How to Grow Grapefruit in North Florida
The state of Florida offers perfect conditions for many citrus trees and plants, but not every part of Florida is ideal for growing grapefruit. Gardeners who want to know how to grow grapefruit in north Florida may find (the hard way) that the fruit is suited to central and southern parts of the state. Growing grapefruit in northern Florida is not impossible, but it does take some extra care and attention to produce tasty, healthy fruit. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How to Grow Grapefruit Outside
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Purchase sour orange, Cleopatra, trifoliate orange or another variety of cold-hardy grapefruit rootstock from a nursery.
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Pick a sunny area to plant the grapefruit rootstock. The planting site should be well-drained, and if possible near the southern side of any body of water to provide protection against winter freezes.
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Dig the hole to be twice as big around and twice as deep as the rootball itself.
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Mix peat moss into the soil dug out of the hole in a 1-to-1 ratio and pour some of the mixture into the bottom of the hole.
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Place the root ball inside the hole and cover it with the soil-peat moss mixture, building up a mound approximately 2 inches high over the root ball and tamp down gently.
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Water the newly-planted area thoroughly to settle the soil and roots.
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Plant all grapefruit trees at least 15 feet apart.
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Harvest fruits from December to May. Some species of grapefruit may be ready for harvest in November, but December is more common.
How to Grow Grapefruit Indoors
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Purchase dwarf grapefruit rootstock, such as the Flying Dragon, to grow smaller trees that are suitable for the indoors.
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Fill a large pot (at least 1 foot in diameter) halfway with rich potting soil and place the root ball inside.
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Add enough soil to fill the rest of the pot.
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Water thoroughly to settle the soil.
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Apply fertilizer to the soil once every two months during spring and summer.
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Water the plant every other day or every few days.
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Place the tree near a sunny window where it will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
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Pollinate the plant with a paintbrush during spring. Use the brush to collect pollen from the stamens of the flowers, and place it on the pistils.
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Move the plant outside in mid spring, placing the tree in almost total shade to start. Over the next few days, gradually move the plant into full sunlight to allow it to adjust slowly.
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Move the plant indoors at the end of summer. Fruit may be harvested from December through May.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not plant grapefruit trees or or near the bottom of a slope or hill in north Florida, as cold air travels downhill naturally.
Don't mulch around grapefruit trees. Excess water promotes rot and disease in the roots of the tree.
Don't add manure or mushroom compost, which will kill grapefruit trees, according to Just Fruits and Exotics, a Florida citrus nursery.
References
Resources
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