Potted Citrus plants
my new citrus potted citrus plants (Kumquat and Lemon) look great on my terrace but I will need to protect them during the winter. I am told that my apartment will be too warm. Will a mini green house thingy on my terrace protect them from frost? If so which type? If not, what do you suggest?
Anna
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Some greenhouses are of poor quality, and can get very cold in winter and I suggest that if your plants are still very young, stand the pots off the floor and loosely cover fleece over the plants when harsh frost has been forecast. Keep the doors opened on very sunny days to keep temperatures stable and minimise overheating. Your plants should be fine.
I have also just ordered a Arbutus Unedo tree as a container on my terrace.
I would be very wary about expecting citrus plants to survive winter on a terrace or balcony unless you can keep all frost off and also allow them light and ventilation so that problems from pests and diseases can't take hold.
Wrap the pots in bubble wrap to protect the roots from freezing and make a tent using canes to support a couple of layers of fleece to protect the plants against frosts. I would also suggest a windbreak across the balcony to give further protection against wind chill in the cold months.
i intend to get a tall coldframe for my terrace in which to put the citrus plants, but I will also follow advice about using bubble wrap and fleece.
excuse my ignorance but what is ‘fleece’ in this context?
Lucky you being in the Vendee!
You can use things like builders non-woven dust sheets or even old bed sheets. It's just a protective layer keeping frost off your plants.