Lime tree

[overherebc]

My lime tree has a good crop of limes starting. 

I'm getting conflictings stories on watering, some say stop watering, to get bigger limes, some say keep it watered, to get bigger limes.

What's the best way?

[meatboy]

our tree this yr.is full of fruit,the most we have had in 8yrs.maybe about 10,but since our dog has been pissing on it there is dozens and as one goes yellow another one forms.at a rough count there must be over a 100.

one house where the owner is only there about every month has 2pots outside his home,nobody waters them but they are full of fruit every yr.

[overherebc]

3 hours ago, meatboy said:

our tree this yr.is full of fruit,the most we have had in 8yrs.maybe about 10,but since our dog has been pissing on it there is dozens and as one goes yellow another one forms.at a rough count there must be over a 100.

one house where the owner is only there about every month has 2pots outside his home,nobody waters them but they are full of fruit every yr.

Only had this tree for over a year. It's in a pot but I knocked the bottom out of the pot and it sits on the soil/grass. Bought it with about 6 limes on it and this is the second crop probably 40 or so.

By your post it sounds like less water more limes.

?

Can't use the dog coz her p kills everything.

[meatboy]

16 hours ago, overherebc said:

Only had this tree for over a year. It's in a pot but I knocked the bottom out of the pot and it sits on the soil/grass. Bought it with about 6 limes on it and this is the second crop probably 40 or so.

By your post it sounds like less water more limes.

?

Can't use the dog coz her p kills everything.

we also got a pomelon tree,its been in the ground over 7yrs.this yr.for the first time we have one and its getting BIG,again its down to our boy pissing on the base. I did read for limes,lemons and any citric fruit a dogs piss is great for them,its the acid.

[drtreelove]

Water adequately.  

 

From https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1151.pdf

"Water is essential for citrus trees (or for any plant) because it is an integral component of the biochemical reactions that occur within the plant. Water is also important because it is the carrier that moves plant nutrients and other substances throughout the tree. Water also helps maintain plant temperature through transpiration. Finally, water helps maintain leaf and fruit turgidity.
Citrus and Water Stress
The first sign of water stress is a reduction of fruit size. However this is not very noticeable unless one is watching closely. The first noticeable sign of water stress occurs when the leaves turn a dull green and begin to curl from the edges inward (Figure 1). Continued stress will cause the leaves to begin to dry out and become crisp, starting at the leaf tip, and progressing until the entire leaf is dead. Finally, the leaves will fall off. Flowers and then fruits will also fall. The entire tree will die if water is withheld for an extended period of time"

[overherebc]

On 04/10/2017 at 7:35 PM, drtreelove said:

Water adequately.  

 

From https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1151.pdf

"Water is essential for citrus trees (or for any plant) because it is an integral component of the biochemical reactions that occur within the plant. Water is also important because it is the carrier that moves plant nutrients and other substances throughout the tree. Water also helps maintain plant temperature through transpiration. Finally, water helps maintain leaf and fruit turgidity.
Citrus and Water Stress
The first sign of water stress is a reduction of fruit size. However this is not very noticeable unless one is watching closely. The first noticeable sign of water stress occurs when the leaves turn a dull green and begin to curl from the edges inward (Figure 1). Continued stress will cause the leaves to begin to dry out and become crisp, starting at the leaf tip, and progressing until the entire leaf is dead. Finally, the leaves will fall off. Flowers and then fruits will also fall. The entire tree will die if water is withheld for an extended period of time"

Obviously yes to all of the above but there must be a 'middle ground' between too much and too litle.

[drtreelove]

A Soil Moisture Meter is a beautiful thing!

 

I have a $100, 36" Lincoln model. Also an $10, 12" Rapitest. One of my customers just showed me a new REOTEMP that she ordered through Amazon. It's sturdy and a good size for most pots and planting beds if somewhat in tilth, to facilitate penetration. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Compost-Moisture-Meter-Inch/dp/B002PXW4FY/ref=sr_1_1/135-5977076-5711107?ie=UTF8&qid=1507641459&sr=8-1&keywords=reotemp+moisture+meter

 

Don't leave it in the soil or it will corrode. Don't force it into hard soil or it will bend and break. Probe after you water and it should show "wet". Don't water again until it shows in the lower "moist" range. Don't let the soil stay "dry" too long. 

 

Citrus are highly susceptible to root rot, crown rot if the soil stays too wet. And they will wilt and may suffer branch die-back if too dry, too long. Yes find the 'middle ground' by getting to know your soil and how long it stays wet after you flood irrigate, and how long it takes to dry to the moist level. You can do this by digging, or using a soil sampling tube, but the soil moisture meter is the most efficient and least disruptive to roots, if you can get one. I haven't seen them on the shelf in Thailand. Please let me know if you do. 

[piersbeckett]

Excellent, IMV, video on youtube by gregthegardener - How to grow limes

[overherebc]

I think the way I have mine planted helps. In a large bowl about 12" deep with a 6" hole in the base. It has probably rooted into the soil through that hole and the roots are in moist not wet soil. The soil in the bowl never stays soaked.