Easily mistaken for lemons due to their yellow inner color, fruit of the Sweet Lime has a much lower acidity than other varieties, and can thus be eaten ripe and fresh-picked. Less aromatic and thicker skinned than the Key Lime, the Bearss fruit yellows as it ripens, and provides a longer shelf life than other varieties. The Key Lime fruit is small, juicy, tart, and very delicious. Water the lime tree to a depth of 18 inches throughout the growing season during periods of drought, as a good watering regimen is essential to an effective bloom production. Proper care is the most important key when forcing a lime tree to bloom. How to Force Blooms on a Lime Tree. The Sweet Lime is highly valued in India, Vietnam, Egypt and the Meditteranean coast, where it is grown commercially and recognized for its fruit’s high Vitamin C and dietary fiber content, as well as its appealing taste. Lime trees are very irritable and several common conditions cause the tree to not bloom, including over-pruning, inadequate water drainage and lack of sunlight. Often used with tequila or in the sliced and placed neck of a glass beer bottle. 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. Hand spread the fertilizer around the base of the tree, following all package instructions. The lime was originally named Limonaia aurantifolia and Citrus lima, but C. aurantifolia is the recognized in 20th century name conferred by Walter Single of the USDA. Lime trees grown cuttings may produce blooms the first year after germination, and then not bloom again for several years while the tree matures. 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 . Well known under the popular moniker “Key Lime,” the Mexican variety has a thicker skin and darker green color than its Florida Keys sibling. Remove damaged or weak branches in the spring. The mulch will help to conserve moisture and smother competitive weeds. Lime trees do not respond well to heavy pruning. It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 1/2 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m.) tall. Lime trees grown from seed will not produce fruit until three to six years after germination. Lime trees cannot survive in temperatures less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time. Key Lime Tree, also known as Mexican lime, is a shrub that has a rounded or curved canopy with slender branches and medium thorns. This species is divided into two groups, this one among smaller Mexican or "bartenders" lime introduced by the Spanish into the Caribbean. Also known as the Tahiti or Persian Lime, this seedless variety was developed by John T. Bearss in 1895 in Porterville, California. Use a watering hose that is set on a slow trickle. There are two main species of lime trees: the Mexican lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), commonly known as key lime, and the Persian lime (Citrus latifolia). Nitrogen will promote healthy green growth, while phosphorus will encourage flower production, forcing the tree to bloom on time. Easily mistaken for lemons due to their yellow inner color, fruit of the Sweet Lime has a much lower acidity than other varieties, and can thus be eaten ripe and fresh-picked. Note, however, that lime trees do not respond well to heavy pruning. Size: 5 Gal - 3 ft tall ( $40.00) Sweet. The branches are thorny and the leaves have a fresh citrus scent that can fill any room. The Mexican lime tree is shrubby and vigorous, growing between 6 to 13 feet tall. Copyright 2020 / California Tropical Fruit Trees, 2081 Elevado Road, Vista CA, 92084 / 760-434-5085. The Key lime tree produces tiny white flowers that bloom in spring and emit a soft fragrance. Growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 through 11, the lime tree is best produced in at least eight hours of full sun exposure per day, planted 15 to 20 feet away from buildings or other trees. Recognized by its unique, bumpy skin, fruit of the Kaffir Lime tree is a staple of Southeast Asian cuisine, and its leaves are widley used in Thai, Laoatian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Burmese and South Indian cooking. Mexican key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as key lime, bartender’s lime and West Indian lime, is a moderately sized evergreen fruit tree. Mexican Key Lime Tree. Cut suckers growing from the ground around the trunk with a sharp shovel, making deep plunges into the ground working in a circular motion. The Mexican Lime can be harvested from a light green color till they turn yellow on the tree, giving these a long hang time meaning you can get more use out of your produce. Begin watering at the trunk of the tree, moving outward to the dripline. Fertilize the lime tree once a month from spring through fall with a 12-0-12 granular fertilizer, high in nitrogen and phosphorus, recommends the University of Florida. Lime trees grown from cuttings may produce blooms the first year after germination, and then not bloom again for several years while the tree matures. You may know the fruit as the West Indian or Key lime. There are two main species of lime trees, the Mexican lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), commonly known as key lime and the Persian lime (Citrus latifolia). Watering for short periods of time encourages shallow rooting and result in the lack of blooming and other damage to the tree.