When you hear the word “key lime,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Did you think of yummy pies or an alcoholic drink when you read this? The key lime tree is the only thing we care about. This tree will also capture your attention once we are done praising it.
The key lime tree is a tropical plant that produces fruit all year long. Citrus trees will produce a small but steady supply of fruit from early summer to late fall. What’s more, you can take in the tree’s verdant growth and sweet-smelling blooms.
And let’s not forget the delicious fruit! Regular limes are about the size of a tennis ball, whereas key limes are about the size of a golf ball. The size is made up for by the thinner peel and stronger flavor. Picking limes before they are ripe is common practice. If you leave them on the branch, they will eventually turn into yellow limes.
What are Key Limes?
The citrus hybrid tree produces key limes, which are also known as West Indian limes, Mexican limes, or, more colloquially, Bartender’s limes. The word “lime” typically refers to a fruit that is much smaller than a Persian lime. These fruits can grow to the size of a large walnut or golf ball at their peak (1-2 inches or 2.5-5cm).
Key limes are Common limes that are grown across the globe. They have a higher acidity, potent aromatic scent, thin skin, and juiciness.
The term “key lime” originated due to the presence of the fruit in the Florida Keys, a series of islands off the coast of Florida. The fruit itself, however, did not originate in the Florida Keys.
Though it is native to Southeast Asia, it came to Florida through Arabian and Spanish traders, and picked up the moniker along the way.
The key lime was doing well in Florida until a natural disaster ruined most of the crops, and the lime that is now more commonly found in the United States took its place.
The Persian lime is more appealing than the key lime because they are larger and don’t contain any seeds.
Although you can use a Persian lime instead of a key lime, there is a small difference in taste Persian limes are more tart than sweet, making them perfect for baking.
If you want the key lime pie to taste authentic, you should start by growing your own trees.
Planting Key Limes
The first step to making a key lime pie from scratch is to plant a key lime tree. This is what you need to know to be able to plant your future pie!
When To Plant
We recommend planting your tree in late winter, but it can be done at any time of year. This allows the tree to become acclimated to its new location before the spring growth season begins. If you want to plant an indoor/outdoor container, do it when the weather is warm or cold, so it doesn’t have to be moved around while it’s getting settled. Air Pots are great for helping trees develop a healthy root system.
Where To Plant
Pick a spot that gets approximately 10 hours of full sun every day. To protect the plant from cold winds, plant it on the south side of your house to block the northern breeze.
Ideally, these trees should be set 25 feet apart. This will ensure maximal visibility for your product. You should place your product at least 4-6 feet away from competitors to ensure maximal visibility. Leave space for easy harvesting and pruning.
If you live in an area that is cooler than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you should bring the tree inside. Choose a pot that’s just a bit bigger than the root system of your plant. You may have to transplant it to a larger pot later on. Use a size that will allow moisture to escape.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Key Lime Trees
Climate for Key Limes
The decision of whether to grow your key lime tree outside or within a temperature-controlled environment depends entirely on the climate you live in. You won’t be able to grow key lime trees in your backyard if you live somewhere with cold winters because they need consistent warm or tropical environments to thrive.
If you live in North America, you can check the climate compatibility for where you live using the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. The map groups the continent’s11 planting zones together by temperature. If you live in zones 9-11, you’re in luck. Your key lime tree will survive outdoors.
If you live in a different continent than North America, research what kind of zone maps or climate information is available for your area. A good guideline is to make sure your temperature never falls below 32°F (0°C), as this can damage the plant and cause it to lose its leaves. Below 28°F (-2°C), the plant will begin to die.
If you typically have temperate winters that allow your citrus fruits to grow outdoors, but a cold spell comes through, you will need to either move your plant indoors. It is best to plant the tree in a container if your climate is not warm all year. You can also protect it from frost damage by using an anti-frost blanket or cover.
You should choose fruit that has already grown on the tree, as freezing temperatures can influence the taste.
Sun Requirements for Key Lime Trees
Your key lime tree will need to be in a sunny spot. The best place for the tree is somewhere it will get at least 8 hours of sunlight every day. Giving lime trees lots of sun will help them thrive. Exposing the lime to heat is what makes it particularly delicious.
To choose the best location, you should watch your yard at different times of the day to see where the sun shines and where it doesn’t.
Periodically check the positions of the shade and the sun throughout the day. To determine where to put your highlights, simply observe where the light hits the subject.
You can also create your own sun exposure chart to see how much sun your desired location gets throughout the day.
If you want the highest quality of fruit from your key lime tree, you should plant it where it will receive the most sunlight.
Soil for Key Lime Trees
Soil that is fertile and sandy is often recommended for citrus trees. The optimum pH level for soil should be between 6 and 7.5. You can use a soil monitor to check the pH level of your soil.
Make sure the soil you choose has excellent drainage to avoid issues with your plants. Water key limes frequently, as their roots grow shallow and will rot if left in water.
Preparing the soil before planting with compost and aged manure can help the plants grow better. The soil will be more fertile if it is prepared a few weeks before planting, when the compost and manure have had a chance to break down partially.
If the soil is not in ideal condition, you can improve it by creating a small mound to plant into. You can improve drainage for your mound by adding compost, aged manure, and soil.
Watering Key Lime Trees
A rule of thumb for watering your key lime tree is to water it once or twice a week deeply. Water your plant until the top six inches of the soil are wet, or until the water starts draining out of the pot.
Water your soil only when the top layer is dry to the touch.
The frequency of watering and the amount of water you give your key lime tree depend on the climate you live in. If the climate is hot, you will need to water more frequently. This is because the sun will evaporate the water faster than the roots can absorb it.
Your key lime tree needs a good amount of water, but you can overwater it.
If the leaves turn yellow or curl up, the plant might be getting too much water. Water your key lime less if it’s looking yellow and monitor closely to see if you need to adjust watering.
Fertilizer for Key Lime Trees
Citrus trees need a lot of nutrients from the soil to stay healthy. To balance this, you’ll need a good fertilizer.
A good fertilizer contains twice as much nitrogen as phosphorus and potassium. Look for beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.
You should not mix your fertilizer with the soil as it could damage the roots. Instead of using a quick-release fertilizer, use a slow-release fertilizer and spread it across the top of the soil before watering. This organic citrus fertilizer would be a good option.
Adding aged manure and compost is also a good way to fertilize.
Generally, citrus requires fertilizing 3-4 times a year. It’s a good idea to fertilize your key lime tree at the beginning of each season. In some climates, it is not necessary to fertilizer during the winter.
Harvesting and Storing Key Limes
Pie makers rejoice! After all of the work is done, it is time to get the key lime and put it to use.
Harvesting
Even though limes are yellow when they’re fully ripe, they’re usually picked green because they’re used for culinary purposes before they’re ripe. Do not pick the fruit until it turns a light yellow-green color. Pick it by hand when it does. The lime will be about the size of a golf ball and will yield to light pressure. You will need to cut the stem so that you do not damage the branch if the fruit is not yet ripened. A lime will fall off the tree and should be gathered from the ground.
Storing
Home-grown limes may look tempting to put on display, but they will stay fresh longer if stored in the fridge rather than on the counter. The vegetables will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks if kept in the crisper drawer of the fridge. To make your vegetables last longer, store them in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge. Key limes can last for a month or longer, which gives you ample time to bake a key lime pie!
A lime usually lasts 5-7 days after being cut. When storing multiples of food, ensure that the food that is spoiling or moldy is immediately discarded to prevent contamination of the other food. You can freeze lime juice for up to four months.
Growing Problems
If a tree is producing healthy flowers but no fruit, it is most likely in need of pollinators. The following text is about indoor trees and small bee populations. You will have to get the job done yourself. To transfer pollen from one flower to another, simply swirl a clean paintbrush in the center of a blossom.
If the leaves of your key lime tree are yellowing, it is likely a sign that the tree is being overwatered or that it needs more fertilizer. Check the soil drainage first. If your soil is extremely wet or holding water in puddles, you need to mix in some sand or perlite. Don’t water the plants again until the soil starts to get dry. If you’re having trouble getting your plants to grow, it may help to add more fertilizer to the soil.
Pests
Citrus snow scale is an aphid-like insect that causes damage to the trunk and branches. They coat the tree in such a way that it looks like it has a light layer of snow on it. Commonly introduced parasitic wasps to control the snow scale population include Aphytis lingnanensis and Aphytis gordonae. Horticultural oils will also eliminate these pests.
Citricola scale is a serious threat to key limes, as it reduces the size of the fruit and overall yield. These pests suck out the juice and leave behind honeydew, which attracts black sooty mold. When mold grows on fruit, it can prevent the fruit from being able to produce energy from sunlight. This can damage the fruit and reduce the amount that is produced. The best way to get rid of these pests is to use an insecticide, specifically organic petroleum oil spray. Biological controls can be effective by introducing predators like Metaphycus and Coccophagus.
Citrus mites pose the worst threat to young trees. They search for juice in large numbers and cause deformed fruit and a silvery coloring on the leaves. Remove dead branches, leaves and other debris to prevent these mites. The existing population of pests can be controlled by spraying with miticide or using neem oil.
Diseases
If your key lime tree is continually exposed to warm, humid weather, it may be more likely to develop citrus canker. The fungus appears as dark spots on the leaves and branches, which spread over time. Eventually, it’ll cause leaf death and fruit drop. To prevent this from happening, keep the leaves dry when watering the plant. To stop the disease, apply a copper fungicide.
The soil fungus Phytophthora can cause gummosis and root rot. Gummosis is a disease that affects trees, causing the bark to crack and ooze. If your plant’s roots are decaying, its leaves are yellowing, and it isn’t growing as much as it used to, then it has root rot. To prevent the fungus from spreading, don’t overwater. If phytophthora is present in the soil before planting, fumigate it with metam sodium to prevent the fungus from infecting the plants. Removing the infected bark and treating the area with a copper fungicide will get rid of gummosis.
If you see brown spots on your limes, it’s likely brown fruit rot. The spots start on the fruit and then spread until the whole fruit is covered and it looks like a mummy. If these spots appear on the blossoms, they will eventually die and spread the disease to the nearby twigs. The brown rot will not kill the key lime trees, however it will significantly decrease the fruit yield. The following sentence should be read as, “If you see these spots, take immediate action to remove the affected areas and burn or bury them.” If the disease persists, apply a copper fungicide.
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