Canterbury
November
Q.
I have had a lime tree for 6 or more years. It produces luscious growth but never any flowers or fruit. What do you suggest?
Anne Reid
A.
Hi Anne, reasons for poor cropping can include lack of pollination, pests, disease, poor nutrition, lack of watering, or growing with too much vegetative growth from excessive nitrogen - this could be the issue for you as the leaf growth is lush and green.
All fruit trees benefit from a regular feeding regime to provide the right nutrients for maximum tree health and top crops. Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser is suitable for your fruit trees planted in the garden or in pots and containers. Feed in spring and summer to provide your fruit trees a balanced and even spread of all essential nutrients for maximum fruiting and flowering.
To help increase fruit production next season, you could also sprinkle Tui Sulphate of Potash around the base of the tree in autumn. This provides a boost of potassium – the most important element for the development of flowers and fruit.
Water deeply and regularly especially over summer, and mulch around your tree.
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Why is my lime tree not fruiting? Comments
Hi, my tree was grown from seed about 6 years ago. It is lush and green and in good health. I fertilise as recommended and still no limes. Can you help?
The Tui Team
Hi Suzi, seedling grown fruit trees can take 6-7 years, even more, to fruit. That is why fruit trees are usually grafted on to rootstock as this speeds up the fruiting process and trees will fruit within 3-4 years. There will be variation from seed as well depending upon what type of lime tree the seed is from, it may not be the same as the mother tree. Limes need to be in a sunny spot, the hotter the better, to initiate flowering, and don't trim it back as the fruiting part of the tree is fruit forms on the ends of branches. The Tui Team.