Dwayne7/2/04 3:32

"Sacha" wrote in message
. uk...
Dwayne6/2/04 3:54 Dwayne, no disrespect but if you're not posting from Britain, the winter
treatment of such plants would be very different here. This group is
geared
to gardening in the UK and I think you're posting from California?


No, I am posting from Kansas. Our winters here are much colder than the 3
years I spend in Germany. We put them inside during the cold months and
outside during the summer the same as you do.

Are your summers longer and warmer? That's my impression.

We did it for 10 years in Colorado, (a more severe winter climate than
here), and in Arkansas (milder, but where it still froze during the winter
months). We have been here in Kansas for 3 winters.

I have a friend stationed in Grand Forks, N Dakota - his remarks about
winter don't bear repeating!

She has raised some citrus from seed and we have bought several. They have
been a challenge most of the year, but a very rewarding one. She keeps them
in a pot that drains into a tray. After the plant as soaked up as much
water as it can, the tray is emptied of excess water. After nearly 17
years, they still smell great when blooming. We have eaten oranges and
limes that we grew inside the house and out in the yard (some have put on
fruit during the summer months that ripened after moving them inside, and
others have started fruit inside and ripened after placing the plants
outside.

The draining is very important but so is not overwatering, most especially
if they're in a glass house where they could get cold feet. We're concerned
that the OP's plants may be suffering both from lack of light and central
heating. A cooler and more light filled room might be better for them. At
present, they might be trying to struggle with the sort of heat they'd
expect in summer months but without the light to encourage and sustain
development.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)