Sweet limes can be grown in the garden or do nicely in containers as long as the ambient temps are 50 degrees F. (10 C.) or more. Be sure to water the tree every 7-10 days if it is in the ground and up to every day if container grown depending upon rain and temperature factors. Mexican lime is also known as key lime and West Indian lime. Fertilize the tree with 1 to 1½ pounds of actual nitrogen each year. Mary Ellen sweet lime (Citrus limettioides) is a small round type of lime that is yellowish-green when mature. aka "Mexican Lime" Key Limes are a shrubby, thorny tree that can reach as much as 10-15 feet tall, is cold sensitive, but is more drought tolerant than most other citrus. Intrigued? Water young Mexican lime trees twice a week and mature plants at least once a week. It is not very sour and is very refreshing as an eat out of hand fruit or in a refreshing beverage (with or without a sweet or alcoholic addition for flavoring). Eat sweet lime raw. Today, sweet limes grow in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, tropical Americas, parts of Southeast Asia, and also the Mediterranean. Mulch the area around the tree with organic mulch, making sure to keep the mulch 1 foot away from the tree’s trunk. There are several varieties of Lime trees. Charles Malki, Biologist & Plant Expert from http://ivorganics.com/ discusses lime tree care, and citrus plants in general, from Walnut Creek, California. Size - … The peel is greenish to orange-yellow when ripe, smooth with obvious oil glands and thin. The Key lime is usually picked while it … Inspect your tree in the spring to determine if it has dead, diseased, crossed, or tangled branches. The fruit has a rich, aromatic flavor. Mexican Lime, Bearss Lime and more. Among them are Bearss Lime, Palestine Sweet Lime, Aussie Finger Lime, Kaffir Lime, and Thornless Mexican Limes, as well as dwarf varieties. The Bearss Lime is a larger, oval, seedless, dark green fruit that has a milder flavor. Similar to sweet limes from Mexico, which also originated from the Mediterranean. Container growing is nice since the tree can be moved to shelter if inclement weather is expected. The Mexican lime tree is exceptionally vigorous; may be shrubby and range from 6 1/2 to 13 feet high, with many slender, spreading branches, and usually with numerous, very sharp spines to 3/8 inch long. Immature trees should not be pruned. Sweet limes lack the acidity of other limes and, while sweet, the lack of tartness renders them almost bland to some tastes. This one looks more yellow than green when ripe. The interior pulp is pale yellow, segmented (10 segments), incredibly juicy, low on acid and with a slightly bitter to bland flavor. Several citrus trees include the term "lime" in the name, but are not actually lime varieties. Remove lime tree pests with water jets from a garden hose if necessary. Try a honey-lime dressing for fruit salad, using two teaspoons of sweet lime zest and one tablespoon of sweet lime juice for every 1/4 cup honey. Okay, it isn’t new, but fairly obscure in the United States. The fruit from these trees are small, reaching only 1 to 2 inches in diameter at maturity, and the color is light green to yellow. Nearly thorn-free. Sweet lime trees look much like the Tahiti lime, with serrated leaves and almost wingless petioles. Columbia is another varietal, as is ‘Soh Synteng,’ a more acidic variation with slightly pinkish, young shoots and flower buds. Other languages have their own names for the sweet lime and just to confuse matters, there is also a sweet lemon (C. limetta), which in some circles is also called a sweet lime. Spray the tree with iron or zinc supplements if you notice deficiencies. Cut and peel sweet lime. Also known as the Capulín cherry. Perhaps, you are interested in growing sweet lime trees. The shape is different from other Limes or Lemons. While these trees produce can fruit throughout the year, the majority of the crop is harvest-ready in the fall and winter. It is a cross between the citron (Citrus medica) and a … Because the flesh lacks acidity, it doesn’t have the sharp taste of other Mexican limes. It’s additionally a hobby fruit in parts of Florida and California. It is not known where or how the sweet lime originated, but it is thought to be a hybrid between a Mexican-type lime and a sweet lemon or sweet citron. Fertilize three times a year, in late winter, June and August, giving the tree one-third of the actual nitrogen at each fertilizing. The Mexican lime tree is shrubby and vigorous, growing between 6 to 13 feet tall. It became naturalized in the West Indies, south Florida and some Caribbean countries. It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 1/2 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m.) tall. Mexican lime trees produce one of the most commonly found limes in the US and have many names including the key lime tree. The Mexican Lime is a vigorous, shrub-like tree, and the pleasant and strong aroma of its fruit makes it a captivating part of any outdoor landscape Mexican lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as the bartender’s lime, is a thornless lime variety that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11. Cross between Mexican lime and citron or lemon. This tree is a great landscape tree that is one of the hardiest citrus trees in cultivation. This varietal also bears during the rainy season in India when other citrus is out of season. Packed with all the Limes you could wish for from our traditional Lime Tree Gift but in our new and exclusive Dwarf Lime Tree range. There’s a new citrus on the block! Zinc and iron deficiencies cause the leaves to turn yellow with green veins or create yellow blotches between leaf veins. The gorgeous Sweet Lime Tree Gift is just a little beauty queen. The mulch should be 2 to 3 inches deep. Have you ever tried a Mexican Sweet Lime? The flowers have white petals and a distinct tuft of stamens. Trees Mistaken for Lime Varieties. Use a slow-release fertilizer and be sure to spread it out a bit beyond the edge of the tree’s canopy as the tree’s roots may extend further than its branches. Build a sturdy frame of wood or PVC pipe around the tree and drape a cloth tarp over it when winter temperatures are expected to dip below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Aim for a pruning schedule of once per year or once every 2 years. The sweet lime (Citrus limettioides) has a number of names depending upon what language is being spoken. Key limes are a form of Mexican lime. Call Us: (602) 388-1529. In California the climatic influences create dramatically different sized and shaped sweet lime fruits from coastal to desert regions. C. limettiodes, is also known as Indian sweet lime. The gorgeous Sweet Lime Tree Gift is just a little beauty queen. In Florida, the Mexican lime is known as the Key lime. Limes will grow into a shrub-like form if a tree shape is not maintained. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The fruit is primarily cultivated in India, northern Vietnam, Egypt, tropical America and countries around the Mediterranean coastline. In India, mitha limbu, mitha nimbu or mitha nebu, with “mitha” meaning sweet. Prune lime trees every year or 2 years depending on branch health. Once Mexican Limes reach full maturity, usually in autumn to early winter, they drop from the tree. Distinct lime aroma and flavour. Plants belonging to the citrus family, including the lime tree, are best suited for growing in tropical and subtropical areas. Palestine trees are large to shrubby, thorny and hardier than ordinary lime trees. The fruit is deep and borne on a small thorny, tree-shrub that grows about 6 to 13 feet tall. The first fruit was brought to the United States from Saharanpur, India in 1904. The fruit is most likely a hybrid between a Mexican type of lime and a sweet lemon or sweet citron. The most common, Palestine (or Indian) is an oblong to nearly round fruit with a rounded bottom. We’re talking sweet limes. With its mild flavor and few seeds, it makes a refreshing beverage. The trees are thornless and bigger than Mexican lime trees. Thornless Mexican lime is now a popular type of lime-producing fruit tree due to its lack of thorns. Search. Almost as cold tolerant as lemons. Actually, if you let any lime ripen, it would be similar in hue, but they are picked before they are ripe to lengthen their shelf life. Mexican key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as key lime, bartender’s lime and West Indian lime, is a moderately sized evergreen fruit tree. Also, hot, hot temperature can also affect your sweet lime. Has less sugar and acid than the Bearss Lime. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Open … The small immature fruits are virtually indistinguishable from small Mexican limes but bigger fruit are often more oval in shape. Prune only established lime trees when necessary to remove dead and damaged limbs and, if desired, to maintain a tree-like shape. The Sweet Lime is an amazing gift to give to someone who really loves food and enjoys cooking. Growing sweet limes trees is possible in USDA zones 9-10. Lime, any of several species and hybrids of trees and shrubs in the rue family (), widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas for their edible acidic fruits.The Persian lime (Citrus ×latifolia) is one of the most common commercial varieties, though the smaller key lime, or Mexican lime (C. ×aurantifolia), is also economically important in many places. Sweet lime trees are also used as rootstock, even though their rootstock is prone to disease. Here, the plant is mostly grown as an ornamental for personal use, but in India and Israel, it is used as rootstock for the sweet orange and other citrus varieties. To help the lime tree grow as large and healthy as possible, you'll need to prune it regularly. A big thing to watch for with sweet lime tree care is temperature. The Persian lime is slightly more tolerant of cold than the Mexican lime but still prefers warmer areas than lemon. Writing professionally since 2008, Michelle Miley specializes in home and garden topics but frequently pens career, style and marketing pieces. Key Limes are a small fruit, and pack a punchy flavor unlike any other lime varieties. Citrus Tahitian Lime. Key or Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia), a shrubby, thorny tree that reaches 10 to 20 feet, is more cold sensitive, yet more drought tolerant than most citrus varieties. Whatever you call them, there are basically two types of sweet lime, Palestine and Mexican sweet limes, as well as several sweet lime varieties grown in India. The branches are thorny and the leaves have a fresh citrus scent that can fill any room. Source: Skakerman. Whitewash the trunks of lime trees with a 50/50 mixture of flat white paint and water as needed to prevent sunburn. What type of sweet lime tree care is needed for successful growing in these areas? Sweet lime trees look much like the Tahiti lime, with serrated leaves and almost wingless petioles. Mexican Lime trees can be grown on balconies, patios, and limited-space gardens. Mature trees grow 12 to 15 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide and produce small green and yellowish-green limes. Like all citrus varieties, the Mexican lime requires well-drained soil, plenty of warm weather and protection from winter cold. Water more frequently during extremely hot, dry weather. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude. Login. It is so hardy that growers often use it as rootstock for less hardy varieties, harnessing the robustness of the Palestine Lime's roots and trunk to grow more fragile fruit in cooler places. Unlike supermarket limes, the fruit is yellow-green to yellow-orange in color. Yes, a lime that is less tart and more on the sweet side. Give the tree a long, deep watering rather than a quick shot with the garden hose. Skip to Content. The cherry starts out yellow and turns red as it ripens. Cherry Tree Sweet Mexican R 180.00. The lime fruits are borne singly or in 2's or 3's (or sometimes large clusters), at the twig tips. Sweet limes have very little presence in American horticulture outside of ornamental use and as a garden tree. Her essays have been used on college entrance exams and she has more than 4,000 publishing credits. Mexican lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as the bartender’s lime, is a thornless lime variety that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Editors of Sunset Magazine. Mediterranean botanists refer to … Round, medium-sized juicy yellow fruit. Its dangling shoots become covered in masses of flowers, which bloom in the early spring on slender branches. The Mexican lime tree is exceedingly vigorous; may be shrubby or range from 6 1/2 to 13 ft (2-4 m) high, with many slender, spreading branches, and usually has numerous, very sharp, axillary spines to 3/8 in … In Spanish, lima dulce. Lime trees need enough water to wet the soil around them 3 feet deep at each watering, which requires 3 to 6 inches of water, depending on the soil type. This is the one that made key lime pies famous. Sign up for our newsletter. Well known under the popular moniker “Key Lime,” the Mexican variety has a thicker skin and darker green color than its Florida Keys sibling. If possible, such trees should be planted in places that receive optimum southern sunlight, preferably in the regions where the temperature ranges between 65 – 75°F. Also the leaves are bigger and darker. Mexican Lime trees are vigorous fruit producers and a single seed has the potential of yielding thousands of Limes. The fruits are small, round to slightly oblong, and have a thin, smooth, rind with prominent oil glands. Wait until late summer, just before the tree drops its fruit and develops new buds for the following … Unlike supermarket limes, the fruit is yellow-green to yellow-orange in color. Packed with all the Limes you could wish for from our traditional Lime Tree Gift but in our new and exclusive Dwarf Lime Tree range. Citrus limetta, alternatively considered to be a cultivar of Citrus limon, C. limon 'Limetta', is a species of citrus, commonly known as mousambi, musambi, sweet lime, sweet lemon, and sweet limetta, it is a member of the sweet lemons. University of California Cooperative Extension: Citrus for the Home Garden. My Cart. Have sweet lime by itself as a snack, or add it to any fruit salad. The fruit itself is a hybrid of the Mexican lime as well as sweet citron or sweet lemon. Plant sweet limes on the south side of a building where it will get the most warmth and protection from any cold snaps. Their fruit is the most commonly found lime in the supermarket with green flesh and slightly smaller than a lemon. If water jet removal does not work, your local garden center can help you identify and treat your specific pest problem. Key or Mexican. 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These include the Palestine sweet lime, the Kaffir lime, the Rangpur lime (a cross between a lemon and mandarin), and a hybrid called a limequat, which is a cross between the Mexican lime and a kumquat. Medium sized leaves. The Key lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) is a citrus hybrid (C. micrantha x C. medica) with a spherical fruit, 25–50 mm (1–2 in) in diameter. The flowers are pure white, and the new growth is bright green. In French, sweet limes are called limettier doux. It originated in Asia, was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa by Arab traders and was brought to the Americas during the early sixteenth century by Spanish and Portugese explorers. The Sweet Lime is an amazing gift to give to someone who really loves food and enjoys cooking. The tree is medium-large with an irregular spreading form. Some Ayurvedic Remedies With Mosambi Or Sweet Lime. The tree is evergreen and produces fragrant white blooms against a backdrop of green foliage in early spring. The Mexican lime is small, about 1 to 2 inches across. Small almost round pale greenish yellow fruit with yellow/green juicy pulp. When pruning limes grown as shrubs, remove branches that touch the ground to prevent ant infestation. If so, read on to find out about sweet lime tree growing and how to take care of a sweet lime tree. Actually, if you let any lime ripen, it would be similar in hue, but they are picked … Lime trees are easy to grow and plant and Moon Valley Nurseries has been growing our own citrus trees from only registered root stock for over 20 years. You can also wrap the trunk of the tree in fiberglass insulation to protect it from cold weather. This is a large, fast-growing tree that is especially pretty when it’s in bloom. Habit - Vigorous hardy tree with drooping branches. Plant sweet limes in well-draining soil since like all citrus, sweet limes hate “wet feet.”. Is now a popular type of lime trees the early spring on slender branches pieces. 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