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Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi

Citrus x paradisi
Grapefruit, Forbidden fruit, Pamplemousse, Pomelo

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Magnifique ! Avec un beau pamplemousse en prime ! Merci pour votre sérieux !

Lola, 20/01/2024

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

This citrus develops a superb and vigorous tree that is hardy down to -7°C (19.4°F). It bears large white flowers in spring, followed by clusters of big yellow grapefruit when ripe. The fruits are juicy and delicious, with an aromatic flavour that is slightly sweet, tangy, and bitter, characteristic of this citrus. They are harvested between November and March.
Flavour
Sugary
Height at maturity
6 m
Spread at maturity
5 m
Exposure
Sun
Self-fertilising
Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time March to April
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Harvest time January to March, November to December
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Description

Citrus x paradisi forms a beautiful tree, reaching over 6m (20ft) in height. It produces large, white, waxy flowers with a sweet fragrance in spring. Everything about this citrus is large, from the leaves to the fruits, which can exceed 12cm (5in) in diameter. Fruit juice enthusiasts appreciate its juicy and white pulp, which has an aromatic and refreshing flavour. It boasts a perfect balance of aroma, sugar, acidity, and bitterness, characteristic of grapefruit. It perishes below -7°C (19.4°F), but shows enough tolerance towards the soil. It can be cultivated in a large container in a greenhouse during winter, or in open ground in warm regions that are spared from severe frosts.

 

Citrus x paradisi is a large-sized shrub with dense foliage, belonging to the Rutaceae family. Its habit is naturally rounded. It is probably native to the West Indies, where its parents, C. maxima and C. sinensis (orange tree), hybridised. This beautiful tree reaches up to 10m (33ft) in height and spreads about 5m (16ft) in open ground, if growing conditions are favourable. Its growth will be more limited in a pot. Its young branches are pubescent, and then become glabrous over time. It flowers abundantly in March-April, producing the largest blooms in the Citrus genus. They are white, star-shaped, divinely fragrant, and gathered in clusters. They give way to round fruits, with a diameter ranging from 10 to 18cm (4 to 7in). Their relatively thick and smooth skin is initially green and then turns yellow when ripe. The white-greenish and translucent fruit pulp is slightly sweet, acidic, and bitter. The fruits are harvested from November to February. The large, evergreen, leathery, and aromatic leaves often have a petiole with a small wing.

 

Grapefruit is consumed fresh, as an appetizer, dessert, or in the form of juice. This fruit has a unique flavour, with a subtle blend of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and fragrance. It is also a beautiful ornamental tree in very mild climates, with its superb deep green and shiny foliage, clusters of large fruits, and naturally balanced habit.

Like all Citrus, Citrus x paradisi contains essential oil glands in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, often visible to the naked eye. Essential oil with antiseptic, tonic, and appetising properties can be extracted through distillation (flowers and leaves) or pressing (peel). The fragrance of the essential oil is described as fruity, tangy, slightly bitter, with floral notes.

 

Most citrus trees thrive in open ground in Mediterranean coastal regions, where they find the year-round warmth they need. To bear fruit well, they must not lack water or nutrients. It is a self-fertile bush, which means that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting.

 

Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi in pictures

Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi (Flowering) Flowering
Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi (Foliage) Foliage
Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi (Plant habit) Plant habit
Grapefruit - Citrus x paradisi (Harvest) Harvest

Plant habit

Height at maturity 6 m
Spread at maturity 5 m
Growth rate fast

Fruit

Fruit colour green
Fruit diameter 13 cm
Flavour Sugary
Use Table
Harvest time January to March, November to December

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time March to April
Inflorescence Solitary, Cluster
Flower size 3 cm
Fragrance Very fragrant, Orange blossom.
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Citrus

Species

x paradisi

Family

Rutaceae

Other common names

Grapefruit, Forbidden fruit, Pamplemousse, Pomelo

Origin

North America

Product reference834101

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Planting and care

Planting in open ground

It appreciates neutral, slightly acidic, and non-calcareous soils, but it is less demanding in terms of soil pH than most other citrus trees. It can only be planted in open ground if you live on a Mediterranean coastal strip. The best time to plant is in early spring, in March and April. Do not to bury the collar. Citrus trees are naturally greedy and require water to bear fruit well. Consider adding well-decomposed compost or "special citrus" fertiliser. Choose a sunny but not scorching location, sheltered from the wind to prevent leaf drying and premature dropping of young fruits. Place it in a location protected from sea spray.

Planting in a pot

In all other regions, it should be planted in a pot that can be kept frost-free in a greenhouse or a very lightly heated veranda. It will appreciate being outdoors in summer. Plant (or repot) at the end of summer. Choose a pot slightly larger than the root system, as citrus trees do not like to feel cramped. Moisten the root ball well. To improve the drainage capacity of the mixture, line the bottom of the pot with clay pebbles. Loosen the root ball and mix two-thirds garden soil with one-third "special citrus" potting soil. Water generously. Choose pots made of terracotta or breathable material.

Citrus trees need a lot of water to thrive. Water every day, ideally with low or non-calcareous water. The soil should remain consistently moist. It also needs regular applications of fertiliser: every 6 months for slow-release granular fertiliser, or every 3 waterings for liquid fertiliser.

Planting period

Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Container, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Well-drained, fertile, and moist.

Care

Pruning instructions In spring, use scissors or secateurs to lightly prune the new shoots to maintain a lovely rounded habit, and encourage flowering and fruit production.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May to June
Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs to be stored
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