Our office now has a lime plant as of early November 2010. When we got it, it had been on someones porch outside during the summer. The branches have thorns, the older leaves are a dull dark green color and are 1.5quot; x 3quot; long. The new leaves coming out are 3quot; x 6quot; and a light green glossy color! It rests in pot with good drainage directly under a skylight.We're thinking it's just happy there, but could it be getting ready to bloom? We have pinched off some of the broken leaves (they smell very limey).
I'd make up the dressing without the lemon juice and then taste it. If you feel it needs a little more sharpness I'd add a little more white vinegar. I wouldn't use the lime juice from a bottle.
It probably won't affect it greatly. There might be a slight flavor difference, but it should work just fine.
One way to find out, try it. Be prepared though, imitation lime or lemon juice is gross.
Never EVER use lemon or lime juice from a bottle, unless you know it's freshly squeezed 100% juice in there. Some places sell bottles with pure juice in it, but the cheap ones you buy at the everyday supermarkets are like a very small percentage actual juice and then lots of other crap in there as well. It tastes nothing like the real juice. As for your question, limes are very similar to lemons. I'd give it a go. I often use limes where it says lemon, and it always ends up as a just as tasty alternative.
