Is it ok that my Persian lime plant has blooms now?

Question

I bought this plant two years ago, and it has been growing steadily. I had blooms the first Spring and lovely limes in the Fall. Then when our weather got to freezing in January, I took the plant inside. When I put it back outside it developed lots of blooms, but they all fell off. Then it didn’t bloom again in the Spring or Summer. Now it has a few blooms. I live in Hilton Head Island, so our weather is about to get cool again, with temperatures dropping to 20’s and 30’s for a few days here and there in January and February.

I feel like by taking it into the house in January I messed up the plant’s normal rhythm. What should I do now? Should I pick off the blossoms and hope it gets on track for Spring blooms and Summer/Fall crop?

Thank you so much! Kay Morton (I am a Southern Living subscriber.

Answer 1

Citrus are tricky in your area. Since you have an actual winter, you have to grow citrus under greenhouse or indoors to get any real fruit production. I would advise at least 200 watts of horticultural grade lighting. I recommend LED but you have to spend quite a bit to get a good light. You can be sure that your light will last roughly 10 years, but they are not cheap. There are many options available for lighting, but you need at least 200 watts to produce fruit indoors or continue fruiting during the cold season.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/persian-lime-tree-care.htm