Large Tahitian Lime Tree always in fruit and a top fruit tree

Discussion in 'Fruit & Vegetable Growing' started by Mark, May 1, 2014.

  1. Mark

    Mark Founder Staff Member

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    My Tahitian Lime tree has to be one of the most valuable fruit trees in my garden and I would recommend this variety to anyone.

    Check out the size of this tree! I give it an annual prune but mostly just thin out some crossing branches and try to keep any low branches off the ground. Once a year, I will give it a feed with a citrus fertiliser and occasionally throw some chicken or quail mulch/manure mix from the pens under the tree. Apart from that I don't do much else except eat the fruit (and give lots away).

    This tree is rarely without a lime to pick, actually, I can't recall a time in the past 3 years when it hasn't had fruit. ATM it has all cycles, mature fruit, maturing fruit, small fruit, and flowers.

    I have a friend who lives in Brisbane and he sometimes pays up to $2 per lime from his local store so whenever we visit I take a bag :)

    I have placed a 1.8 metre post in front of the tree as an indication to show its size - it's massive!

    As most people know, limes are great for a whole range of uses particularly cooking, and drinks like a Vodka'n lime or in an ice cold Corona :cheers:

    tahitian lime tree large.jpg ​
     
    Mark, May 1, 2014
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  2. stevo

    stevo Backyard Farmer Premium Member GOLD

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    hrm, I have one too, it's about about 1m tall and is looking healthy. When you crush the leaves in your hand they smell great. I think mine is a dwarf type, I hoep it doesn't get as big as yours anyway!
     
    stevo, May 2, 2014
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  3. Mark

    Mark Founder Staff Member

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    Yeah, mowing around the tree on my ride-on you can smell the lime - bloody wonderful.
     
    Mark, May 2, 2014
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  4. Ash

    Ash Valued Member Premium Member

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    How do you get to the fruit at the top of the tree Mark?
    Would pruning the tree help?
     
    Ash, May 19, 2015
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  5. Mark

    Mark Founder Staff Member

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    A ladder or by pulling a branch down citrus are very flexible.
    Yes it would... but citrus don't get very big anyway. Although, a good prune each season after fruiting helps to keep the tree aired out.

    I've run into a nasty problem with this tree and several other trees called citrus borer - I'm trying to eradicate it organically atm but it's making a mess of my trees and makes pruning mandatory big time!
     
    Mark, May 19, 2015
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  6. Ash

    Ash Valued Member Premium Member

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    That's the first I've heard of the borer. Had to look it up and am now vigilant about it. I though the leaf miner was bad enough.
     
    Ash, May 20, 2015
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  7. Mark

    Mark Founder Staff Member

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    Borer and gal wasp are two annoying pests to look out for on citrus.
     
    Mark, May 20, 2015
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  8. Steve

    Steve Valued Member Premium Member

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    I've got one of these Lime trees too. Your's is beautiful and lush there Mark, nice work.
    Mine is still a baby and is in a large pot.
    My last one was also in a pot and did well for a while. For a small tree it gave us a decent amount of fruit but it got smashed in a storm and it never really recovered. I felt i was best getting a new one and starting from scratch. It's definitely on my list for my orchid once I get to that.

    And yes it kills me to be paying for limes. On a walk a few months ago I noticed a tree in someones front yard that was about the same size as yours Mark and laden with fruit. I pinched a couple cos it was dark at the time (yes I'm a criminal and feel bad about it) but I should go back and ask the owner if they would mind me grabbing a few from time to time. I'm sure they would be fine with it but its always nice to ask.
     
    Steve, May 21, 2015
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  9. Mark

    Mark Founder Staff Member

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    Not anymore it's not... :(
    LOL I'm calling the police! :)
     
    Mark, May 21, 2015
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  10. pauln

    pauln New Member

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    Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of citrus borer other than poking around in the holes with wire in the hope of skewering them?
    I've skewered 2 so far but there is at least one other one in the trunk of the tree....makes a real mess of the tree doing lots of damage...
    Help!!
     
    pauln, Mar 23, 2019
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  11. ClissAT

    ClissAT Valued Member Premium Member GOLD

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    Spray into the hole with any type of insect repellent.
     
    ClissAT, Mar 24, 2019
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  12. Tony Baker

    Tony Baker Active Member Premium Member

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    My lime was planed on a mound of spoil from our shed build. Its going great guns but this year I haven't been able to keep the water up to it so it hasn't produced a lot.
     
    Tony Baker, Mar 30, 2019
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  13. ClissAT

    ClissAT Valued Member Premium Member GOLD

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    Don't worry Tony, everything needs a holiday at some point.
    Drought is nature's way of giving things a holiday.
    If the plant or animal is healthy and the land not overgrazed or overcropped it will recover.

    Something you could do is dig into the mound a couple of large blocks of soaked coconut coir. Soak them one at a time in a wheelbarrow. It will help immensely in future with moisture holding without causing wet feet.
     
    ClissAT, Apr 3, 2019
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