Kaffir lime tree
Citrus hystrix
Citrus hystrix' characteristics
- Citrus hystrix : Kaffir lime tree
- Family : Rutaceae
- Origin : Malaysia
- Height in its natural environment : 15 m
- Hardiness : -5°C
- Flower colour : white and pink
Height: about 5 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Slow grower
Description of the plant
Here is a citrus fruit that is not ordinary!
Its round fruits, 5 to 6 cm in diameter, with a lumpy rind that goes from deep green to yellow when ripe, will surprise you with their flavor!
Its leaf will remind you of the smell of lemongrass, while its zest and juice will give your tomato rougail its fullness.
Simply squeezed, it will prove to be a very thirst-quenching drink, with a high vitamin C content.
And even if you don't appreciate its acidulous side, you will be able to satisfy your nostrils by the powerful and bewitching smell of its leaves and flowers. And for travelers, you can make a decoction of its leaves, a perfect insecticide!
So, don't hesitate any longer, to try it is to adopt it!
Also known as : Limau purut, Thai lime, Makrut lime, Mauritius papeda
[Deyrolle board]
Growing tips
Repotting
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Watering
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
For an indoor planting
Your plant must be taken out in summer, a full sun is perfectly convenient for it. It must be brought in a cold room in winter, that is to say a room free of frost but not heated. It fears excessive humidity when temperatures are low, so drastically reduce watering. Be careful: do not take it out and bring it back in all the time, it must be taken out in good weather, then brought back in when the cold weather arrives, because plants adapt their foliage to their environment, which should not constantly change. It often happens that plants lose their foliage when they are taken out and/or brought in, don't worry, your plant will adapt and will emit its new foliage accordingly.
For an outdoor planting
If your climate allows it, you will be able to plant your plant in full ground, a full sun is recommended. We advise you however to cultivate it in pot the first year and to make it spend the first winter in the heat, in order to strengthen it well. Plant it between the end of the risk of frost (generally at the beginning of May) and the end of August, in a soil which must be light and draining; do not hesitate to add sand and fine potting soil if necessary. Be careful with the minimum temperatures indicated: they are given for a mature plant, and you have to take into account the wind which accentuates the cold felt, as well as the water retention capacity of your soil, which can rot the roots if it is not sufficiently draining. So take a little safety margin!
Pruning
This plant is very easy to prune, which will make it branch out.
Fertilizer
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
In case of pest attack
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!