Limes are varieties of Citrus, closely related to oranges and lemons. They grow on attractive, ornamental evergreen trees, usually reaching a height of up to 1.5-1.8m (5-6ft). These are often sold trained as standard trees.They are not reliably cold hardy in Britain, so are best grown outside in containers from late spring/early summer to the beginning of autumn, and then brought inside for the winter – preferably a heated greenhouse or conservatory. Most lime varieties are less cold tolerant than lemons and oranges and need more warmth in winter than both of these.Lime trees produce lovely, white, fragrant flowers that appear in spring and summer, as well as citrus-fragrant foliage. They are self-fertile, so you will only need to grow one tree to get fruit.They don’t make great houseplants, as they need plenty of light and most rooms – apart from a conservatory – aren’t really light enough or suitable. They dislike central heating, as this makes rooms too hot and stuffy with a lack of essential humidity.
Lime Care
Citrus Aurantiifolia
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
4°C - 26°C
Hardiness zone
10 - 12
Difficulty
Medium
Hibernation
Cold Period
Toxicity
Poisonous
How to Care for the Plant
Water
When watering limes, irrigate until the water runs from the drainage hole in the bottom of the container. don't let the lime tree sit in water, which can lead to root rot, causing the leaves to yellow and die off. to prevent this, make sure you plant the tree in a well-draining soil medium and lift the pot slightly with a bed of stones.
Pruning
To prune a plant to encourage bushy new growth, snip off the dominant buds on select stems, staggering the cuts to encourage varied growth.
Fertilizer
Simply apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, extending to the drip line. For vegetables, place the fertilizer in a strip parallel to the planting row. Water-soluble fertilizers are faster acting but must be applied more frequently. This method gives plants food while you water.
Sunlight
This plant needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun.
Soil
Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with perlite to help with drainage.
Temperature
The optimal temperatures for their cultivation range between 25 - 30°c, with the coldest month having an average minimum of at least 15°c. Growth generally ceases below 13°c and above 38°c
Container
Use a ceramic porous pot with a good drainage.
Additional
Seedling trees begin to blossom and fruit in 3 to 6 years and reach full production in 8 to 10 years. Fruit is harvested during two periods each year, May–June and November–December. The ideal time to harvest limes is when their color changes from dark to light green and the surface skin is smooth.
Popularity
3,043 people already have this plant 342 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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