lemon and lime trees

Anonymous starts with ...
is it true if lime and lemon trees are grown close together they can change to both being lemon trees

Pauline says...
I suppose if their genes are very close, if they flower at the same time the lime trees could be polinated by the lemon tree pollon, which could be dominant?
A bit like when you grow different corn next to each other you don't end up with exactly the sweetcorn you were expecting.

Dekka says...
What you are saying makes no sense. The genetic characteristics of the limes are determined by the lime tree's original parent plants. It is only the seed within the lime that could contain genetic material from the neighbouring lemon. What you are proposing is like saying that a wife would take on and exhibit genetic similarities to a husband. It doesn't work that way....at least not where I come from.

John says...
I think people are forgetting that a species barrier has to be crossed, when with F1 hybrid vigour it's the same species.

Di says...
I have a meyer lemon tree which produced fruit in July (first time). It flowered again recently but no fruit. It is immediately next to a kaffir lime tree and the two have grown grown branches with unusual three tipped leaves and large thorns where they touch each other. I have pruned them back so they no longer touch and I hope the lemon tree will still produce fruit. Has anyone heard of this happening and will my lemon tree still produce fruit????? Very bizarre!

John Ebbinghaus says...
My neighbor has a citrus tree that has fruit that looks exactly like a Meyer lemon, but the flesh looks like lime fruit, tastes like lime and has no seeds. Great size and taste.

Does anyone know where I buy a two trees??

John

John Ebbinghaus says...
The tree is now fruiting so I'll have to wait until next January to photo the ripe fruit. Still would like to buy two trees. It's really a perfect fruit for fish and other lemon/lime flavored dished. Great flavor and no seeds. Added some juice to a garlic, onion, olive oil pasta sauce and WOW what a hit. Thanks for your help,

John Ebbinghaus

KIRSTY says...
I have something similar happening to what you are suggesting, I have a kaffir lime which started with double leaves and thorns, a Meyer lemon tree with single leaves no thorns. Having been near each other for 2 years it appears that my lime is only producing single leaves and thorns whilst the lemon tree is now producing some double leaves (and single) and a huge number of thorns. Its baffling me.

amanda says...
I agree with Wayne.
As long as they are above the graft - all is well. If the water shoot is growing a bad angle etc just prune it out (mine often grow at right angles and stuff - but sometimes they are good leader branches too)

snottiegobble says...
I planted out my young kaffir lime in the winter & come spring it produced quite a lot of new dark red leaves. Now they have turned green, & there appears to be no more sprouting. Am I not feeding the tree enough?

Wayne says...
Hayden, I'm not sure, are the leaves curling up or pointing up as you say, if they are curling up it could be lack of nutrients from to much rain washing through.

I agree with Brad snottiegobble, seems to me that you are looking after it fine. My Kaffir Lime has not long finished with it's dark red growth spurt and the leaves have turned green. I don't take much notice of when but as Brad says it gets spurts of growth now and then.

Wayne says...
I'm sorry but I am stumped Hayden, could it be just a bit to wet from the rain?

Hayden says...
Azailia for a bit of nitrogen. Found a bag of it in the garage and thought I could save a bit of money. I use it because season apparently has no nitrogen witch citrus like. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I do the same for my mandarin which is flowering and fruiting even after me pruning of the branches with flowers a little while ago. The flowers just came up again just below the bits I pruned off.