skip to main content

Supposed to be Kaffir lime... ID help please!

Krista S (zone 5- WI)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I purchased supposed Kaffir lime tree seeds online and planted them a few months ago... I now have one fast-growing tree (?) that certainly does not look like Kaffir- but what is it?!? - and another two that are slow-growing and small but still do not have the double leaves as expected... I am quite new to gardening/ growing so who knows what I did :)

The online sellers agree that neither are Kaffir and recommend trying more seeds...... yikes. Anybody know what they actually are?? Whom have I been sweet talking and nurturing?!

Thanks!!!

big seedling pic

smaller seedling pic

Featured Answer

BarbJP 15-16/9B CA Bay Area

8 years ago

Or the seeds they sent you were not viable (dead) and the weed seeds just happened to be in the soil maybe?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

patrickartist
8 years ago
The big seedling looks to be lambs quarters, an edible "weed". The smaller seedling looks like oregano perhaps. Lime seeds will look like the pips that you find in lemons, only a little thinner/smaller.
johnmerr
8 years ago
Right... those are all weeds, not citrus.
Related Discussions
Kaffir Lime
Q
Comments (37)
For those looking for a good source I HIGHLY recommend fourwindsgrowers and I recommend spending the extra money to get the 2-3 year tree. I now have 12 citrus trees and something in the order of 15-20 different tropical fruit trees purchased from a variety of nurseries and the fourwinds plants are far and above superior in quality and hardiness. Even though they werent mature enough to bear their first fruit, all my fourwinds trees did ( I of course pruned them as should be done for the first crop) and they are all now fruit bearers and growing well. I've also had 80% succes with Larry's Tropicals off of Amazon.com however they are one of those companies that send a tiny plant that must be nurtured a great deal to get a well established tree. This can be a lot of work. As far as bang for your buck goes, fourwindsgrowers is the best bet hands down. Another thing worth noting is fourwinds did a fantastic job packing the tree for protection during shipping which many others did not. I can't say enough about how good their products and service is. If you are serious about your citrus they are the vendor for you.
...See More
Kaffir Lime Tree
Q
Comments (8)
Thank you Johnmerr and farm96744! Johnmerr, we're going to prune the water sprout from our kaffir tree today, but can you tell me why we should remove the stake? Obviously, we won't need it any longer once we remove the water sprout, but is it hurting the kaffir tree? farm96744, our tree has yet to bear any fruit for us, but if we pinch off the tiny new leaves from the tip of every branch, will that keep our kaffir tree from growing any larger? We both have brown thumbs, so we baby this tree like parents. We water it about once every 3 days during the winter, but almost every day in the hot, Texas summer. It seems to love it, but we're not sure if less is more.
...See More
Need help with Kaffir Lime
Q
Comments (21)
I am in North Texas and we do get at least one week a year of pretty low temps - often in the high teens. A few weeks of 20s are commonplace and 30s abound. Ice storms occur at least every other year. I too am a novice gardner with a kaffir lime tree. This tree was bought as a baby 3 1/2 years ago. Then it was quite small - maybe 2 feet. The first 2 years were easy. I repotted it in the spring into steadily larger pots. Last winter, I was a bit slow and left it outside too long. It lost a lot of leaves (more Thai cooking for us!). We quickly brought it inside and after a couple of months it started putting on new growth. I took it back outside in April, and the tree has sprouted like a weed. Mostly a single long (8 feet) center stalk, and some lower branches. The center stalk does divide about 6 feet off the ground, so it has twin peaks, both of which are around 3/4" in diameter. It all seems very sturdy. It has now got to the stage when I can't bring it indoors - it is just too tall. Also it will need repotting. That is all by way of background. Now for the questions: First, should I repot now (October) or wait until spring? Second, Is it sensible to reduce height by lopping off some of the top? If so, how much? Where should I cut, what should I cut with? Perhaps a pruning lesson would help me understand what to do! Third, since I cannot bring it indoors, but can move it under an overhang, is that a good idea? Fourth, thoughts on providing enough warmth greatly appreciated. I like the idea of Christmas tree lights, but if I have to wrap it to protect it from the cold air, what should I do? I have no greenhouse nor other covered place I can put this delightful monster. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks Chris
...See More
Kaffir Lime Tree yellowing
Q
Comments (2)
I'm not a kaffir lime expert; but my limited experience with them is that they are not difficult Looks to me like your tree is quite underfed; the leaves should be a very dark green, and larger than yours; and I don't see any signs of new growth, so it is likely your tree is sucking the life out of the leaves it has, so that the core can survive.
...See More
Krista S (zone 5- WI)
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh my golly... thanks. I can only assume they sent me the wrong seeds but my husband is loving the fact that I did indeed grow and tend to weeds...
Yuan Gong Hamilton ON CANADA 6b
8 years ago
Why waste time with seeds at all? It'll be years before you get limes. Buy a nursery plant for $40
Krista S (zone 5- WI)
Original Author
8 years ago
I thought I'd give the cheaper, grueling route from seeds a try, but a couple year old tree sounds wonderful. Might have to wait for a birthday gift, as I have blown most of my "garden budget" already; in the meantime, I'll start a new round of my remaining seeds!
Yuan Gong Hamilton ON CANADA 6b
8 years ago
I will say this though, the main advantage to seeds is that they are free from scary bugs.
johnmerr
8 years ago
Actually, the best and strongest of Makrut/Kaffir limes are grown from seed. If you plant the seeds about 1 inch deep, cover with plastic wrap and keep them warm and moist, a viable citrus seed should emerge in 2-3 weeks.
Krista S (zone 5- WI)
Original Author
8 years ago
Feeling better about these guys... new seedlings pic
johnmerr
8 years ago
Good job; those look like kaffir seedlings.
Dar Sunset Zone 18
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Yuan, with all due respect, I would disagree that this is wasting time.
Reason is because the strains grown in America seem to have mediocre aroma. Immigrant Southeast Asian cooks may note that they don't have the same oomph to them as the ones from their homeland.

So while the ones propagated by wholesale citrus growers will readily fruit, the leaves are not as aromatic as can be. Often, Southeast Asian immigrants will grow out many seeds and select the plants with the best scented leaves to use.

Experience from my mother. She and her friends agreed that the ones bought from the retail nursery tend to have a very fruity scent. The ones that they preferred has a slightly earthy profile, I would say like curry leaves and usually were shared as seedlings within the community.
daisy_ny6
8 years ago
If kaffir limes were grown for the fruit, Yuan's point would be valid, but since they are grown for the leaves...

Related Stories

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Silphium Perfoliatum Pleases Wildlife

By Pollination Press LLC

Cup plant provides structure, cover, food and water to help attract and sustain wildlife in the eastern North American garden

BEFORE AND AFTERS More Room, Please: 5 Spectacularly Converted Garages

By Samantha Schoech

Design — and the desire for more space — turns humble garages into gracious living rooms

SUMMER GARDENING Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

BATHROOM DESIGN Upload of the Day: A Mini Fridge in the Master Bathroom? Yes, Please!

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about convenience. Better yet, get it yourself after being inspired by this Texas bath

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

ORGANIZING Help for Whittling Down the Photo Pile

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Consider these 6 points your personal pare-down assistant, making organizing your photo collection easier

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

By Mink Home Staging

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

Sponsored

More Discussions

New Zealand lemonade tree with flowers

0

figs vs kumquats

6

HowardMartingrowing citrus #33

62

Productivity of kumquats and their hybrids

4

Meyer´s problems

3