How can you overwinter your orange tree without damaging it? Here are the conditions you need to create for this!
The orange tree (Citrus x sinensis), also called orange, comes from the subtropical regions of China or Southeast Asia. In the summer he feels comfortable in Germany, but in the colder months he has certain demands on the environment. With the tips in this article you can successfully overwinter your orange tree.
Overwintering an orange tree – what should you know
Orange trees are not hardy and should be overwintered indoors in Germany. The most suitable location is a winter garden or a greenhouse. However, if you don't have this, you should provide your orange tree with a cool place with enough light. We'll explain to you in a moment what exactly a cool place means, how much light is enough and how temperature and light depend on each other when caring for an orange tree!
Orange tree care in winter – how light and temperature depend on each other
To successfully overwinter an orange tree, you must first know that its light and temperature needs are interdependent. How exactly? Well, the two both together and separately activate the tree's metabolism. To explain it simply: the more light the tree receives (which stimulates photosynthesis), the warmer it should be to achieve a sufficient metabolic rate. The more heat the tree gets (which speeds up metabolism), the more light it needs to achieve sufficient photosynthesis.
This means that if the tree's metabolism is too fast in winter because the temperature is too high and there is not enough light (e.g. if the plant is standing behind a thick curtain in daylight), it will break down more nutrients than it can produce through photosynthesis can, and he will start eating himself. In other words, the warmer the room, the more light the orange tree needs to continue photosynthesis. So conversely, if you have a dark and cool garage with a single window (lower temperatures but less light), you can place your tree there too. However, keep in mind that it will lose most of its leaves.
- Notice: In order for your orange tree to overwinter, a bright location with temperatures that do not fall below 5 degrees and do not rise above 12 degrees would be ideal.
Large temperature difference between roots and leaves leads to leaf fall
In addition to unbalanced light and heat absorption, the leaves of an orange tree can also fall off due to waterlogging or a large temperature difference between the roots and the leaves. This means that if the room is warm but your tree is on cold ground, the roots will work slower than the leaves. This stresses the tree and it begins to shed its leaves.
- Notice: To prevent this, separate the tree base from the cold ground by placing it in a pot with wheels.
The same applies to the opposite situation: the tree can be placed on underfloor heating so that the roots are warmed more than the crown. The tree is stressed because the roots are now more active than the leaves. Result – the leaves fall off.
You have probably already realized that overwintering an orange tree is not an easy task. But the better you understand its needs, the better you can deal with the situation and develop the best wintering strategy given the conditions you have at home.
Also read:Overwintering a banana plant: This is how you care for the perennials outdoors!
Overwintering an orange tree – other important care tips
Pour with soft water at room temperature: Do not use hard water as this can cause iron deficiency. For a warmer winter, water very carefully depending on the situation - especially avoid overwatering. More trees drown than dry up! For a cool winter, keep the tree drier (slightly moist soil).
Leave the tree outside for as long as possible and put it back outdoors as early as possible in the spring: You can place the tree in a protected location outdoors, especially in late winter and early spring. The location should not heat up so much that the temperatures at night and during the day differ greatly, e.g. 5 °C at night and 20-25 °C during the day.
Before bringing the tree indoors, clean it thoroughly and prune:Do everything you can to ensure that no snails or lice overwinter with him. It is even advisable to prune the orange tree at this time. Thin the very thick branches to allow more light to penetrate. Remove dead leaves and branches.
Also read:Overwintering and cutting oleanders: step by step to the perfect winter quarters!
