Lemons & Limes

[kayc]

I've wondered this a time or two. Lemons grow wonderfully here in Cyprus. But - where are the Limes?

I haven't seen a one in the markets, and when I ask some natives, they've often never heard of a lime.

Why the absence of the lime? I searched on google to read where limes grow, and it seems they originated from the Mediterranean region, and the Spanish explorers brought them to the Americas... Am I missing something?

[Jonnie]

Not common here though you can buy the trees. I have one which is lime like, not 100% sure it is but the fruit is limey however it turns quickly.

[Keithcaley]

I sympathise!

Over the years, I've been sold 3 x trees, which I was assured "100%" were most definitely Limes ... They turned out to be Lemon!

[kayc]

Ah, good to know someone is growing them. They are a great flavor addition to desserts and summer beverages.

[JoandJelly]

Limes are tropical. I have been told to grow here successfully they need to be protected in Winter.

[Becker]

Friends of ours at Alsancak grow limes. Keep us supplied in season.

[sophie]

Prefer lime to lemon in my V and T any day. Some locals will try and persuade you that the green lemons are limes. I can't be bothered to argue, so I go with the flow ( vodka that is)

[judyvin]

Erdener and Shah both sell limes. I have a small lime tree that I bought in the market a few years ago and it is now producing fruit and it is 100% lime.

[Jonnie]

Erdener and Shah both sell limes. I have a small lime tree that I bought in the market a few years ago and it is now producing fruit and it is 100% lime.

Do you find they become over ripe quite quickly?

[peri]

We have a lime tree & it fruits extremely well, so much so I find it hard to drink enough Gin & Tonic to use them all. We bought it from Babel Gardens in Lapta about 12 years ago, they did say they had to import it from Turkey.

[rocking]

We have lime trees you could call him, I know he sells them to illeli. If you ring him his no is 05338404781. I’m in Uk till Wednesday just say you saw my posting and suggested he could help. My name is Rits.

[Kath]

Have tried 3 times to grow a lime. The only one that survived is a sweet lemon. Fortunately we have a friend with a productive tree. Definitely limes but they are yellow. Hey ho this is Cyprus.

[Medjoul1]

I was at a Garden Centre called Eminaaga (sp) on the Catalkoy side last week and they had several trees that were labelled Limes. I was thinking of going back for one.

[Dave G]

I was at the garden centre by Stormax near catalkoy last week, thay have several trees marked Lime/Lemon, the lady assured me they were limes but the fruit was yellow so I did not take the chance

[Keithcaley]

From 'Four Winds Growers': -

"Limes will actually turn yellow when fully ripe. They develop sugars and are quite delicious in the yellow stage. Pick and eat in early fall for green fruit. Lemons are green as they develop, turning yellow when first ripe."

[Dave G]

So, how can we be sure we are getting a Lime tree?

[Keithcaley]

So, how can we be sure we are getting a Lime tree?

Buy a tree that already has limes on it!

[Kath]

You should be able to tell by the smell of the fruit (take a little knife in your pocket I am sure they won’t mind you roughing up some zest)

[dogmeat]

I was told by a local that Limes carry a blight detrimental to lemons so are not grown on the island

[rocking]

Just returned from Uk and as no one telephoned my husband re limes hope you found some. We have had lime trees in our garden for about 8 years and supplied Illeli with them for a few years now. No difficulty with growing lime trees.