Whenever I’m out at a store and they have a plant section, I always want to browse. Back earlier this year we had just checked out at the grocery store and I happen to glance over at a shopping cart and just happens to be holding discounted lime trees. We are talking about $5.00 lime trees in 3 gallon pots, how could I say no!
There this little thing that this Garden Sprout didn’t realize about citrus trees (and we’re talking 20 years experience here) – they have thorns. I am not a fan of things with thorns – roses and barberries included, but this time I made an exception.
Tiny little prickly things that require gloves when replanting only you forget the that the back side of the glove is cloth.
See what I mean? Tiny but prickly. So once we had come to terms on that thorny aspect, I was quite happy with the new addition to the jungle.
A month or two after repotting into a much nicer pot, I noticed it was showing signs of chlorosis – yellowing in the leaves. Typically it’s caused by lack of nitrogen but some plants can show chlorosis when lacking different micronutrients. For example, Pin Oaks often show iron chlorosis on high pH soils because the nutrient is not easily accessible to the tree. Same thing with citrus – high pH soils (over 7) can cause micronutrient deficiencies – iron, manganese, or zinc but can also show nitrogen chlorosis. Quadruple whammy. I’m still fighting some chlorosis and still learning about citrus trees.
That used to be throughout the entire plant, so we are much improved.
Now for the more fun part – I was away from this guy for the 2 weeks leading up to closing on my house and moving. I came back to this.
Do you see those white flowers!!?!
Most citrus trees won’t begin to flower until they are at least a few years old so this was really exciting to come back to as I had no idea how old the tree was, now I have a better idea. Citrus trees are self fertile, meaning that you do not need other trees for pollination purposes. Where as for example, apple trees need another variety of apple or crabapple that blooms at the same time for pollination.
I’m really hoping that this is what I think it is – a little baby lime. Considering how often I use lime in various recipes or just in my water jug that I have with me all the time, it would be a treat to use one that I grew. See the little green spec between all those flowers? All leaves crossed!
It looks like there may be a few other potential limes forming. Once it gets closer to fall and need to transition this gal inside, I’ll post about winter indoor citrus care.
Do any of you have an citrus trees that you are growing? What are your experiences with them?
On a final note, if you are a lime fan like I am, this Chicken and Lime Soup recipe from BudgetBytes is out of this world.
Garden Happy!
The Garden Sprout 
I am always on the look out this time of year when the big box stores and even garden centers need to reduce their inventory and mark their prices so look that it’s a steal.