Mosambi (Sweet Lime, Layer) Live Fruit Plant

Use the freshness test to pick fresh and ripe mosambi

Citrus limetta, alternatively considered to be a cultivar of Citrus limon, C. Limon \’Limetta\’ is a species of citrus, commonly known as mousambi, musambi, sweet lime, sweet lemon, and sweet limetta It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia and also cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin. Mosambi (sweet lime) juice is a favorite citrus drink in India and Pakistan

Musambi is a small tree up to 8 m (26 ft) in height, with irregular branches and relatively smooth, brownish-grey bark. It has numerous thorns, 1.5–7.5 cm long. The petioles are narrowly but distinctly winged, and are 8–29 mm (0.31–1.14 in) long. Leaves are compound, with acuminate leaflets 5–17 cm long and 2.8–8 cm wide. Flowers are white, 2–3 cm wide. Fruits are oval and green, ripening to yellow, with greenish pulp. The pith is white and about 5 mm (0.20 in) thick. Despite the name sweet lime, the fruit is more similar to a greenish orange in appearance.

As the name sweet lime suggests, the flavor is sweet and mild but retains the essence of lime. The lime\’s taste changes rapidly in contact with air and will turn bitter in a few minutes, but if juiced and drunk rapidly the taste is sweet. The flavor is a bit flatter than most citrus due to its lack of acidity. It can be compared to limeade and pomelo.

Sweet lime is almost exclusively served as juice and is the most common available citrus juice in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The juice is commonly sold at mobile road stalls, where it is freshly pressed, sometimes served with a salty chat masala or kala namak, unless the vendor is told not to add it.

Like most citrus, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, providing 50 mg per 100 g serving.[6]In Iran is used to treating influenza and the common cold.

FERTILIZING
Twice a year, in May/June and September/October (after the rains start), all trees get two or three kilos per tree (depending on the size of the tree) of a citrus fertilizer compound which is sprinkled about one meter from the trunk (it must not touch the trunk). This is a mixture of nitrogen (20 percent), phosphorus pentoxide (12.2 percent), potassium oxide (10 percent), magnesium oxide 2 percent), and sulfur trioxide (10 percent). In addition to this, occasionally when trees seem to need it (yellowing leaves or general weakening), they get an additional small amount of magnesium.

HARVESTING YOUR MUSAMBI
The harvest season is usually between June and September, depending on the variety. Fruit matures three to five months after flowering. Mangos should be picked before they are fully ripe, at which time they soften and fall. Fruits are usually picked after they develop some red, orange, or yellow color. Mangos will ripen and may be picked when the flesh inside has turned yellow, regardless of exterior color.