Finger lime 'LITTLE RUBY' Grafted

Microcitrus australasica, commonly called "caviar lime," is a thorny shrub of the Rutaceae family found in plains, in the undergrowth of humid forests in eastern Australia.

The fruits are cylindrical, 4 to 8 cm long. The skin of the ripe fruits can be various colors: green, yellow, orange, red, purple, brown, black, but they all come from the same species. It contains small vesicles, resembling caviar pearls, hence its name, which naturally detach from each other releasing their acidity when chewed.

• The Little Ruby Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) is a compact, naturally dwarf Australian native citrus shrub prized for producing "citrus caviar"—tiny, translucent, rosy-red juice vesicles that pop with a tangy, lemon-lime flavor. 
• Key Characteristics
• Plant Size: Naturally dwarf and tight-growing, reaching about 1.2 to 1.8 meters (4 to 5 feet) in height or container culture, making it ideal for pots and small gardens. 
• Fruit: Dark green to purplish outer skin concealing pale rosy-red or pinkish-red juice pearls inside. 
• Foliage & Thorns: Glossy green leaves on compact, thorny branches (gloves are recommended when handling). 
• Culinary Use: The spherical juice vesicles burst in the mouth like caviar, commonly used as a gourmet garnish for seafood, salads, and cocktails.
• Growing & Care Tips
• Light: Requires full sun (6–8 hours daily; bright south-facing window if grown indoors).
• Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix (pH 6.0–6.5).
• Watering: Keep consistently moist, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings; avoid waterlogged roots.
• Climate: Hardy outdoors in warm regions (USDA zones 9–11); in colder climates like Canada, it should be grown in a container and brought indoors or overwintered in a bright, cool spot when temperatures drop below 5°C (41°F)

Instructions

Leave the plant outside between May and October but bring it indoors between October and the end of April, until the spring frosts are over. Place it in a warm spot on your property protected from the wind and put it in full sun. Repot every 2 years as needed depending on growth and add fertilizer of your choice as needed. It can easily withstand a semi-dormant winter period in a cool place between 7° and 10°C... For example: a semi-heated garage. Finally... Remember to acclimate your plant to the sun in spring by not putting it directly in full sun for the first few days but gradually increasing exposure, otherwise the leaves will burn in the sun within a few days.