With its cool evenings and warm days, the desert can be an ideal home for citrus. In fact, Arizona is one of four states in the United States that can commercially grow citrus, along with California, Florida, and Texas.
What type of lime trees grow in Arizona?
There are several varieties of Lime trees. Among them are Bearss Lime , Palestine Sweet Lime, Aussie Finger Lime, Kaffir Lime, and Thornless Mexican Limes, as well as dwarf varieties.
Can you grow lime trees in Arizona?
The best time to plant citrus trees in the low desert of Arizona is in the spring after the danger of frost has passed (usually mid to late February). Citrus can be planted from this time through May. Do not plant citrus from June through September.
How much water does a lime tree need in Arizona?
Water the citrus tree heavily during the first year of planting. Arizona receives much of its rainfall during the latter part of summer, so supplemental watering is usually necessary. Water to a depth of 3 to 4 feet using a soaker hose. Water once every three days during the summer and every six days during the winter.
What temperature can a lime tree tolerate?
Lime trees like warm temperatures and can only grow year-round in temperate climates. The minimum temperature it can tolerate is around 50o F , so if temperatures are likely to dip below this, you will need to bring your lime tree inside in order for it to survive.
How do you grow a lime tree in Arizona?
Give your citrus tree the best chance for a long and healthy life by planting it correctly. Dig a hole 3 to 5 times wider than the diameter of the container of the citrus tree, but no deeper. Wide holes encourage the roots to grow outward through the soil and anchor the tree. Plant as deep as the root level of the pot.
Do orange trees grow well in Arizona?
Orange trees are a staple in the desert southwest and in our area. With many types of trees to choose from there are three basic groups; Valencia, Navels and Arizona Sweets. ... Arizona Sweets have an abundance of juice and sweet refreshing flavor. They grow very vigorously in our area and can ripen as early as October.
Why are Meyer lemons illegal?
Their fruit is has thin skins and they’re less tart than other lemon varieties. Originally brought over from China in the early 1900, the Meyer lemon was found to carry a virus that killed off millions of citrus , so it was banned in California.
Do lime trees grow in Las Vegas?
Backyard Fruit Trees for Our Area. An edible garden is possible in Las Vegas. ... Most citrus trees are too cold for our area. That said, we can grow dwarf citrus trees such as tangerines and limes in containers, and bring them indoors when it gets too cold.
How fast do Bearss lime trees grow?
This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24′′ per year .
Do lime trees need a lot of water?
Lime trees need consistent moisture to grow well . Water the soil deeply once or twice a week, rather than frequent shallow watering. When the soil is dry to about 6 inches, water the lime tree. Do not let the lime tree dry out, since the leaves will wilt and drop.
How often should you water a citrus tree in Arizona?
You should water them about every three days during the hottest part of the summer . Then, you can scale back to around once a week once the weather is cooler. Established trees should be watered every one to two weeks during the summer. In the winter, you can water every three to four weeks.
Can you over water citrus trees?
Excessive or insufficient water could kill your lemon tree. Assuming you have poor draining soil, when the tree gets water-soaked for a long time, the soil gets damp and stays wet which may cause the tree to acquire fungus or disease. This may result in yellow curled leaves, decayed roots, and the tree may not recover.
Should I cover my lime tree?
It’s a good idea to harvest all of your citrus fruit before a hard freeze. It takes 10 hours of temperatures in the low 20s to ruin fruit. If a hard freeze is on the way, several things can help to protect young citrus trees from cold damage. Wrap the trunk in cloth or bubble wrap .
Can I leave my lime tree outside in winter?
Leave the tree outside for as long as possible and put it back outside as early as possible in spring. In particular in late winter and early spring, you can place the tree in a protected location outside.
How do I keep my lime tree healthy?
- Water consistently – Lime trees will drop their leaves if left dry for too long. This being said, too much watering will kill them as well. ...
- Fertilize frequently – Lime trees are heavy feeders. ...
- Keep them warm – Lime trees cannot tolerate temperatures much under 50 degrees F.
