Its vital to ensure the lime tree seedling has enough light and water. Key limes may also be known as West Indian limes, Mexican limes or bartender's limes. Your email address will not be published. The leaves are ovate, .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2590mm (13+12in) long, resembling orange leaves (the scientific name aurantiifolia refers to this resemblance to the leaves of the orange, Citrus aurantium). Volunteer Tomatoes Tomato Plants Gone Rogue! If the weather is hot and dry, you may need to water more frequently. Youll still wind up with a delicious summer pie. Germinating Seeds in Paper Towel Method (10 Tips). Florida key limes once thrived in the very small and distinct growing region of the Florida Keys as it had a unique combination of alkaline soil, a tropical coastal climate, and plentiful rains to create complex, fruity, and floral fruit. [citation needed] Clones are often bud grafted[18] into rough lemon or sour orange to obtain strong root stocks (see also fruit tree propagation). The yield varies depending on the age of the trees. How to Germinate Lemon Seeds to Grow a Lemon Tree, How to Plant Orange Seeds to Grow an Orange Tree, caring for and growing an indoor lime tree, 18 Blueberry Companion Plants | What Grows Well with Blueberries. Florida key limes are smaller than Persian limes, averaging 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and are characterized by their globular, uniform shape and fragrant aroma. Fold it closed and place it inside a clear zip-seal sandwich baggie. Level the soil with your rake and then let the ground to settle for a week. lime, any of several species and hybrids of trees and shrubs of the genus Citrus (family Rutaceae), widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas for their edible acidic fruits. Fill the hole with soil around the root ball, firming it as you go to collapse air pockets. Your email address will not be published. All the rest grown in America are grown here in southwest Dade County, about an hour from downtown Miami, and they account for less than 10 percent of annual sales in the United States. 4. After harvesting the seeds, you can plant them to grow your own baby lime trees. They also brought notoriety to southern Florida and established the region as an innovative gastronomic center for fusion cuisine. Choose a sunny location and dig a trench. If you live in California, plant this tree in a protected area, like the south side of your house. It is valued for its characteristic flavor. RESOURCES:Quick & Easy Germination: Paper Towel Seed Starting Egg Carton Seed Starting Winter Sowing Method(create a milk jug garden), Lemon Tree Pollination by Hand How to Pollinate Lemons, Yellow Raspberries | Planting, Picking and Growing Tips, Need Seeds 10 Places to Get Quality, Cheap Seeds, Germinating Seeds in Paper Towel Method (10 Tips). But if you want to preserve their juice, you can pour them into ice cube trays ($8; Ice Cube Trays at Amazon) and flash freeze them before transferring them to a freezer safe bag and storing for up to six months. The seeds must be kept moist until they can be planted, as they will not germinate if allowed to dry out. Florida key limes are available in the summer through early fall. Lets take a look at the growth and care of key lime trees. But key limes are definitely more aromatic and acidic than Persian limes. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now, gently remove the outer seed coat to help the lime seeds germinate. The juice of lime fruits may be concentrated, dried, frozen, or canned. What is a Key Lime Tree? But if you don't, you can often find bottled or canned Key lime juice at grocery stores and specialty stores. The juice is used for syrups and, of course, key lime pie. After all, their short season doesn't always leave you with much choice. After years of working in restaurant kitchens, she turned to writing to share her skills and experience with home cooks and food enthusiasts. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 18 Blueberry Companion Plants | What Grows Well with Blueberries How to Germinate Lemon Seeds to Grow a Lemon Tree My Experience Growing Roses from Cut Flowers Updated! They're one of those fruits that dont ripen after being picked, so when buying them, look for ones that are a yellowish-green color, heavy and firm but not hard, and that have skin that is smooth and intact. That is indeed a great delicacy of the Florida keys! The makrut lime, in particular, was one of the earliest citrus fruits introduced to other parts of the world by humans. [3] The recipe is attributed to Borden's fictional spokesperson, Jane Ellison, and includes condensed milk, lemon juice and rind, and egg yolks. Key lime pie is probably derived from the "Magic Lemon Cream Pie" published in a promotional brochure by Borden, a producer of condensed milk, in 1931. Google web story on germinating lime tree seeds. The limes are yellow when ripe, and are used to flavor key lime pie. Key lime trees seldom grow more than 12 feet tall. Skin contact can sometimes cause phytophotodermatitis,[6][7] which makes the skin especially sensitive to ultraviolet light. [14][15] The potential to produce a wider variety of lime hybrids from the Key lime due to its tendency to form diploid gametes may reduce the disease risk presented by the limited diversity of the current commercial limes.[16]. Lime trees, and in particular, young lime trees, can suffer from sunburn or sunscald, which causes peeling, damaged bark. Trees are propagated by seeds or grafts: grafting means it will bear fruit sooner. The Bearss lime is the most common citrus tree in California. Florida and especially the Keys are a great place to plant limes. Level off the soil and leave it for one full week before planting. Bottled Key lime juice, invariably from concentrate, is widely available at retail in the United States. Although they are picked when they're green, they actually begin to turn yellow as they ripen. Key limes are grown on evergreen trees that stand between 6 to 13 feet high, and can be quite prickly if you don't watch out! It is aromatic, juicy, and highly superior to the lemon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Today, Key or Mexican limes are predominately grown in Mexico and Central America and can also be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers in the United States, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. Cool the syrup and pour over limes. Christopher Columbus took citrus seeds, probably including limes, to the West Indies on his second voyage in 1493, and the trees soon became widely distributed in the West Indies, Mexico, and Florida. [12], Florida State Representative Bernie Papy, Jr. is said to have introduced geographical indication legislation in 1965 calling for a $100 fine to be levied against anyone advertising Key lime pie not made with Key limes. Growing Key Limes In Containers To plant a key lime tree indoors, you will need the following supplies: A small container or pot with drainage holes Potting soil specifically formulated for citrus trees A key lime tree (preferably a dwarf tree) Here are the steps to follow: Compared to a Persian lime, it is a smaller and has more seeds to remove, higher acidity, a stronger citrus aroma, and a thinner rind. And can they be substituted for one another? Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Peel away the rough exterior of the seeds and discard it. In terms of taste, key limes have a higher acidity, making them a little more tart than what we consider "regular limes." Now that things are winding down, were looking for things to plant in August in Pennsylvania Zone 6b where we live. (Or at least speeding up the process big time!) The Key lime is usually picked while it is still green, but it becomes yellow when ripe. What Is a Rutabaga and What Should You Do With It? In areas with a tendency to collect water periodically, grow the lime tree on a 2- to 4-foot mound that lifts the roots out of the wet conditions. Seems not everyone agrees", "Tart and creamy, key lime pies delight the Florida Keys", "Once and for All: Key Lime Pie's New York City Origin Story Disproved", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Key_lime_pie&oldid=1163303530, Articles with incomplete citations from August 2020, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with incomplete citations from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 4 July 2023, at 03:12. It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 1/2 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m.) tall. I would recommend investing in an inexpensive citrus juicer ($18; Zulay Metal Hand Juicer Lemon Squeezer on Amazon) so your hands don't cramp. Inspect the foliage, especially the underside of the leaves for bug infestations. Special procedures are employed to control the shelf life; for example, applications of growth regulators, fruit wax, fungicides, precise cooling, calcium compounds, silver nitrate, and special packing material. Key limes were grown commercially in Florida up until the 1920s, when a hurricane wiped out many groves. Lime oil, from the peel of the fruit, is processed mainly in the West Indies. Plant seeds about to inch (0.5-1.25 cm.) [1], The English word lime was derived, via Spanish then French, from the Arabic word lma, which is, in turn, a derivation of the Persian word limu . I discovered this life-changing gardening tip from someone in one of my, Read More Germinating Seeds in Paper Towel Method (10 Tips)Continue, Have you ever found surprise tomato plants in the garden? There are various approaches to the cultivation of Key limes. Finger limes (C. australasica), native to Australia, are a developing crop noted for their discrete juice vesicles, sometimes called lime caviar.. Key lime shrubs are very sensitive to frost, like its distant Asian cousin the calamansi. It is green when picked but becomes yellow when ripe. Do not store them in the refrigeratorthis will speed their decay. Ripe key limes should be used within a day or two. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Key lime pie is the best known, and there are plenty of variations on this classic treat. It is also known as West Indian lime, bartender's lime, Omani lime, or Mexican lime, the last classified as a distinct race with a thicker skin and darker green colour. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Updates? Key limesalso known as Mexican limes or West Indies limesare small, spherical limes that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. Just a splash of this tart juice is all you need to bring out the bright flavors of salads and sooth the savory notes in grilled food. The mandarin lime, also known as the Rangpur lime (C. limonia), is thought to be a lemonmandarin orange hybrid and is commonly used to make marmalade. There is no preparation, just use a clean fruit. Besides, they are also easy to store. Growing key limes is not difficult when you meet their basic requirements. Seedling trees take longer to attain their maximal harvest, but eventually out-yield grafted trees. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Established in the 1980s-1990s by the Mango Gang, a group of chefs in southern Florida, Floribbean or New World cooking uses fresh flavors such as key limes to amplify dishes such as jerk chicken, key lime pie, mango salsa, chicken and rice, and seafood gumbos. Growing yellow raspberries is our latest adventure! It's best to store fresh key limes at cool room temperature. And even then we'd play until my mom would call me inside. In terms of physical differences between the two types of limes, Key limes tend to be much smaller than Persian limes. Trees produced from cuttings and air layering bear fruit much sooner, sometimes producing fruit (though not a serious harvest) a year after planting. Most species and hybrids of citrus plants called "limes" have varying origins within tropical Southeast Asia and South Asia. Some people believe rolling it prior to juicing will yield more juice. [12] From the Caribbean, lime cultivation spread to tropical and subtropical North America, including Mexico, Florida, and later California. Despite its many uses, Florida key limes are most famous for their use in key lime pie. The juice of a key lime is tarter and somewhat more bitter than a Persian lime, though some people find the taste very bitter and almost caustic. Limes were introduced to the western Mediterranean countries by returning Crusaders in the 12th and 13th centuries. Corrections? Plant your lime tree in the spring in a neutral pH, moistened potting medium. Don't bother putting them in the fridge, as this will only speed up their decay. So, they knew that they had a lime that could grow in coral and rock on an island.". size. Credit: J. H. Crane, UF/IFAS Scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia Swingle. Remove any visible key lime seeds and set them aside. [3], It was in the 1950s that Key lime pie was promoted as Florida's "most famous treat" and in 1987 as "the greatest of all regional American desserts. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. I am searching high and low for, Read More Things to Plant in August in Pennsylvania Zone 6bContinue. The best time to plant a limequat is in early spring. Citrate of lime and citric acid are also prepared from the fruit. This is the one that made key lime pies famous. Squeeze the juice for use in baking, cocktails, or other drinks. Water lime trees once or twice a week during the growing season so the soil stays moist to a depth of 6 . When you dig the planting hole, make it twice as wide as the root ball, with an equal depth. Check out our germinated lime tree seedlings! Put the towel in a sealed plastic bag and place it in a warm, dark place like a cupboard. Work to separate the germinated lime tree seeds from the paper towel. Once a week, water the Mexican key lime tree thoroughly. They were spread throughout the world via migration and trade. 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. They have more seeds than Persian limes, and as we've already established, they're more aromatic and bitter in taste. [5] An "icebox lime pie", was mentioned as a specialty of the Florida Keys in 1935. She handles the gardening, writing, photography, videos, social media, and creative strategy for this website. But when baked into a dessert like Key lime blondies, its hard to tell the difference. [4] According to the pastry chef Stella Parks, users of the recipe altered it with local ingredients; she describes it as "a stunning reminder of how deeply America's traditions are shaped by advertising". Their skin is also very thin, which means they don't store well. They attain their maximal yield at about 10 years of age. If so, maybe you should youre your own key lime tree! What Is Watercress and What Does It Taste Like? It has a spherical fruit, 25-50 mm (1-2 in) in diameter. In 1926, the key lime groves were hit by a hurricane, and the majority of the fields and delicate fruits were destroyed. The preferred storage conditions are temperatures of 910C (4850F) and a humidity over 85%, but even in ideal conditions post-harvesting losses are high. ]. She is a wife, and mom of two daughters and a border collie. Because key limes grow in a tropical or subtropical climate, their growing season is limited. The New Caledonia and Kaghzi limes appear to have resulted from an F2 Key lime self-pollination, while a spontaneous genomic duplication gave us the tetraploid Giant Key lime. Now that I have that bit of insurance waiting there, I am ALL IN to try planting a lime tree from seed and seeing where it goes. Now that you're ready to start putting your Key limes to use, I recommend you use them where they really shine: dessert! Each lime contains two to three tablespoons of juice (compared to Key limes two to three teaspoons). The process begins with harvesting the seeds and then germinating them. Use your thumbnail to gently nick the seed coat. The answer is yes, the two can easily be substituted for one another. In Mexico, they enjoy a year-round season, but their delicate nature means transporting them to the U.S. can be challenging. Fertilize the Mexican key lime tree with a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Key limes are also a welcome addition in sweet-and-sour cocktails and marinades. Keep the mulch 2 inches (5 cm.) Sunlight: A sunny, wind-sheltered spot is best for growing Key limes, so look for a location near a south-facing wall, where they will receive protection from the wind and plenty of sun. Its branches spread and are irregular, with short stiff twigs, small leaves, and many small sharp thorns. These taller varieties are typically seedless and can produce fruit all year long. Copyright 1996-2023, Specialty Produce, All Rights Reserved | 1929 Hancock St., Suite 150, San Diego, CA 92110 | 800.221.9730 |. Theyre light yellow (not green) when ripe and contain more seeds than regular limes. Shelf life of Key limes is an important consideration in marketing. The citrus fruit is actually native to Southeast Asia. Key limes are much smaller in size than Persian limes (about the size of a Ping-Pong ball or golf ball), nearly spherical, thin-skinned, and often contain a few seeds. It is the perfect powder to sprinkle on top of south Asian dinner dishes. Common names: Key lime, West Indian lime, Mexican lime (Limn Mexicano), dayap (Filipino), manao (Thai), chanh (Vietnamese), limo galego (Portuguese), tilleul cl (French). Key limes are also more yellow in color (as yellow indicates ripeness for Key limes), with thinner rinds. To zest, wash and dry the skin and remove the zest with a zester. In Florida, the Mexican lime is known as the Key lime. [3][12] Key lime juice, unlike regular lime juice, is a pale yellow. Like Persian limes, you'll want to store Key limes at cool room temperature. The fruit is usually about 3 to 4 cm (1 to 1.5 inches) in diameter, oval to nearly globular in shape, often with a small apical nipple, and the peel is thin and greenish yellow when the fruit is ripe. When baked into pie or dessert, it's very hard to tell the difference between the two. They only grow in certain regions of the United States and are in season for only a short time, from June through September in Florida and some parts of California. Nothing tastes better in a cold beer, or so I'm told! Branches are slender and thorned. higher than the surrounding soil. Squeeze the juice into a fine sieve ($12, Fine Mesh Sieve Strainer at Amazon) to remove any pulp or seeds. This is a myth that has been proven false. In Southern California, these trees produce citrus fruits. Your email address will not be published. Create a small hole in the center and drop the germinated key lime seed inside. Use your thumbnail to gently nick the seed coat. Tree varieties without thorns tend to be smaller with darker leaves and lower production. Reduce watering even more to once every two weeks . Key limes (Citrus aurantifolia) Key limes of the Rutaceae family are also known as the Mexican lime or the West Indian lime. Sign up for our newsletter. Mexican key limes are the preferred fruit used by bartenders and pie bakers around the world. I, Read More Need Seeds 10 Places to Get Quality, Cheap SeedsContinue, What if I told you the secret to germinating seeds overnight? Before planting lime seeds, however, be sure to wash them and you may even want to allow them to dry for a couple days, then plant them as soon as possible. In California in the late 19th century, "Mexican" limes were more highly valued than lemons; however, in Florida, they were generally considered weeds. If you are also looking for plants to grow in August, youve come to the right place. Florida key limes are one of the primary ingredients used in Floribbean cooking, or a fusion cuisine using American, Caribbean, Latin, African, and Asian cooking techniques and flavors. One successful procedure is a coating of coconut oil that improves shelf life, thereby achieving a constant market supply of Key limes.[21]. The juice of key lime is known for its tart flavor. Use ripe Key limes within two days. That tiny tomato seed happened to get caught up, Read More Volunteer Tomatoes Tomato Plants Gone Rogue!Continue, Its crazy how quickly the summertime flies by every year. It is covered with meringue, baked, and served cold. Full disclosure I did buy a mature lime tree from a local garden center prior to attempting this project. Useful rootstocks include wild grapefruit, cleopatra mandarin and tahiti limes. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. My bestie loves key lime martinis and my kids adore limeade. My Experience Growing Roses from Cut Flowers Updated! You can plant the seed directly in a pot of soil or place it in a plastic bag. Limeade and other lime-flavoured drinks have a flavour and bouquet quite distinct from those made from lemons (Citrus limon). Unless your key limes are grown in the Keys (which is rare nowadays), you are not supposed to call them key limes. This article was most recently revised and updated by, National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - A spotlight on lime: a review about adverse reactions and clinical manifestations due to Citrus aurantiifolia, Healthline - Limes: A Citrus Fruit with Powerful Benefits, Pennsylvania State University - PlantVillage - Tarragon, lime - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), lime - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Iowa man wins Fourth of July Key Lime Pie Eating Championship in Florida Keys. When you are growing key limes, water them deeply and slowly so the moisture reaches deep into the soil. Who knew? When it's ready to plant, it should go into a hole twice the size of its root ball and equally deep. The lime fruit is a key ingredient in certain pickles and chutneys, and lime juice is used to flavour drinks, foods, and confections. It can be hard to find fresh key limes in most grocery stores. Even then, you can force a key lime to produce fruit. When the fruit have grown to harvesting size and begin to turn yellow they are picked and not clipped. The bitterness of the key lime balances well with the sweetness of sugar. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year, but are most abundant from May to September in the Northern Hemisphere.[4][5]. And how is it different from a regular lime? They are a reliable variety that does not need high heat to grow and fruit. You can use them in place of regular limes in any recipe, but theyre an ideal choice for sweetened-up desserts like Key lime pie, cupcakes or thumbprint cookies. The limes also contain calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and are believed to provide some anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. So how did Florida end up as the de facto Key lime capital? It is a top . It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 1/2 to 13 feet (2 to 4 m.) tall. They are small, round, and full of flavor. Center the root section in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 mm. Its best to keep them out of the fridge and use them within two days of purchasing. And they don't stay fresh long. By the way, if you liked this post, feel free to check out our Google web story on germinating lime tree seeds. Their skin is also very thin, which means they dont store well. Thornless Key Lime Citrus Tree. All Rights Reserved. For this reason, key lime juice is often used in very sweet desserts. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. You may also enjoy our other posts on germinating citrus seeds to grow baby trees: Additionally, be sure to check out our post on caring for and growing an indoor lime tree. Others are, like their parent, classed within C. aurantiifolia. [22], "Mexican lime" redirects here. This helps our girls chase their garden dreams! Florida key limes pair well with coconut, cherries, raspberries, lemons, ginger, and white chocolate. Alkaline Breakfast Foods List to Power Your Day In 2022. Here you'll find the answers to these questions and more. Florida key limes, botanically classified as Citrus aurantiifolia, are rare fruits that are found on thorny, evergreen trees or shrubs, belonging to the Rutaceae or citrus family. We recommend our users to update the browser. The Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is a citrus species with an oval fruit; that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially.It is smaller and more acidic, with a stronger aroma than the Persian lime (Citrus latifolia).Key limes are native to Southeast Asia and are grown in the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. You can prune your lime tree to keep it to a manageable size for moving between outdoors and indoors. The pulp is tender, juicy, yellowish green in colour, and decidedly acid. After that, water only when the top inch (2.5 cm.) Cultivated for thousands of years in the Indo-Malayan region, the key lime (also known as "Mexican lime" and "West Indies lime") has long been treasured for its fruit and decorative foliage. When learning how to grow Mexican key lime trees, start by choosing a healthy tree. Key lime. The container should have drainage holes as citrus trees do not like "wet feet" and should be at least 15 gallons (57 L.) (an old whiskey barrel is ideal). Below are the different types of lime trees with information on how to identify them, their uses, and where they are grown: 1.