Meyer, I used to start moving my "hypertropicals" (mangos, coconuts) in around Labor Day, but difficult to get into the autumnal, winterization mode when minimums are in the low 70's with high humidity.and the air is still humming at night. I've neglected most of my plants again this year and spent most of the summer in a pool, no regrets. Eventually, I will get around to transplanting, top dressing and feeding them. Citrus are actually pretty forgiving and you really have to work hard at killing them, at least that's been my experience since I decided to never overwinter any of them in my home.

Global warming?

Marg, what zone do you live in? Sounds nice that you can keep them outside all year)

Steve, something is up. So instead of such a simple answer, are you back to building that greenhouse against the house yet?

Mike

Meyer, I never said that mine are outside year long. They go into protection some time in November and are emancipated some time in March, but they are outside at least 2/3 of the year. I have a winter with potentially DEEP snows and average January daily temp is 40f/25f, but first frost comes pretty late (around the first week of November, or even later). Still, I will bring them out for periods in midwinter to water them or shovel snow (if there is any) on them, as snow is excellent for releasing gradual moisture. If I bring them in too early and it gets too warm, my garage will be really warm due to the sun, and I won;'t be able to keep up with the watering.

In ground seed grown Fukushu kumquat tree.

My trees are mostly in the ground, but Fall pruning and cleanup is a must unless I want 50' tall trees. The Lemon and Lime get those tall, skinny, straight shoots that look like spires in the air. I cut those all back to old wood today and have left a biggish pile out in the street for the city to - hopefully - pickup later since its Big Pickup Day for my neighborhood.

The Mexican Lime even gave me one ripe/yellow fruit the size of a golf ball.... the biggest ever. I discovered that there are more green ones that size. I wonder if she just needed to get older to give bigger fruit. ???

That's one thing I really love about autumn in coastal NJ, Zone 7b. I am in the same boat of PROCRASTINATION but frosty conditions really come on gradually and rather reluctantly here and this time of year, weather is delightful and usually, sunny, mild and dry. Summer was way too hot, humid, WET, buggy, etc. to want to work in the yard. I have the same chores; repainting the growing area in the basement for the true tropicals (papaya, mango, coconut, etc.), top dressing/transplanting most everything, final feedings on everything, pruning, cleaning, Then yesterday, I decided, I really need new roofing (house, detached loft garage,/greenhouse/barn, and a detached second garage/planting shed). Every structure had water issues with the last tropical storm. Now I have to spend time moving all the plants and cr!p from around the structures so workers can get up there. Not cheap but I guess to be expected in a house over 100 years old. Hoping it also improves insulation in the greenhouse/garage).

I'm fully in early due to rear yard ongoing construction. Get to pay a higher electric bill now. Oh well. So far so good. Getting flushes on many trees and some are holding fruit. They seem to love the temperate indoor climate of fake weather and even lighting/heat/watering levels. I run 2 fans in the general area with 2 open windows to circulate air in the basement. timed Lights are on 13 hrs a day. So far weekly watering's are working (will slow down as temperatures drop) at which time I completely drench each tree and top of soil in pots with either insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or a blend of the 2 alternating. Fertilizer is liquid dilute 1/4 strength at every watering on top of whats in the pots. Fingers crossed, I try give them a good once over by eye each day looking critically....pinch twigs out, pick up a fallen leaf here and there etc...It's a marathon, pace yourself.

I have really been paying attention to this thread, as this was the first year iI had my trees on my back deck instead of keeping them inside (they loved it btw, thanks to all who beat sense into me this spring!). They got battered by our wind a fair few days, but don’t look too worse for wear.

my main concern right now is when do iI really need to bring them back inside. Our weather in the Midwest has been unseasonably warm, and through tomorrow forecast to be 90/65, but Tuesday it drops to 75/46, before rebounding for the rest of the week in the 80s/50s. The lows are what worry me, and didn’t know when most of you tend to bring their trees inside?

Seed grown Fukushu kumquat tree enclosure.

Added 2 more sheets of glass this time on the west side.

Steve

Bob_15, I'd leave them out unless you're going to have frost or a freeze. Even then just pulling them close to the house will most likely protect them.

Someone else with more knowlwdge of indoor orchards will have to say just when to actually bring them indoors.

Thanks! i I had read some people keep them in their cool garagesgarage over winter so iI didn’t think the lows this week would be that threatening, but appreciate hearing it from others!

Bob, your lows would just fine for mine even if I was to grow them inside all winter.

Do you plan on growing them inside in lots of light, or in a cold frame or porch?

James, I hear you! That can be scary because the next step is to give up growing orchids and stuff all together. I was there. Don't ever let that happen to you). By the way, that orchid you gave me is so healthy, but no flowers just yet. I was hoping for them by the time summer was over. Do you think it's better to keep it out as long as I can? Hold back on watering?

Steve, great work as always..Thanks for having a part.

Bklyn, good to hear. I hear you about the electricity!! I hate it but boy I love having them close inside at times.

Margerit, you are so lucky to live there. Yes, you are even a better zone than I. Even Boston is better than I and I live 30 miles outside of it. Nice. More time to feed and treat before they come inside.More time to water with much fun until they come inside.

Just an FYI

I know many wait until the last minute before bringing them inside and grow them in warm environment. After years of growing them and trial and error, and of course from learning from others here for years, it can become quite a 'balancing act' to prevent leaf drop, shock, pest invasion, and branch die back.

One has to acclimate their plants before coming inside and light is not the only factor. The temps are too. So be careful when exposing your plants to very cold temps to the last minute right into a very warm environment..

Meyer, we have had so much absurdly heavy rainfall this Summer, and so many dismally overcast days. My Citrus are getting more direct sun, all day now than they got ALL SUMMER. I checked my local super expended and I see a minimum of 58 F., with highs ranging from 70-78. Meteorologist was hinting at a warm up for early October. Honestly, I am very tropical but this is my favorite time of year. I brought in my large Diffenbachia, Burgundy Rubber tree, Chinese Evergreens (Algaonema), and Crotons, but most hypertropicals are still outside (coconuts, mango, bananas, guava). The ONLY plants that never get put out over Summer are the African Violets and they look great, probably the ultimate "houseplant". Right now, only concerned with moving the plants away from the structures for multi reroofing, of the house and two garages. Subtropical storm Ida brought in access of 8 inches of rain in a few hours and made me well aware of the necessity of a secure roof over my head (this was preceded by a foot of rain in July and another foot in August).

Loquat trees are not tender. I grew mine from seed and have several. They are evergreen hardy down to 5-10 F, but the DEER love them, so I not only need to containerize them, but move them to a protected deck for now then, garage.

The plant is maybe 18 inches tall but the fruit is freakishly enormous.

Kent mango

Meyermike,iI am planning on having them in a southern window under a grow light for some supplemental lighting. Looking ahead my lows don’t stay in the 40s but for a couple days, so may give them another week or so outside.iI got my succulents inside today, so a hibiscus and my citrus are the last plants outside!