Acclimating from out to in - Zone 5a

I have been doing a fair bit of reading regarding bringing plants inside for the winter. Unfortunately, the emphasis seems to be on how to debug the plants. I have learned a great deal.

My question is this - How do I get the plants used to the indoor environment without them croaking on me? I have invested in a few small portable fluorescent lamps and am going to give the lights a try. I will try a small set-up in the spare room but don't have much room in there. It is a multi-purpose room and is tiny.

I don't have very many windows or storage room and have no basement to speak of. Just a crawl space under the kitchen floor where part of the floor has to be lifted to gain access to a dirt floor space. The space is big enough for a small water heater and furnace but that is about it. It doesn't get very cool down there and I have lost several dahlia bulbs over the years because they dried out. Not complaining - just explaining my predicament. Our house is under 700 hundred square feet but the yard is huge. Can't have it all.

Now back to my question - How to get my plants used to the changes in light and temperature? I also have a very large plant that can't go under the fluorescent lights. It will sit on a small table in front of the front door for the winter. We block that door off for the winter. So...............two separate problems. The smaller plants which I will use the lights on and my other ginormous palnt Shiffera sp????

Help me please before I keep babbling?

Many thanks
Elaine and Otis

I've never had any real problems going from outside to in except for a little bit of leaf drop, if they need lots of light just make sure they get it somehow.
I have a newer rooting of Schefflera in the corner of my dining room which doesn't get too much light and seems to be doing fine.
I know what you mean about no room in the house, best thing would be to get a greenhouse...it's on my wish list.

I have a large number of plants I need to bring in during the winter, I try to wash and clean them as good as I can to get rid of any spiders, I usually miss a few but they like their home and usually don't move, If they are dry I water them and let them drain. You say you block off your front door so that would be a good place to put them. You will get some leaf drop but that is just normal, the main thing you DON'T want to do is overwater them in the winter, thats the fastest way to kill them. Some of my plants don't get watered for 2 months and get to looking a "little" bedraggled but I just mist them to keep a little moisture in the air around them. Some plants are really pretty adaptable, you might be surprised how well they do. And if you get into trouble you can always post your concerns and someone will help. Good Luck

Thanks so much to both of you. I guess I am worrying too much. Just am afraid that I will be fighting another battle of tons of leaf drop all winter. Wish there was a wonderful place here to tuck them in safely for the winter but one has to work with what they have.

Thanks again and if you think of any other tips please throw them this way.

Hugs Elaine and Otis