Ok...perverse? Perhaps
Thanks to the enthusasm, expertise, and just plain fun ii have seen on this site, i have just completed phase 1 of my latest work distraction/obsession
My office has now become a mad scientis lab. I have taken a corner and put down heating mats...(2) 48x20 to be exact. On top of those i have placed black plastic trays. With grooves/channels. In the trays i have placed -in pots-my "subjects" and cedar chips..thinking the chips would keep bugs away, and also absorb water from dainage, and create a humid microclimate.
I have not yet figured out artificial thunderstorms, but that is on the list!
I have:
variegated pink lemonade
Page
Washington
Trovita
Meyer
Gold nugget
Kishu
Again, per recommendation, i am documenting all plant activity.
I have 40% humidity, 78 degree air, 73 degree planting mix which may still be warming up further, and 14 hours of light on timers.
At ths point, my wife has taken my check book and asked me to seek therapy. I told her this IS therapy!!
ANYWAY, since i control this little plant world i created, i would like to see if it has the right elements to deliver exceptional quality fruit.. Don't get me wrong, the hobby is fun by itself, but i also want superior taste! I keep reading about it being bland if its too cool or hot...etc. I dont have anything to reference...what do you think? Can you suggest any tweaks to help me get great tasting fruit?

I have 575 watts of hid lighting on adjustable pulleys and this weird silver bubble wrap material on the wall. I even made. Reflective front board per Millet's suggestion. Almost no light escapes if i do not want it to!

God,

all sounds good but I'd add some air circulation with a fan.

Sigh...i figured I missed something. I imagine just a little fan would do it. huh? leave it on all the time, or just during the day?

Al

If you have the lights on timers I'd put the fan on the same timer. Size of fan would depend upon number and size of trees I suppose.

Darn!
Misting the electrical was how i was planning to accomplish the lightning! I have no co-workers. Just me and the plants. it is peaceful! My wife and kids think I am nuts. Oh well, then I won't share my fruit with them

A thought did arise...should the heating mats that are currently bringing the soil temps to 82 or so be turned off at night? it took 3 days for them to raise the temps, and I imagine it would only take one night off for the temps to drop a lot. My concern would be that the lights would kick on and the roots would be colder...say 65-67. Would that put me in the WLD zone?

Try to maintain a root zone temperature around 78-80. Myself, I would leave the heating mats on 24/7. I believe the membership would appreciate it if you would up date this post with your trees progress from time to time. Good luck. - Millet (593-)

I would be happy to share both progress and setbacks.

Here are some pics of my little citrus world

http://img269.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=imag0166x.jpg

The first shows the aluninumized bubble insulation keeping in humidity, light, temps
the 2nd is the "reveal" those are 1 400w MH light and a 250 MH
the left plant in rear is a wash navel. the one in front of it is a trovita
the next right in rear, variegated lemon "pink lemonade"
in front, page...there is also a close up of Page with a new flush pushing out.
right of page is meyer lemon
then right rear is gold nugget, and in front of it kishu

the trays work great to hold overflowed water soaked into cedar chips. the lights are on adjuster pulleys and run 14 hours a day.
air temps-80
Humiduty 50%
soil temps...just above 80
Grin factor 100%

Nah, that doesn't resemble an illegal pot growing operation

HAHAHAHA
you would be AMAZED how many people in the office complex stopped by for a visit, and subsequently brought over pot seeds. I was floored! I stopped by the hydroponics shop for a bulb, and they flat refused to believe i was growing citrus...just to grow citrus...they thought it was for "looks"or to mask smell. I now go in there armed with pics on my camera phone!
wonder what they think of my mango, or mini peach...maybe I will let them smoke leaves from either of those...wait, that would kill them huh....better not....
Also, the camera does not do the setup justince...due to the lighting really. the setup is actually very nice looking, in a well lit area, next to a 48x40 window. problem is the window is north facing...and i am in minnesota...

funny...I actually had a dream that that would happen. I remember waking up annoyed. I think in the dream, i called the officer some choice names for not being able to tell a fruit tree from a weed. I seem to also remember demanding they replace all my plants. it was a vivid dream, and trully one i had some days ago...
I am a private pilot, so all thet stuff is a no no...no drugs, no booze at all 8 hours before flight...
get a DUI...lose pilots license.
get a drug charge...same thing...
considering I spent 5 years building my plane...I am not taking chances

seriously...call it in. I teach concealed carry, and you would be really saddened by the number of times the activity you described destroys a family..kills a child..hits a newly ripening mandarin...
he is taking what we call "blind"shots... stupid!!!!
if this has happened more that once, it will again. he has a good likelyhood of getting you. if you call the police, they might figure out who it is. they will give them a stern warning the first time (most likely) and make the shooter aware of your presence. that should end the problem. if it does not, then yell your brains out next time, or keep one of those air horns around...unless he is a total jerk, he'll get the message...
NO JOKE!!!!

ahh. i just read that you did call it in...good!