Growing grapefruit at home is a long process, but possible. Healthy citrus will not take root in the garden. And in an apartment, a tropical tree will begin to bear fruit in a few years. To harvest, you need to choose the right variety, get the seeds and be patient. Advice from agronomists on caring for exotic plants will also help.
Suitable varieties
Not every variety of grapefruit is suitable for growing at home. Recommended varieties:
| Name | a brief description of | Description of fruits |
| Red Rio | The latest achievement of selection. Gives a big harvest | Red flesh, small number of seeds |
| Duncan | Not afraid of frost. Tall | Fruits are sweet and sour, with seeds |
| Anniversary | Grows up to 2 meters, the crop can be stored for a long time | Slight bitterness in taste |
| March | Afraid of low temperatures. Pronounced citrus scent | No seeds, slight bitterness in aftertaste |
Grapefruit fruits are low in calories. The pulp is suitable for making syrups or smoothies; the peel makes delicious candied fruits.
Features of growing grapefruit from seed at home
Grapefruit is a rather capricious plant. To grow citrus at home, you need to properly care for the tree at all stages of development.
Preparing containers and soil
Grapefruits love space. A wooden box or even a bucket is suitable for growing. The main thing is to formulate the soil composition correctly. The simplest solution is to purchase a mixture for citrus trees at a specialized store.
In the absence of suitable soil, you can prepare the substrate yourself. Sod and humus are mixed in equal proportions and then sand is added. Standard soil for indoor flowers will also work if you add a sandy layer with peat.
Landing technology
The most common method to grow grapefruit is to use the fruit's seeds. Choose fully ripe citrus fruits. The seeds are thoroughly cleaned of pulp and washed with water. Material of the correct shape, without flaws, is suitable for planting. Experienced gardeners advise taking several seeds. The rule applies: a separate container is allocated for each seed.
The depth of the planting hole is about 2 centimeters. After sprinkling the selected specimens with soil, water and cover the container with polyethylene film. The improvised greenhouse is ventilated every day. Irrigation is recommended to be resumed after the soil dries out. The film is removed after green shoots appear.
Plant care rules
Grapefruit needs to create comfortable conditions for full development.
Lighting, temperature and humidity
In the warm season, the plant can be placed on the balcony; with the onset of cold weather, it is better to move it indoors. Grapefruits should receive light 12 hours a day. In winter, it is recommended to turn on fluorescent lamps next to the citrus. The optimal temperature for a person from the tropics is up to 28 °C. For the plant to bear fruit, maintain humidity at 50%. In hot weather, use a spray bottle.
Watering and fertilizing
Both abundant irrigation and excessively dry soil are harmful to grapefruit. Deviations from the norm often cause root rotting. Usually the soil is moistened once every 2-3 days; in hot weather, the frequency of watering is increased. Used for feeding fertilizers for citrus plants. Useful additives are applied to the soil every 2 weeks from October to March.
Transfer
For 5 years, containers for grapefruit are changed every other year. Subsequently, a new container is selected after 3 years. Each time, an additional layer of soil and drainage are poured into the flower pot. The plant is handled, keeping the soil on the roots to avoid injury to the shoots.
Wintering
In winter, grapefruit is placed in cooler conditions. The air temperature should not exceed 9 °C. Unheated loggias or balconies are suitable for these purposes.Be sure to provide additional lighting. Once a week, it is beneficial for the plant to take a shower in warm water.
Subtleties of grapefruit grafting
Grafting accelerates the fruiting period of grapefruit. The best time is considered to be the second half of spring or August. Usually 2 methods are used.
With an eye
With this method, a plant bud is cut off and placed on a section of a tree that has previously been cleared of bark. The top of the peephole is wrapped with cloth and covered with polyethylene. Full survival occurs after 2 weeks.
Handle
The cuttings are cut while holding the knife in a horizontal position. Then they retreat 2 centimeters and make a vertical cut on the trunk. A plant branch is placed between the bark and wrapped with tape to create a greenhouse effect. The graft must be ventilated regularly. Yellowed leaves indicate successful completion of the operation; black leaves indicate failure.
Diseases and pests
Mites, mealybugs, and scale insects are dangerous for grapefruit. The plant signals the appearance of pests by falling and deforming the leaves. Microscopic brown spots or cobwebs appear on the plates.
For treatment, a mixture is prepared for treatment. Solutions options:
- Mix a small amount of laundry soap in a bucket of water.
- Rosemary essential oil is added to 1 liter of liquid.
- Take calendula infused with alcohol.
Use a cotton pad soaked in any of the solutions to remove traces of pest activity. The remains are sprayed onto diseased grapefruit. Preparations containing copper are suitable to combat fungal infections. A good effect is achieved using Bordeaux mixture.
Harvest and storage
Ripe grapefruit can remain in the refrigerator for no more than 10 days.Then it will begin to lose smell and taste and gradually dry out. To place unripe fruits, choose a room with low temperature and high humidity. Grapefruits can remain in such a place for several months. Controlling temperature and humidity, regular watering and fertilizing will have a positive effect on the citrus tree. You can harvest tropical fruits without leaving your home.
