Hello, I'm not sure if I posted this in the right place I hope so. I just got a bearss lime tree by a twist of fate. I was expecting to get a dwarf lemon tree, but there was lime trees also I guess. I can't seem to find a ton about lime tree care, it seems lemon trees are more popular. I just wanted to know what a good soil would be when I re-pot it. The roots are already growing and showing out of the top of the dirt of the container. I have a plant food that is 10 nitrogen 10 ph 10 potash, though I think I may need a better one. I'm worried I will choose the wrong soil to put it in and kill it. This is my first tree or any project and I'm willing to learn. I live in Canada I think my zone here is 5a, The summers have a max of 40C + and winters can go cold as -10 to -15C, I will artificially light though. I've also obtained mulch that is 100% coconut by product I think it's coconut husk and fiber, to be on the safe side I bought another coconut husk chip block, both compressed. I soaked them in epson salt, I'm trying to get coconut fiber, if I can't I'll get pot ash and mix it. I'm not sure how the 4 to 1 ratio will work, not sure of the measurements for the 4 to 1. I'm guessing it depends on the pot size. Any information or tips on growing a bearss lime tree indoors would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all, to who give their time to read this and help. Respectfully Nick
As an indoor grower the care for a lime is no different from that for a lemon. Two popular choices for growing medium are coconut husk chips (CHC) and a mix of pine bark nuggets/perlite/peat-based potting soil. There are others. What they all have in common is high porosity. By the way it is normal for some surface roots to be showing. For more information on CHC mixes, search past postings in the Citrus forum. A quick search turned up the thread Transplanting Meyer Lemon to CHC / Coir | UBC Botanical Garden Forums. A fertilizer containing micronutrients which approximates a 5-1-3 NPK ratio is suggested. If you're thinking about it, the lime will not withstand outdoor temperatures in your area.
Thank you kindly, I would of looked in to the Myer lemon threads if I knew they needed the same care. I was under the impression lime trees needed different care, I was very stressed re potting this tree. I put about 50/50 of low acidic soil and CHC 4 parts and 1 part peat moss. I hope I didn't put to much dirt, the CHC/peat moss mix I put at the bottom to catch water. while filling in some on the sides and filling the rest with the soil. Hopefully my tree won't die, I keep it inside to protect from the cold nights and to protect it from the elements here. Is there anyway to find out what zone I'm in I think it's 5A for Hamilton. Thank you for taking time to reply I greatly appreciate it. Respectfully Nick
It sounds like you've done your research; I'm sure your tree will be fine. Hamilton appears to be in either 5b or 6a according to the Canadian hardiness zone map (in the left sidebar).
Ahh I'm a fool for not seeing it, thank you. I still am unsure about how to tell if a soil is 5-1-3 I don't have a lot of options here in Hamilton. The soil I went with has a PH for 4.5 to 5.5 types of plants, or so it says. Hopefully the CHC will help a little, as I hear they have a ph perfect for citrus. Besides not knowing how much water to give the tree once it is dry 3 inches deep. I don't know how to judge that actually but I'm sure there is a helpful guide on here somewhere. The search bar does wonders haha, thank you again for your time :)
The 5-1-3 ratio is in reference to fertilizers. For example a 30-10-10 formulation has a ratio of 3-1-1. Miracle Gro has an all purpose 24-8-12 and Plant-prod has a 30-10-10. I use the latter. They're usually found in nurseries and big-box stores in my area.
I understand now, it depends on the percentage of NPK in each soil. I surprisingly can't find any plant food with 30-10-10. It seems there is not much soil for citrus trees in my area. I will have to look at see what the percentage is on my soil I used on the tree re potting.
