Limequat Citrus Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on September 16, 2022

Planting instructions

If planting your tree outside, site it where it will get at least six hours of direct sunlight a day in soil that drains well. Unpot the sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, and place the tree in it, spreading out the roots. Holding the tree upright and steady, fill in the hole with topsoil, tamping it down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth, but keep it from touching the trunk to avoid rot.

Watering and nutrients

Water your limequat weekly if you receive no rain. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings, and never allow water to puddle around the root zone, which can cause root rot. During spring and summer, feed your limequat with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for citrus trees.

Pollination

Limequats are self-pollinating, having flowers that contain both male and female reproductive organs. You should be able to grow a crop of fruit with just a single tree, however, you’ll have a larger yield if you plant two or more trees near each other. If you are growing your Limequat indoors, you can hand-pollinate using a paintbrush or cotton swab to collect the pollen from one flower and move it to the next.

Pruning

Prune out any broken, diseased, or damaged branches whenever you see them. If you wish to prune for shape or to control the size of your limequat, this is best done in early spring. Cut branches back to just above an outward-facing bud, using clean pruners or secateurs.

Pests and diseases

Pests that are common on citrus trees such as the limequat include scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids. A healthy tree should not be bothered by minor infestations, but if insect pressure is heavy, consider releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and aphids, which eat pests. If growing your tree indoors, it can be helpful to wipe down the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to minimize insects. Diseases that are possible include citrus scab, which is fungal and can be treated with a copper fungicide. The trees are also prone to nitrogen deficiency, which causes yellowed leaves, and phosphorus deficiency, which causes a burned appearance on leaves. Both can be treated with proper fertilizing methods.

Harvesting

Harvest your limequats when they are yellow-green in color, with touches of orange. The best way to determine ripeness is to pick one and bite into it — the flavor should be sweet and juicy, with a tart aftertaste. Handle the picked fruit carefully, and store it in a cool location until use.

Achieving maximum results

In much of the U.S., limequats are best grown in containers that can be brought inside during cold weather. Growing them in a container is not difficult. Choose a pot that is roughly twice the size of the root ball, and use a good-quality potting mix that contains organic matter. Plant as per our directions above, and place the container where the tree will receive adequate sunlight. Bring the tree inside whenever your temperature is forecast to go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Your container-grown tree may not grow as large as one in the ground, because the roots are constrained. Also, note that you may need to water your container-grown limequat more than you would if it was in the ground.

Compare Similar Products