Curious? Here's what we know
When you bring the outdoors inside, nature tends to ask a few questions. Here are the answers to the most common challenges home botanists encounter.
Brown, crispy leaf tips usually indicate a lack of humidity or a buildup of salts in the soil from tap water and fertilizers. Flush the soil with distilled water and consider adding a local humidifier.
There is no strict calendar. Water only when the top two inches of the soil mix feel completely dry to the touch. When you do water, soak it thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
Yes, if it is a grafted dwarf variety and receives adequate intense light (often requiring grow lights). However, since there are no bees indoors, you will need to hand-pollinate the blossoms using a small, soft paintbrush.
That is a classic sign of spider mites. They thrive in dry, warm indoor environments. Wipe the leaves down with a mix of water, mild soap, and neem oil, and increase the ambient humidity.
Prune just after the harvest if your tree fruits, or in late winter/early spring before the active growing season begins. This encourages lateral branching, keeping the tree dense and compact rather than tall and leggy.