How to Fix a Sick Key Lime Tree

Key lime trees are not only lovely additions to your garden, but they are great when in season and bearing fruit. However, if your key lime tree isn't producing, or is dying and appears to be sick, there are steps you can take to get your tree healthy again and back on track. Whether you plan on baking them into a key lime pie, or simply adding them to another of your favorite recipes, limes can always add a special twist.

Things You'll Need

• Key lime tree
• Sunshine and proper soil
• Fertilizer
• Pesticide
• Oil/water solution

Instructions

1. Grow in warm climates. As with other citrus trees, lime trees do best in warmer areas and will not fend well if planted in an area prone to freezes. If your lime tree is subject to a freeze, gently water any points with frost with warm water to help it melt and encourage the soil to dethaw. Give your lime tree as much sunshine and direct sunlight as possible.

2. Allow proper drainage. If the soil is too saturated with water and the tree's roots are left in a pool of moisture, it can lead to root damage and diseases. Make sure that the area your lime tree is planted in is properly drained and irrigated.

3. Fertilize your lime tree. As with almost every plant or tree, lime trees need an adequate amount of nutrients to flourish. If this isn't found in the soil, then it needs to be supplemented with a fertilizer. Pick a fertilizer that's time released and add it to the soil around your tree as per the instructions. Also, be sure that the soil your lime tree is planted in isn't filled with clay.

4. Rid your lime tree of pests. Many insects and pests can wreck havoc on your lime tree and its fruits. Rust mites and borers are especially dangerous. Borers dig into the bark. To kill them, take a bit of wire, stick it into the hole, and kill the borer. As for rust mites, purchase a pesticide such as miticide to control them.

5. Apply remedy for mold. Molds can grow on your tree's leaves due to certain insects. This can be avoided by killing these pests too. Combine 1 cup of cooking oil and a small amount of washing detergent, and add this to 1/2 cup of water. Mix the ingredients together and mist it over every part of your tree, both infected areas and the rest of the leaves and trunk. Coat the areas well.

6. Pick and prune your tree. As with most trees, annually prune your lime tree of dead bark and leaves. Pick all of the fruit when it's ripe, because if you let it sit and fester it can attract other pests that can make your lime tree sicker. Adequate upkeep for your lime tree is essential.

Tips & Warnings

• Lime trees do best in areas that have rocky soils and prefer a pH level that is more acidic.

• Whenever you are working with chemicals and pesticides, be careful that your skin is covered, you don't inhale the spray, and it's never ingested.

References

• Key Lime Care
• Citrus Tree Care