Lime/lemon treecan I purchase

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Johnsr40 Pittsburgh, PA(Zone 6a) Apr 22, 2015

My local nursery has small potted lemon and lime trees for "around the patio". I thought a lime tree would be an interesting addition--I like Margaritas. I live in Pittsburgh, PA which is zone 6. Summertime is no problem, but know I can't leave outside during winter. Can I take something like this inside during the winter knowing that there would be no sunlight and have the tree do well next year? Is having one more a novelty for the summer and knowing it would die in this climate. I like the idea of having one, but not interested if it would just die at end of season. Should I stay away? Thanks!!

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dragonfly53 Bedford, VA(Zone 7a) Apr 22, 2015

John, it needs some sort of light during the winter, preferably strong light. You can buy grow lights or just a regular shop lite but equipped with daylight bulbs and hang it close to it so it does get some light during the winter. Otherwise, it will tend to get ratty looking and may end up with spider mites or mealy bugs if it is not in good health.
Keeping citrus trees outside their growing zones is definitely a commitment

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Johnsr40 Pittsburgh, PA(Zone 6a) Apr 22, 2015

Terri, Thanks for the reply. I did not know I could install daylight bulbs in a shop light. That is a good idea. I may also look into grow lights. Thanks again

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Apr 22, 2015

There has been a lot of research done on the lighting required by plants, and there is a wide range of options from fluorescent bulbs to LEDs. Depending on how large the plant is you might arrange a few drop lights around it with compact fluorescents.

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dragonfly53 Bedford, VA(Zone 7a) Apr 23, 2015

I use philips daylight deluxe f32t8 bulbs. I used to use regular fluorescent but the seedlings and plants are doing better this year with the t8's, I am finding

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Apr 23, 2015

If by regular you mean T-12, then yes, the T-8s do put out more light. The reflector matters, too. Home Depot has a shop light sort of reflector but it looks like bright silver diamond plate. It reflects the light much better than the white reflectors.
Also, the bulbs with a color referred to as Daylight usually have more of the correct wavelengths for plants.
Over my planted aquariums I usually use one 'Daylight' bulb and one specialty bulb for plants. Really makes a difference to what I can grow in the tanks.

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