The Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for Lime Trees
Image by Hartono Subagio from Pixabay
Introduction
Native to India, lime trees are believed to have been introduced to the New World around the 15th century when Spanish and Portuguese explorers brought the seeds along with them on their voyages. These tasty and versatile citrus fruits can be processed in a number of ways and grown relatively easily, making them popular with gardeners and farmers. Here, we’ll discuss how to plant and grow lime trees as well as lime tree care and harvesting limes.
Types of Lime Trees
Dew-Covered Limes on a Branch - Photo by Amy Lynn Grover on Unsplash
There are many popular types of lime trees, and they all prefer a moderately humid and tropical and subtropical warm climate with well-draining, loamy soil. Let’s learn more about some breeds of lime trees and how they can be enjoyed.
- Key Limes: Also known as Mexican Key lime, these evergreen trees typically grow between 6 and 13 feet tall. They boast deep-green leaves and fragrant flowers, producing golf-ball-sized yellow-green limes. Key limes are the foundation of key lime pie and can be used for garnishing drinks and cooking.
- Makrut Limes: These thorny trees are highly aromatic, have double leaves, and produce small fruit with a rough and bumpy exterior. Their rinds are often used in Thai curry paste and in many other Asian cuisines .
- Sweet Limes: These limes are juicy, tender, and nonacidic. The sweet flavor makes them a wonderful snack or drink garnish.
- Finger Limes: Often regarded as the caviar of fruit, these limes have a distinct flavor uncommon in citrus fruits. They have an elongated shape and can grow around 3 inches in length. The pinkish, pale-green, or translucent vesicles in these limes are firm and pop in the mouth like caviar. Finger limes are wonderful for snacking on and for use as a condiment.
- Limequats: A hybrid fruit from kumquats and limes, this round fruit grows around 2 inches and has a light- yellow skin and greenish rind. Besides garnishing drinks, they are popular for flavoring fish and meats.
Choosing the Right Lime Tree
Again, a warm, subtropical, or tropical climate is best for growing lime trees. Buying them from a local grower ensures that they will thrive in your area’s conditions. You’ll want to plant them at least 15 feet from other trees and situate them in a sunny spot. They can be grown in containers or outdoor soil that offers good drainage. Before buying a tree, inspect it for signs of good health and vigor, making sure that it has foliage in good condition. Buying a smaller tree is best, as they adapt better to new environments and have the best chance of thriving versus a larger one.
How to Plant Lime Trees
Tiny Limes Growing on a Branch - Image by Ada K from Pixabay
The ideal time to plant lime trees is during the springtime and early fall. In spring, the soil temperatures aren’t too high, and planting them in fall allows them to get established before cold winter temperatures arrive. Proper lime tree care involves proper soil preparation and the right nutrients.
Soil should be rich in organic materials and be enriched with well-rotted manure or compost to add nutrients for an abundant harvest. Placing a layer of mulch near the tree base helps the roots retain moisture and protects them during hot summers. The ideal pH for limes ranges between 5.5 and 6.5, as alkaline soils of 7.0 and above can make iron in the soil unavailable to the trees and cause deficiencies and certain diseases. Iron deficiency can cause damaged roots and root rot.
Of course, you’ll want to know how to plant a lime tree using the right spacing and starter care. Plant it at least fifteen feet away from large trees and in sandy soil that receives at least 50 percent sun. Clear away any grass or weeds, and dig a hole that’s about ten inches larger than the root ball. Fill the hole with water, and refill it after placing the tree. Water lime trees routinely for the first 3 months, allowing the soil to nearly dry out before re-watering. Don’t use fertilizer in holes before planting lime trees.
Proper Lime Tree Care
As the trees get larger, they’ll require more water than when they’re saplings. The best fertilizers for limes will contain phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen in varying percentages. An 8-8-8 food is perfect for young trees that are not yet bearing fruit, and a slow-release fertilizer keeps fertilizing duties to a minimum.
Prune lime trees after the fruiting season to maximize future fruit production, which is typically between late winter and early spring. Use selective pruning methods that target branches that require attention. Only remove diseased or dead branches to promote new growth.
Lime tree pests can severely damage your trees at any stage. Common critters include spider mites, scale insects, and aphids that suck the sap out of them. They often reside on the stems and leaves. Scale insects are reminiscent of tiny immobile turtles that also suck tree sap. Spider mites weave webs that feed on the lime tree’s chlorophyll-filled cells. Don’t use chemicals to eradicate pests. Rather, use organic solutions like neem oil and citrus sprays to run them off and help prevent them.
Harvesting Your Limes
Vigilant tree care is a must, and harvesting limes when they’re ready keeps them healthy and productive. It’s time to harvest the limes when they give a little when gently squeezed. The limes will be green, firm, and squeezable but not too soft and not yet fully ripened. You can also twist a stem and use hand pruners to avoid plugging and damaging the tree. After harvesting, check to see if any branches need pruning, and add a bit of fresh fertilizer and mulch to the base.
Troubleshooting Common Lime Tree Issues
Lime Tree Flowers in Full Bloom - Image by Christel from Pixabay
Yellowing leaves are often the result of nutritional deficiencies, and they require a balanced diet to stay green and attractive. They may also need more water and additional mineral fertilizer. If the fruit is dropping prematurely, the trees may be getting too much water, so make sure they receive an even amount of water. Slow growth is often the result of not enough sun or overwatering. Offer it a balanced fertilizer, and prune any overcrowded or dead branches to promote healthier growth.
Storing your crop is fairly easy, and the fruit is best when whole to help it retain its moisture. Also, submerging it in water inside the refrigerator keeps it tasty and fresh for use for up to three months. You can also stash whole and cut limes in resealable bags or a storage container and place them in the fridge. Another option is to squeeze the juice into ice cube trays, making it easy to grab one to snack on or put into sauces, and the juice can last up to four months.
Go Ahead and Start Growing Lime Trees
Now that you are knowledgeable about how to choose the right tree, planting techniques, lime tree care and pruning, preventing and combating problems, and proper fruit storage, you are ready to start growing. You will be able to enjoy and use the fruit in food, drinks, and as garnish to liven them up with a zesty flavor. So, go ahead and take on growing your own lime trees indoors or outdoors.
Keep in mind that you can grow them from seeds, but those new to the lime tree realm should consider heading to a local garden center to get a tree that is ready to plant. A professional gardener can also help you choose a tree and get all the supplies necessary for healthy and productive trees. If you have experience growing lime trees or are having success with little or no experience, we encourage you to leave comments on our social media pages to help and inform others!
For questions and assistance with planting and caring for fruit trees, contact Arborist Now. Our certified arborists have extensive knowledge about keeping these special trees healthy and productive!
