Can I grow another tree from an existing lime tree?

16 years ago

Hi all,

My grandmother, who has lived in her house in the West Los Angeles area of Southern California since 1945, has the BEST lime tree in her backyard. Unfortunately, she is 95, and it looks like she will not be in her house much longer. She has a very prolific lime tree that I'm guessing is as old or older than the house. The fruit it produces is thin-skinned, and turns yellow when ripe. The fruit is extraordinarily juicy -- tart but very flavorful. I've *NEVER* purchased a lime as good at a store or a farmer's market. Anyhow, I've been wondering if there's a way to take a bit of this tree with us when the house is sold -- the fruits produce no seeds.

I could post pictures if that would help!

Thanks for any suggestions!

Dana

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Comments (9)

malcolm_manners
16 years ago
Dana, Lime trees are very easy to air layer. Look up that process on google, and you should have no problems making another tree.
citrusenthusiast
16 years ago
Dana
I wouldn't propagate from that tree unless you live in the same general area as your grandmother. If you don't live nearby or just to be sure that you are not spreading any diseases just purchase a "persian" or "bearss" lime from a local nursery. I'm sure you will be happy with the fruit that they produce.
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dancinglemons
16 years ago
citrusenthusiast,
Although I am a total citrus newbie I must disagree with you here. I think Dana wants a part of that tree for the flavor of the limes but I will bet it you ask there is more "love" in this need to propagate than "flavor". If my grandmother had an apple tree in her yard that made the world's best applesauce and she was 95 years old I would want a part of that tree to have with me forever and ever. I never knew my grandmother but my Mum lived to be 81 and I sure wish I had taken a cutting of her pink rose bush before we sold her home. There are procedures that can be taken to prevent the spread of disease and/or insects.

Dana,
Get a part of that tree. Each and every time you enjoy one of the limes that will grow for you - the love of your grandmother will make it taste fantastic!!

DL
citrusenthusiast
16 years ago
Dear DL
Would you care to elaborate on the procedures to prevent the spread of any disease that tree may carry? I understand the emotional connection that can be there but there is still a responsibility here that may be more important.
ulalame
Original Author
16 years ago
citrusenthusiast --

I live within 10 miles of my grandmother. The tree has never shown any sign of disease. Is there some kind of test I can do to see if it has some kind of hidden disease?

Malcolm -- thank you for the tip on air layering. I will try it and report back.

Thanks for all the comments!
citrusenthusiast
16 years ago
I would consider within 10 miles to be the same general area. Therefore there shouldn't be a considerable risk. Some trees can be what you might call silent carriers of a disease. So outward appearance doesn't always give the full picture. Test that can be done to determine any disease would be to costly in a case such as this.
dancinglemons
16 years ago
citrusenthusiast ,

The proper procedures for taking a cutting and/or cloning an existing tree/plant and at the same time preventing the spread of disease/insects are readily available from the extension agency in most states. When I have need of this information in Virginia I call the cooperative extension agent for my area and ask.

DL
don_in_ct
16 years ago
Hello Citrusenthusiast,

If you are willing to start small, take a handful or more 4 to 5 inch cuttings, and follow the rules for rooting them with rooting powder or liquid. I took three cuttings from my Key lime this past fall, dipped the cut ends in the rooting hormone powder, popped them into separate little two inch pots, kept them under plastic bags in indirect light in my house, and got one to take. I lost the other two because I totally forgot to check to see if they needed watering.

Regarding the fear of spreading disease, I think that unless every last suburban landscape crew, professional and amateur, in southern California is practicing "safe" pruning techniques you really are unlikely to be guilty of a major crime.

I lived for a decade in Florida, including a couple years in Sarasota in the early 90s, where citrus canker disease was a major concern, and I used to watch the supposedly professional landscape crews working through the citrus trees that grew on the apartment complex's property, and I never ever saw them sterilize their pruning tools--which were reportedly a potential way the disease could spread, even though Sarasota had several major citrus groves within a few miles of the location. Up here in Connecticut, I try to remember to always wipe my pruning shears with rubbing alcohol after trimming each tree I have, even though, obviously, I don't exactly have to worry about infecting nearby citrus plantations.

I hope you have good results, and that you get a few other people interested in your Grandma's tree.

Don
magokkano_yahoo_com
13 years ago
I will show you how,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26UsCKqxkyg

Here is a link that might be useful: Gabriel tree

Can I grow another tree from an existing lime tree?

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malcolm_manners

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Can I grow another tree from an existing lime tree?

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