I have a small potted lime tree on the patio. It has produced fruit in the past and is now flowering. I can see very small limes appearing. However, I am concerned that small ants are on the tree. Do I need to get rid of the ants? If so, what is the best recommendation to treat this?
If you are seeing ants, it probably means you have an aphid problem. The ants are not a problem, but the aphids are. Once the aphids are treated, the ants will leave too. Here is some information on treating aphids:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have a lime tree in a pot, which I received a year ago. It is about a foot tall and last year it produced two limes. It is now starting to bud/flower and several branches have clusters of blooms that I don't think will be able to support as the limes get bigger. My question is, should I reduce the number of buds, and if so, which ones (smaller vs. larger) and how many?
Yes, I would thin out the fruit. To tell you the truth, for such a small tree, I think that you should not let it fruit at all. Fruiting saps the energy that would be used to grow bigger, so you are better to remove all small fruit (feel free to enjoy their lovely flowers) for at least a year or two.
My dwarf lime tree was giving me fruit in the beginning of last year. Then it stopped producing any buds or fruit. Come fall it lost all leaves, and until now has not produced any leaves. The branches are still alive. What should I do to make my lime tree happy and producing leaves and fruits?
They need 3-6 years to reach fruit bearing maturity. I would also try giving it some phosphorus rich fertilizer like bone meal. If it is lacking phosphorus, it will not be able to produce blossoms (which means no fruit).
If you have not read it yet, this article may also be helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/lime/reasons-and-fixes-for-lime-tree-not-producing-blossoms-or-fruit.htm
You answered few of my questions, but I am still confused. I have a dwarf lime tree. I will start fertilizing the tree now. 1. How often I should fertilize? 2. My tree lost all its leaves the last fall. Will fertilizing help in growing leaves also? Thanks
During active growth (spring-summer) fertilize about once every 1-2 months. In the fall and winter, fertilize once every 3 months.
If it is still missing all the leaves and they have not grown back, check to make sure it is still alive. This article will help with that:
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 plant is still alive, hold off on fertilizing until the leaves start to return. Fertilizing while the plant is leafless could harm it.
Grafting a lime tree. . . how?
This article will help you with grafting a lime tree:
http://homeorchard.ucdavis.edu/8001.pdf
Could you please tell me why my tree leaves are curling?
Chances are it is not getting consistent watering. Make sure that they do not dry out. Citrus trees are funny in that when the soil dries out and you then water them,it is after you water them that they lose their leaves. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/tip-on-water-requirements-for-citrus-trees.htm
In addition, the leaf curling could be attributed to citrus leaf curl, which is caused by aphids. The use of neem oil should help. Here's more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Here is an article on aphids that may help with other ideas on how to treat them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/homemade-aphid-control-a-natural-way-to-kill-aphids.htm
My lime tree produces thorny stems. Are these normal?
All citrus produce thorns, so this is normal. Is your tree producing a branch that is particularly thorny? That may indicate and issue. If there is a branch that is significantly thornier than the others, it may indicate that the rootstock is trying to produce branches. Typically, branches from the rootstock will grow from the base and if you look carefully, you will see that the branch actually starts below the graft line. Rootstock suckers like this should be removed.
But, as I said, all limes are a little thorny. Thorns on a lime are natural. You should only be worried and remove the branch if it appears that it is a rootstock sucker.