I live in San Ramon, CA. , which is 50 miles east of San Francisco. In winter there is frost at night and in the early morning. I planted a kaffir lime tree about 24 inches tall a month ago. The tree has dropped all its leaves. We had several nights with temps below freezing. Is the tree going to survive, and is it normal for kaffir lime to shed its leaves?
It is not normal for the plant to shed its leaves,but that being said, it can recover from this. You will need to make sure it gets exactly what it needs in terms of water and light.If you are fertilizing, stop until the leaves regrow as this can damage the roots since the fertilizer has nowhere to go.
If you expect more frost,make sure that the tree is covered at night (a bedsheet will do) and that that the covering is taken off first thing in the morning.
How do I dry out kaffir lime leaves? I was given a whole bag of fresh leaves and do not want to waste them.
They would be treated like herbs. This article can help with preserving them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/how-to-dry-herbs-various-methods.htm
My mother-in-law brought this kaffir lime leaf plant over from Thailand almost 20 years ago. A few years ago it was given to me. My plant has always been full of leaves and was about 3 feet tall. Back in August my mother decided to cut it down to a 10-inch stub and ever since it hasn't sprouted any new leaves or branches. I think it's dead; how can I tell?
For the future, you should not cut most plants back by more than 1/3 in one year (there are some exceptions, but not many).
This article will help you figure out if your tree is alive or dead:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
If the trunk is still alive above the graft line, it will come back.
I live in Chicago. I brought my small Kaffir lime tree inside just before frost. It sits in a window with southern exposure next to a growing light. It was doing well, even put out new leaves. Then the leaves began to lose color (fade) and now they are falling off (it is mid-February). Help! Is this normal? What can I do to help it?
It sounds like it may be a watering issue. This is common for indoor lime trees, but does need to be addressed. Make sure that the roots of the plant never dry out and keep it consistently watered. Just for good measure, give the tree some water soluable fertilizer the next time you water.
Citrus trees indoors also require ample humidity. They need a place that gives them full sun and protection from heating and cooling vents. Citrus trees also need good drainage (over-watering is the main culprit in citrus tree death). Key limes do not like to be kept moist. You want to water your tree deeply when you water it and then leave it alone until it needs water again (they actually like it a little on the dry side but not dried out).
My Kaffir lime is in a pot. It looks like a plucked chicken with hardly any leaves. How do I get this plant to look healthy?
This normally happens due to watering issues. This article will explain more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/lime-tree-leaf-drop-why-a-lime-tree-is-losing-leaves.htm
The best thing you can do is just make sure it gets the water it needs. The leaves will grow back. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/tip-on-water-requirements-for-citrus-trees.htm
We have a Kaffir lime tree that is in fruit. We need to move the tree. Would it be ok if we dig it up and replant it with fruit still on?
You can, but it will need special care to keep it healthy. The following article should be of some help to you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm
My Kaffir lime tree is a year old and approximately five feet tall. The top is now starting to curve over and bend downwards. Should I cut the very top off to take the weight off the plant, or should I put a stake in and tether it to support it? I'm afraid of killing it because I am told (from where I bought mine) that there is a current ban on importing/selling the trees.
It may need to be pruned up a bit. The following article should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/tips-for-pruning-lime-tree.htm