In the case of Kaffir limes, strong spines up to 1 ½ inches long protrude from the branches just beneath each cluster of lemon-scented leaves. The thorns on small, shrubby Key limes are just as sharp. But they’re also much more numerous, and — at only 3/8-inches long — much harder to spot.
Why do some lime trees have thorns?
Why Does My Citrus Plant Have Thorns? The presence of thorns on citrus trees has evolved for exactly the same reason that animals such as hedgehogs and porcupines sport prickly hides– protection from predators, specifically, hungry animals that want to nibble away at the tender leaves and fruit.
What do kaffir limes look like?
These hourglass-shaped leaves comprise the leaf blade plus a flattened, leaf-like stalk (or petiole). The fruit is rough and green, and ripens to yellow; it is distinguished by its bumpy exterior and its small size, approximately 4 cm (2 in) wide.
When should I prune my kaffir lime tree?
Prune the best branches back to a strong, outward-facing bud. In spring, these will shoot strongly in the direction they are facing. “When it comes to citrus, like this Kaffir lime, you just want to take the lower growth off.
Does a Persian lime have thorns?
The Tahiti lime, also known as the Persian lime grows to 15 to 20 feet with nearly thornless branches. However nearly thornless still means the tree has thorns. The tree blooms early in the year, usually January, although blossoms can appear at any time. The fruit ripens to a pale yellow, has few seeds and is aromatic.
Which lime tree has no thorns?
Tahitian limes have good-sized fruit and they bear from mid autumn through to mid winter. The reason they’re popular is because they’re ‘user friendly. ‘ They have no seeds and they’re virtually thornless.
What citrus trees do not have thorns?
List of thornless citrus trees
- Eureka lemon– a hybrid lemon cultivar that has very few thorns.
- Bearss lemon– just like Eureka lemon, Bearss lemon has very few thorns compared to other lemon cultivars.
- Meiwa kumquat– this kumquat variety produces round fruits with a sweet flavor.
How big does a kaffir lime tree grow?
5 feet
Care Of Your Kaffir Lime Tree. The Kaffir* lime tree (Citrus hystrix), also known as makrut lime, is commonly grown for use in Asian cuisine. While this dwarf citrus tree, reaching up to 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall, can be grown outdoors (year-round in USDA zones 9-10), it is best suited for indoors.
How do you take care of a kaffir lime tree?
Give your kaffir lime a spot with good air circulation, but avoid drafts from heating and cooling vents. Watering once a week is usually enough. The soil should stay moist, not soggy. Don’t water just because the soil surface looks dry.
Are bergamot and kaffir lime the same?
The main difference between bergamot and kaffir lime is that bergamot is the size of an orange and has a yellow or green color similar to a lime, while kaffir lime is green in color, round in shape, and has a thick rind that is knobby and wrinkled.
Does pruning encourage growth?
For most species, the harder a plant is pruned the more vigorously it will grow back. Light pruning will encourage slower but more branching growth. These principles can be used for many trees and shrubs to reshape an uneven specimen by cutting the weak side back hard but the stronger side lightly.
Is Kaffir lime same as lime?
Are Kaffir Limes and Limes the Same? No. Kaffir limes are known more for their leaves while regular (western) limes are used more for their zest and juice. The skin of the kaffir limes is warty and it doesn’t give a lot of juice.
How do you harvest kaffir lime leaves?
To harvest kaffir lime leaves, pick the leaves gently by hand to avoid damaging the branches. If you just need a leaf or two you can pick them from any part of the plant but if you need quite a few leaves it’s best to trim off a small branch and remove all the leaves.
How do I know what kind of lime tree I have?
The only distinguishing factor of the lime tree is its size and shape of the trees. The size, shape, color, and rind texture are also the distinguishing features of different types of lime fruits. The shape and size of the leaves and flowers also help classify the different types of lime trees.
Do lime trees grow thorns?
Although lime trees, with their small, stocky profile and thorny branches, look rather tough, the fruit is actually sensitive to cold. Most commercially valuable lime trees do have small thorns, and although thornless varieties are more desirable, they are less productive, according to Texas A&M Aggie Horticulture.
What is the best variety of lime tree?
The Tahiti lime is also called the Persian lime according to Gardenia, but is most commonly known as the Bearss lime, perhaps the best known of the lime varieties according to National Gardening Association.
Do all Meyer lemon trees have thorns?
True lemons have very sharp thorns, so some ‘Meyer’ hybrids may end up with small thorns on a few of the branches. Still, ‘Meyer’ lemons are usually “nearly thornless.”
How do you get rid of thorns on a lemon tree?
Rootstock and Lemon Trees
These vigorous and thorny suckers should be removed as soon as you see them to prevent them from taking over the rest of the tree. Pull theses branches off with your hands or cut them with hand pruners as close as possible where the sprout joins the main trunk.
Do lemon or lime trees have thorns?
Lime and lemon trees are both members of genus Citrus and many of them have thorns. However, the presence of thorns on lime and lemon trees is natural and no cause for alarm.
How long do lime trees live?
50 years
The typical lifespan of lemon and lime tree, including a hybrid lemon lime tree, is over 50 years. However, with proper care, excellent growing conditions, and satisfactory disease prevention practices, lemon and lime trees can live for over a hundred years.
How do you encourage fruit on a lime tree?
TOP TIPS
- Five hours of sunshine a day is needed for maximum fruiting.
- In cold climates, plant the tree in spring, when the soil has warmed up. In warm areas, trees can also be planted in autumn.
- Citrus likes water but only if it drains quickly.
- Citrus trees don’t need pruning to fruit well.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.