Growing Grapefruit

Grapefruit belong to the same family as oranges, limes and lemons – the group known as citrus. Like all citrus, grapefruit are full of protective vitamin C, and delicious as well. They are sometimes confused with the “poor man’s orange”, which is a cross between a grapefruit and an orange, with thick skin and lots of pith and pips. True grapefruit appear to have originated in the West Indies and have been first cultivated in Florida early last century.

Modern grapefuit varieties are free of seeds, thin skinned and much sweeter than the old poor man’s orange. They grow best in a subtropical climate, where there are hot days and warm to hot nights during summer. In the United States, the “citrus belt” is a region running across the southern and southwestern states, but particularly California and Florida. Grapefruit also grow well in Texas. The fruit ripens during fall and winter. If the trees are healthy and mature, they can withstand a few hours of temperatures below freezing point in winter, but after that time ice will form in the fruit, making it inedible.

If you live in a subtropical region and choose to grow a grapefruit tree, plant it in a warm, sunny, well-drained spot, preferably where there is protection from strong winds. All citrus require a fertile soil. You can improve light soils by adding organic matter such as compost and digging it well in. Heavy soils will also benefit from the addition of compost. Water the tree well to begin with and keep the soil moist while it is getting established. A mulch of straw can help conserve moisture – citrus are shallow rooting and the roots dry out easily – but leave a few centimeters of bare soil between the tree and the mulch, to keep the trunk dry and decrease the possibility of disease. Specially formulated citrus fertilizers are available that will promote growth.

You don’t need to worry too much about pruning a grapefruit tree, especially in the early stages of growth. Just gently cut young branches to keep the shape you want. When picking grapefruit you should use sharp secateurs – don’t just pull the fruit from the tree. Cutting back the stem by several centimeters when picking fruit will encourage fruiting wood to grow for next season. If you live in a place where temperatures fall below freezing in winter, you should carry out any pruning only in spring, so that new growth is developing strongly before winter.

Most grapefruit grow well and are resistant to diseases and pests. However, scale insects and leaf-roller caterpillar may be a problem, while for older trees, citrus borer can kill whole branches if it gets established. Treatments, both organic and non-organic, are available for these conditions at you garden center.

While it is young you may need to protect the tree from below-freezing temperatures in winter with a cover of sacking or something similar, supported by stakes above the plant. You will be rewarded with scented blossom in spring and sweet, juicy, health-preserving fruit in fall and winter, when you need it most to prepare for winter’s ills.