Sorry to burst your bubble but cold hardy limes just aren't available. Mexican and Persian limes hate frosts and will suffer. My advice to you would be to get a thornless Mexican lime so that taking it in and out doesn't involve pain. Also you could prune up top and root prune to keep it small.

That has been my experience too. Limes seem to be one of the most cold sensitive citrus and probably work better in a large patio pot.

Regarding the satsuma, be patient! : ) It sounds healthy if it shot up like that. Personally, I would just let it be for now; pruning can come later.

Is your satsuma grafted? It is isn't, that's probably why it hasn't bloomed. They take a lot longer if they aren't grafted.

If you get a lime and keep it small, you would only have to bring it in when there's a freeze. Just a few days at most. I'm in Houston and you don't have much more freezing weather than we do most of the time. I have a large collection of plants that I haul in and out, you get used to it.

Thanks all.

I am starting to readjust my expectation about hardy lime trees. I'll look for mexican lime varities this year, grafted. And just for fun started some from seeds, if I get a mexican lime in the grocery store.

The satsuma isn't grafted I think. The thing is the main trunk dried back the first year and these shoots are from around the main trunk, so suckers. Initially I cut them off, but that was the only thing that kept growing. Its like a green stick, in the garden, so doesn't look bad. I'll leave it be for now.

Pebbles

Do you know that what's growing is satsuma, and not the rootstock?

If you start limes or other citrus from seeds, expect 8-10 years before you get anything. Maybe longer if it can't be outside all the time. Grafted is the best way to go with citrus. They need to get very large before they will make fruit if they aren't grafted.

Satsuma...rootstock could be. I haven't had a chance to go look since I've been travelling the last few days. I'll post a picture if I can.