How much light on average perday do citrus need? are the reqirements different for seedlings vs big plants?

I just purched a grow light for my little lime seedlings are our weather just took a turn downhill and we got a bit more snow. Was having some great warm and sunny days.. they disapeared. I just want to be sure I give tem the light they need. I dnt know if this makes a difference or its just the seedlings variations... but it seems the ones getting more light are more of a richer green where the others further from the light source are a lot more pale. I'm hoping that they will still survive... if it is due to the light.

I keep them on a bright window sil for most of the day until it becomes more cool, then I move them to my dresser, above the heater. I've added the grow light now, just need to know how long in the afternoon/evenings I should give them.

Betty

ps... thank you all so much for helping this newbie!

mine have been fine. Our house isnt 100% south (stupid whoever put it here!) facing, but they are in the most-south double window. When i get home from work, they get a 2-compact flouro table lamp till about 10-11 pm. I move them around on the table sometimes, so they dont get more light than any other. Some are looking a bit rough here at the end of the winter, but not too bad. (and I think any troubles are being planted in too-chunky CHC and not enough coir, not related to the light theyre getting)
Ive never had fruiting ones tho. mine are young/seedlings/not yet fruited. Not sure if they need more as they mature. Havent had a problem yet tho with a cheap setup.
good luck!

I read somewhere,that 5 hrs of light at the end of the day is good for
improving growth during the winter eg 5-10 pm.
The picture i saw was interesting as the trees were in a greenhouse with
the lights 1 metre above the trees. I have been doing that under my
house for the past two weeks,keeping them out of the rain.
The ratio of new leaves etc was compared to trees not receiving the
extra light and the trees under lights grew far more leaves.I have two
trees outside and three outside when sunny but underneath with lights if
dull.I will let you know how it goes.The trees i put under the house had
been dropping leaves from being wet,so this is a real test.I will let you
know how it goes.From Auckland New Zealand .cheers

Good for people in Canada where electricity are cheap.

I once did it here, using grow lights, converted my third car garage into like a greenhouse to overwinter my bananas and citruses. The added electric bills for the entire winter was $600, almost equal to the total price of the plants themselves. I only managed to have a few leaves more compared to the plants outside. But for you up there, leaving plants outside during the winter is not an option.

So now I don't bother with lights. But I have frost blankets ready when there is a forecast of arctic blast.

Not sure that Canada has cheap electricity, when I had to pay my own, it was NOT cheap at all. I know, the house I am currently in, if I wanted to pay the elctric, my landlord would take 150 off my rent. thats a ton just for the lighting of a 2 bedroom apartment (stove and heat are both gas)

I have several sun lamps my dad got at an auction, been playing around with them and a couple of seedlings. the seedlings under the sun/growth lamp are doing much better. 2" more of growth in 3 weeks. Could it be a fluke, yeah, but... I doubt it. the others only get a bit of sun from a window 3 ft away.

When wintering trees inside... is heat levels or light levels more important... if you have to give a bit on one of the options? it'll always be warm in there, but... really worried about light. It'll be the first winter for caring for my trees. I've gotten more than I ever thought I would during the 1st few months. I just wanted a couple to see if I could keep them alive through the winter... but then I have a source than helps me get more and more trees... and I can't say no! I know they'll live through the winter... just how well is the question. the room gets light from all sides, so that helps, but I will have to put p[lastic up over one of the windows as I noticed it can leak cold air in big time.

Betty, both light and temperature play together. If you have lower temperature, use less intense light. If you use intense light but air temperature is low (lower than 40 deg F), chilling injury could occur instead of growth. At temperature greater than 70 deg F, light instensity can be increased as much as you can afford. For citruses I think temperature between 55 deg F to 70 deg F should one adjust proper lighting to go hand in hand. If light is over than what is needed, it ill be wasted or cause injury in the form of burnt, and for lack of it will not ranslate into growth, just to balance out respiration.

everything with citrus is a balance, makes things easier in a way. I can keep the room at whatever temperature is needed. they are enclosed in their own room, with their own heating source.

I hate the fact that I'm reenting and unable to make the changes my plants would so love... but... I'm thinking of joining the grown up world and getting myself a house. the market is sooooo cheap here right now but rising fast. my dads offereed to help with the down paymnent... so.. instead of paying someone elses mortgage... I can pay my own... or, get the house I am really wanting... it has a rental property in the basement and have someone ELSE pay MY mortgage! the coolest factor with this house is the yard and... the fully enclosed heated sunroom. my plants would be in love! I already am. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 19600 sq ... plus the 2 bedroom 700sq ft basement suite... all for 75,000 Can't beat that. Just want to do whats best for my plants and me in the long run

I had my last winter citrus last year- they lived just fine. You should definately check before you water, wet feet will be more detrimental than just about anything- its amazing how much longer they take to dry out indoors!

Mine didnt grow much during winter, but stayed mostly green. I get several hours of sun, and would put on a small flourescent table light on for about 3-4 more hours. They get rotated around the light every few days.

Good luck!

Betty, I don't know what area you live in, but $75,000 for all that? WOW!!!We live in Maryland. You couldn't even buy a one bedroom condo for less than $225,000 here. My husband and I are grateful everyday that we bought our house when we did ten years ago. We could never afford to buy it now. Our friends all say the same thing. It's a buyers' market now; if your Dad will help you that's even better! GO FOR IT!!! You'll be glad you did. Just think about having a sunroom........how great would that be? Buy the house and post pictures here when you do. All the best to you, Stephanie in Maryland

unfortunatly every house I go to see gets sold right before I get there! argh. I'm in southern british columbia... and we are getting zillions of people coming in from alberta. Its crazy. So... theres ONE house thats left on my list but theres a potential offer on it but awaiting mortgage aproval. I, on the other hand already have aproval! so might get e a leg up. I want a house! so so tired of renting