Sweet Lime - Vietnam
Citrus limetta (Vietnam variety)
Common Names: Vietnam Sweet Lime, Vietnamese Mosambi
Local Name: Sathukudi (Tamil)
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: Vietnam
Plant Type: Small evergreen tree, 4–6 meters tall
Variety: Vietnam selection — compact growth, prolific bearer
Average Lifespan: 20–25 years
🌿 Botanical Description
| Growth Habit | Compact, semi-spreading tree with dense foliage and few thorns |
| Plant Size | 4–6 meters tall; canopy spread 3–5 meters |
| Leaves | Simple, alternate, ovate, 5–10 cm long; glossy dark green with mildly winged petioles |
| Flowers | White, fragrant, 2–2.5 cm diameter; borne in leaf axils |
| Flower Characteristics | 5-petaled, sweetly scented; profuse blooming in tropical conditions |
| Fruit | Round, 5–7 cm diameter; thin smooth rind, sweet juice with mild flavor and very low acidity |
| Fruit Color | Green turning pale greenish-yellow when ripe |
| Seed Characteristics | Polyembryonic; few seeds per fruit; some fruits seedless |
| Root System | Moderate taproot with lateral fibrous roots; adapts well to various soil types |
☀ Growing Conditions
| Climate | Tropical; thrives in warm, humid conditions |
| Temperature Range | 22–35°C ideal; frost-sensitive |
| Rainfall Requirement | 1000–2000 mm annually; tolerates higher humidity than Nagpur variety |
| Soil Type | Well-drained loamy to sandy loam soil |
| Soil pH Preference | 5.5–7.0 |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun (6+ hours daily) |
| Spacing | 4–5 meters between trees |
| Irrigation Method | Drip irrigation or basin irrigation; consistent moisture preferred |
| Water Requirement | Moderate; regular watering during dry spells |
| Can it Grow in Pots? | Yes, well-suited for containers (25–30 liters) due to compact size |
🌾 Cultivation & Care
| Fertilizer Schedule | Quarterly application during active growth; reduce in cool months |
| Recommended Organic Fertilizers | Vermicompost, neem cake, compost, fish meal, seaweed extract |
| Pesticide Frequency | Monitor monthly; treat during new flush emergence |
| Recommended Organic Pesticides | Neem oil, insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, yellow sticky traps |
| Mulching Practice | Organic mulch (rice straw, dried leaves) around the root zone |
| Training System | Open center system; maintain balanced scaffold branches |
| Pruning Time | After harvest; light maintenance pruning year-round |
| How to Prune | Remove dead wood, water sprouts, and inward-growing branches; maintain compact shape |
| Common Pests | Citrus leaf miner, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, fruit fly |
| Common Diseases | Citrus canker, Phytophthora root rot, sooty mold, anthracnose |
| Disease Prevention & Remedies | Good drainage, copper fungicides, remove infected material, avoid overhead irrigation |
🌸 Flowering & Fruiting
| Flowering Months | Multiple flushes year-round in tropical conditions |
| Fruiting Season | Year-round with peak production during cooler months |
| Days to Harvest | 140–170 days from flowering |
| Harvest Indicators | Fruit lightens in color, slight give when pressed, sweet aroma |
| Average Yield per Plant | 100–250 fruits per tree per year |
| Pollination Type | Self-pollination; parthenocarpy occurs |
| Pollination Notes | Single tree sufficient; bees enhance fruit set |
💰 Economic Importance
| Commercial Production Regions | Vietnam, Southeast Asia; gaining popularity in Indian home gardens |
| Market Uses | Fresh fruit, juice, ornamental garden tree |
| Processing Uses | Fresh juice, flavoring, essential oil from peel |
| Market Value (Approx.) | ₹40–100 per kg; premium for imported variety saplings |
🍈 Nutritional Information
| Calories | 43 kcal per 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 50 mg per 100g |
| Vitamin A | Trace amounts |
| Iron | 0.7 mg per 100g |
| Potassium | 490 mg per 100g |
| Antioxidants | Flavonoids, limonoids, vitamin C |
| Other Key Nutrients | Calcium, phosphorus, natural sugars, thiamine |
📸 Photo Gallery
📝 Orchard Observation Notes
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