Oh Your Garden!

PLANT POSTIE

Question:

Any helpful tips on getting a finger lime to fruit? Ours had a bumper crop three years ago and nothing since. Andrew.

Answer:

First thing to check is that the plant has not become dominated by rootstock. Many finger lime cultivars are grafted onto rootstock that tends to be very vigorous but produces little or no fruit. Look at the base of the plant to see if suckers are emerging from the ground below the graft (a swelling in the trunk about 15-30 cm above soil level). If you find any suckers below the graft or that are coming from the ground, remove them. Worst case scenario, the grafted cultivar may have died.

Reliable water in the summer months, a good layer of organic mulch, and a slow release citrus fertiliser will assist with plant health and fruiting.

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