finger lime

Phil. says...
Finger limes will do well in Melbourne with adequate sunlight. Although they are primarily a rainforest species they will tolerate cold conditions. They grow wild around here in Nth NSW and don't seem to suffer from the odd frost. I'd wait until warmer weather to try and establish one though. Poyntons in Essendon sell them and Kuranga in Mt Evelyn sell other native species which are even hardier, such as the desert lime and the round lime.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1

Phil says...
A little bit of sulphate of potash sprinkled around the tree may help fruit set. Don't be too heavy handed tho, as being a native it may not tolerate high doses of inorganic additives, and make sure you water it in well.

Justin says...
Just out of curiosity do these fruit taste like a normal lime? or different? i was thinking about getting one.

baldrick says...
My finger lime has started to show signs of die back. it has produced many small fruit, only got a small amount out of the fruit. It is flowering again but the branches are dying. My other tree, same age, refuses to flower or fruit. Maybe I need to threaten it with the shears!

Mark says...
Well Phil the potash may have done the trick as my tree is covered in limes. They are now about 5-6cms long. How do you know when to pick them?