Lime Trees for Sale Online
Lime Trees have seen a boost in popularity in the U.S. in the last few years. The word has gotten out that Limes are a very easy citrus fruit to grow at home. This has prompted many plant growers to grow a lime tree of their own. Whether you live in one of the growing zones where lime trees can grow outdoors year-round or if you have to grow your lime tree in a container inside during the colder months, planting citrus trees is easy and fun.
Many people are choosing to order citrus trees online. Many citrus trees can be grown at home, including Orange Trees, such as the Navel Orange Trees, Lemon Trees, like the Meyer Lemon Trees. Whether you have room for full-sized citrus or you need dwarf citrus trees, you'll find all types of citrus at Garden Goods Direct.
Growing Lime Trees at Home
For those of us not lucky enough to live in areas where you can plant Lime trees outdoors year-round, there are still ways to grow our delicious oranges at home. Growing citrus trees indoors is nothing new. As far back as the 1600s, wealthy Europeans were growing citrus trees indoors.
They grew them in specially designed orangeries, which is just a fancy word for "Greenhouse for growing citrus." Today thanks to advances in glass technology and efficient heaters, we can now grow oranges, Lime trees, lime trees right in our homes in the fall and winter.
Choosing the Right Pot for a Lime Tree
The size of the pot has a lot to do with the ultimate size of your Lime tree. A smaller pot will keep your tree short and make it easier to move the tree outdoors in the summer. Width is less critical when choosing a pot. Lime trees become top-heavy, especially when they are laden with fruit. This is common with all types of citrus, although less of a problem with Limes due to the fruit's smaller size.
A deep pot not only has the benefit of allowing the tree to develop a sound root system allowing the tree's root to reach downward, but it will help keep the tree upright. Be sure the pot has suitable drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.
Choosing the Best Soil for Lime Trees
Lime trees do not like to have wet feet. Choosing the best soil is paramount for the success of your citrus fruits. Espoma makes a unique potting soil just for citrus trees. Espoma Organic Cactus Mix is specially formulated for cactus and citrus trees and is one of the most well-drained soil we've seen. Both Plants are similar in that they require good drainage, and this soil retains the perfect amount of moisture for the plants to thrive.
Another option is to use soil such as Ocean Forest Potting Soil mixed with about 20% sand. The sand helps drainage and also adds weight to the soil. It is also recommended to line the pot's bottom with about two inches of gravel to allow the soil to drain.
Either of these types of soil works well for all varieties of citrus trees, including Limes.
Watering Lime Trees
Lime Trees grown indoors during the winter will need to be watered about once per week. The trees will be in a semi-dormant state, so watering during the winter will be critical. When the trees are outside, it's not uncommon for the trees to need water daily in the warmer months. This is especially important during the fruiting period when the tree bears fruit.
If you notice your Lime tree leaves starting to curl, this is a sign of stress from not enough water. This helps to achieve the most consistent ripened fruit.
Pollinating Citrus Trees
The pollination of Lime trees is quite simple. If you grow your fruit tree outdoors in the summer, insects will do the work as they visit each flower to collect pollen. Indoors you'll need to do the job. Take a paintbrush or Q-tip and begin dabbing each flower, moving from flower to flower. This will help your citrus tree to produce copious amounts of fruit.Don't get nervous if you see your dwarf Lime tree drop occasional unripened fruit. This mostly happens when the fruits are small. The tree will produce more fruits than it can support and drop fruits so that the ones that don't drop can grow to their full size.
aFertilizing Lime Trees
Lime trees, as with most citrus, are heavy feeders. Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor fertilizer can be sprinkled on the soil's surface, which feeds the plant each time you water, or Jack's Classic Houseplant Fertilizer can be used once per month at the labeled rate.
Pruning your LimeTrees
As the Lime tree matures, it will occasionally need to be pruned. There are several reasons that a citrus tree should be pruned.
One of the main reasons, especially for those growing trees indoors, is to maintain a bushy more compact shape. This can be done by pruning the tips of the branches. This promotes lateral branching and will keep the Lime tree fuller, leading to more blossoms.
Removing any weaker shoots that may form will allow the sun to penetrate the canopy to help ripen the fruit.
Suckers will occasionally grow from the bottom of the truck. A sucker is a little stem that grows out of the bottom of the tree near the roots. It can cause additional stress but can be removed at any time.
Controlling Insects pests on Lemon Trees
Lime trees that are moved or grown outdoors will occasionally get insect pests. Aphids, spider mites will occasionally find their way onto even the healthiest lime trees. Insects are easily controlled on citrus trees, and it can be done organically. Bonide Neem Oil is a beneficial method of control as it will control all life cycles of the pest. It is available in a ready to use formulation that can be sprayed directly onto the leaves and stems of the tree. Another excellent product is Bonide's Insecticidal Soap, also available in a ready to use formulation that smothers all life cycles of the insect. Both products are organic and do not harm the environment.
When you're ready to purchase citrus trees online, shop our extensive collection of Lime trees. Whether it's Orange Trees, Lemon Trees, or Grapefruit Trees, we have what you need. When you purchase from us, you will receive a healthy tree and get peace of mind knowing that our helpful staff is here to answer any questions you may have.