Growing Lime Trees [ Bay Area, CA] - Tiki Drinks and Food

A AceExplorer Grand Member (8 years) Deep in the Jacksonville Flori-duh jungle. Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 2564	A AceExplorer Posted posted on Mon, May 6, 2013 7:13 AM Not sure about Key Limes being called "bartender limes," honestly don't recall having heard that before. Most folks tell me that Key limes are more tart than other varieties and better-suited to uses other than cocktails, for example, in baking. :) I had to replace a pre-existing lime tree about 3 years ago which died due to some sort of root problem that developed. Got into a brief email discussion with The Bum about what kind of lime tree to get for cocktail purposes and I eventually settled on a Persian lime with benefit of his input. The tree started producing fruit last season - third year in the ground - and the fruits have same size and appearance and flavor as what I encounter in bars. The flavor of the juice may be dependent on soil and climate, but still, choosing an appropriate variety for your intended purpose is important and worth researching. The Persian lime has some benefits of hardiness and resistance to a variety of pests and climate issues, and produces good fruit from the standpoint of flavor and juice production when squeezed. I live in Northeast Florida where we get warm summers and brief but cold winters with some sub-freezing temps. I do cover my young trees during times when hard freezes are expected. I often hear it said that the cold temps "help" with the development of flavors in citrus fruits, but I'm not sure there is any truth in that. Getting back to Key limes and comparing them to Persian limes, I would say that problems with soil, how they are watered, fertilized and exposed to climate issues can also make Persians undesirable. This is probably true for any fruit tree. I do take the time to add citrus fertilizer twice a year or so and it's never seemed to hurt, and it is very inexpensive to do so. So, in a nutshell, your mileage may vary. Research is important before you settle on any particular variety. Keep in mind that it can take a few years before a new tree begins producing fruit, so take the time to choose your variety carefully. Talk to your local nurseries and your local agricultural extension office. Having said all that, if you have the space to do so, it's ok to buy more than one variety and see how it goes.

Not sure about Key Limes being called "bartender limes," honestly don't recall having heard that before. Most folks tell me that Key limes are more tart than other varieties and better-suited to uses other than cocktails, for example, in baking. :)

I had to replace a pre-existing lime tree about 3 years ago which died due to some sort of root problem that developed. Got into a brief email discussion with The Bum about what kind of lime tree to get for cocktail purposes and I eventually settled on a Persian lime with benefit of his input. The tree started producing fruit last season - third year in the ground - and the fruits have same size and appearance and flavor as what I encounter in bars. The flavor of the juice may be dependent on soil and climate, but still, choosing an appropriate variety for your intended purpose is important and worth researching. The Persian lime has some benefits of hardiness and resistance to a variety of pests and climate issues, and produces good fruit from the standpoint of flavor and juice production when squeezed. I live in Northeast Florida where we get warm summers and brief but cold winters with some sub-freezing temps. I do cover my young trees during times when hard freezes are expected. I often hear it said that the cold temps "help" with the development of flavors in citrus fruits, but I'm not sure there is any truth in that.

Getting back to Key limes and comparing them to Persian limes, I would say that problems with soil, how they are watered, fertilized and exposed to climate issues can also make Persians undesirable. This is probably true for any fruit tree. I do take the time to add citrus fertilizer twice a year or so and it's never seemed to hurt, and it is very inexpensive to do so.

So, in a nutshell, your mileage may vary. Research is important before you settle on any particular variety. Keep in mind that it can take a few years before a new tree begins producing fruit, so take the time to choose your variety carefully. Talk to your local nurseries and your local agricultural extension office. Having said all that, if you have the space to do so, it's ok to buy more than one variety and see how it goes.

Post #676816 by AceExplorer on Mon, May 6, 2013 7:13 AM