

Then water the soil and allow it to settle before backfilling with the remaining soil. After placing the tree in the hole, backfill halfway with soil, firmly pressing down to squeeze out any air bubbles. Keep in mind that those planted in spring must contend with the heat of summer while fall-planted trees must endure the hardships of unseasonably cold winters.ĭig the planting hole both wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots. Grapefruit trees can be planted in spring or fall, depending on where you’re located and what works best for you and your region’s conditions.


Keep the tree at least 12 feet (4 m.) from buildings, walks, driveways, etc. For instance, when planting a grapefruit tree, an area on the southernmost side of the home not only offers the most sun but also provides optimal winter protection. Choosing a suitable location is also important. Planting Grapefruit TreeĪlways get the planting area ready beforehand, amending the soil if necessary. Grapefruit trees also prefer well-draining, loamy soil.
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This means growing them in temperate or tropical-like regions in full sun - preferably in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and up, though some success can be achieved in zones 7 and 8 with suitable care. In order to properly grow grapefruit, you need to provide relatively warm conditions both day and night.

Successful gardening usually depends on providing plants with ideal growing conditions. Fruit can be left on the tree, but watch for over ripening.While growing a grapefruit tree may be somewhat tricky for the average gardener, it’s not impossible. Most citrus produce abundant fruit which matures over several months. Aphids, scale, mites and mealy bug may need eradicating, especially in warmer areas.Ĭitrus are great in the garden as specimen trees, in containers and even as indoor plants. Verrucosis is the main disease to watch for. Watch for rootstock growth, which needs to be removed carefully due to spikes.Ĭitrus generally suffer from few disease problems. Prune to shape and to allow sunlight and wind movement. Water well during the early stages, during long dry periods and when the fruit is developing.Ĭitrus are ‘gross feeders’, so require regular fertilising with specialist citrus fertilizer. Growing citrus in containers and under cover can allow less hardy varieties to grow in more temperate areas. Varieties grown by Waimea Nurseries are generally hardier varieties. Most citrus trees are subtropical or tropical and will not tolerate temperatures below -2˚C. Please note not all rootstock and variety combinations are available every year. The seeds are harvested from a particular variety of sour orange which produces many seeds inside the fruit. This rootstock is grown from seed sourced from Australia or USA. Another benefit of this rootstock is that the fruit is produced at an earlier age compared to trees on Trifoliata rootstock.Rootstock growth (‘suckers’) that sprouts from below the bud union (about 15cm from ground level) will look different to the variety growth with distinctive small tri-lobed leaves and many sharp spikes – this growth should be cleanly snipped off. Trees on Flying Dragon are best planted in warmer areas of the garden as the rootstock is not very cold tolerant. Trees on Trifoliata rootstock will grow to 3-4m tall.įlying Dragon – A dwarfing rootstock for citrus trees, with trees on Flying Dragon growing to only 2m tall. Rootstock growth (‘suckers’) that sprouts from below the bud union (about 15cm from ground level) will look different to the variety growth with distinctive small tri-lobed leaves and many sharp spikes – this growth should be cleanly snipped off. Trifoliata is the standard rootstock for citrus trees with excellent hardiness to difficult soil conditions, to cold soil temperatures, with good vigour and heavy crops. The seeds are harvested from a particular type of sour orange which produces many seeds inside the fruit. Trifoliata – This rootstock is grown from seed sourced from Australia or USA.
