Author Topic: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed  (Read 3501 times)

Dirt Diva

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Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« on: June 14, 2020, 09:05:59 PM »
I live in Texas and many places can't ship citrus here because of the greening threat.

After several years, I finally found a nursery in South Texas with the finger limes in 5 gal pots and bought 3. They each have a few buds on them. One is a light pink and the others are white. Does the bud color indicate the fruit color?

Does the tree become more cold tolerant with age/root development?

I am considering keeping them in very large pots for several years because we sometimes have winter nights below freezing. Will it produce a good size harvest in the pot or should I put it in the ground and protect if the temp drops?

Any advise is welcome and appreciated and I invite all to contribute their 2 cents worth ;-)

https://youtu.be/cC-GV24RQzU

Thanks in advance for your input,
P J, the Diving Temptress
« Last Edit: June 14, 2020, 11:06:21 PM by Dirt Diva »
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BrizzyFizzy

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advise needed
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2020, 09:20:15 PM »
Hello,

I've been growing half a dozen finger limes in pots for about 5 years in Brisbane Australia and only recently started putting them in the ground.  We don't get as cold but they have fruited just fine in the pot (though half of mine are grafted onto flying dragon rootstock).  They have survived 32F in the pots though this temperature only really happens once or twice a year here.  Based on my small sample size the flower buds have no impact on the fruit colour it would seem.  Both my Rick's Red (blood red) and my Colette (lime green) have pink flowers.  While my unnamed seedling with green skin and pink flesh has white flowers.  They will produce better in the ground but love em like hell and they sure do make enough fruit for gin and tonics.

Cheers,
Christian

brian

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advise needed
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2020, 09:21:34 PM »
There is a citrus forum here, btw, you will probably get more answers there.

I have a green finger lime in a container.  It fruits at a small size, and the flowers are pink.  Harvest has been sparse so far, but it is still relatively small, maybe 2-3ft tall excluding container.  Not sure about cold tolerance, mine is greenhoused in winter

Nyuu

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advise needed
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2020, 09:56:55 PM »
lemon/Lime trees are usually cold sensitive that's why they have made hybrids with kumquats . but I know Australian finger lime pretty slow growing can easily be kept in a pot if necessary

Dirt Diva

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2020, 11:45:41 PM »
Thanks for the insight

Happy Gardening!

PJ, the Dirt Diva
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Tropheus76

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2020, 09:41:11 AM »
I have mine in the ground and has been for about 7 years. It still is only about 4 feet tall but  has been fruiting the last two years. I keep it more as an oddity and don't protect it in my zone of 9b and winters that have affected my more sensitive trees like mangos haven't bothered it. I think it prefers more shade than I am giving it though.

K-Rimes

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2020, 02:56:19 PM »
My finger lime seemed to take a very long time to root out and start to be happy - a year of lag. It is only now pushing strong growth and flowering.

I didn't protect it at all down to 26f and it didn't suffer a bit. It is now flowering pretty well and holding fruit sets. It is in full blitz 8 hours of sun a day up to 110f frequently, no issues. Seems to like water.

achetadomestica

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2020, 03:13:21 PM »
I planted a finger lime under an oak tree in mostly shade.
It didn't do so good. I dug it up and put it in a 20 gallon pot and it's
happy as can be in full sun. It is loaded with small fruit and is still
flowering. A forum member from Australia said to grow it in shade. :(
There are many types of Australian limes










TSmith

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2020, 08:39:24 AM »
I have mine in the ground and has been for about 7 years. It still is only about 4 feet tall but  has been fruiting the last two years. I keep it more as an oddity and don't protect it in my zone of 9b and winters that have affected my more sensitive trees like mangos haven't bothered it. I think it prefers more shade than I am giving it though.

I have struggled to find the right spot for my finger lime. I keep it in a pot, but it does ok in both sun and shade. I haven't found the right balance. I don't know if some of the heat is really what affects it. I had some good flush of growth  and flowers in the spring and I have 1 fruit set. I am trying to figure out a fertilizing regiment for it.

Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2020, 08:51:23 AM »
I have 6 finger limes growing in pots and in full sun... all are thriving with regular watering and occasional fertilizing.
The bumble bees are busy pollinating.
Several are Finger lime/Key lime crosses.







Kevin Jones

Dirt Diva

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2020, 09:49:18 AM »
How in the world did you get a cross with a key lime, please excuse my ignorance, but I do not want this to happen by mistake.

It does look yummy tho
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Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2020, 09:58:01 AM »
No problems for your fruit.
You would have to plant the resulting seeds to see the results of the cross.
Citrus crosses with other citrus without effecting my fruit. Just the next generation...  if you planted the seeds.

Kevin Jones


ScottR

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2020, 10:19:10 AM »
Kevin, that's a mighty fine looking citrus cross have you named it ? how about taste profile for us interested!  8)

Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2020, 11:50:03 AM »
I've been calling it Middle Finger Lime.

kj


Dirt Diva

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2020, 12:26:04 AM »
LMFAO !!! 

;D
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Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #15 on: June 17, 2020, 10:58:31 AM »
The next named Key/Fingers crosses:

Pinky Finger Lime
Index Finger Lime
Ring Finger Lime
Digit Finger Lime
Birdy Finger Lime
Little Finger Lime
Phalanges Finger Lime

Kevin Jones


ammoun

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #16 on: June 17, 2020, 03:19:00 PM »
The next named Key/Fingers crosses:

Pinky Finger Lime
Index Finger Lime
Ring Finger Lime
Digit Finger Lime
Birdy Finger Lime
Little Finger Lime
Phalanges Finger Lime

Kevin Jones

Any plans for toes?

Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #17 on: June 17, 2020, 03:36:29 PM »
I guess once we run out of finger-type names... we can move on to the toes.

Kevin Jones


ammoun

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #18 on: June 17, 2020, 04:45:59 PM »
Haha.

Really wonderful job! That specific cross looks divine. How is the taste?

Elopez2027@aol.com

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #19 on: June 17, 2020, 05:02:03 PM »
Hi Dirt Diva,
Can you tell us the name of the Nursery and if the have a website please? Thanks.

Dirt Diva

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Buying Finger Lime trees in U.S.
« Reply #20 on: June 17, 2020, 05:33:00 PM »
Are you buying for New York? Be sure you request root stock that is more cold hardy. Even then you will need to bring indoors in wintertime.

U.S. Citrus in Hargill Tx.
956-845-6128

www.uscitrus.com

I recommend you call to order, ask for Veronica. be sure to mention I referred you. they have a package deal with 40% discount for a 4 pack
BTW, they only have the green fruit no other colors

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Elopez2027@aol.com

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #21 on: June 17, 2020, 05:39:07 PM »
Thanks

Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #22 on: June 17, 2020, 06:48:09 PM »
Give these folks a look... I bought my Finger Lime mother plant from them:

https://www.fourwindsgrowers.com

Kevin Jones


Kevin Jones

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #23 on: June 17, 2020, 06:54:59 PM »
As far as the taste of the Key/Finger lime cross goes... it is similar to a finger lime... but with larger more oblong caviar.
The pink coloring of the finger lime contributed the pink coloration to the cross... the key limes are... well... lime colored!

Kevin Jones


Fygee

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Re: Australian Finger Lime Tree advice needed
« Reply #24 on: June 18, 2020, 05:44:47 PM »
Regarding cold tolerance, unprotected their first year they will take some hefty damage. Mine died back quite a fair it two winters ago when I first got it. It's best to protect them with some burlap or other cold protection of your choice. Same for other citrus.

Last year I left it unprotected at first to see how it would do. Aside from a tiny bit of die off on some of the ends of the branches, it took it like a champ.

Note this is in Vegas where our cold temps can get below freezing, but it's uncommon and tends to not last weeks at a time when it does.

Continuing my journey to disprove those who say "You can't grow that in the desert" since 2013.