Updated 3/4/2024: Documentary of my Kaffir lime or Makrut lime tree started April 6, 2022 and ended (TBD).
Kaffir / Makrut Post Outline:
- General Information
- Culinary uses & Recipes
- Potting Mix
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Leafminer Treatment
- Growth progress of my tree
Image of most recent picture of my Kaffir lime tree: 11/27/23
1. General Information
- Scientific name:
- English name: Kaffir Lime Tree, Makrut Lime Tree
- Vietnamese name: Cây Chanh Thái
- Native: Thailand, Lao
- Light Requirement: Full sun
- Watering: Drought tolerant, water twice a week for best results
- Seller: I purchased my Kaffir lime tree at Hoa’s Nursery in Apopka, Florida. (Refer to Google Maps for address and business info.
2. Culinary Uses & Recipes
Kaffir lime leaves are an essential ingredient for Thai and Lao cuisines in soups, especially for curry soups. The leaves are also used to make Vietnamese escargot lemongrass and some rare cuisines. I grow Kaffir lime tree for the leaves. I have no interest in the edible fruits.
3. Potting Mix
11/8/23: The following potting mix recipe is what I used to mix the potting mix for my avocado tree, longan tree, mango, and citrus trees.
- 2 bags of Miracle Grow Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Soil
- 1 bag cow manure and compost
- 2 scoops of earthworm castings
- 4 quart coarse perlite
4. Fertilizing
Sunniland Citrus, Mango, Avocado fertilizer 6-4-6
11/8/23: I did not plant the tree in the pot deep enough. Foilage production slowed down. Leafminers became a problem. Infested leaves or damaged leaves lead to unhealthy leaves and leads to no fruit or lack of fruit production. This is the before.
Kaffir tree after being repotted. I pruned back all the branches and repotted the tree in a 7-gallon pot. Will it die? Well, let’s just hope not. 😂 This is my fourth Kaffir lime tree already. One died and I gave up on the other two trees and rehomed them. But I need the leaves for my homecoming. I hope I can master growing and caring for this Kaffir lime tree this time. Growing ang citrus trees is more a challenge for my patience.
after image
How often do I need to fertilize my Kaffir lime tree? My master gardeners/mentors suggested to fertilize my citrus trees every three months. I use the Sunniland fertilizer for citrus trees.
When do I need to fertilize my Kaffir lime tree? December, March, June, September
5. Pruning
6. Leafminer Treatment
How do I deal with leafminers damaging the leaves? This, I know well. I have had two successful ways. First, I can use neem oil and stray on the foliage literally every two days. That is not very practical. I left on vacation for a week and came home seeing all the foliage damaged by leafminers. The second method has been successful. I purchased a leafminer lure box with the pherome at ISCA Technologies, Inc. online. Product link: https://www.iscatechnologies.com/products/citrus-leafminer-starter-kit.
I hang the lure box on a branch on the tree with the pherome to secrete a smell that would lure the leafminers into the lure box and traps them on the box. Each box is about $10 and I just change it out every three months.
7. Growth Progress Gallery
Post to be updated periodically with current image of my Kaffir lime tree. 🤔 What else do I need to know about growing and caring for this Kaffir lime tree? To be continued…
Side note: My plant documentaries are created to help me remember how to take care of my trees. I can’t remember a darn thing if I don’t take pictures and notes. If my documentaries helped you, good for you. 😂
