{"product_id":"finger-lime-citrus-australasica","title":"Finger Lime - Citrus australasica","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinger Lime (\u003cem\u003eCitrus australasica\u003c\/em\u003e) is an Australian native citrus from the rainforest margins of the east coast, a slender, thorny, small-leaved tree that reaches about 3 to 4m in the garden. It bears cylindrical fruit packed with tiny pearls that burst in the mouth, often called citrus caviar, and it is far more compact and ornamental than any ordinary lime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCitrus caviar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the fruit and the juice vesicles spill out as crisp pearls with a sharp, lime-like tang, perfect on seafood, drinks and desserts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA true native.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows wild in the understorey of eastern rainforest, so it suits shaded, sheltered gardens that struggle with regular citrus.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFine, small foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiny glossy leaves and a bushy habit make it a good screening shrub and an easy fit in a mixed bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat in pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates container life well, so a balcony or courtyard can hold a fruiting tree.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for wildlife.\u003c\/strong\u003e The spring blossom draws native bees, and the dense growth gives small birds cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it near the kitchen door where you can pick fruit by hand. Allow 2m between plants for a loose edible hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 40cm or larger pot with free-draining citrus mix works well and keeps the thorns away from paths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded corners.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike most citrus it accepts morning sun and filtered light, so use it in positions that other fruit trees would sulk in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Finger Lime in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Morning sun or filtered light suits it best, with shelter from hot afternoon sun and strong wind. It thrives in subtropical and warm temperate gardens and in cool areas needs frost shelter. In cooler areas, grow it in a pot or protect young plants from frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining, organic, slightly acidic soil is ideal. Raise the bed or use a pot where drainage is poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it moist but never soggy, and feed with a citrus fertiliser through spring and summer. A layer of mulch holds moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It needs little: remove dead wood and lightly shape after harvest. It is thorny, so wear gloves. Check for citrus leaf miner on new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Finger Lime in 140mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, and as 400mm pots, which are advanced stock for a quicker start. This line is the green-fruited species, grown from seedling or grafted plants, and seedlings vary a little in fruit and habit while grafted trees generally crop sooner. 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-fruit\"\u003eBrowse citrus and fruit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/lime-tree-care-guide\"\u003eLime tree care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it thorny?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The branches carry short sharp thorns, so plant it away from paths and wear gloves when picking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need a second plant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Finger limes are self-fertile, though cross-pollination with another citrus nearby can improve cropping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is the fruit used?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlice it open and squeeze out the pearls onto oysters, salads, drinks and desserts. The flavour is sharp and aromatic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":68095113625919,"sku":"CIT-AUS-140MM-P10","price":442.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":68095113658687,"sku":"CIT-AUS-200MM-P6","price":653.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":68095113691455,"sku":"CIT-AUS-400MM","price":429.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/finger-lime-citrus-australasica.jpg?v=1794663359","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/finger-lime-citrus-australasica","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}