{"product_id":"collette-finger-lime-citrus-australasica-collette","title":"Collette Finger Lime - Citrus australasica 'Collette'","description":"\u003cp\u003eCollette Finger Lime (\u003cem\u003eCitrus australasica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Collette') is a heavy-cropping native citrus with long fruit, to 10cm, in black-purple skin. Cut one open and the pearls inside are lime green to champagne. It grows as an upright, thorny shrub 3 to 4m high and about 2.5m wide in the ground, and stays smaller as a grafted plant in a pot. Fruit ripens mainly from autumn to winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong, dark fruit.\u003c\/strong\u003e Finger-shaped fruit to 10cm with black-purple skin are among the longest of the named finger limes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePale pearls.\u003c\/strong\u003e The juice vesicles are lime green to champagne and pop out as separate beads when the fruit is cut and squeezed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeavy cropping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Collette is known for carrying generous crops once the plant is established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrafted plants.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grafted finger limes crop sooner and grow more evenly than plants raised from seed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn Australian native.\u003c\/strong\u003e Finger limes come from the rainforest margins of eastern Australia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKitchen garden feature.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it where you can reach the fruit easily but away from paths, as the branches are thorny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A grafted plant grows well in a large container of quality citrus potting mix, staying smaller than it would in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSheltered corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e As an understorey plant by nature, it enjoys a warm spot with morning sun and shelter from hot afternoon wind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Collette Finger Lime in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow in sun to part shade. Shelter young plants from hot wind and from frost. Established plants tolerate light frost, and the plant is at its best in subtropical and warm temperate gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good drainage is essential. Improve the soil with compost, plant on a mound in heavy ground and keep mulch a hand span clear of the trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly, especially through flowering and while fruit is swelling. Feed with a citrus food in small amounts through the growing season, as finger limes are lighter feeders than lemons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and picking.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune lightly after harvest to shape, wearing gloves against the thorns, and remove any shoots from below the graft. Fruit does not ripen further once picked, so harvest when it comes away with a gentle pull.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Collette Finger Lime in 400mm pots, one advanced grafted plant per pot. Unpack with gloves on, water well and plant out or pot on soon after arrival. Finger limes grow slowly, so allow the plant a season to settle before expecting a good crop. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/citrus-trees\"\u003eBrowse more citrus trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/edible-plants\"\u003eEdible plants for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/bush-tucker-plants-for-the-home-garden\"\u003eBush tucker plants for the home garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/growing-citrus-trees-in-your-aussie-backyard\"\u003eGrowing citrus in your backyard\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen is the fruit ready?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMainly from autumn to winter. Ripe fruit feels full, has its dark colour and detaches easily. Fruit that has to be tugged is not ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need two plants for fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. A single finger lime will set fruit by itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow thorny is it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuite thorny, with fine sharp spines along the branches. Wear gloves and long sleeves to prune and pick, and plant it back from paths and play areas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":68095725732159,"sku":"CIT-AUS-COLLET-400MM","price":726.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/collette-finger-lime-citrus-australasica-collette.jpg?v=1794669528","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/collette-finger-lime-citrus-australasica-collette","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}