The mature height and fruit production of your citrus tree depend on several environmental factors such as climate, light, soil type, texture, fertility and moisture, and pruning practices. The average height of the Standard tree form is 15-20 ft. Planted in the ground, the average mature height of a Rio Red Grapefruit Semi-Dwarf tree is 10-15 ft. The evergreen, glossy green leaves create a lush green canopy that is perfect for a summer picnic under some shade. Rio Red Grapefruit is a large, vigorous self-fruitful tree that is an excellent selection for California's hotter inland gardens and requires little maintenance. The tasty fruit of Rio Red is great for juicing, cocktails, or fresh eating. The delicately tart flavor of Rio Red Grapefruit is a favorite of home gardeners in hot inland climates where high heat is required for the best flavor and color. The large fruits have a blushing pink rind and beautiful dark pink flesh. They are also used to flavour and garnish food.Rio Red Grapefruit Tree is popular for both its beauty in the landscape and flavor in the kitchen. The grapefruits from the Rio Red variety are prized for their size, sweetness, and juiciness. Grapefruit juice and flesh are traditionally eaten at breakfast. Grapefruit will keep for three months if stored at 10 degrees Celsius. Unlike in southern Australia, mature fruit will develop puffy skin, hollow centres and off flavours if kept on the tree for too long.
Grapefruit grown in the NT should not be left on the tree when ripe. The fruit can be ripe while the rind is still green. In Alice Springs the main production period is from early April to the end of May. In the Darwin and Katherine regions, the main fruiting period is from the middle of February to the end of April. Fruit seasonīackyard grapefruit trees may flower and fruit all year round. You will have to look after the crop to help reduce loss and damage. There are several pests and diseases that affect this crop, including citrus leaf miner, red scale, oriental spider mite, fruit piercing moth, root rot and collar rot. Timing of fertilising with nitrogen is important. Trees need to be watered in the Dry Season. In the NT, trees need to be pruned from a young age to ensure good branch structure. Grapefruit trees grow best as grafted trees rather than seedlings. Grafted trees should be bought from accredited nurseries. White grapefruit varieties like marsh tend to be less acidic and more pleasant to eat when grown in tropical conditions. Pink and red-fleshed grapefruit varieties like Rio red, flame and star ruby grow well in the NT. They should be chosen to suit the area in which they are grown. There are many grapefruit varieties available. They like high fertility soils with a slightly acid pH, low salts and good drainage. They do well in soils of a medium texture at moderate depth. You may need to irrigate grapefruit during the Dry Season.Ĭitrus trees like grapefruit will grow in a range of soil types. In the NT, fast growing and early maturing grapefruit trees are best. Grapefruit trees prefer low or moderate rainfall with cool winters and warm to hot and dry summers. The fruit has a yellow rind and yellow flesh. Branches sometimes have spines but these tend to be flexible, slender and blunt. The leaves are often large and oval in shape, glossy green in colour, dotted with oil glands and have broadly winged leaf stalks.įlowers are white, large and fragrant. Tree size will depend on the environment, the type and how it's looked after. The grapefruit tree is evergreen and small. Origin: grapefruit is believed to have originated in Barbados as a cross between sweet orange and pummelo.ĭistribution: grapefruit is mostly grown in the United States, Israel, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and southern Africa.Īustralian distribution: grapefruit grows in most mainland states and in the Darwin and Katherine areas of the NT. This page has information about growing grapefruit at home in the Northern Territory (NT).
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