Grapefruit and Pummelos

 

Grapefruit flowers and green fruit.

Grapefruit and pumellos are large trees. Pumellos can grow to be 25 to 35 feet tall depending on the variety and the growing conditions; in Houston they will likely get 15' to 20' feet tall and have a diameter of about 12' (need to be 12' from the nearest other tree or building). Grapefruit will usually get to be about 10' to 12' tall and spread to a 10' to 12' diameter. Grapefruit and pumellos usually have a more acid taste than oranges and tangerines. Some have some sweetness and some are even much less acid, even mild, compared to standard grapefruit. Grapefruit usually ripen starting in December and will hang in good quality on the trees into early and mid-spring. Grapefruit have thicker skin than oranges, and pumello have even thicker skin, but what awaits inside is a real taste treat.

Care of Grapefruit and Pummelo Trees

The following information on care of citrus applies to grapefruit and pummelo trees:

Planting: Citrus trees that are purchased in fall or winter need to be kept in the pots until late March or when all danger of freeze has passed. Do not plant these trees before late March or they will very likely die in the winter freezes. Bring them into the garage or house if there is going to be a frost and take them back out after the frost. Plant them in an area that receives at least ½ day of sun. If possible, plant them on the south side of a house or building or where they will get a lot of protection from winter winds. Citrus do not require full sun as most other fruit trees, however the more sun the more production of fruit. Plant them in existing soil without amenities, and make sure the graft is a couple of inches above the soil line. Water every few days while in pots unless it rains. Test the soil in the pot by pushing your finger into the soil. If it is dry an inch down, it is time to water. When planted in the ground, water every day for a few days and then back off to once a week unless it rains.

Fertilizing: Do not fertilize the first spring, but you could fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as Microlife once during the first summer.  In the next spring and summer, you can fertilize a couple of times.

Care: Citrus do not need to be pruned, but you could prune them if they get too big and in the way. And you can prune them on the top to keep them to a height for easy harvesting. You are likely to notice the new growth leaves start to curl. This is citrus leaf miner which is a leaf miner that affects the new leaves of most citrus. You can spray NEEM Oil on the new growth (both sides of leaves), and repeat a week later. This may stop the leaf miner, and it may not. The tree will still grow and produce even though the leaf miner attacks the leaves; but the tree will be more productive and healthier if the leaf miner is prevented.

Cold Tolerance: Some citrus have very good cold tolerance down to 22 degrees and some even to 10 degrees; but most can be damaged by freezes especially when they are young. In the first couple of years, if there is going to be a freeze, protect the plant by covering with a blanket with a large bucket of water sitting right next to the plant and under the blanket. Also pile mulch or leaves around the base of the tree to protect the graft. In this way, if the tree freezes, it will come right back. After the freeze, remove the blanket and pull back the mulch or leaves. As the tree gets bigger, it is less sensitive to freezes. Some trees, like limes, are very sensitive to freezes and should be kept in pots and brought in if there is going to be a freeze.

Harvesting: Citrus ripen depending on the variety. Some like limes may produce several times during the year. Some satsumas produce as early as August and others as late as December. Oranges can ripen as early as November and some in January. Except for satsumas and some limes, all citrus will change color before they are ripe. You can taste when you think they are ripe and keep tasting on a weekly basis. You will soon learn what they taste like when ripe.

Varieties of Grapefruit and Pummelos for the Houston Area Climate

 

Bloomsweet Grapefruit This citrus is a cross between a pummelo & a sour orange. It is a hefty yellow grapefruit, with thinner skin, very juicy, fairly sweet pale flesh. The unique flavor of grapefruit & orange makes this the sweetest grapefruit with flavor that is not found in any other grapefruit. It is easy to peel & segment, and ripens November/December. It has good moderate freeze tolerance.

Golden Grapefruit An outstanding tasting grapefruit that is very hard to find. This is an exceptional fruit for which we have been waiting to offer, for a long time.

Rio Red  Large size tree, early maturity. Fruit is oblong, sweet, seedless, & low in acid. The pulp & flesh is deeply pigmented & has high juice content.

Chandler Pummelo Huge, thick-skinned fruit can weigh up to 9 pounds! Flavorful, sweet flesh is deep pink in color. Vigorous, spreading shrub. Similar to grapefruit. A real treat. Ripens in the fall.

Sarawak Pummelo Sarawak pummelo is sometimes referred to as Tahitian pummelo.  The tree is large and vigorous. The fruit is round with a flattened bottom and has a greenish-yellow rind that is thinner than the typically thick pummelo rind. The flesh is greenish, juicy, and sweet with a flavor some refer to as melon-like or even lime-like.  It is early to mid-season in maturity and holds well on the tree.