Finger Lime Tree, Australian Green Citrus (Excludes: CA,TX,LA,AZ)

USDA Prohibits Shipping Citrus to AZ, CA, LA, TX, AK, HI. If you reside in any of the states listed, your order will be cancelled. Australian Finger Lime is also called the "caviar lime" is a thorny tree with small tear drop leaves. The fruit is not typical citrus shaped, as it is a long slender fruit. The pulp vessels are loosely grouped and hold their shape making them a top pick with chefs. The peel is high and oil and very shiny. The Fingerlime does not prefer direct sunlight. Full Sun-Part Shade Provide 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Finger Limes are an understory plant in Australia and can thrive under filtered light conditions. They also perform well in full sun. 8’-12’ MATURE TREE When planted in the ground, tree will reach 8’-12’ at maturity. In a container, the semi dwarf trees will stay much smaller, especially with judicious pruning. SELF FERTILE Citrus trees (grown indoors or out) are self-fruitful and do not require pollination. Winter/ Spring Season when fruit typically ripens Hardy to 32 ºF Protect when temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. - - - - - CITRUS: 1 Gallon (4 inch CitraPot) 1.5 - 2 Foot Height, 1 Foot Spread, .25 - .50 inch Caliper. Current age: 1.5 years Typically 3 years to fruit for most citrus. Lemons & limes ~2 years. - - - - - CITRUS: 3 Gallon 2 Foot Height, 2 Foot Spread, .50 - .75 inch Caliper. Current age: 2-3 years Typically 1-2 years to fruit for most citrus. Lemons & limes ~1 year. - - - - - CITRUS: 5 Gallon 2 - 3 Foot Height, 2 Foot Spread, .75 - 1 inch Caliper. Current age: 3-4 years Typically bearing fruit when shipped or within ~1 year. - - - - - HOW TO GROW CITRUS OUTDOORS Dig a hole 2 to 3” wider than the root ball and 4” deeper. Fill the hole half full of water. Remove tree from pot and gently fluff roots. This stimulates the roots and promotes growth. Swish tree in water to allow loose dirt on bottom of root ball to fall in hole. Fill in with soil, and as you do pull up on the tree so tap root is straight. Ensure all air pockets are filled in, by packing the dirt down on mound. Water it in well. CARE FOR YOUR TREE: Water the tree at least 3 times a week for the first two weeks, then gradually back off to twice a week. Water just enough to moisten the ground, you do not want to over saturate the ground. Do not over water the tree as this will promote root rot and damage the roots. FERTILIZE: You will want to use a fertilizer made for Citrus. Follow directions on the package. A good choice for young trees is 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 fertilizer. Always place the fertilizer along the drip line. INSECTICIDES: There are insecticidal soaps that deter insects and keep tree free of sooty mold that will darken leaves. We also recommend fish emulsion sprayed on leaves, this oil prevents insect eggs from attaching to leaves. It is also great foliar feed. You can use it with molasses every 6 weeks to help prevent insects and feed your tree. - - - - - HOW TO GROW PATIO CITRUS A 15-gallon capacity clay pot (17-18” diameter) is a good choice in containers because it adds needed weight closer to the plant’s center of gravity, reducing the risk of upsetting a tree heavily laden with fruit. MEDIA: A simple potting media can be mixed from equal components of Canadian Peat and Pearlite. Mix in 3/4 lb. (1/2 cup) of fine Dolomite so the pH of the soil is around 5.5. Moisten soil until it barely stays in a ball when squeezed in your fist and so no water can be squeezed out. PLANTING: Scrape some of original soil away from the top of plant’s root ball until some of the roots show. Plant the tree in the center of the pot to a height at which the top of the root ball is even with new soil level. Citrus are very susceptible to developing root rot if there is too much soil banked around the trunk of the tree. Allow a little of the root ball to show, to prevent rot. LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Citrus love as much light as you can give them. Place near a window that receives as much light as possible, preferably a south-facing. The more light the trees are given, the better they will grow, and the more fruit they will produce. Supplemental grow lights can help keep the tree healthy. If practical, move plant outdoors during warm months to soak up sunlight and humidity. TEMPERATURE: Citrus actively grow in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees, with 75-90 degrees being optimum. It will not hurt the plant to keep it cold and allow it to go dormant for the winter; great care should be taken not to let the plant freeze. WATER: Citrus trees love humidity, but hate continuously wet roots, so be careful not to water your tree too much. Allow the root ball to dry well, but not to the point of wilt, then soak heavily. Spritz the foliage daily with a spray bottle or place a humidifier near the tree to help produce sweeter fruit and a healthier plant. A pan filled with gravel and water, placed under the container, is a low cost alternative. Do not place tree in the path of a heater vent. FERTILIZER: Use a water-soluble fertilizer with a 20-20-20 analysis that also has minor elements. Place 2 Tbsp (22g) of fertilizer in a gallon of water and apply to tree’s root ball, then water as normal. Do this once per month. To help your tree take up more minor elements, you can purchase a water soluble minor element solution to be applied to foliage.