FAQ’s

Regular pruning of finger limes is not recommended as it tends to stunt the growth of the plant for a while. However, if you do want to prune finger limes, you should do a small amount (no more than 15% of the total canopy) over an extended period (this does not include the regular removal of dieback wood, which should be done as needed).

Note: Pruning is the removal of branches to their base to halt the initiation of new shoot growth. Pruning is done to thin the canopy. Alternatively, trimming involves cutting a branch anywhere else, which will initiate the growth of several new shoots, resulting in a denser canopy (like a hedge).

Finger limes love growing in semi-shaded conditions, but they will not produce fruit to their maximum potential. The best place to plant finger limes to reach their full fruiting potential is in full sun conditions (at least 70% of the day in the sun).

Purpose of grafting trees is to extend their productive life.

Finger limes grown from a cutting will develop roots which have a low resistance to soil pathogens which can lead to unpredictable life spans and sensitivity to extreme conditions (e.g. flood, drought, soil pathogens, water salinity).

Alternatively, a finger lime grafted plant utilises a rootstock which has been selected and improved over many years to be stable and robust in many conditions (e.g. variations in soil pH, exposure to pathogens and pests) and allows for control of vigour and improved yield qualities. Not many citrus orchards are planted from cuttings (any commercial orchard for that matter).

It is recommended that you only purchase grafted finger lime plants to ensure your plant has the most productivity over its lifetime.

Finger limes like drier soil conditions. It is suggested that you first water potted plants until the soil is well-soaked. Before you water it next, the soil needs to be more on the dry side (and the pot light). This is to control the growth of soil fungus as they tend to die off when the soil is dry. Finger limes will get stressed and lose their leaves if their roots are in damp soil for a prolonged time. Thus, you shouldn’t use drip trays and should avoid overwatering. The cycles of dry and wet soil will keep your finger limes healthy.

Finger limes are sensitive to higher concentrations of fertilizer near their roots (as the fertilizer will burn and cause dieback of branches). Thus, the safest way to fertilize your finger limes is to use slow-release citrus fertilizer (e.g., Osmocote) available in department stores. Strong organic fertilizers (like Worm Casting) need to be applied in very low concentrations (only around 20% usually required for a regular lemon tree).

Most finger lime varieties will bear fruit in their second or third year if they are grafted with scion wood from a mature fruiting tree. The use of this scion will produce early fruiting and stable yield. Thus, it is important to source grafted finger lime plants from reputable nurseries that follow this method, or else you could be waiting many years for your plant to produce fruit. It is recommended to remove any small fruit that may appear on the plant within the first three years of growth to give the canopy more chance to develop in size (and thus carry more fruit).