have more bulbs coming today and will get more lamps. Steve, my temps are like yours for the next two weeks also, but last night it was 39 and we had a frost warning. If they had not had so much new growth, I would have left them out. They are just too difficult to move in and out, so they will need to stay in.

Tell your husband "just wait until next winter". You might remind him that he got you one of those trees foe your birthday.

They look great Laura! I love your telling of the many places you have your trees stashed :) What kind of bulbs are you using in the lights you have pictured? I liked Vladimir's idea of clamp on lights and Mikes idea of the sheet plastic for floor protection when spraying - going to use that idea myself.

Joy

Grin, these are the ones I just got from Amazon. They've been approved by our resident lighting experts Steve and Stefan ;-)

Philips 433557 23W 100-watt T2 Twister 6500K CFL Light Bulb, 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6SR1JM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JPneyb41717FS

LOL this post actually brightened up my day! Thanks Laura, and a wonderful jungle you have indeed! I'm so jealous of how large and lush those trees are, not to mention the amount of natural light you have! Congratulations on a successful move indoors!

Question though, how do you deal with runoff with all those plants when you water them? I bring all mine to a drain, otherwise I'd flood the place. It's quite time consuming and I'd love to find a better solution...

Laura, here's the funny thing..Given the opportunity to get yet another, you would!! lol As they say, there is always room for one more..lol

Yes that room looks mighty bright and now we sit back and hope they like the extra light and warm temps! Good job..

Cory, I am with you..It's very tiring to bring them in and yet, you almost hope the weather does not warm up so much that it makes you wish you didn't feel like you have to stick them back out..lol

I was just wondering about the watering as well. I was thinking, fast draining mix, probably has holes in the bottom of the pot... how does this work without making a lake in the room?

Laura. correct me if I am wrong, but I think that floor can take lots of water and you can squeegee it into a drain hole?

When I have a huge amount of trees like that, I either use painters plastic and cover the entire floor and make it so that the plastic gets wet....Or use plastic saucers..

But I use rain water and very little fertilizer at all so this allows me to water so that the water just barely comes out from the bottom of mines using a spray device

Laura, I can tell you that you will not need a humidifier this winter since you would be amazed at how much humidity grouped trees like that together can release into the air..

As I type this, I can smell the lemon blossoms from one of my Meyer lemons. Crazy as I am, I took out about about seven of them this afternoon. If it had not been so cold last night, they would have been fine staying out for at least two more weeks. I took out the kumquats, a calamondin, and the Rangpur lime, which are all very cold hardy (even though it will only drop to 49 tonight). Mike...funny, but not so funny...my neighbor is moving to Japan and she asked me if I would take her citrus!! They are small and have been neglected - in potting soil AND terra-cotta pots. Of course, I took them in. I did not even want them, but could not resist a plant in need. I potted two of them today in 5-1-1, but I could not get all the soil off and did not want to stress them further. I hope I did not kill one of them...the roots were welded to the bottom of the pot in the soil...so hard to dig out! That said, the roots did look healthy. Part of her neglect was not watering often, so they definitely did not have any rotten roots. One of them is one of those cocktail trees that are almost impossible to separate. I will not attempt that till Spring.

Bacon, they are all on either rolling saucers or have plastic saucers. I try to not water so much that it forms a pool down there.

Mike, we were typing at the same time...lol. That room does not have any drain of sorts. It is a sunroom, but with a full foundation and is a four season room with its own HVAC unit. I can run that fan without heat or cold to ventilate if necessary. There is a sliding glass door leading to it that I can close off if necessary. I have a question about the lights. I have been running them from about 6:30 to 9:30 but I'm getting some resistance from my husband about how bright they are at night. I cannot really control the temp in that room well because we are constantly in and out of there. I bought a thermometer and put it in. Right now it is 68 and it reached 70 today. I worry that if it is so warm, they will need lots of light to avoid leaf drop. Any thoughts?

I understand Laura. If I had that many trees I would consider my room in a real HVAC

Don't forget, you'll need room for all those seedlings too (which will require years before they bloom). LOL!

Is there any way to close that section off and open a window a crack? That always helped mine..Then too you could keep turning your trees once a week so that all side get even distribution of light...)

Lol Dave! Mike, yes that is possible- especially at night. During the day (unless we are not home) it is not realistic bc we are in and out often. Good idea. How cold would be acceptable at night?

I'm going to get more lamps tomorrow at IKEA. I've been moving the lights, but will also turn the trees. I also got the light clamps Vladimir recommended. It is BRIGHT in there!!

What about heat lamps at night? We have some kind of shop lights that we use with a "heat lamp" bulb in the winter for the dogs. A couple of them create warmth on our back patio, one makes the doghouse super toasty, and I used a couple in our mostly assembled greenhouse to warm it up. Just an idea, not sure how well it might work for you.

Our heat lamp bulbs are red, so we have fun getting ribbed about the red light district ;)

But they are not as bright as regular bulbs are.

Just in case anyone is interested, we use a lamp like this one:

Bayco SL-302B3 10-1/2-Inch Brooder Clamp Light with Porcelain Ceramic Socket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061MZ4Q6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_90LeybXPF34A8

I have no clue if ours is the same brand, it just looks like that.

Hey, such great ideas every one..I think Laura is trying to keep her room on the cool side tough..

Laura, what do you mean you guys walk in and out of that room? Does it have a door to the main house? Or is it open concept?

Laura, I was think, what a great way to keep the kids out of your bedroom! Put your thorny trees to guard the door..lol

Is that porch area enclosed at all?

Jennifer..I would PRAY for the low sixties at night! That is when my tree do best..NO warmer..If I could have the sixties year round, I would have the most magnificent trees all year round! Be happy.You probably have weeks before you have to worry about bringing yours in)

Hey, Mike, I know I shouldn't complain lol. BUT it did get into the fifties the other night!! We had a little cold snap but hopefully it will stay in the sixties for a while. Most of the pics of me as a child at Christmas show me wearing shorts lol. We did have a winter (2010, I believe) where we saw temps in the teens for about a week. We all flipped out and hibernated until it passed. So, I get where you are coming from and I am very thankful for the mild temps :)

Thanks guys! I was out last night at a book club and missed these comments. Jennifer, Mike is right, it's keeping the room cool I'm worried about. Mike, that room was a screened porch many years ago. We had it walked in with lots of windows to be able to use it all year. It is on a concrete foundation, but has tiles. It has the HVAC unit and is attached to the house - it's just another room except there is a sliding glass door at the entrance. That is nice because my husband uses it to practice saxophone and congas and it keeps the sounds more contained. I'll take a pic in a min.

Jennifer, I know what you mean about warm winters - I grew up in Miami!

Here's a pic...not great bc of the light/dark, but you get the idea...

Oops, I missed that you meant cold, not warm---divided attention and all that.

Ahhhh, Miami. I was there recently and it is so pretty.

Laura...lol Something tells me I am not the only one with O.C D....

I told you that once you can grow one successfully and see it grow amazingly beautiful, there would be no stopping you! lol That goes for everyone else..It seems we all like to think there is more room for one more several times over..And you know what, in the process of buying them ,we forget they grow and grow a lot in just one year if you are successful! lol

I think it's time we all invest in Bonsai classes since we all may need if to eventually shrink them down in size unless we buy bigger houses with bigger windows or do what Brian did..Ha

Oh did I ever tell anyone that is almost if not IMPOSSIBLE to take a week vacation with so many trees..God forbid one does not know how to water correctly...Or how about winter? God forbid if the heat goes out in the greenhouse or if anyone can water that many at once properly...You see, they are great to have as long as you are one that does not mind sticking around..My days of going to Disney World or the Caribbean are gone unless I find a duplicate me that cares for my trees..lol

Ok, I think they won us...

Now I'm wondering how many kids Laura has....I think she keeps all the kids in a different wing of the house. :>)

Lol John and Mike! Mike, I have an Uncle who stays at my house when we travel and takes care of everything - dog, parakeets, guinea pigs, and trees! John, I have four kids - 15, 12, 7, and almost 6!

Oh and I forgot the chickens! The bees don't need much pampering!

LOL! You sound like someone else I know. If only the rest of our wonderful citizens worked as hard as you do and had as many hobbies....the crime rate would be zero.....if only because they wouldn't have time to plan any nefarious deeds.

You are right John! So you know another crazy woman?? ;-). I am still setting up my new lights, but ended up begging my very understanding son to let me put the trees in his room...he has such great light! He's a songwriter, so I told him it could inspire a new song. His favorite band, Twenty One Pilots has a song called trees after all.

I got rid of my bees. Too many varroa mites. Too many TRACHEAL MITES. Too many small hive beetles, Too many nicatoids. Too many wax moths. European foul brood. American foul brood. Skunks and the Asian giant hornet.

I almost forgot that black bears tear hives apart.

6b Steve Cincinnati, Oh

Lol Steve! I understand. There's a lot to fight.

Mike, that is sooo true lol When I go away in the summer I usually ask about 3 different people to take over watering duties. Then I have to make lists and schedules and then I worry and pray that they're all alive when I get home:)).

Laura, you are so lucky that your son doesn't mind the trees in his room. I wish I had light in mine then I could pretend I was in a greenhouse. None of my kids have enough light in their rooms, but, if they did and I asked them, I'm sure they would try to commit me lol

LOL Mary! My kids are used to me and my son is the one that helps me carry them (mostly). I would love to have them in my room like that....like living in a forest! I will have some in my room soon enough when I bring the kumquats back inside.

Laura your trees are beautiful! I am very inspired by your care of them. My boyfriend is worried about bringing 3 trees in the house for winter and i'll just have to tell him how many more I could have lol.

For your lights you said you got them at IKEA and use the twister CFL bulbs? I am contemplating getting supplemental lighting for my Meyer and as of last night my Persian/Baress lime that I rescued from home depot. It was on clearance for 1/2 off and looked rather neglected so I couldn't help myself. How long do you leave the lamps on and at what distance should they be from the plants?

Sammers, thank you! This is the first year I use supplemental lights, so I am figuring it out too. I have them pretty close to the trees - some as close as less than 6", some farther. These are the bulbs I use:

Philips 433557 23W 100-watt T2 Twister 6500K CFL Light Bulb, 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6SR1JM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_no-eybWRD9Q86

Bayco SL-300 8.5 Inch Clamp Light with Aluminum Reflector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RKKEHA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Jo-eybXDKWGFE

Those little reflectors I attached to the pole to give some light to the lower part of the trees (Vladimir suggested those). I'll take a pic of the lamp box since I have some from today. Give me a min.

I am a rescuer also...I just can't turn away a plant in need ;-)

The IKEA lamps are Lersta...http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20110903/

Here are pics...

Laura you are wonderful! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate yours and everyone elses help and advice. This is a wonderful community and I am glad to have found it. I placed the amazon order and will be off to IKEA this weekend :) I am already dreaming of a few more citrus trees just have to convince myself I wont murder my current ones first. But if I make it through winter successfully I can only imagine the additions I will make next year.

Those are really nice looking trees...sooooo much better than the ficus trees. I'm still waiting for my ficus to bloom. Thinking of moving it to a gritty mix.

Laura, nice looking lights too...Thanks for this suggestion...Tell me how your Electric Bill is in a month, please and it may determine if I start to use them. I think you are doing a great job. I hope they prevent leaf loss and bugs..My fingers crossed!

Looks like your son is dreaming about those trees..lol

lol thank you John and Mike. Mike, I'll report in a month...they are LED, so I hope it will not be awful. I'm running them from about 6:30am - 9:30pm and they also get natural light. No lights in my son's room - he drew the line there, but there is probably more light in his room than anywhere else...they should be fine.

Lol..Don't you have the right to replace your son with all your trees? Isn't he suppose to take back seat? Isn't your house and you pay the bills? lol

Laura your room looks awesome! It must have been an epic feat to get everyone inside and arranged properly. Even with my set up to get access to some of the trees in the back I have to move a few in the front.... it will be an ongoing process thats for sure. You certainly have a patient family, I love it! What a nice teenage son, the trees take up almost as much room as his bed lol.

Vladimir those clamp lights look great, I need a few of those too for the lower points in my room.

Lol Mike! Hobby, it was! Actually, after putting them in, I took about seven out the next day - the kumquats and a couple of others that are very cold hardy. They will stay out there a while yet. So far (fingers crossed), the indoor trees are holding up well...no leaf drop, but it has not been very long. I do notice some growth because quite a few had shoots that have continued growing - no apparent stunting. Mike, I have a question, do you give your trees vinegar during winter when you don't give them FP? Hobby, I like those clamp lights, but be careful...a little nudge, and they fall off. They are a bit delicate.

Laura, because I LOVE your light set up which seems to me might cost a lot less than what I use to use..Please please please keep me updated on pest issues, whether you get spindly growth, and if your fruit ripens the way you like? Nice and sweet or dried out?

Tell me if the lights are worth all the investment..I'll be right behind if so..I am very interested in your results! Thanks so much.

I am thinking that if the lights only help with leaf growth of leaf drop, that is ok..But if those lights do even more, then I'm game even if I have to pay more for electricity..

Mike, I will let you know! Did you see my question? Do you give your trees vinegar during winter? Even without FP?

Good tip on the lights thanks Laura!

Oh boy, no..

Yes, only the ones that are actively growing or when they start to look yellow and I know it's from a pH issue.I am a bit lazy about it though this time of the year through winter and they don't react that badly.......Basically, those I keep warm and actively growing)))

Laura, fertilizing your trees would be a bit tricky for me and takes on a whole new dimension....I have never given them that much light or had such a beautiful set up as yours..Your trees may LOVE it there and continue to grow and thrive all winter. You are giving them lots of heat and light! I would consider fertilizing at least a very weak amount, and if you notice spindly growth coming on or mites, pull back right away to nothing....I would be cautious and yet watchful..

All plants need food if 'actively' growing...You will be the best judge of that. If I had my houseplants under strong lights and a good sunny window, I would fertilize them but watch them closely..

Thanks Mike! Excellent advice that I will follow!