Citrus in Alabama Zone 9B?? Huh? In know parts of South LA are zone 9A, but Foley even being on the Bay must be in a small coastal micro-climate to be 9B. Limes are not especially frost sensitive despite what people say by Florida standards, but Alabama would be pushing it for nearly any citrus or tropical I would think.
Having said that by South "FLORIDA" standards rumors and info about Standard Persian/Tahitian & Key Limes being VERY cold sensitive citrus is total BS. Yes I know what it says on various web sites. Every time I see it in print I want to scream as it's just not true. True lemons are very cold sensitive not limes. I have been growing regular limes in SW Florida 9B for over 20 years and they never even get a burnt leaf at 25 degrees which we get every winter periodically at night for a few hours (record low here is 22). My neighbor has had a Key Lime tree for the last 10 years that also survives nights into mid-20's also. Possibly if we had "sustained" mid 20's it would be different.
I know what it says on a lot of web sites about limes being "especially" cold frost sensitive and it simply IS NOT TRUE!!! Limes might not be the "most" cold hardy, but they are not the fragile overly frost sensitive trees they are made out to be when compared to other Florida citrus in this area. It is true for true lemons (not Myers) which are easily killed by an especially hard Florida freeze. The infamous hard winter of 2010 killed my large "Harvey" lemon tree and a "Varney" naval tree to the ground, my lime tree came thru unscathed as did all my other citrus. You will never see an "old" lemon tree in Florida they all regularly get killed by a periodic hard winter.
I consider my lime tree to one the hardiest, vigorous, healthiest & most trouble free of any citrus tree in my small grove. Persian Limes are nearly immune to all the usual bug & disease leaf issues that effect most other citrus varieties and are very forgiving of neglect. They also bear prolifically. I highly recommend lime trees over lemon trees in Florida. If you live in South Florida then a lime tree is a must have for any citrus lover. Get a Myers lemon if you want even more hardiness. I admit trying to grow citrus in Foley, Alabama is way above my skill level or pay grade tho and asking a lot of any sub-tropical fruit or plant with a few exceptions, but I will readily yield to your knowledge of your own local area. : )
Good luck Bro
So, I am looking for a cold tolerant lime variety that can handle the short dips to 25f we occasionally get.
My mangos even did well, and only got some pan dmg, but 2 yrs in a row I lost lime. Persian lime and key lime bit the dust.
These guys must be super cold sensitive.
Let me know if there is a lime with better cold tolerance--other than a limequat, which i already have.
If there isn't one, then looks like my orchard has a new position available... and will need an alternate arrangement for that spot