where do key limes grow

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Where Do Key Limes Grow?

Distribution: Key limes are grown in warm subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Major producing countries are India, Mexico, Egypt, and various countries in the West Indies.

Do key limes only grow in Florida?

Citrus aurantiifolia is native to Southeast Asia. … Since the North American Free Trade Agreement came into effect, most Key limes on the United States market have been grown in Mexico, Central America and South America. They are also grown in Texas, Florida, and California.

Where do key lime trees grow?

Key lime trees are cold-sensitive, so they should only be planted in the warmer tropical and subtropical areas of the country. They will grow best outdoors in zones nine and higher. In colder areas, it is best to grow the key lime in a container that can be brought inside when signs of frost are present.

Are Key limes grown in the Keys?

Key limes, Citrus aurantiifolia, is actually a hybrid of Citrus micrantha and Citrus medica. … Unless your key limes are grown in the Keys (which is rare nowadays), you are not supposed to call them ‘key limes’. They have to be called ‘Mexican limes’ – and they are nowadays grown mostly there and exported to the US.

Where do Key limes come from?

Florida Keys

The key lime tree, which is native to Malaysia, probably first arrived in the Florida Keys in the 1500s with the Spanish. Key limes look like confused lemons, as they are smaller than a golf ball with yellow-green skin that is sometimes splotched with brown. They are also know as Mexican or West Indian limes.

How long does it take for a key lime tree to bear fruit?

about 1-3 years

After reaching its full height, a dwarf key lime trees will begin to bear fruit in about 1-3 years. The tree flowers in the spring, with fruit following in late spring to early summer (if the flowers fall off without bearing fruit, that means your tree is not yet mature enough to bear fruit).

Is key lime same as calamansi?

Key lime (Limau nipis) is slightly larger and has thin skin. … Whereas Calamansi lime (Limau kasturi) is smaller and rounded. It’s also softer hence easier to juice with bare hands. Unlike key lime with light green flesh, calamansi lime’s flesh is golden yellow.

How do you grow Key limes?

How to Plant Key Lime Trees

Ensure the soil is well-draining, and test the pH level. …
Add about 4-5 inches of compost, and mix it into the soil.
Level off the soil and leave it for one full week before planting. …
Leave about a ¼-½ inch of the root ball above the soil.

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Are key limes the same as Mexican limes?

What Are Key Limes? Key limes—also known as Mexican limes or West Indies limes—are small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. They’re light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes.

Do you need 2 lime trees to produce fruit?

No, you do not need two lime trees to get fruit, since most lime trees are self-pollinating. This means that the flowers contain both a male and female part. However, self-pollination does not mean guaranteed pollination.

Where are limes grown in Florida?

Florida Keys

Florida limes are making a comeback in The Sunshine State.

Limes were once so plentiful in South Florida that one of the varieties grown here was known as a Key lime because it was grown around the Florida Keys.

Are Key limes grown in California?

The Key Lime can be successfully grown in California only if much attention is paid to temperature and care, as they require longer, warmer temperatures than all other types of citrus; they also like humidity. True limes are sought after for their complex flavor and aromatic properties.

Is there a difference between limes and Key limes?

Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, which are larger and tarter than their Florida cousins. Key limes are smaller and contain more seeds than Persian limes, while Persian limes have a thick, bright green skin, and Key lime skin is thin and tends to be a little on the yellow side.

What is special about key limes?

Key lime has a stronger, more intense and aromatic taste than lime. Key limes have a stronger aromatic flavor than regular limes, although they can be quite close. Key limes are well known for their unique aroma that brings a lot of a unique, zesty and tangy flavor to dishes, desserts, and beverages.

Can you eat key limes?

Key limes are often used in sweet and tart desserts. Key lime pie is the best known, and there are plenty of variations on this classic treat. Key limes are also a welcome addition in sweet-and-sour cocktails and marinades.

Are Key limes expensive?

At the grocery store, conventional limes go for anything from $1.50 to $4 per pound, whereas Key limes typically cost two or three times more. On the surface, that may seem like a reasonable splurge, but it’s important to consider yield.

Where is the best place to plant a lime tree?

First, when growing lime trees, make sure that where your lime tree will be planted will receive plenty of sunshine. If at all possible, choose a location that gets southern sun. Second, make sure the drainage is excellent. If you pay attention to no other lime tree tips, you must pay attention to this one.

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How do I get my key lime tree to produce fruit?

Place a potted key lime under plant grow lights when indoors and in full sun when outdoors. Key lime trees need 8 to 12 hours of sunlight daily to produce blossoms and fruit. Plant trees in potting soil that is well-drained. Fertilize by placing a granulated (2-10-10) fertilizer on the surface of the soil.

How tall does a Key lime tree grow?

Key lime is a small, bushy tree, rarely taller than 12 feet (4.1 m). It has slender branches armed with short to medium length thorns. Spineless selections are more compact and upright in growth, have darker green foliage, and are characterized by low fruit production.

Do key lime trees have thorns?

Some of the most common citrus trees that sport thorns are Meyer lemon, most grapefruits, and key limes. Thorns on citrus trees develop at the nodes, often sprouting on new grafts and fruiting wood. Some citrus trees with thorns outgrow them as the tree matures.

Can a lime turn into a lemon?

Lemons turn from green to yellow as the chlorophyll in the rind is replaced with anthocyanin as they ripen. Limes will turn a yellow color too when they are fully ripened, but they are often picked when under-ripe and green.
…
What are the nutritional profiles?

	Lemon (1 fruit ~ 108g)	Lime (1 fruit ~ 67g)
Protein	1.3g	0.5g

Are key lime leaves edible?

Yes, they are edible. All citrus leaves are edible, including lemon leaves and orange leaves, especially when they are young and tender.

Can you grow lime trees in pots?

With new dwarf varieties, you can grow productive citrus trees in pots even on a sunny balcony. Lots a’ Lemons and Dwarf Eureka, both lemons, suit pots. For a small lime try Dwarf Tahitian or one of the Australian native limes. … To get the most from your potted citrus give it regular care and attention.

Do key lime trees need full sun?

If you live in California, plant this tree in a protected area, like the south side of your house. Mexican key lime trees need a site that has at least 10 hours of full sun. Mexican key lime trees can grow in a variety of soils, as long as it is well draining with a pH level of 6.1 to 7.8.

Do key limes have seeds?

Turns out, the limes typically sold in supermarkets, Persian or Tahiti limes, are indeed seedless. Petite key limes, on the other hand, contain seeds. Seedless limes are classified as a parthenocarpic fruit, meaning their flowers don’t require pollenating to make fruit, which results in zero seeds.

Does key lime taste different than lime?

As compared to your run-of-the-mill lime, a key lime is sure to provide an elevated sense of flavor. It’s also going to award you a taste that is less tart and more floral than any of your standard limes. When it comes to using lime in your everyday life, it’s safe to say that a key lime is well worth your time.

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Why are my Mexican limes yellow?

Limes are yellow when they are fully ripe and develop sugars that make them delicious at this stage. They are not sold when yellow because unripe fruit is easier to ship since it is harder, and stores longer when unripe. … That said, most limes are picked when green and immature.

What is a lime called in Mexico?

limon

In Spain, historically people have called limes limones verdes, or green lemons; in Mexico the term is limon or lima, depending on the person.

How long does it take limes to grow?

Lime tree harvest generally takes place during summer. Limes take about three to four months until they reach peak flavor.

Do bees like lime trees?

“Buff-tailed and white tailed bumblebees love the flowers of lime trees, although there is something in the nectar which seems to make them dopey and even sometimes kill them”.

Can you grow Key limes indoors?

Indoor Tree

If you are wondering if you can grow Key Lime trees indoors, the answer is yes you can grow this vigorous tree indoors. They typically grow to 12 feet high while a dwarf type grows to about 6 feet tall. You can grow Key Limes in a pot or a container so long as it has good water drainage system.

Can you grow lime trees in Florida?

Unlike many other citrus trees, lime trees are a little more tolerant of cooler growing temperatures, but they cannot tolerate frost. Growing a lime tree in Florida requires fast-draining soil, lots of sunshine and plenty of water. Select a planting site for the lime tree that will provide full sun for optimum growth.

Can Key lime trees grow in Central Florida?

Temperatures can dip to 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit in northern Central Florida and lime trees require planting in the warmest area of your yard. Central Florida gardeners can grow all varieties of lime trees relatively problem-free as long as they consider where they live.