Casa Garden

There are a few important care instructions for indoor fruit trees as they navigate through the winter months. Their growth cycle slows somewhat, which is very normal and natural. The main issue with indoor fruit trees is making sure they’re prepared for the warmer months, when their normal growth cycle resumes and when they typically produce crops of fruit.

Pests – The Enemies of Your Indoor Fruit Tree

The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially appropriate for indoor fruit trees. Two common pests for these trees are vinegar flies and spider mites. While spider mites are the more destructive of the two, it’s best to keep both away from your tree.

Spider mites are extremely small and can’t really be seen with the naked eye. They’re quite prolific and can cause quite a bit of damage, including yellowing leaves and other abnormalities. If you suspect spider mite damage, use a horticultural oil or a citrus oil based product, both of which are effective when sprayed on the leaves.

Vinegar flies are more of an annoyance than a harmful pest, but simple precautions will prevent them from flitting around your tree. Just be sure to remove anything that’s rotting or decaying, specifically split open fruit, dead leaves, or dead wood. Another factor is to make sure you avoid over watering your tree, as this causes moist soil. Vinegar flies prefer overly moist soil, especially soil that’s consistently over moist.

Winter Watering

Due to its slower growth cycle during winter, it’s quite possible your tree will need less water. However, it’s important you monitor soil conditions. Check the soil weekly. If the soil is completely dry, it’s time to water. However, make sure you avoid over watering, as this is probably the worst thing for an indoor fruit tree. If the soil is still moist 10 days after your last watering, check for a drainage problem. Proper draining is critical for your tree.

Other Important Tips

There are just a few other things to watch for, in terms of caring for your tree in winter. First, keep the soil temperature above 65 degrees. Soil temperature is almost always cooler than air temperature, usually 10 degrees cooler. One way to keep soil temperature from dropping too cool is watering with slightly warm water. Also, just as you’d do in the summer, be sure to remove any dead blooms or wood to prevent rotting and possible pest problems.

Indoor fruit trees are very easy care, and just a few common sense precautions will ensure your tree is healthy and yields a productive fruit crop. It’s as simple as monitoring the tree and treating any problems that may arise. Keeping an eye on your tree during winter months will pay off as your tree becomes lush and productive during the warm summer months.

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