Lime Tree Care; All about caring for a lime treeLime Tree Care; All about caring for a lime tree

Lime tree care practices are at the center of lime tree farming. The best way to care for a lime tree is to include the best lime tree care activities in your to-do garden list.

And guess what? Limes are not only delicious but easy to grow and maintain as well. You don’t need to be an arborist or professional gardener to grow limes.

One of the most confusing things about growing limes is grasping how to take care of lime trees. It’s no secret that limes are sensitive and tedious to look after. 

If growing limes is your cup of tea or something you would be interested in, you’re in luck. Read on to find out everything you need to know about taking care of lime trees.

Information about lime trees

Lime fruits belong to the family of citrus fruits and their fruits often have green, smooth, zesty skin with yellow spots. Fun Fact: All limes are hybrids.

The most popular varieties of limes are the Key(Mexican) limes, Bearss limes, Tahiti limes, Kaffir limes, and Philippine (Calamansi) limes.

Lime fruits have a similar taste to lemons but slightly tangier, maybe because they are more acidic. On the whole, whether you use limes or lemons in your recipes depends entirely on your preference.

There’s a fresh quality that limes add to any dish, consider lime juice, marmalade, chutneys, key lime pie, and need to mention the Margaritas. 

How do you take care of a lime tree?

Taking care of limes begins with growing them. It is possible to grow limes from the seed. Still, because that is often a very slow process that can take anywhere between 4-10 years to fruit, many farmers prefer to grow their limes by grafting.

You also need to realize that the majority of store-bought lines are hybrids, and some are seedless. This means that unless you get the seeds from a local nursery growing, the lime seeds you bought from the grocery will not necessarily give you the same lime.

Obviously, other factors like climate and edaphic characteristics will affect the general taste of the limes. If you want faster fruition, then you better choose to graft. Regardless of how you planted the limes or whether they are potted or on the ground, indoor or outdoor, the basic factors and care tips to follow are more or less the same.

8 general lime tree care tips for lime trees at different stages of growth

Limes have different requirements at different growth stages. The farmer needs to adapt new growth care regimen and practices as the tree grows.

Read on to find out the different lime tree care practices at different growth stages of a lime tree.

Stage one: Pre-planting lime tree care

1. Do a soil test to determine the soil pH. 

Lime trees like a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. The soil test results will determine whether you will add lime to the soil if the pH is lower than 5.5 if you add gypsum if it is higher than 6.5.

2. Choose the best spot in your garden

The characteristics of the perfect spot are;

• A spot gets at least 6 hours of the sun. Limes don’t really need the sun to fruit, but like leaves need it for photosynthesis.

• Besides, sunlight can kill some pests and disease-causing pathogens.

• A spot that has good air circulation. It should be well aerated and ventilated.

• A spot that is in free space and unshaded by a wall or other trees. Shade can impair a tree’s growth.

Even if you are going to plant in a container is important to consider placing the container in a spot that meets the above criteria.

3. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 feet. 

Cultivating the soil before planting will make it easier for the lime tree roots to grow through the soil.

Cultivating the soil before seeding the soil is the perfect way to work the fertilizer into the ground substrate.

Limes are heavy feeders, so any way that adds more nutrients to the soil is welcome.

Stage 2: Planting lime tree care

4. Make a hole for the lime tree’s root ball. 

If you are growing from the seed, make the hole just enough for the seed. You don’t need to make one but enough for a root ball, cover the soil and water.

If you are otherwise growing from a grafted seedling, place the tree in the hole and backfill it halfway. 

The proceed to tamp down the soil with your foot while you water it so the moisture reaches the roots. 

Backfill the hole to the brim and tamp the soil. Remember to take this process slowly because if you hurry through it, you could damage the roots. It leaves air bubbles which could kill the line tree.

5. The next step is to water the soil around the lime tree so it can slowly absorb the moisture. 

You could use a watering can or garden hose to deeply water the tree. Remember to water new trees three times a week for the first fortnight to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

With time you could reduce the watering frequency to once every 10 days. You can water less or not all if it rains. 

After the tree has firmed up and established, water the tree once every two weeks. Please don’t water the tree too much, because soggy soils kill limes.

The hand rule is to touch the soil; it feels dry and dusty water until it feels damp. The key is to keep the soil dump, just dump, no more, no less.

Stage 3: Post planting lime tree care

6. Fertilize every three-four months

Limes need all the nutrition they can get. Remember, they are high feeders.

It is crucial to fertilize the soil every three to four months, depending on your climate and your soil’s edaphic qualities.

You can use organic compost or any nitrogen-rich fertilizer like NPK.

7. Prune

Shorten branches that touch the ground, remove suckers and prune dead and crossing branches only in early spring or late fall. 

Pruning shapes the tree and allows more light to penetrate, promoting growth and making it easier to harvest when the limes are ripe.

8. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged

It is important to water frequently, but not obsessively. Add just enough water to dampen the soil. Limes don’t like standing water; it kills them. 

Again, on the flip side, dry soil will make the lime tree leaves fall off. So water often, but just enough.

Tips for taking care of the 5 most commonly grown lime tree varieties

1. Key limes

Citrus aurantifolia is commonly known as Key lime, Mexican lime, West Indian lime, or bartender’s lime. When key limes are ripe, their color is bright yellow, unlike the green Persian limes.

Please look before on tips to care for key lime trees if you are a key lime farmer or enthusiast.

How to take care of key lime tree

Water related care for key lime trees

• Water the Key lime trees at least once a week. Rather than frequent shallow watering, water for long to a depth of about 6 inches if the soil is dry. 

• If the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water more frequently. On the contrary, if it is rainy, you don’t need to water as much.

• Remember to mulch to prevent excessive water loss. 

• Keep the mulch layer at least 5-10 cm to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. 

• Remember to keep the mulch 2 inches (5 cm) away from the tree’s bark to prevent disease.

Fertilizer and nutrient augmentation for key lime tree care

• Fertilize the Mexican key lime tree with a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It should have an NPK ratio of 2-1-1.

• It would be best to trace minerals like iron, zinc, and manganese if the fertilizer you use has trace minerals. 

• If you Key lime tree leaves turn yellow, either add more fertilizer or fix the drainage. 

Pest and disease control for key lime tree care

• Disease and fungal problems include wither tip, lime anthracnose, Fusarium oxysporum, Elsinoe fawcetti, algal disease, collar rot, etc. Sphaeropsis tumefaciens.

Lime tree care from adverse conditions

• Remember to protect your Key likes from frost and long drought by building a sturdy frame around the tree and draping a cloth tarp or fiberglass insulation and whitewashing exposed tree trunks from winter frost and summer heat, respectively.

2. Bearss Limes (Persian Limes)

Citrus latifolia, commonly known as Bearss limes, may be one of the most popular varieties of limes globally. Bearss limes are larger, have an oval shape, and are less acidic compared to Key limes.

Read on to find out how you can take care of Bearss lime trees.

Bearss Lime tree care

Bearss limes are heavy feeders. No wonder the most care they need is fertilizing.

• You need to fertilize the tree by sprinkling ammonium sulfate after the Bearss has begun to show new buds and growth.

• Bearss trees in their first year require 1/4 cup of ammonium sulfate. 

• In the 2nd year, the trees require 1/2 cup ammonium sulfate.

• In the 3rd year, 3/4 cup and mature trees require 1 cup of ammonium sulfate.

• Please remember to water the tree every two weeks, and each time you fertilize the tree.

• It would be best to spray the tree with copper-based fungicide in mid to late summer to prevent red alga and citrus canker.

• Once again, remember to protect the tree from the chill in winter by covering with blankets or tarps. Lime and frost are not friends.

3. Kaffir lime

Citrus hystrix, also called the Thai lime, is popular in Asia. The kaffir lime can be distinguished by its lime-green color and bumpy skin.

Like their cousins Mexican Limes, the Kaffir limes are yellow when they ripen. Compared to other limes, Kaffir limes are tart, sour, and usually too acidic to cook with. Kaffir limes also contain very little juice when compared to Mexican and Persian limes.

Despite the acidity of Kaffir limes, this type of lime is very popular because Kaffir limes have many household uses like, cleaning and hair conditioning.

Below is a list of tools l tips on how to take care of Kaffir lime trees.

How to take care of Kaffir Lime trees

• Kaffir lime trees grow very well in containers and growing pots. However, remember that for the Kaffir lime tree to produce any limes, provide plenty of light for flowering.

• Kaffir lime trees aren’t normally bothered by pest problems but may become susceptible to mites.

• Even though Kaffir lime trees are hardy and can withstand harsh less than ideal conditions, there are specific needs that you must meet for the healthy growth of Thai limes. 

• Kaffir limes prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. If grown indoors, please ensure that you put the put near a sunny window.  

• Even though kaffir limes are heavy drinkers and like being watered, stagnant water can cause root rot to the Thai lime tree. 

• Like all lime trees, ensure to protect the kaffir limes from winter.

4. Tahiti limes

Tahiti limes are another type of Persian lime. This lime fruit variety is known for its oblong shape rather than round. Similar to Bearss limes, this is seedless like too.

Tahiti lime tree care

• Tahitis require well-drained soil to prevent root rot. So keep the soil. 

• You also have to fertilize. Tahiti limes should be fertilized every two to three months with ¼ pound.  

• After the Tahiti limes are established, you can adjust the fertilizing schedule to 3-4 applications per year. The number of applications will be determined by the manufacturer’s instructions for the tree’s increasing size.

• You have to start with a fertilizer mixture of 6-10% of nitrogen, potash, phosphorus, and 4-6 percent magnesium for the young growing Tahiti limes.  

• For mature Tahiti trees, you have to alter the fertilizer mixture ratios to 9-15% potash and reduce the phosphoric acid concentration to 2-4%. 

• It is wise to fertilize Tahiti like trees at the beginning of late spring and throughout summer.

5. Calamansi Limes (Philippine Limes)

Citrus microcarpa, also calamansi limes, are a small type of lime with orange-colored zest.

Philippine limes are a hybrid type of lime fruit that looks like a small green.

Look below for ways to take care of calamansi lime trees.

Calamansi lime tree care

• Apart from the basic care for limes by keeping the soil moist, well-drained fertilizing so mentioned above, you have to pollinate calamansi lime trees.

• Calamansi lime trees, if grown outside, may not need to be pollinated. Still, however, if you are planting Clamansi indoors, you need to hand pollinate them using a Q-tip or soft brush.

Indoor lime tree care

If you haven’t already guessed by now, lime trees are thirsty, sun-loving, and heavy feeder trees.

Whether you are going to grow your lime trees indoors or outdoors, for your limes to be healthy, be sure to; 

To look after indoor lime trees, do the following.

1. You need to water adequately

Water the lime trees frequently, but not too much or the roots will root. Water just enough to dampen the soil.

2. Check the soil drainage

Ensure that the soil drainage is great. If there is something limes hate more than cold, it is standing water. 

Besides, standing water is suitable for pathogens, which could cause disease to the lime tree.

3. Expose the limes to sunlight

Ensure that your lime trees get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

4. Fertilize, fertilize, and fertilize again. 

Seriously limes are heavy feeders, and the tree will deplete the nutrients in the soil they are planted.

You must fertilize as per the manufacturer’s instructions for your tree size.

5. Hand pollinate

For indoor planted limes, because there isn’t much wind out insect pollinators indoors, it is important to hand pollinate.

Lime tree care 101 (Everything you need to know about Lime tree care from start to finish)

Stage 1: Grafting

Many farmers like to grow their lime trees by grafting. Grafting is, therefore, an important stage in lime tree care.

Listed below are what you need to consider and look out for when grafting or dealing with grafted baby lime trees.

1. Target to graft in spring. 

It is important to target spring because it is easier to detach the bud from the mother tree during spring. In spring, you don’t have to worry about frost in case of new growth from the bud during the healing process.

2. Choose rootstock that is a hardy variety and works well in your area. 

The most varieties commonly used are bitter lemon and sour lemon. Still, any other variety that is Hardy will work at the good rootstock.

3. Ensure to use a sharp knife when getting the bud from the budding plant. 

In case the knife that you use is very dull, you might end up doing damage to the tree tissues, which may cause infection and infestation by pests, vermin, and pathogens.

4. Remember to preserve the budwood if you’re not going to attach the bud straight away to the rootstock. 

You can preserve the budwood in a damp paper towel. You must preserve it because the budwood should not dry before it is grafted.

5. Do not forget to use grafting tape after the whole process is complete.

Please ensure that you tape both above and below the rootstock but leave the bud exposed to keep the grafting in place until healing is complete. 

Stage 2: Nursery bed

The major challenges baby limes face at this growth stage is after grafting is drying out from too much sunlight and lack of water. 

The only precautionary tip to this stage is to keep the young plants aerated, watered, and sheltered from direct sunshine.

Stage 3: Transplanting

When lime seedlings have grown for the farmer, it is crucial to transplant them from the nursery into a more permanent substrate like the garden or gardening pots. The other scenario to transplant is when your lime plant has outgrown its pot.

Below for tips to follow when transplanting or preparing to transplant lime trees.

1. Please remember to prune the roots before transplanting. 

The rationale for pruning the roots is to encourage new root growth when you transplant. While you are pruning the roots, remember to remove any large block of soil stuck in between the roots. 

Please take caution, not to over prune.

2. Prune branches

So important for you to prune the branches when you’re about to transplant. After transplanting the Lime Tree to its new home, please remember to generously water and check on it periodically until after a month or so has passed.

Stage 4: Adding water to the soil

Every lime farmer knows that lime trees are thirsty trees. It is very important when going limes to water adequately and regularly.

The only thing you need to take precautions to avoid over-watering is that even though water is important to the lime trees, too much water will cause root rot. 

Stage 5: Pruning

While some scholars argue that limes do not require pruning, you need to prune at least once or twice a year to encourage growth and increase the limes’ yield.

Below is a list of a few tips to follow when pruning a lime plant.

1. Never prune in winter or summer

It is very important to remember to never prune during winter or summer. Pruning sets a plant into hormonal stress, and this causes a plant to overgrow. 

If you prune during winter or close to winter, the weak new growth is bound to be harmed by the snow. 

On the other hand, pruning during summer will expose the stem’s exposed trunk due to removing some branches to the sun, causing sunburn.

Now both sunburn and frostbite to Lime Trees or irreversible, so you’re better off avoiding either of them by waiting for the fall or early spring to prune.

2. Use sharp pruning tools 

Always ensure that you use sharp pruning shears when pruning. This is because if you used dull tools, you might cause damage to the surrounding tissues. Remember, sharp cuts are clean.

3. Disinfect shears after pruning diseased branches

Please sanitize your hands and disinfect shears after pruning a diseased branch before pruning healthy branches to avoid transmitting infection.

Stage 6: Pesticide application

The most common pests that you will encounter when growing limes are:

• Leaf miner
• Scale
• Citrus mites 
• Aphids

When they see places in their crop, any farmer’s first reaction is to spray chemicals to kill the pest. However, limes are very sensitive, so it wouldn’t be wise to spray chemicals. You can try organic alternatives.

Consider trying organic approaches like citrus sprays and neem oil to kill the pests. In some cases, you can just ignore the pests you see because, believe it or not, some pests won’t kill the tree.

Stage 7: Fertilizer application 

Lime trees are an intense nutrient crop. Do not tire of fertilizing when you are a lime farmer.

Listed below are the things that you need to know when applying fertilizer to lime plants.

• Be sure that the fertilizer does not touch the trunk or roots directly and avoid fertilizing lime trees with soluble nitrogen fertilizer when there’s likely to be heavy rain. 

• Fertilize mature limes thrice a year. Fertilize once in the fall or winter, once in early spring, and again during late summer. If fertilizing a lime tree with slow-release fertilizer, only apply every 6-9 months.

• Slow-release fertilizers that release nutrients slowly with time are your best shot because you won’t need to fertilize often. 

• Remember to water immediately after fertilizing.

Stage 7: Harvesting

Most farmers are challenged by when to know that lime is ripe. Do not wait for limes to ripe before picking them. It’s always better to harvest while the limes are still green.

One pro tip that you can use to know whether your limes are ripe is to look for the lighter green ones than those still dark green; otherwise, you just have to cut them open to tell.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Taking care of limes trees isn’t a piece of cake but rather a daunting task. As a gardener, you are going to invest energy and time. 

But the good thing though, and what keeps many farmers going, is the lime fruit. It is worth every piece of work that you put in.