How to Care for a Dwarf Lime

A dwarf lime tree produces full-sized fruit.

Dwarf lime trees are created by grafting a standard lime variety to a dwarfing rootstock. The tree will not grow as tall as a standard lime tree, but still produces full-sized fruit. With glossy, deep green foliage, a dwarf lime tree will make an attractive addition to your landscape or home and is fairly easy to care for.

Things You'll Need

• Potting soil
• Container
• Shovel
• Balanced water-soluble or granular fertilizer

Instructions

1. Plant your dwarf lime tree in the spring or autumn in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun most of the day. If you are planting the tree in the ground, dig a hole as deep and wide as the root ball and position the tree so that the root ball will be slightly above ground by an inch or two once planted. Fill in the hole one third with soil, tamp lightly, and then finish filling in the hole. If you are planting the dwarf lime in a container, use a light potting mix that drains well and use a container that has several drainage holes. Plant the dwarf lime to the depth at which it was previously grown and fill in the container with potting soil. After planting, water thoroughly.

2. Fertilize a dwarf lime tree planted in the ground twice a year, once sometime between late December and February, and again in the late summer or early fall. Fertilize container grown dwarf lime trees lightly every six to eight weeks. Use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and traces of magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper. Water-soluble fertilizer can be used on foliage and soil, or a granular or slow-release fertilizer can be sprinkled on the soil. Do not allow the fertilizer to come in contact with the tree’s trunk. Follow the label directions when applying.

3. Water a dwarf lime tree planted in the ground at each irrigation to wet the soil 3 feet deep; this requires approximately 2 to 3 inches of water. Water the tree every two to three weeks during dry weather. Container-grown dwarf lime trees should be watered when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch. Water to saturate the soil and then allow it to thoroughly drain. Do not allow water to come in direct contact with the trunk of the dwarf lime; this may encourage root and trunk diseases.

4. Monitor your dwarf lime tree regularly for signs of pests. Pests that commonly affect dwarf lime trees include ants, aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, mites, snails and citrus leafminer. Signs of infestation include damage to foliage or fruit, the presence of eggs or larvae, webs or waxy filaments and honeydew (a sticky substance excreted by insects that feed on the sap of the tree). Pests can be controlled with manual, biological or chemical means. Consult your local county extension office for more information.

References

• Four Winds Growers: Growing Dwarf Citrus
• Country Gardener; Citrus Care; October 2005
• University of California-Davis; Questions and Answers to Citrus Management; Peggy A. Mauk et al.; December 2002
• University of California; Citrus for the Home Garden; Vincent Lazaneo; March 2008
• Caliornia Rare Fruit Growers; Growing Fruit Crops in Containers; Julian W. Sauls et al;