So my Citrus bergamia has been spending the summer outside and it's almost time to bring it inside (I'm in Belgium). It has some fruit growing that's nowhere near ripe yet. If I understood correctly, its seed grow true to type and I would really like to have some bergamot seedlings. So my question is: can I safely put it into hibernation until may without risk of losing the fruit or do I keep it in my living room so that the fruit can mature? Also, if I place it into hibernation (lower than 15°C), will it need any light? Thanks for any help.

I wasn't expecting so many responses. I'm overwhelmed.

Anyway, I decided to place my bergamot in the living room for the winter (where it's usually around 23°C). Someone on another forum suggested that this was the best choice if I wanted to be sure the fruit would grow to maturity. It seems I did this just in time because we just had our first night frost here.

Meanwhile I'm hearing conflicting reports on whether Citrus bergamia grows true from seed or not. Has anyone here tried growing one?

I would leave it in the living room to ripen the fruit. I have never tried leaving any trees in a dark place over winter, so I can't comment on that.

During the winter, fruits dry out on the tree and drop if the tree is stressed too much. So for fruit development and fruit maturity, higher temperatures and good leaf activity should be maintained. Irrigation with a nutrient solution should be done even in winter. - Millet