Looking for the plant experts here!
I really want to bring this plant along with me because I spent so much effort growing it. But it's quiet tall already that it will not fit my car.
Is it okay for me to cut half of the plant (red marked on the image) and only leave the main branch? Will it grow back again?
Surely that thing will fit in the car. Put it in the footwell in the back seat (move the front seat forward if you need to). The top may bend a little when it hits the roof, but surely it will fit. Better than cutting it.
It will definitely fit in the car. Looks to be 2m or under. I managed a 4m tree in my wagon once.
I would personally put it in the front passenger seat footwell instead (move the front seat back), remove the headrest, and have the seat recline. Point the main trunk towards the driver side rear seat.
I did a 4m plant on my roof racks
But yes absolutely agree. Bag it up, and put it lengthwise into the car
No, you absolutely do not cut it at the red line, especially when it's not winter dormant.
You cover the pot in plastic, recline the passenger seat as much as possible and place it deep in the foot well such that the plant is diagonally resting on the seat. I've brought home larger plants than that from nurseries.
Cut the offshoot above that red line now. Next winter, when it's lost most of it's leaves and approaching dormant state, repot it into a larger one with good quality fertilised compost, cut it at the blue line, and prune the side branches for it to flourish vigorously next season: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/255280/124815/untitled…
thank you - very helpful!
Curious how fertiliser works? Is it helps grow bigger? Ands difference fertiliser type for differents plants?
It provides nutrients that standard compost may not have to boost many qualities of plants including growth. Think of it like a vitamin supplement.
Thanks, much differences between pellets and liquids btw?
@ATTS: Liquid fertilisers get sucked up quickly by plants for an immediate boost when needed. Pellets are slow release and dissolve a bit into the soil every time you water them. Some can last 3-6 months. Depends on the plant and it's requirements.
That looks suspiciously like you're growing the root stock there - the graft looks to be that nub on the right…
I'm no expert but I've had Kafir Lime trees and I've only ever seen thorns that large on the root stock.
Any experts around to verify?
Looks normal for a lime. If you start seeing 3 leaves together then you're in trouble. The graft looks to be very low down or the first turn of the branch but hard to tell without closer photos or inspection.
OP, definitely cut off the thorns so you don't hurt yourself during transport. Branches are forgiving and will bend and fit into your car, I've fit bigger plants in my tiny sedan haha. Just wrap the bottom in a big plastic rubbish bag and lay on side.
I concur….I have a Kaffir lime and it doesn't have thorns anything like that - I've seen that a lot though and as stated thats generally when the rootstock takes over and starts being the MAIN plant rather than the graft.
Now that said the leaves do 100% look like kaffir lime so perhaps it's just that it's been pruned back hard and the main stem now is a 'water shoot' which in citrus - which often have those big thorns etc.
Anyway garbage bag around the pot and on it's side in the car - easy as can be in anything other than a tiny car.
We grew a kaffir lime from seed and it has thorns like that. My wife reckons there are some varieties with thorns like this and others with smaller.
Just buy a new one, it is a pretty sad looking kaffir lime tree anyway to be honest, it should look like a bush, not have a long skinny stem with a few leaves on top
it is a pretty sad looking kaffir lime tree anyway
needs repotting into a bigger pot…
Yeah but they should just start fresh so they dont have a meter of stem, my one at home is the same height but its like a bush, but yeah my pot is bigger
Strong agree. No idea what is going on with that kaffir lime tree but it doesn't look very healthy!
tie it onto your roof…
just loudly proclaim ' yep she aint going anywhere' while giving the trunk a slap
What type of car do you have? Surely if you put the back and even front seat flat it should manage to fit in?
What type of car do you have?
ICE
Car, not what you're smoking? @jv
Hire a van from Bunnings?
costs more than a new plant…
Open the sunroof and stick it through. It'll get the ride of its life.
They have a Camry.
What is your point?
Tie the pot to a skateboard and tow behind your car?
That is a good Kaffir, do not cut.
I have one that I will be moving with me as well, it has become hard to find in Perth.
2 bin bags around the base then tape them to the base of the tree and lay it down in the car
Thank you everyone for the tips!
When you get to your new residence, upgrade to a bigger pot and fertilise.
yes that's the plan for sure!
Chicken manure is good for these lime plants.
Take it on the train
Make sure to buy a ticket and don't bring your fridge or couch.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2017/jul/12…
Get rid of it. You should have at least one bud on it by now
If you do lie it in the foot well, make sure you support the pot at the right angle so that it doesn't bend the stem downwards and snap it.
If it means that much to you, rent a vehicle from Bunnings to move it. Or "Go with the Gecko".
Not hassle free but minimal out of pocket.
Borrow a car featuring magic seats?
Fold the seat squabs up and there's the tall space you need! Just ensure the pot is stable in the footwell — pack around it or something.
Magic carpet would be better
Thats not that big, like you I brought my kaffir lime tree with me to my new house, dug it out and brought it plus an apple tree in a car with me.
Cut and keep the nice bit
If you want kindling, yes.
Just wrap the base (pot) up in a plastic bag and lie the plant on the side during transport.