Patio Lime

Brain says...
Kaffir limes are oversized golf balls (but smaller than tennis balls). They are knobbly when grown to full size but when they are tiny, they are well rounded with a hint of rough skin.

Otherwise I suspect your patio lime might be 'sublime' (a form of West Indian lime), which grows to a size of a 10 or 20 cent (Aus) coin full size. If this is the case, the lime goes very well with gin and tonic and if you google 'key lime' (what's known in the US), there are plenty of recipes.

Brain says...
The sublime is a bit fickle. It took me a few years to get a decent sized lime - which is a 20 cents coin. It's a vigorous grower and likes to have thin long branches that grows into each other. So it had to have a hair cut and now no fruits.

the sublime/west indian lime is a much much smaller lime than a Tahitian lime. So whilst it may look small, it is a true lime and has a true lime taste.

Brain says...
I wouldn't write off the sublime just yet. In general, they do flower heaps, just holding onto fruit is a different story. So they definitely have a lot of potential.

I suspect and this is what I'm trialling, is to really boost the nutrition. The aim is to get it to a big thick bush (they are bushy as opposed to a upright tree looking) and also increase the thickness of branches. I.e. once they have the green growth required, they should start to fruit more (in theory anyway).

I have a worm farm, so have plenty of worm casting etc. Otherwise, Dynamic lifter works (just as long as you don't mind the smell). If your tree has plenty of little fruits, then refrain from any fertilising (as they will make the fruit drop!) Otherwise, I'd apply low rates of fertiliser monthly.

I'll see if I can take a pic of the sublime on the weekend and compare notes.

Prickles says...
Many thanks to all who offered advice. My little tree held its bumper crop and, after a bit of experimentation, daughter and I decided a garlic press was the way to juice them. She made a Keylime pie which was so delicious that I followed her up with a Keylime icecream (the easy whipped cream & condensed milk version, served in wafer cones) for my birthday dinner. She insisted that I had a candle plonked in the middle of my serving. Thank heavens she didn't want to add the other 69!
When the fruit is finally finished (still plenty more on the tree), I'll feed with dynamic lifter, as suggested.
Again, thank you all.

Prickles says...
A bit tired of starting off new lemon grass plants every year so am currently experimenting with one of last year's plants. Trimmed back the leaves, covered the entire plant with autumn leaves, made a bamboo tripod to fit over it all, and wrapped up the whole thing in two layers of bubble wrap. And gaffa taped fingers and toes into crossed position.

If it works, might even try a finger lime. The local Bunnings stock them - probably a variety that does well in Queensland.

Brain says...
I am surprised you need to go to such extreme to keep lemon grass down south.

a low tech solution is Wall-O-Water, not sure if they are sold in Aus but oversea experiences showed it works.

Alternatively, if you have a barrel of water (covered), it too should work.

But I like Manfred's idea, get a clump and baby it indoor over winter and then plant it out in spring.

Do note that some of those finger limes are cutting grown (not grafted). Probably ok for pots - well they tend to grow better in pots anyway. You'd surprised to find a lot of finger limes actually comes from the forest of NSW. But yes, there are other specific species that comes from Qld like gympie lime and indoora lime.

Prickles says...
Both my Patio and Kaffir Limes are looking decidedly sad at the moment. Our recent -10 degrees night burnt off most of the leaves, but still some green leaves against the wall. Sadder still was the fate of the lovely little limes that were still on the tree. They froze, thawed, went brown and turned to mush! My geraniums, also against a brick wall were a mass of flowers until that night. Now a mass of dead leaves and branches. But things must improve! Spring is just around the corner.

Brain says...
Very sorry to hear the recent frost has damaged the plants. But it did sound like the bricks and concrete did create a micro climate and probably saved a small part of the plant and like you said, hopefully spring comes and the plants will turn around. It is very disappointing to see all your hard work wasted but sometimes nature can't be helped.

I don't know if it is worth your while to grow citrus in pots. That's what they do in colder states in US, where when winter/snow comes, they wheel in the plants indoor and baby it over the winter and bring it back out in spring.

There are definitely challenges and this is the 'fun' of gardening I suppose. :)

Markmelb says...
Correct but it isnt grafted - its a cutting which is ok in Australia but not to do in USA due to a disease all plants have to be grafted from controlled budwood.