Editing Key lime (section)

=== Harvesting ===
[[File:KeyLime 2010 07 25 0001.jpg|thumb|White Key lime flower in different stages]] <!---probably mislabelled, since real kew lime flowers are purple tinted from outside, this is probably palestinian sweet lime, or limetta, see citrus taxonomy and moroccan citron--->

The method of cultivation greatly affects the size and quality of the harvest. Trees cultivated from seedlings take 4–8 years before producing a harvest. They attain their maximal yield at about 10 years of age. Trees produced from cuttings and air layering bear fruit much sooner, sometimes producing fruit (though not a serious harvest) a year after planting. It takes approximately 9 months from the blossom to the fruit. When the fruit have grown to harvesting size and begin to turn yellow they are picked and not clipped. To achieve produce of the highest market value, it is important not to pick the fruit too early in the morning; the turgor is high then, and handling turgid fruit releases the peel oils and may cause spoilage.<ref name="CRC handbook" />