Question by Michael D.
I have a dwarf Tahitian lime tree, that is 8 years old. I originally had it in a large pot, but it now lives in a half-wine barrel. In the 8 years I've had this tree, it has produced exactly one lime. It flowers prolifically and tiny fruits form from each flower, but over the next couple of weeks/months, the fruits all fall off. I fertilise regularly, don't overwater, and give it a very light prune occasionally to take off any straggly bits. Is there anything else I can be doing?
Sarah's answer
Hi Michael,
How disappointing! Citrus can be quite fickle. There can be a problem with fruit and flowers naturally falling off young trees, however, your tree wouldn’t be considered young.
The main reasons for this problem are:
- Inconsistent watering – too much, they hate wet feet or too dry which causes problems with the nutrient transport system in the plant or a yo-yo between the both. A mulch can help to even out moisture levels.
- Not receiving a balanced diet can cause issues, so make sure you are feeding with a citrus fertiliser to avoid problems.
- The weather can cause problems, wind can knock them off, as can sudden temperature changes. All you can do here is try your best to protect the tree from the elements.
- Insects can also be problematic, there could be a lack of pollinators so plant flowers nearby to attract them or it could be pests, so check often for signs of infestations.
- If the soil isn’t the right pH, this can cause problems – they like it slightly acid with a pH of 6 – 6.5. They don’t like stressful events and even pruning can upset them. Generally they don’t need much pruning anyway.
Citrus plants can be tricky for some gardeners and thrive wonderfully for others. Hopefully you find your solution here and you go on to have a great crop.
Cheers Sarah
