Yesterday, I received my 3 dwarf citrus plants from Four Winds. I got a Cara Cara Navel Orange (right), a Mexican Key Lime (middle) and an Improved Meyer Lemon (left). They were the most beautiful plants I have ever received mail order. I can't wait until next year when I may have my very own fruit!!
Jo-Ann
Good for you! Citrus trees are such wonderful friends! I have an orange that's been producing for 10 years now and supplies several neighbors as well as myself. A Meyer lemon also does a good job, and two kumquats that I set out just last year have a few fruits on them! Some of the fruits are beginning to turn yellowish-green - first stage of ripening - and it is very early. Always mid-December in prior years. The trees are special with deep green foliage year-round and the wonderful fragrance of the blossoms in February.
Jomoncon, Can you tell me more about the Mexican key lime? Is it a new hybrid or just one I have not heard of before?
I always thought key lime was another name for persian lime and that the mexican lime was a completely different thing, sometimes called a bartenders lime.
What I know as mexican lime is usually more like a bush than a tree. Both are great fruits and I know you will enjoy your new trees. Hopeing you have some information to enlighten me.
I made my purchase from Four Winds Growers at http://www.fourwindsgrowers.com/variety_list.html
What they say about it is:
"Mexican Lime (Key) - Small, sometime seedy fruit with genuine tropical flavor year-round. Frost sensitive."
That's all I know about it. So we'll see what happens next year. Right now, the shape of the lime is about the same as the orange & the lemon.
Just a note. If you want to plant any of those in the ground you might not have the right stock. I was going to order a couple trees from them but flying dragon root stock is what's used in my area. They used a different root stock that just won't work where I am.
that meyers would do fine outside all year round but that key lime won't take a frost I believe. Navel orange would be a hit or miss as far as fruit but it should be alright outside all year tooo.
Okay probably more info then you need but I thought I would toss it at you.
Oh this is what I was after, Rangpur Lime. I'm planning on using these like a lime. Not the easist to track down.
These 3 are going to stay in pots. My poor little tiny garden just does not have any more room. New Orleans will sometimes get winter temps down to the high 20's. So I plan on constructing a temporary structure to put them and other tender potted plants in if this when/if the temps get too low.
Great looking plants! 4 Winds does have great plants.
Mexican lime is the same as a key lime.
2ndChance, OK then where does the Persian lime fit in? Which one is a tree and which one is more like a bush? Don
Just searched on-line to see what I could find. It seems that limes of whatever variety are called by a lot of different common names. Often different varieties or clones are called by the same common name. It is confusing to say the least, especially when growers or nurseries just kind of make up whatever name they think will help sales.
The best I could find out is that the mexican lime, Citrus aurantifolia, is more of a bush than a tree and that it is very cold sensitive. It usually has thorns but some clones are thornless. UCR is growing what they think is a tree variety of the mexican lime that bears twice a year. But it is still in the testing stages last I heard. My mexican lime bears almost year around or did until it recently sucombed to gummosus.
The persian lime (Citrus x latifolia) is very much so a tree. The fruit is larger than the mexican lime and often sweeter. It is really good in Key lime pie. Both are often refered to as "key" limes.
The mexican lime is said to be be more fragrant and is often known as the bartenders lime.
Names like Tahitian lime, bearrs lime, Bahahma lime and others I don't recall off hand are also applied.
As you can see it is complex. I guess this is because all citrus are hybrids derived from just three or maybe it is four basic species. Hope the results of my search don't leave you all as confused as I am. It left me with more respect for the botanists that work to sort these things out. Don
This message was edited Nov 13, 2008 10:39 AM
This message was edited Nov 13, 2008 10:48 AM
What do you want a bush or a tree?? Which favor do you like better? Personally I like the tarter limes for key lime pie and drinks. I guess if your just figuring this all out for the fun of it then be my guest but if you're just trying to decide on what you want to grow then I wouldn't put that much thought into it. Just pick what will work for you.
I got some answers in my SW forum - here in citrus country we let our Mexican key limes and improved meyers bush, but a few prune them into trees. More trunk protection and fruit if you let them bush. I got both my MK lime and IM lemon at my local Home Depot so they would be on plum stock, which is best for my clay soil.
