Finger Lime - Microcitrus australasica 'Crystal'

 Purchased this plant in April 2017 from Rosemount Nursery for $20.   Its a thorny pest, impossible to weed the base of the plant properly, it continually has a great many of those awful weeds in the pot and it apparently takes up to 7 years to fruit..... 

Pic  April 2017

 

The exceptional pop of the Crystal vesicles gives an unbleivable extra dimension to the texture of any salad.  Crystal also serves well in desserts and other dishes.

Container plant in courtyards and on pations, feature tree in Mediterraneas gardens 

Plant in Sunny position in well drained soil.

Water during the warmer months especially when fruits are forming in containers water every 3-4 days, Do not water the trunk.  Fertilise in spring and late summer-early autumn, with a fertiliser high in nitrogen, do not allow to touch the trunk.  Prune in late spring removing inside and weak growth and to shape the tree.  Crystal fruits are produced from December to March and are ready to pick when fruit nearly falls off in the hand.

Full Sun, 4-6mtr High x 2-3 M wide.   

Have been told tree can be pruned to keep small and it will still fruit.  This little sucker has only grown approx 2' in the 3 years we have had it - pot too small??

This plant is going to get a major prune and re-do, possibly including being potted up and the top covered with mulch to control weeds- certainly needs it!