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California Gardening

How to protect lime plant in cold?

17 years ago

I just got a new dwarf lime plant in a large container. (Too heavy to get inside) It's supposed to get down to 29 tonight, but it says it shouldn't be in temps below 35 degrees. Should I cover it? And with what? Thanks in advance!

Comments (7)

Heathen1
17 years ago
can you get it next to the house? I have a mango that I stick next to the house and it's fine. If not, just throw a sheet over it for the night, that'll help a lot.
slaggyc
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you! I ended up covering it with a tablecloth. Hope it's okay!
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Heathen1
17 years ago
I think that would be fine, just don't leave it on. I have also found that citrus trees are a lot hardier than you think, especially if the freezing temps don't last long. I stopped covering my tangerine tree and it's been fine.
kerrican2001
17 years ago
different citrus have different hardiness levels. Lime is one of the most sensitive, but tangerines are quite hardy. Kumquats are super hardy. California is poised for record lows this weekend, well down into the 20s in much of the state. Lime trees will get some leaf damage but I don't think it will die. It should even be defoliated, although the tips and outer leaves may get burned. They are, however, hardier than 35F (more like 30F). Keep it well watered and cross your fingers!
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
17 years ago
I put my potted one on of those disks with casters attached to them and wheel it into the garage for the night.
nturner
17 years ago
I have a been petting my lime tree, which I have had in a pot for the last 5 years. It has given me great pleasure and wonderful fruit. I usually bring it inside during our cold weather, which isn't very often. However, last week it got a little colder here than expected. During the night the temperature may have dropped to 34-36 degrees. I have it inside now on a south wall getting lots of sun. However, the new foliage looks damaged from the cold weather and it's dropping a ton of leaves. I have already many new limes on the tree, some which are very mature, and a lot more blooms. What would you suggest I do to revive it? Should I cut it back? Do you think it will die? I am totally distressed over this tree. There are not many people in our area that know about citrus trees. I've been learning a bit more each year. Your advice would really be appreciated.
Thank You.
Nancy Turner
Charleston, SC
bornabruin
17 years ago
I have three dwarf citrus trees. When we get a light frost, I usually take canvas drop cloths or tarps and drape them over the trees. This works pretty well for right about freezing. If the temp goes way down then I have a small oil filled radiator type heater (you don't want anything with hot exposed heating elements under there) that I put under the drop cloths). I've also heard of people putting a lamp under the drop cloth (obviously not near the drop cloth itself) which provides heat.

I was talking to the "ask us" person at a local nursery and she said she puts christmas lights in her citrus trees. The type she uses is not the mini or the real big lights but the ones in between (C7 bulbs?). Just have to have enough bulbs to keep the temperature around the tree reasonable. She said it looks pretty and she can have it on a timer so the tree it becdomes a no-brainer in the winter. Her trees have survived down to 14 degrees. I may try this one next year (it's tough to find the white Christmas lights right now).

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