I have a lime tree which was flowering at the end of the summer and showing signs of producing fruit. However, after a few weeks all flowers and fruits dropped off before they could grow and ripen. I was feeding and watering every week. Leaves are now falling off also. Please could you provide some advice?
There are many reasons why this might happen. This article will help you pinpoint what it might be:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/lime-tree-leaf-drop-why-a-lime-tree-is-losing-leaves.htm
I live in north central Mexico where it's mostly sunny but gets chilly from November-January. At the first cold, these nests with black egg-looking things started up on the outside leaves of my lime tree. They seem to be spreading. It's a mature tree, which just in Sept. -Oct. produced a bunch. Should I prune off these branches? Should I spray with something?
Yes, you can prune out the affected portions of the tree. Also, I would treat it with neem oil. It is effective for ridding the plant of pests, but is still safe for people, animals, and even beneficial insects, like pollinators. This article will give you more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have a young lime tree and it just started bearing fruit. The fruit is yellow. Is that normal? Does the skin turn green as it ripens?
They should start out green. It sounds like the soil is lacking in nitrogen. Have your soil tested and then add some nitrogen rich fertilizer.
Can you prune a lime tree to make it bushier or is it better to let the branches be long?
You can prune to make it bushier. While not essential, thinning branches allows the tree to have stronger branches and better support for fruit, as well as better airflow and sunlight penetration, which results in bigger fruit and a healthier tree.
I would like to know if it is possible to grow these trees and their fruit in the south of England, or in Majorca, and where to obtain the best starting plants and/or seeds.
They can survive outdoors in areas that do not get colder that -7C. If you live in an area that gets colder than this, you will need to grow it in a pot indoors or in a greenhouse.
Unfortunately, we cannot recommend anywhere to buy one.
Cold weather has played havoc on the leaves of my lime tree. Do I prune the tree or let nature take care of this?
It can recover from this, and as long as the stems are still alive (which should be the case unless it was a prolonged freeze), the leaves will regrow. This article should help with the revcovery process: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm
My lime tree leaves look dead and curled up. They also have a clear sap-looking sustance on the leaves and branches. The trees that have the sap are not dead looking. What fertilizer is best to use on them and how often?
This may be a sign of a pest infestation. Typically citrus leaf curl is caused by aphids but could also result from scale. The sappy substance is honeydew. Neem oil should help with the problem. Here is an article that will help as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm