Key (aka West Indian) Limes in Melbourne (forum)

Ilijas starts with ...
I've been watching these forums for a little while, mostly the threads that had posted about Key Limes.

I live in Melbourne and must have rung a million and one nurseries only to be told that they don't even know they exist.

Today I went to Bunnings and found it! I couldn't believe my eyes! It was labelled as a West Indian Lime - which is another name for it - and it was unmistakably a Key Lime, the thorns, little petioles, and the aroma of the leaves.

Of course, I grabbed it and ran home, but my heart has sunk a bit knowing that we get quite cool/cold winters here and this is a subtropical citrus.

Has anyone else had experiences growing it in this region, and if so are there any tricks I could use to ensure that it is nice and happy?

Many thanks,

Ilijas.

PS: I'm on the hunt for the Rough (original and true) Seville Orange, so any pointers in that direction would be very welcomed.

Time: 2nd April 2012 6:38pm

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Original Post was last edited: 2nd April 2012 6:40pm

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GardeningAustraliaWanabee says...
GardeningAustraliaWanabee says...
Gardenworld (Keysborough) have a wide variety of citrus and I know they definitely sell the West Indian Lime. (Key lime is very much an American tag).
Sheltered position but full sun. Some radiant heat would be good. Protect like other citrus from frost.

Time: 2nd April 2012 7:25pm

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Mike says...
It is ironic that the SE Asian lime is called mexican,west indian and also after the florida keys.What is certain about the tahitian is that it doesn't from tahiti or persia for that matter.Tahitians are grown in california at similar latitudes to melbourne so with the right microclimate the tree should be alright.

Time: 2nd April 2012 7:45pm

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Ilijas says...
Oh good, I was rather afraid that I'd bought something I'd have no hope of seeing grow or fruiting. I've got it in a large(ish) pot in a sunny spot.

I whacked in a Nagami Cumquat as well in a nice pot beside it.

Time: 2nd April 2012 7:47pm

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Mike Williams says...
I bought one in Bunnings too. I'm fortunate (?) to live near the city where frosts are very rare and won't (didn't - it's late August and still going strong) kill my precious tree. It's still in its pot, but fear not about killing it with frost. Apparently it won't die unless it gets to -2C.
The other tropical I have is Scotch Bonnet Peppers. These are perennial as long as they don't get frosted. I was worried until in April I went for a walk about 1KM from home, and there was a Scotch Bonnet tree growing at the front of a block of flats!! Obviously it's mild enough in Melbourne since this plant was at least two years old and was full of ripe and very potent fruit.

Time: 19th August 2012 1:01pm

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Boris Spasky says...
I have one and it fruits ok in Melbourne. Protect from frosts for the first couple of years to be safe. Was prone to Mn and Zn deficiency when young.
The fruits are small compared to Tahitian, but more intense flavour. Very seedy and watch out for the nasty spikes.


Time: 19th August 2012 9:39pm

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J says...
I have two west indian limes in the dandenong hills, but are fine without protection in the winter, both in the ground. 1 has fruited this year and has held all its fruit during winter. So they're fine to grow in melbourne.

Time: 20th August 2012 10:31am

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