How to Grow Red Grapefruit Trees

Red grapefruit has a darker flesh than standard pink grapefruit and a sweeter flavor. Red grapefruits, commonly referred to as "Ruby Red," are seedless and the most popular variety in the U.S. The trees bearing the fruit are resistant to drought, but must be grown in a warm climate because below-freezing temperatures can damage the tree. These trees are low maintenance and, during the growing season, give off a lovely fragrance. Red grapefruit trees are even available in a dwarf variety for those who would prefer to grow the tree in a pot on their porch or patio.

Things You'll Need

• Peat moss
• Potting soil
• Plastic tarp
• Aluminum sulfate

Instructions

1. Soak the roots of the sapling in water for several hours before planting or potting. This serves to fully hydrate the roots of the tree and help it adhere better to the soil when planted.

2. Choose a location for the grapefruit tree and dig a hole several inches deeper and wider than the sapling's root bag.

3. Prepare a peat moss mixture for planting. The peat moss mixture should consist of even parts peat moss and potting soil.

4. Spread some of the peat moss mixture into the hole. Place the sapling in the hole and fill the open area around the tree with more of the peat moss mixture. Pack the mixture in tightly around the sapling.

5. Water the tree deeply every other week.

6. Cover the sapling with a plastic tarp on nights when you expect near freezing temperatures. This will protect the tree from frost damage. If your area is expecting a freeze, drape the young tree with blankets to keep it warm.

7. Provide your Ruby Red grapefruit tree with one cup of aluminum sulfate every four months. As the tree ages, increase the amount of aluminum sulfate by one cup for every year of the tree's age.

8. Prune dead leaves and twigs from the tree regularly. This prevents decay from spreading to other parts of the tree.

9. Harvest the grapefruit in mid- to late March when the fruit becomes ripe.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care not to give the tree too much water as this can cause a yellowing of the leaves Do not attempt to pot a standard-size grapefruit tree. Only the dwarf varieties can comfortably grow in a pot.

References

• Ruby Red Grapefruit Tree: Great Breakfast Fruit Picked Free at Home
• Frost Protection in the Garden: Citrus Trees Are a Special Case