I've not tasted the NZL or a good blood orange, but I love the key lime because of how versatile it is. I can tell you this...I would NOT get the thornless variety if you get one. I have both and the difference in growth rate and production is striking. The thorny one is loaded with blossoms and is a smaller tree than the thornless, which seems to grow a few leaves and takes a several month rest to recuperate strength ;-). I call the thorny one the mutt because it is so much stronger than its aristocratic (and thornless) counterpart...

New Zealand Lemonade is the only logical choice. You can buy fruit of the other varieties at the grocery. Bide your time getting the other 2.

Here is my NZL on full dwarfing rootstock US897

Thanks to you both for the responses! Laura: I didn't know that about the thornless key lime - I suppose the choices are now: regular key lime, blood orange, or lemonade.

Does anyone think that one of those is easier to care for than any of the others?

For those with a Lemonade, what do you do with your fruit besides eat them out of hand?

My trees are new to me an have not fruited. The acid-less lemons and limes seem to be more cold hardy than the other 2 trees. This would gibe you more leeway if you were to forget to bring your tree in and it got down in the low 20's

6b "way to cold for any citrus" Steve

All that Steve says is true, but the key lime is very prolific and the fruit can be used for many things. Yes, they can sometimes be found in the store, but the ones I have grown are much juicier. Another option very similar to key lime and easy to grow is a limequat. I have the Lakeland limequat and the fruit are extremely juice and almost indistinguishable from key limes. The cross with kumquat makes it hardier to cold and mine seems to be always in bloom.

I think I've reached a decision! First, I want to both of you for the advice you gave me. Laura's advice convinced me that I do want a sour citrus given my love of cooking, and Steve's advice reminded me just how much I love lemons (growing up in an Italian-American family will do that). So, naturally, I think I'm going to get something completely different - a Santa Teresa lemon! You can't find them in the grocery store, they're allegedly quite vigorous and productive, and they're both unique and a good choice for a cool climate like mine.

Too bad I can't seem to find anyone that has one in stock!

Good choice! I think FW has (or had them) in stock. Check them out.

I would plant the one I'd be most Likely to eat/use of those you've listed. All 3 would be on my must have list

I am kicking myself for not ordering one when they had them in stock before Christmas, I just didn't want to start off a new tree in winter in my less than ideal conditions. Hopefully they source more for spring.Good choice and Good luck!

The ST is nice, but mine seems very delicate - much more than the key limes. Harris has a giant key lime that pip has raved about. I have one, but no fruit yet.

That's interesting Laura, my reading online said that ST's were usually very vigorous growers. Would you mind sharing a picture of yours (or anyone else that has a ST Lemon that wouldn't mind sharing their experience / pictures)?

Not all, here is the ST. Jinny has one also and I think hers has a few lemons on it. Mine just bloomed and has set a few tiny lemons, but I'm not sure she will hold them. She (Teresa) is 3.5-4' wide and a little taller than me (5'4"). I got her from FW in April. It may be that she does not like hot humid summers like we get here. She wilted in the sun, then sunburned. She has the potential to be a spectacular tree, but mine has not done as well as I'd hoped.

If you think that the ST sulked because of excessive humidity than it may still be a good option for me. Contrary to popular belief (at least in the Summer) Seattle is much drier than the Eastern US. Our average highs in the summer are upper 70s and lower 80s as well with 16 hours of sunlight on the summer solstice. Plus, I'm a sucker for the Italian heritage of the ST.

Hi guys! :)

PacNorWreck, I bought two Santa Teresa Lemon trees from Four Winds later this summer. One had arrived with a few nice sized lemons on it, but they fell off during transit, and I clipped the others off after transplanting. They were both a bit nutrient deficient to start but after some tlc the leaves started greening up nicely. I have one that bloomed and has set a lot of fruit, but the tree is now aborting a few which is normal. Plus, they are both starting to shed a few leaves.

I love this tree!

Laura, your Santa Teresa is over five feet tall already? Wow! When I received my three year old trees from Four Winds, they were barely two feet tall from the top of tree to top of roots. It is taller now, but also wider. Are you sure you are not including the pot height also? :D Lol

Hey Jinny, I always include the pot height, Oops...:-). Subtract about a foot! I just stood next to it and guessed! It stands taller than me in the pot and would have been almost as wide had I not cut it back a few weeks ago. I find the growth habit to be a bit annoying....several very long limbs. It has had five buds. All have set tiny fruitlets, but we shall see if they stick.

Here's the trunk with my fingers for scale.

I see Pearson Ranch has ST lemons available (they're the only ones that do). Does anyone have experience with them? Are their trees worth the extra cost over Four Winds or am I better suited waiting for Four Winds to restock them?

I've seen those as well and have never ordered from them either so would like to know also. Maybe a new thread asking about them?? I am on the hunt for a budha's hand after I made the cake and candy...;-)